HowToBeSureYouAreSure
ÿWPCÆ ' Ñ8Ó‚ÍÁ©ªö ÎNBjž&Dï•ÐüÍ9 ª € “¢‹8m»´Úµ!›ëIŠºÌrŸHgE ësð5ÄÛIãd—¹Xp n •7z; I'Ú^›³ ~ ‚Ú¨ ÓÙÕ»8lÒ¿‘¡±0Ž^¸-¿9}è>éúÀyÌ$Š˜¾ O ÆZ ô ÐÏTÚ›&¦4Ö Aˆ}6; . þ¥©êUÔ½4_¡:,~7)“¼,–As‰ ³XÒÙˆ3! ´T—ì"£É§Ž,µÃ’ ̽ ð%† "†"Z/p Ô„ ïüË1oÁp=îE·\#šE R©Ð¢ (™Œ¨ó¼9 â+ÇÓDsß5éÌÜW‚Ž˜E. kâõ¦“‡(Ò‹â”ì´ ·©¥æÃ}OÄKÕBñ¿ ç m)âêéuùHL?Æ)¨ g¯Ç šlâ )CwÀSÑûC1U .Ç^: ƒ´=¡Êkø(©Œ=,–ì¿%m6/Ê^]¤ ×ØÜŽÀz≠±D^o TQX‹ Až ™À†‹ @:p”¼á¼ 9JN†çCõ›¡U94F s â É¢Öûú,]Ü -&ªÞÌëË–¢ éð½+WÍ i(· Æž°r‘j|8Í ÛE±· ûET_6¿ß í(Ž´ävd ‹ßŠ$ ˾4Æ 0 :î é( m # Á - U Nî % < N B tD ¬¸ D -d ^ ‘ w 4 ¡ µ Ä ( üœ$¡¡Ô USUS., Ô ßÔ_ Ô ÿU ‹ÿÀÀÀ˜Lexmark 5700 Series ColorFine0(Ö Ã 9 Z ‹ 6Times New Roman Regular X ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\WP9US.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\wp9US.wpt) !ÈÈÈÈdxdx„ ñ* m¬§*|å 3|x Ý ƒ üœ! ÝÔ USUS., ÔÝ ÝÔ_ ÔÔ_ ÔÔ € Ø â ( ÔÔ_ ÔHOW€TO€BE€SURE€YOU€ARE€SURE€Ð ° ( ÐAdrian€Rogers€Ð œ ÐII€Peter€1:1-10€€Ð ˆ ÐÌÔ_ ÔBe€findingÔ_ Ô€please,€Second€Peter€Chapter€one.Ð ` Ø Ð€We're€going€to€be€preaching€through€this€book,€God€willing,€under€the€title,€AuthenticÐ L Ä ÐChristianity.€And€may€I€say€today€that€Authentic€Christianity€is€in€short€demand€in€many€places.Ð 8 ° ÐAnd€many€of€God's€people€are€confused€because€the€devil€does€not€deny€Christianity€nearly€soÐ $ œ Ðmuch€as€he€wants€to€corrupt€it.€The€devil€is€a€peddler€of€counterfeits.€And€therefore€these€areÐ ˆ Ðdangerous€days,€and€there€are€devious€disciples,€and€there€are€damnable€doctrines€that€are€beingÐ ü t Ðtaught.€And€as€a€pastor,€as€a€leader€of€this€congregation,€I€felt€that€it€would€do€us€good€to€studyÐ è ` Ðthrough€Second€Peter,€because€authentic€Christianity,€in€my€estimation,€is€what€Peter€is€talkingÐ Ô L Ðabout.€Ð À 8 ÐAnd€today€for€our€message,€I€want€to€be€talking€to€you€on€this€subject,€how€to€be€sure€you€areÐ ¬ $ Ðsure.€€Now€look,€if€you€will,€in€verse€ten.€Look€at€it.Ð ˜ ЀHe€says€here,€"Wherefore€Ô_ Ôthe€ratherÔ_ Ô,€brethren,€give€diligence€to€make€your€calling€and€electionÐ „ ü Ðsure,€for€if€ye€do€these€things,€ye€shall€never€fall."€You€ought€to€be€absolutely€certain€about€someÐ p è Ðthings.€A€Christian€ought€not€to€be€a€question€mark€with€his€head€all€bent€over.€He€ought€to€be€anÐ \ Ô Ðexclamation€point.€You€ought€not€to€be€Ô_ Ôa€doubting€ChristÔ_ Ô,€you€ought€to€be€a€shouting€Christ.€YouÐ H À Ðought€not€to€be€a€"hope-so"€Christian,€you€ought€to€be€Ô_ Ôa€"know-so"€ChristÔ_ Ô.€You€ought€to€makeÐ 4 ¬ Ðyour€calling,€an€election€sure.€Now,€let's€back€up€to€verse€one€and€see€who€it€is€that's€writing€toÐ ˜ Ðus.