The life of faith is built on the grace and power of God. Yet we are twice invited to “make every effort” in growing with God in character and confirmation of our calling and election. (2 Peter 1:5-11)
SERMON OUTLINE
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…” (2 Peter 1:4a)
Background of the passage: A review
- A farewell discourse
- Feed my sheep (John 21:15-17)
- Stay on course
Motivation for ethical behavior: For this very reason… (vv 1-4, 5a, 8, 10-11)
- Past: God’s great and precious promises
- Present: God’s power enables us to be useful and fruitful
- Future: God’s judgment and eternal life
Qualities to add to faith
- Goodness
- Knowledge
- Self-control
- Perseverance
- Godliness
- Brotherly kindness
- LOVE
Our Purpose: A fruitful and useful life in Christ
- We risk becoming ineffective and unproductive
- We are forgetful
- We are vulnerable to stumbling
- God has chosen and called us
- A rich welcome into eternal life awaits us
Practical helps
- Daily prayer
- Bible reading and study
- Community
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How are you doing in these areas that Peter considers so important? Mark yourself on the scale below. Ask God which quality you should work on and what action(s) you need to take. Ask Him to help you.
- Goodness
- Knowledge
- Self-control
- Perseverance
- Godliness
- Brotherly kindness
- Love
- What motivates you most to grow in faith? (For example, His enabling power, His love for you, Peter’s specific admonitions, Christ’s return to judge the earth, etc.)
- What is the best welcome you have ever experienced? How can you remember that you have a part to play in receiving a rich welcome into eternal life?
- Memorize the qualities that Peter prioritizes in 2 Peter 1:5-8.
- We learn how to grow in faith through Scripture. It takes consistent effort to read and study the Bible. Henrietta Mears’ classic book, What the Bible is All About, can be a big help.
- If you are stuck in the “steps” of adding to your faith, consider participating in Living Waters.