"Adding to Our Faith" by Gale Nelson
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2020
Tags: #spiritualgrowth #faith #increasemyfaith

Christians must continue to grow spiritually. Open up your bibles, and discover how "adding to YOUR faith" can help in YOUR spiritual growth. It's an on-going cycle!

KEY LESSON PRINCIPLES

Recognition of Growth:
• Don't be comfortable with stagnation; biblically speaking, children of God should have a desire to grow… 1 Peter 2:2

• We need assistance to grow.

The Reality of Spiritual Growth:
• Spiritual Growth is a divine requirement for every soldier of Christ.
• The word of God is the divine provision (vehicle) for growth.
• We grow by learning, obeying, and digesting the word of God.

Applying the Lesson Text… 2 Peter 1:5-11
• God doesn't make us grow; we have to desire it. Once we choose to obey the gospel, that is the beginning of our growth.

• (v. 9) It is possible for a child of God to be blind--lacking understanding; ignorance (see Ephesians 1:18). You do not see the necessity of adding to your faith!

• (v. 10) "Giving all diligence" means to keep working; do what you can while you can (see Hebrews 6:11)

○ Mature Christians don't just happen-- they are made through time, effort, and patience… see Joshua 24:15; Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 1:23; 1 Kings 18:21; Acts 11:23

• Adding to our faith is on-going--it requires continued cultivation.

○ Faith comes by hearing the word of God (see Romans 10:17)
○ It is the foundation for our growth (see Hebrews 11:1,6)
○ Our motivation is faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20)

• (v. 5) "Virtue" is defined as moral excellence.

○ If you know it is wrong, then don't do it.
○ Choose to do right (see 1 Peter 2:9)

• (v. 5) "Knowledge" means insight and understanding--know what you are doing (see Romans 15:14; 1 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 4:6)

○ Not the knowledge of the world, but the knowledge found only in Jesus Christ--what does God require of us? Ephesians 3:19; Colossians 2:3

• (v. 6) "Temperance" or self-control; regulating one's own emotions, impulses or desires. A belt is a restraint--holds one's trousers up.

○ We must constantly be in control, and not give way to the flesh.
○ See James 1:14-15

• (v. 6) "Patience" or perseverance is the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty.

○ Our faith has to be tried to produce perseverance.
○ See James 1:2-4,13; James 5:16

• (v. 6) "Godliness" is a sincere, genuine, God-word attitude--be devout; do that which is well-pleasing in the sight of God (see Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 112:1)

○ Society is becoming more Godless… See 2 Timothy 3:1-5

• (v. 7) "Brotherly Kindness" or loving and being kind to other Christians (we are family) (see Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; Ephesians 4:32; John 13:34-35)

• (v. 7) "Charity" or love is the culmination as we add to our faith (see 13.10" class="scriptRef">Romans 13:10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13; 1 Corinthians 16:14)

○ We are to love God… Matthew 22:37
○ We are to love our Neighbor… Matthew 22:39
○ We are to love our Enemies… Matthew 5:44
○ This is not a conditional love!


CALL TO ACTION:
* Have you gotten spiritually stronger in the midst of this pandemic?
* Are you in IN Christ? Have you by faith repented-confessed-been baptized? https://miamigardenscoc.net/salvation.php
* Are you growing in Christ?
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RECOMMENDED LINKS
* The Election of God: https://youtu.be/ff8hkZa9ZRw
* The Armor of God: https://youtu.be/03Z4mzlj98I
* Website: https://www.miamigardenscoc.net