€€What€we€have€here€is€a€letter€from€Simon€Peter.€"Simon€Peter,€a€servant€and€an€apostle€ofÐ „ ÐJesus€Christ,€to€them€that€have€obtained€like€precious€faith€with€us€through€the€righteousness€ofÐ ø p ÐGod€and€our€Savior€Jesus€Christ."€This€is€a€letter€therefore,€from€Simon€Peter€to€the€brethren.Ð ä \ ÐAnd€I€like€the€name€Simon€Peter.€Simon€was€his€name€before€he€was€saved.€Peter€is€the€nameÐ Ð H Ðafter€he's€saved.€The€word€Simon€means€unstable.€Remember€Jesus€said,€"Simon,€Satan€hathÐ ¼ 4 Ðdesired€to€sift€you€as€wheat."€He€was€like€wheat.€He€was€like€something€unstable.€But€if,€thenÐ ¨ ÐJesus€said€to€him€later,€"You€are€a€rock."€The€word€Peter,€Ô_ ÔPetrasÔ_ Ô,€means€rock.€And€so€Simon,€theÐ ” Ðunstable€Ô_ Ôbecame€Peter€the€rockÔ_ Ô.€€That's€what€I€Ô_ Ôwant€youÔ_ Ô€to€become€today.€I€want€you€to€learn€aÐ € ø Ðlesson€from€the€man€who€became€a€rock,€because€he€wasn't€a€rock€by€nature.€I€can€tell€you€thatÐ l ä Ðmuch.€If€you€ever€talk€about€an€unstable€man,€it€was€Simon€Peter.€As€we've€often€said,€the€onlyÐ X Ð ! Ðtime€he€opened€his€mouth€was€to€exchange€feet.€He€was€just€putting€his€foot€in€his€mouth.€HeÐ D!¼ " Ðwas€careless.€He€was€impetuous.€He€was€profane.€He€was€hot€tempered.€But€now€he€is€mature.Ð 0"¨ # ÐNow€he's€grown€up.€He's€no€longer€Simon;€Ô_ ÔheÔ_ Ô€is€a€rock.€And€he€talks€about€our€common€faith.Ð #”!$ ÐLook€at€it.€He€said,€"I'm€writing€to€those€who€have€obtained€like€precious€faith."€Now€he€says,Ð $€"% Ðlike€precious,€he€means€you€have€the€same€kind€of€faith€that€I€have.€Your€faith€is€like€my€faith.€ItÐ ô$l#& Ðis€precious€faith.€We€all€have€the€same€kind€of€faith.€And€Ô_ ÔfriendÔ_ Ô,€our€faith€is€precious€faith.€InÐ à%X$' ÐFirst€Peter€he€said,€we€are€not€redeemed€with€corruptible€things,€such€as€silver€and€gold,€but€withÐ Ì&D%( Ðthe€precious€blood€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€as€a€lamb€without€spot€or€blemish.€And€so€it€isÐ ¸'0&) Ðprecious€blood,€and€we€put€our€faith€in€the€precious€blood.€Then€it€is€precious€faith.€€When€manÐ ¤( '* ÐÔ_ ÔfirstÔ_ Ô€went€to€the€moon,€one€of€those€astronauts€got€off€and€walked€on€the€moon,€and€later€on€heÐ ) (+ Ðwas€being€interviewed€and€they€asked€him.€"When€you€were€walking€around€on€the€surface€of€theÐ |*ô(, Ðmoon€and€looking€back€at€the€earth,€what€did€you€think€about?"€He€said,€"I€thought€this,€thatÐ h+à)- Ðmachine€that's€suppose€to€take€me€back€to€the€earth€was€built€by€the€lowest€bidder."€Ô_ ÔWell€my€dearÐ T,Ì*. ÐfriendÔ_ Ô,€I€want€to€tell€you€that€your€faith€was€not€purchased€by€the€lowest€bidder.