1. The Christian Graces
Add To Your Faith -
Moral Excellence

2. God Has Always Wanted His People To Live A Good Moral Life Towards Him
From the beginning, God commanded His people to live a good, moral life - Ex. 20:13-17; Lev. 19:1-37; many others
Notice the example that Jesus gives us - Mk. 10:17-23

3. God Has Always Wanted His People To Live A Good Moral Life Towards Him
God tells us that we are special in His eyes, and we should live that way - 1 Pet. 2:9; 1:16
We need to live good moral lives despite the evil that is around us - 1 Jn 2:15-17; Rom. 12:1-2
God punished His people when they did not live moral lives - 2 Chr. 28:19

4. Notice The Origin Of The Greek Word
The original Greek word (arête) comes from a military word
Peter is using this word to signify that we are in a battle against evil - Eph. 6:10-17
Paul tells us in other places that we need to be prepared to fight - 1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7

5. Notice The Origin Of The Greek Word
It takes great courage to have this kind of virtue and fight the good fight
Notice some example that we have preserved for us
Especially Christ and His sufferings before His death
Joshua - Deut. 31:6-7; Josh. 1:6
Others - Heb. 11:32-38
Moses - Heb. 11:24-27
Abraham - Heb. 11:8
Daniel - Dan. 6:10

6. Notice The Origin Of The Greek Word
We, today, must have courage to live like we are supposed to for God
It takes courage to ask for forgiveness from others and confess sins
It takes courage to forgive others
It takes courage to say “yes” when the world says “no”
It takes courage to resist temptation
We must have courage to confess our faith
We must have courage to live our faith
It takes courage to say “no” when the world says “yes”

7. God has done His part. Have you done yours?
God's Plan of Salvation
GOD'S PART
The great love of God for man (Jn 3:16)
He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior (Lk 19:10)
Sent the Holy Spirit as a guide (Jn 16:13)
Gave the Gospel as "the power" unto salvation (Rom 1:16)
Provided atonement by the blood of Christ (Rom 5:9)
MAN'S PART
Hear the Gospel (Rom 10:17, Jn 8:32)
Believe the Gospel (Heb 11:6, Jn 20:31)
Repent of past sins (Lk 13:3, Acts 17:30)
Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 10:10, Matt 10:32)
Be Baptized (Gal 3:27, Mk 16:16, Acts 2:38)
Be faithful unto death (Rev 2:10)
God has done His part. Have you done yours?