Building Blocks of Faith (Part 2)

Subject: Building Blocks of Faith

Verse: 2 Peter 1:3-8

Please stand for the reading of God’s word. Turn to 2 Peter chapter 1 we will be reading verses 4-8, that is 2 Peter 1:4-8

1. Review of last week:

1. 2. 3.

Let’s Read, say Amen if you are there:

2 Peter 1:4–8 NASB95

4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Opening prayer:

2. Perserverance

1. A bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances. Generally meaning endurance, patience, perseverance or constancy under suffering in faith and duty. Used in an absolute sense (perfect, has to be correct, no option of not being correct) Luke 8:15 , those in Christ bear fruit.

among Christians in general: Revelation 1:9 “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

Revelation 13:10 “If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.”

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

2. Illustration

When the spacecraft Challenger exploded seconds after its launch, the nation was plunged into mourning, unlike anything since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Condolences poured in from all over the world. For the first time in our nation’s history, the president of the United States delayed his State of the Union Address.

Yet on the very day of this tragic event, President Ronald Reagan declared that following a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion our national space program would continue. The people of the nation agreed. Why?

The brave men and women of the Challenger were but the latest of that long line of explorers who have led the progressive march of humankind. They can be characterized as those who were ever looking beyond the horizon, not content to sit idly by in the narrow confines of present existence. Thus, men and women have sailed uncharted seas, marched through unknown lands, and scaled lofty mountains. When there were no more earthly horizons, they looked out into space. Soon they walked on the moon and gazed at distant stars.

How the world needs men and women with vision who with persistence will stretch our horizons.

3. Gift from God

God gives it: Romans 15:5 “5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,”

promised reward:

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

James 1:1 “James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.”

Revelation 2:25–28 “25 ‘Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. 26 ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.”

Revelation 3:11 “‘I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”

Hebrews 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.”

3. Godliness:

1. Lets backup to verse 3, 2 Peter 1:3 “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

Paul in his letter to Timothy, educates him on godliness.

2. Use an illustration to further clarify it.

3. Provide an application-—“Here’s how this idea relates to our lives.”

4. Brotherly Kindness

1. Explanation

2. Illustration

3. Application

5. Love (Agape)

1. Explanation

2. Illustration

3. Application

6. Point 4 (e.g. “God is concerned with the condition of our hearts.”)

1. Explanation

2. Illustration

3. Application

7. Conclusion

1. Summarize what you’ve taught.

2. Present a call to action—what should your congregation do, now that they’ve learned these truths from God’s Word?

8. Pray