€As€a€matter€ofÐ @-¸+/ Ðfact€your€faith€was€purchased€with€the€precious€blood€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€as€a€lamb€withoutÐ ° ÐÔ_ ÔspotÔ_ Ô€or€without€blemish.€And€it'll€not€get€you€from€the€moon€back€to€the€earth,€it'll€get€you€fromÐ œ ì Ðthe€earth€all€the€way€to€heaven.€It€is€precious,€precious,€precious€faith.€And€we€all€have€the€sameÐ ˆ Ø Ðfaith,€the€same€faith€that€Simon€Peter€had,€you€have€and€I€have.€Look€at€it,€if€we're€saved,€he€callsÐ t Ä Ðit,€"like€precious€faith."€And€it's€precious,€my€dear€friend,€in€my€sight€and€it€ought€to€be€in€yours.Ð ` ° ÐNow,€with€that€in€mind,€our€precious€faith,€I€want€to€mention€three€things€about€this€preciousÐ L œ Ðfaith€that€will€give€you€confidence.€Three€things€that€will€help€you€to€be€able€to€say,€I€know€that€IÐ 8 ˆ Ðknow,€and€Ô_ ÔI€amÔ_ Ô€sure€that€I€am€sure,€and€I€have€given€diligence€to€make€my€calling€an€electionÐ $ t Ðsure.€€Number€one,€let€me€say€this,€faith€that€leads€to€confidence€is€number€one,€Faith€that€knows,Ð ` ÐK-N-O-W-S,€knows.€Now€look,€if€you€will,€in€verse€two.€"Grace€and€peace€Ô_ ÔbeÔ_ Ô€multiplied€untoÐ ü L Ðyou€through€the€knowledge€of€God€and€of€Jesus€our€Lord."€Now€look€at€the€word€knowledge.€DoÐ è 8 Ðyou€see€it?€May€I€tell€you€that€Ô_ ÔthatÔ_ Ô€word€knowledge€or€the€cognate€of€that€word€knowledge€isÐ Ô $ Ðused€nine€times€in€this€one€chapter?€And€that€word,€knowledge,€is€used€sixteen€times€in€this€shortÐ À Ðlittle€book.€Over€and€over€and€over€again,€he's€talking€about€knowing€and€knowledge,€knowingÐ ¬ ü Ðand€knowledge,€knowing,€knowing,€knowing.€€Now€if€you€want€to€have€assurance,€you've€got€toÐ ˜ è Ðhave€a€faith€that€knows.€You've€got€to€know€something.€Assurance,€my€dear€friend,€does€notÐ „ Ô Ðcome€out€of€just€simple€feeling,€it€comes€out€of€knowledge.€Now€this€word,€know,€right€hereÐ p À Ðthat's€used€in€verse€two,€is€a€special€word€for€knowledge,€Ô_ ÔepiganosisÔ_ Ô.€And€what€it€really€means€isÐ \ ¬ Ðsuper€knowledge.€Ô_ ÔEpiÔ_ Ô€is€the€word€we€get€our€word,€epic,€from.€It€means€great,€super.€And€Ô_ ÔganosisÔ_ ÔÐ H ˜ Ðmeans€knowledge.€Ô_ ÔEpiganosoÔ_ Ô€means€super€knowledge.€That's€the€word€that's€used€here.€He's€notÐ 4 „ Ðjust€talking€about€knowledge€like€I€say,€"I€know€this€is€a€rug,"€or€"I€know€that€Ô_ ÔthatÔ_ Ô€is€a€piano,"€orÐ p Ð"I€know€that€I'm€here€this€morning."€He's€talking€about€knowledge€that€means€personalÐ \ Ðrelationship.€He's€talking€about€knowing€some€things€personally.€For€example,€you€might€knowÐ ø H Ðthat€George€Bush€is€the€president€of€the€United€States€of€America,€but€do€you€know€him?€Do€youÐ ä 4 Ðknow€him?