 Some metals shine brighter by being polished  Christian graces shine brighter with use Not by birth, Money or social prominence By Prayer, suffering and patient cultivation

Add Graces with Diligence Diligence = to hasten, serious, energetic Matt. 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Add  Supply, supplement  To place upon, to add further  Bring in by the side of

Foundation of our hope Heb. 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Conviction that God exists  Confidence he will keep His promises

Courage, valor, determination to do right Moral excellence, purity, modesty Joseph - Genesis 39:7-12 Ruth 3:11 Boaz is speaking: “for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.” Peter lacked courage and denied Jesus Mt. 26:70 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” 1 Cor.16:13

Of God Jesus Bible  Tell right from wrong  Result in changed behavior  Free from bondage to sin “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18

Masters his desires and passions Excuse “I just couldn’t help myself”  2 Cor. 5:10 - we will give an account  Prov. 16:32 “he that ruleth his spirit”  Eph. 4:26 “Be ye angry, and sin not”  James 3:1-2 - bridle the tongue “I said, I will take heed to my ways” Psalms 39:1a

Bear up under stress or strain - doing right regardless of circumstances - not giving up “Ye have heard of the patience of Job” Jas. 5:11 Rev. 21:8 “the fearful” = give up, no patience

An attitude of respect, reverence and devotion expressed toward God and his word “But Godliness with contentment is great gain” 1 Tim.6:6

Friendship, love of brethren Badge of discipleship Jn.13:35 I Jn. 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” Brings … Help ~Encouragement ~Comfort ~Rebuke ~

Love is active Good Will Agape = highest type Doing right because it is right Because of what we are Seeks highest good for others Col.3:14

 Not one following another  Not “love” when others added  All practiced together

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8 Not barren = idle, inactive Not Unfruitful Multiply, prolific, bumper crop

“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:9 Opposite of abound Blind - near sighted = Spiritually Col. 3:2 - “set your mind on things above” Forgotten he was purged = “cleansed” Backslider

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter 1:10 Diligence = zeal Calling = God’s invitation is for all Election = man’s acceptance of God’s terms Sure - ye shall never fall

“For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:11 Entrance Abundantly Everlasting Kingdom

Keep on growing If we stop we die !!

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning December 9, 2012