3. The reading For This morning!
2 Peter 1:5-9
2 Peter 1:5-9 (NKJV) 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

4. In Remembrance of Me

5. Moving to PERFECTION in
Northside
Moving to PERFECTION in

6. Going onto Perfection

7. What It Means to Be A Christian?

8. Attitudes Toward Spiritual Growth
Lesson #12
Attitudes Toward Spiritual Growth

10. The Bible and Growth Hebrews 5:12-6:1
Hebrews 5:12-14 (NKJV) 12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 6:1 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

11. 2 Peter 3:18 The Bible and Growth 2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

12. 1 Peter 2:1-3 The Bible and Growth
1 Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

13. Ephesians 4:15 The Bible and Growth Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--

14. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 The Bible and Growth 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NKJV)
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

15. 2 Peter 1:5-11 The Bible and Growth
2 Peter 1:5-11 (NKJV) 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

16. Achieving Growth Put away that which hinders (cf. Colossians 3:5-9)
1 Peter 2:1, lay aside malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking
Such things hinder growth - Matthew 6:24, Rom. 8:5- 10, 12-13; Gal. 6:16-18, 6:8
Serious commitment - Luke 8:7, 14, etc.

17. Achieving Growth
Desire 1 Peter 2:2, desire the sincere milk of the word
We must make up our minds!
God or not.
Christian or nothing
Light or darkness

18. Achieving Growth Diligence
Eagerness, real and genuine effort. Doing your very best
Some render lip-service, but their actions show otherwise
John 6:27
2 Peter 1:5, giving all diligence

19. Achieving Growth Diligence Romans 12:8, 11
2 Corinthians 7:11, repentance
Hebrews 6:11
2 Timothy 2:15, be diligent (study)

20. Achieving Growth Nourishment
We need to feed our bodies, with good food. Also true spiritually
(cf. Col. 3:10-14)
1 Peter 2:2, desire the milk so that we can grow thereby
Matthew 4:4
2 Peter 1:5-11 add, add, add, add,

21. Achieving Growth Nourishment Knowledge – Hosea 4:6
2 Peter 1:5-11 add, add, add, add…
Faith – Heb. 11:1, 6
Virtue – integrity (Phil. 4:8)
Knowledge – Hosea 4:6
Self-control - Gal. 5:22-23
Perseverance – steadfast endurance, Luke 21:19, Rom. 2:7, Heb. 10:26, Phil. 3:12-14

22. Achieving Growth Nourishment
2 Peter 1:5-11 Northside, add, add, add, add, add
Godliness, a lifestyle based upon respect for God – 1 Tim. 4:7-8
Brotherly kindness – genuine concern, especially for our brethren Rom. 12:10, 1 Pet. 1:22
Love – agape, Matt. 22:37-39

23. Results of Growth 2 Peter 1:8-11
NOT barren or unfruitful – growing and productive (8)
Awareness of our forgiveness (9)
We will “never stumble” (10) (cf. James 2:10, 3:2) WHEN we perfect these things, we will be secure
Entrance into heaven (11) Rom. 2:7

24. Sadly some people are going backwards in 2017
Are they doing it on purpose?
 Who’s the one getting hurt?
 Who is the one that will loose heaven?
 Who will face the Lord in the last day?
 Who will have weeping and gnashing of teeth?
 Who is the one that will be crying, father Abraham, father Abraham help please, help!
At death, all this will be too late.

25. Is your spiritual growth evident in 2017?