€Now€what€Peter€is€talking€about€here€is€not€intellectual€knowledge,€but€he€is€talkingÐ Ð Ðabout€experiential€knowledge,€super€knowledge,€Ô_ ÔepiganosoÔ_ Ô.€And€your€faith€is€rooted€in€that€kindÐ ¼ Ðof€knowledge.€To€Ô_ Ôknow€HimÔ_ Ô.€Do€you€know€Jesus?€€Do€you€know€Jesus?€I€can€say€it,€I'm€notÐ ¨ ø Ðsaying€that€Ô_ ÔbragginglyÔ_ Ô€but€gratefully,€I€know€Jesus€Christ.€I€know€Jesus€Christ.€€You€see,€this€isÐ ” ä Ðthe€great€desire€and€ambition€of€my€heart,€as€it€was€the€Apostle€Paul's€in€Ô_ ÔPhilippiansÔ_ Ô€ChapterÐ € Ð Ðthree€and€verse€ten,€Paul€said€"Oh€that€I€may€know€Him,"€not€know€about€Him.€Oh,€we€want€weÐ l ¼ Ðwant€to€know€Ô_ Ôabout€HimÔ_ Ô.€"More€about€Jesus€would€I€know.€But€the€more€you€learn€Ô_ Ôabout€HimÔ_ Ô,Ð X ¨ Ðthat€helps€you€simply€to€know€the€Lord€Jesus."€Daniel€Chapter€eleven€and€verse€thirty-two€is€oneÐ D!” Ðof€my€favorite€verses.€It€says€this,€"Ô_ Ô...Ô_ Ô€the€people€who€know€their€God€shall€do€exploits."€TheyÐ 0"€ Ðshall€be€strong€and€they€shall€do€exploits.€The€people€who€know€their€God,€not€who€know€aboutÐ #l ! Ðtheir€God,€but€the€people€who€know€their€God,€"shall€be€strong€and€shall€do€exploits."€€Ours€is€aÐ $X " Ðgreat€God,€and€if€God€is€in€you,€if€you€serve€a€great€God€then€make€great€plans€because€theÐ ô$D # Ðpeople€who€know€their€God€shall€be€strong€and€shall€do€exploits.€I€love€what€the€Lord€Jesus€saidÐ à%0!$ Ðin€John€Chapter€seventeen€verse€three,€where€Jesus€said,€"This€is€life€eternal,€that€they€may€Ô_ ÔknowÐ Ì& "% Ðthee€the€only€true€God,€andÔ_ Ô€Jesus€Christ,€whom€thou€hast€sent."€€All€of€these€verses,€whether€theyÐ ¸' #& Ðbe€from€Ô_ ÔPhilippiansÔ_ Ô,€whether€they€be€from€Daniel,€whether€they€be€from€John,€they€talk€aboutÐ ¤(ô#' Ðknowing€the€Lord.€You€see€we€Ô_ Ôknow€HimÔ_ Ô€by€faith,€but€when€I€get€to€heaven,€I'm€going€to€meetÐ )à$( Ðsomeone€face€to€face€that€I've€already€known€heart€to€heart.€I'm€not€going€to€meet€a€stranger€whenÐ |*Ì%) ÐI€meet€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ.€I'm€going€to€meet€in€heaven€my€best€friend.€Now,€what€does€theÐ h+¸&* Ðknowledge€of€Jesus€bring?€What€does€this€super€knowledge€bring?€First€of€all,€pardon€is€given€byÐ T,¤'+ Ðthe€knowledge€of€Jesus€Christ.€Look,€if€you€will,€in€verse€two,€"Grace€and€peace€be€multipliedÐ @-(, ÐÔ_ Ôyou,€through€the€knowledge€of€God€and€our€Lord€Jesus€Christ."€Let's€just€start€with€grace.€€FirstÐ ° Ðof€all,€Ô_ Ôgrace€is€what€savesÔ_ Ô€us:€"For€by€grace€are€ye€saved."€And€how€do€you€get€saved?€ThroughÐ œ ì Ðthe€grace€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€that€leads€to€the€knowledge€of€our€Lord€and€Savior€JesusÐ ˆ Ø ÐChrist.