1. Reaching Perfection

2. Once we understand what it means to strive for perfection
And having examined where we are
And having made up our mind that we are going to reach maturity
We start working at reaching perfection.
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3. We are in the race for our lives! 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Put away what hinders
We are in the race for our lives! 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Hebrews 12:1-2 – as we run this race we need to cast off whatever is hindering us or slowing us down!
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4. Put away what hinders Hebrews 12:1-2 –
“Sin that so easily ensnares us” – any sin will that we allow to influence us will hinder our race
“Every weight” – there may be hindrances that are not sinful themselves, that can become sinful if we let them impede our race. Cf. 1 Corinthians 6:12
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5. It is not enough to put off your old ways Matthew 12:43-45
Put on the new man
It is not enough to put off your old ways
Matthew 12:43-45
If we let a sinful habit back into our lives, it will usually return with fierceness cf. 2 Peter 2:20-22
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6. Ephesians 4:22-24, put on the new man
Romans 6:3-6, in baptism we put to death the man of sin and are “raised to walk in newness of life.”
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7. A passage that describes our pursuit of perfection
2 Peter 1:5-11
A passage that describes our pursuit of perfection
2:3-4, God through His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness…
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8. 2 Peter 1:5-11
“But also for this very reason…” Because of the spiritual blessings we have received in Him, there are some things we need to develop
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9. 2 Peter 1:5-11 “Giving all diligence”
This is something we need to be seriously working at. Doing so with eagerness
2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent” (“Study” KJV) Romans 12:11, we are to be fervent in spirit and not lagging in diligence
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10. 2 Peter 1:5-11
“Add…” to provide something within, or in addition to, what is already there
Peter is here describing a process of development in which we use the qualities mentioned to reach toward maturity.
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11. 2 Peter 1:5-11
“Add…”
Described as: An orchestra, Stair steps, An expanding set of bullseye rings, A growing tree with faith at its root. Each describes varying qualities of our spiritual growth
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12. 2 Peter 1:5-11
Faith
The foundation of our lives as Christians. “Firm persuasion”
Romans 1:16-17
Hebrews 11:1, The substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6, a necessity
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13. 2 Peter 1:5-11
Faith
It is not merely believing in God. It is believing God and trusting Him.
It is easy to say we have faith, but deeper faith is more difficult to do.
Will you get in the wheelbarrow?
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14. Moral excellence. “An uncommon character worthy of praise” (BDAG)
2 Peter 1:5-11
Virtue
Moral excellence. “An uncommon character worthy of praise” (BDAG)
This is our integrity! What we are deep within us.
Character that will NEVER compromise our convictions
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15. 2 Peter 1:5-11 Virtue Philippians 4:8, 1 Peter 2:9 (praises) of Him
This quality is right above faith, even before knowledge, because we need integrity as we study and learn what we OUGHT to be
Let us NOT be guilty of twisting truth to our advantage! (2 Timothy 2:15)
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16. 2 Peter 1:5-11 Here our source is the word of God. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Knowledge
What we learn or understand.
Here our source is the word of God. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Ephesians 4:12-13, as we are built up, we come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man…
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17. 2 Peter 1:5-11
Knowledge
2 Peter 3:18, We are to be growing in this knowledge
Clearly, if we are to grow spiritually we have to learn! There is a direct correlation between our depth of knowledge and our spiritual maturity.
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18. 2 Peter 1:5-11
Self-control
Exercising complete control over our desires and actions. We rule our minds and conduct rather than letting them rule us. Self-discipline.
EVERY sin we commit involves self-control, or the lack thereof!
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19. 2 Peter 1:5-11 1 Corinthians 9:27, bringing my body into subjection
Self-control
1 Corinthians 9:27, bringing my body into subjection
The mature bring everything into captivity, 2 Corinthians 10:5
As we learn the truth, we must apply it. This requires discipline, esp. if it means change!
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20. 2 Peter 1:5-11
Patience
Perseverance. Steadfast endurance, even in the face of difficulties or setbacks. Standing frim, rather than giving up!
Romans 2:7, eternal life awaits those who seek glory, honor and immortality
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21. 2 Peter 1:5-11
Patience
Philippians 3:12-14, I press (keep pressing) toward the goal for the prize
As we pursue spiritual perfection, we will face obstacles, disappointments, failures, weariness, etc. We cannot give up!
Luke 21:16
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22. 2 Peter 1:5-11
Godliness
God-likeness. Living a lifestyle that is pleasing and respectful to Him. A life that manifests Him.
Hebrews 12:28, we serve Him with reverence and godly fear.
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23. 2 Peter 1:5-11
Godliness
1 Timothy 4:7-8, exercise yourself toward godliness
This will naturally develop as we put into practice the preceding qualities Our lives will become more about Him, and less about us!
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24. 2 Peter 1:5-11 Brotherly kindness
“Brotherly love”. The quality of caring for one another.
Romans 12:10, This is affection that has developed because of our relationship with our brethren
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25. 2 Peter 1:5-11 Brotherly kindness
Hebrews 13:1, let brotherly love continue!
As we mature in our faith, we realize how important our brethren are. We depend on them and we strive to be there for them. Our conduct is governed by how it affects them.
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26. 2 Peter 1:5-11 Love (Charity)
The final quality in our list. The pinnacle of our quest for perfection.
“Agape”, caring enough to sacrifice for what is best.
It is a quality in every relationship of the Christian.
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27. 2 Peter 1:5-11 Love (Charity)
Matthew 22:37-39, Our conduct is governed by how it affects them.
We have to care!
As we mature, our lives will be more about others than ourselves. Here, this includes not just our family and brethren, but EVERYONE!
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28. 2 Peter 1:5-11 If these things are yours and abound (1:8-11)
We will be neither barren nor unfruitful in our knowledge of Him.
We will not be short-sighted or blind.
We will remember why we are here – our old sins cleansed
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29. 2 Peter 1:5-11 If these things are yours and abound (1:8-11)
IF these things are yours, you will never stumble (fall – KJV). As we strive to perfect these qualities, we will sin less. Any sin we do commit is the result of failing to perfect something in this list!
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30. 2 Peter 1:5-11 If these things are yours and abound (1:8-11)
“For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Developing these qualities are the key to eternal life!
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31. Are you reaching toward perfection?