Solid Steps of Christian Growth Growth A Study of 2 Peter 1:1-11

God’s Call to Spiritual Growth Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23,24

Add to Your Faith Virtue The Inner Strength To Do Right 2 Peter 1:5

Introduction to Virtue Christianity begins with faith in Jesus Christ, but it doesn’t end there. Christianity begins with faith in Jesus Christ, but it doesn’t end there. Everyone who comes to Christ comes only as a wicked, condemned, lost sinner with the desperate need to find forgiveness and the ability to live free from the power of sin Everyone who comes to Christ comes only as a wicked, condemned, lost sinner with the desperate need to find forgiveness and the ability to live free from the power of sin The next step after salvation, is the need to build up some strength against sin. The next step after salvation, is the need to build up some strength against sin. Takes hard work (diligence) not easy Takes hard work (diligence) not easy We are commanded to meditate on virtuous things (Philippians 4:8). We are commanded to meditate on virtuous things (Philippians 4:8). Let’s find out what those kind of things are… Let’s find out what those kind of things are…

What is Virtue? It is an old word It is an old word It is very rare trait (Pr 31:10) Not many people have virtue It is very rare trait (Pr 31:10) Not many people have virtue “Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it.” David Jordan“Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it.” David Jordan Virtue simply is doing things God’s way (Ps 18:30)Virtue simply is doing things God’s way (Ps 18:30) Virtue is a strength - the ability to walk away from temptation (Philippians 4:13)Virtue is a strength - the ability to walk away from temptation (Philippians 4:13) The opposite of Virtue is ViceThe opposite of Virtue is Vice It is the FIRST thing a Christian is to add to their life as soon as they get saved! It is the FIRST thing a Christian is to add to their life as soon as they get saved!

Illustration of a Balloon Drink Drugs Pornography Lust Bad Language Sex Lying Stealing Rebellion A life shaped by the devil! A life shaped by the Holy Spirit of God

Real Men and Real Women The other word for virtue is FORTITUDE With men, virtue is being MANLY, and strong, and not a push- over, but full of back- bone and resilience, and grit and stamina standing against what God says is wrong! With men, virtue is being MANLY, and strong, and not a push- over, but full of back- bone and resilience, and grit and stamina standing against what God says is wrong! With women virtue is being FENMINE, and strong in femininity (not a pushover), but full of conviction and discretion, standing against the world’s pressures to sin! With women virtue is being FENMINE, and strong in femininity (not a pushover), but full of conviction and discretion, standing against the world’s pressures to sin!

Examples of Virtue Job 31:1; Psalm 101:3 – taking control of your eyes Job 31:1; Psalm 101:3 – taking control of your eyes Ruth 3:11 – Resisting the temptation to just marry anyone – Ruth waited Ruth 3:11 – Resisting the temptation to just marry anyone – Ruth waited Jesus – a life full of virtue (inner strength) Jesus – a life full of virtue (inner strength) Proverbs 12:4 – a Virtuous woman builds up her husband instead of making him ashamed Proverbs 12:4 – a Virtuous woman builds up her husband instead of making him ashamed David most of the time was a MAN’S MAN (1Samuel 13:14) – not easily pushed over, and controlled David most of the time was a MAN’S MAN (1Samuel 13:14) – not easily pushed over, and controlled Abigail was a STRONG woman (1Sam 25:21-35) Abigail was a STRONG woman (1Sam 25:21-35)

A Great Example of Virtue and Vice – David and Uriah (2Samuel 11) Background (11:1-5) Background (11:1-5) David’s BoredomDavid’s Boredom David’s BedroomDavid’s Bedroom David’s Belief – that no one would knowDavid’s Belief – that no one would know David’s Burden – a little problem shows up (11:5)David’s Burden – a little problem shows up (11:5) David’s Plan (11:6-13) David’s Plan (11:6-13) Counted on Uriah just being like every other manCounted on Uriah just being like every other man But Uriah was NOT like most other menBut Uriah was NOT like most other men Uriah had character - Had convictionsUriah had character - Had convictions David’s Ruin (11:14-17, 26-27) - Committed Adultery, Lied, Murdered – just like the world! David’s Ruin (11:14-17, 26-27) - Committed Adultery, Lied, Murdered – just like the world! Uriah’s Praise – one of God’s great men Uriah’s Praise – one of God’s great men

What is a Christian Without Virtue? In Bondage – to the haunts and the chains of the past In Bondage – to the haunts and the chains of the past In Fear – of what will happen when caught In Fear – of what will happen when caught In Danger – of ruin and defeat – there already is enough against a Christian to be bringing MORE upon your own head In Danger – of ruin and defeat – there already is enough against a Christian to be bringing MORE upon your own head The key to protection from Satan, and blessing from God is living a life of inner strength and virtue instead of muscles and beauty caving into the pressures of sin, the world, and the devil! The key to protection from Satan, and blessing from God is living a life of inner strength and virtue instead of muscles and beauty caving into the pressures of sin, the world, and the devil!

How to Improve Your Virtue Loathe (hate) the vices, the sins in you – starts here! Loathe (hate) the vices, the sins in you – starts here! Get Lively – get a life project that takes up your time Get Lively – get a life project that takes up your time Learn the lives of the people in the Bible – they are real people, with real problems, whom God has recorded to show us REAL solutions Learn the lives of the people in the Bible – they are real people, with real problems, whom God has recorded to show us REAL solutions Constantly add virtue to your way of thinking, loving, living Constantly add virtue to your way of thinking, loving, living Love God’s laws – thank God for rules, and limits on your life – keeps you OUT of the deadly traps (snares) of the devil Love God’s laws – thank God for rules, and limits on your life – keeps you OUT of the deadly traps (snares) of the devil Look always for a way of escape when facing any temptation (1Cor 10:13) – God will give you strength Look always for a way of escape when facing any temptation (1Cor 10:13) – God will give you strength

Conclusion Start with Faith… Start with Faith… It is where we all startIt is where we all start Believe fully on the Lord Jesus ChristBelieve fully on the Lord Jesus Christ Follow Him, trusting Him and loving Him fullyFollow Him, trusting Him and loving Him fully Add to your faith VIRTUE… Add to your faith VIRTUE… Don’t hesitate to line up your life with Jesus’Don’t hesitate to line up your life with Jesus’ Become a real man, a real woman – quit caving into the pressure around youBecome a real man, a real woman – quit caving into the pressure around you Seek the filling of the Holy Spirit of GodSeek the filling of the Holy Spirit of God