€You€see,€a€pardon€comes€through€the€knowledge€of€Jesus.€The€only€way€that€your€sinsÐ t Ä Ðcan€be€forgiven€is€for€Christ€to€be€your€Savior,€as€the€Bible€says€in€First€Peter€Chapter€one€andÐ ` ° Ðverse€one.€But€not€only€a€pardon,€but€peace€comes.€Look€in€Ô_ ÔinÔ_ Ô€verse€two€again,€"Grace€and€peaceÐ L œ Ðbe€multiplied€unto€you."€And€that's€always€the€way€it€is.€First€Ô_ ÔgraceÔ_ Ô€and€then€peace.€The€Bible€isÐ 8 ˆ Ðvery€exact.€Nowhere€in€the€Bible€do€you€ever€find€it€listed€this€way,€"peace€and€grace."€It'sÐ $ t Ðalways€"grace€and€peace,"€because€you€cannot€know€the€peace€of€God€until€you've€experiencedÐ ` Ðthe€grace€of€God.€You€can't€have€peace€with€God€until€your€sins€are€pardoned.€And€Ô_ Ôyou€see,€thereÐ ü L Ðis€peace€with€God€and€then€there'sÔ_ Ô€the€peace€of€God€when€we€have€experienced€the€grace€of€God,Ð è 8 Ð"grace€and€peace."€How€is€this?€Through€the€knowledge€of€Jesus.€We€have€pardon€through€theÐ Ô $ Ðknowledge€of€Jesus.€We€have€peace€through€the€knowledge€of€Jesus.€We€have€power€through€theÐ À Ðknowledge€of€Jesus.€Look€in€verse€three,€"According€Ô_ Ôas€HisÔ_ Ô€divine€power€hath€given€to€us€allÐ ¬ ü Ðthings€that€pertain€to€life€and€godliness,"€watch€it,€"through€the€knowledge€of€Him,"€through€theÐ ˜ è Ðknowledge€of€Him.€You€see,€listen,€this€is€faith€that€is€rooted€in€knowledge.€It€Ô_ Ôis€faith€my€dearÐ „ Ô ÐfriendÔ_ Ô,€that€knows,€that€knows.€You€have€power€through€the€knowledge€Ô_ Ôof€HimÔ_ Ô.€Look€at€it€again,Ð p À Ðverse€three,€"according€Ô_ Ôas€HisÔ_ Ô€divine€power€hath€given€to€us€all€things€that€pertain€to€life€andÐ \ ¬ Ðgodliness..."€€If€I€were€to€ask€you€today,€how€many€of€you€need€more€peace?€You'd€lift€your€hand.Ð H ˜ ÐHow€many€of€you€need€more€love?€You'd€lift€your€hand.€How€many€of€you€need€more€strength?Ð 4 „ ÐYou'd€lift€your€hand.€How€many€need€more€patience?€You'd€lift€your€hand.€How€many€need€moreÐ p Ðcourage,€more€wisdom,€and€so€forth?€You'd€lift€your€hand,€you'd€say€"I€need€more."€But€thisÐ \ Ðverse€says€that€God€has€already€given€it€to€you.€Look€at€it.€The€Bible€says,€"Whereby€are€given€toÐ ø H Ðus,€according€as€his€divine€power€hath,"€not€shall,€"hath€given€unto€us,"€not€some€things,€but€"allÐ ä 4 Ðthings€that€Ô_ ÔpertainÔ_ Ô€unto€life€and€godliness."€Everything,€oh€please€listen,€everything,€listen,Ð Ð Ðeverything€that€you€need€to€live€the€Christian€life,€you€already€have€if€you€have€Jesus.€BecauseÐ ¼ Ðthey€all€are€Ô_ Ôin€HimÔ_ Ô€and€He€is€in€you.€Does€that€make€sense€to€you?