Grow In The Knowledge Of God (2)

Knowledge

This epistle was written to contrast between the knowledge and practice of truth vs falsehood.

Peters was warning believers of:

False profits emerging within the church

1.teaching a perverted doctrine

2.promoting rebellious and immoral living.

*Exhorting readers to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”*

I. Introduction Joel Osteen

Health Wealth Prosperity -joel

We can expect tribulation, suffering, pain/ some will be poor Christians -scripture

Reading the word, Prayer, Fellowship with other believers

Why is growing in the knowledge of God important? False prophets/False teacher, Fruitfulness

What happens when we focus on our growth in the knowledge of God? Abundant entrance in to the kingdom, Know God more

1.Grace and peace is ours in the knowledge of God. v.2

2.Not only are these two gifts ours but we also have all thing that pertain to life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him. v.3

gnōsis- experiential (knowing God) (1:5,6) (3:18) epignōsis- studious (knowing about God)(1:2,3) (1:8) (2:20)

3.We must grow in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. This means knowing more about Jesus, but more importantly, knowing Jesus in a personal relationship.

4.We need to come to the same place the Apostle Paul did, when he said that I may know Him (Philippians 3:10)

II. Work on 7 Character qualities

Growing in the 7 Character qualities helps us to know Jesus more.

3 of them are fruit of the spirit

A. Virtue: arete a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action

virtue, moral goodness/excellence

any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity

-Many Christians stop their progression here***

Knowledge: gnosis knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding

the general knowledge of Christian religion

the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of this religion, such as belongs to the more advanced

especially of things lawful and unlawful for Christians

moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living

Self-control: egkrateia (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites)

Perseverance: hypomonē steadfastness, constancy, endurance

in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

patiently, and steadfastly

a patient, steadfast waiting for

a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

Godliness: eusebeia reverence, respect

piety towards God, godliness

Piety: to act piously or reverently

towards God, one's country, magistrates, relations, and all to whom dutiful regard or reverence is due

Reverence: show deep respect for someone or something.

Brotherly Kindness: philadelphia love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love

in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren

Love: agapē affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love

love feasts

-All these things are part of the Christian growth process

-Once we are made spiritual sons and daughters, growth in the Christian life doesn’t just happen to us. We are supposed to give all diligence to our walk with the Lord.

B. Why should we work on them

i. you'll be fruitful v.8

ii. an abundant entrance into the kingdom v.11

Once we are made spiritual sons and daughters, growth in the Christian life doesn’t just happen to us. We are supposed to give all diligence to our walk with the Lord.

III. Warning (C.2)

IV. Grow in the Grace and Knowledge (C.3)

A. How

i. Knowledge- Prayer

ii. Godliness- Bible Study

iii. Brotherly love- Fellowship

“In order that they might know how to stand, and to be preserved from falling, he gave them this direction: ‘grow in grace;’ for the way to stand is to grow; the way to be steadfast is to go forward. There is no standing except by progression.” (Spurgeon)

Ap.