€Everything€you€need€is€inÐ ¨ ø ÐChrist€and€Christ€is€in€you,€so€what€more€do€you€need?€You€say,€"Well,€if€I€don't€have€it,€whyÐ ” ä Ðdon't€I€have€it?"€Well€we're€going€to€talk€about€that€in€a€moment,€because€you€have€not€possessedÐ € Ð Ðyour€possessions.€But€He€has€already€given€it€to€you.€The€devil€doesn't€want€you€to€learn€whatÐ l ¼ Ðyou€have€in€the€Lord€Jesus.€The€devil€doesn't€want€you€to€learn€the€victory€that€you€can€have€inÐ X ¨ Ðthe€Lord€Jesus.€€When€a€baby€elephant€is€being€trained€by€the€circus€people,€they€put€an€ironÐ D!” Ðmanacle€around€one€of€the€legs€of€that€baby€elephant,€and€put€a€chain€on€that€manacle€and€tie€thatÐ 0"€ Ðchain€to€an€iron€bar€that€will€not€move.€And€that€baby€elephant,€there€with€that€leg€chained,€rocksÐ #l ! Ðback€and€forth.€He€tries€to€move,€but€he€learns€there's€no€way€possible€that€he€can€move€that€hindÐ $X " Ðleg.€When€he€gets€to€be€an€older€elephant,€they€don't€put€a€chain€on€him,€maybe€just€a€rope.€TheyÐ ô$D # Ðdon't€put€it€to€an€iron€bar.€They€just€put€a€stake€in€the€ground€about€that€deep.€He€could€pull€it€outÐ à%0!$ Ðif€he€wanted€to,€but€he€never€tries,€because€he€doesn't€think€he€can.€I€mean€anytime€that€mightyÐ Ì& "% Ðelephant€wanted€to,€he€could€pull€that€stake€out€of€the€ground.€But€in€his€mind,€it€is€Ô_ ÔanÐ ¸' #& ÐimpossibilityÔ_ Ô,€and€so€he€is€limited.€He€is€not€limited€by€facts;€Ô_ Ôhe'sÔ_ Ô€only€limited€by€his€mind,€whatÐ ¤(ô#' Ðhe€sees.€And€my€dear€friend,€the€same€thing€is€true€about€me€and€the€same€thing€is€true€aboutÐ )à$( Ðyou:€Ô_ ÔtheÔ_ Ô€me€I€see€is€the€me€I'll€be.€If€I€think€I'm€limited,€then€I'm€limited.€But€you€see,€the€BibleÐ |*Ì%) Ðsays€that€God€has€given€Ô_ Ôto€meÔ_ Ô€all€things€that€pertain€unto€life€and€godliness.€€Now€Ô_ ÔfriendÔ_ Ô,€in€orderÐ h+¸&* Ðfor€you€to€be€sure€that€you're€sure,€you've€got€to€have€knowledge.€And€you've€got€to€see€thatÐ T,¤'+ Ðpardon€comes€through€that€knowledge.€You've€got€to€see€that€peace€comes€through€thatÐ @-(, Ðknowledge.€You've€got€to€see€that€power€comes€through€that€knowledge.€God€has€given€Ô_ Ôto€youÔ_ ÔÐ ° Ðall€things€that€pertain€to€life€and€godliness.€You€already€have€it.€Now,€next€promises€are€claimedÐ œ ì Ðby€that€knowledge.€Look,€if€you€will,€in€verse€four,€"Whereby,"€and€he's€still€talking€aboutÐ ˆ Ø Ðknowledge,€"are€given€unto€us€exceeding€great€and€precious€promises:€Ô_ ÔthatÔ_ Ô€by€these€ye€might€beÐ t Ä Ðpartakers€of€the€divine€nature,€having€escaped€the€corruption€that€is€in€the€world€through€lust."Ð ` ° ÐNow€these€promises€are€there,€but€many€of€us€don't€know€them.€Now€Ô_ Ôdear€friendÔ_ Ô,€if€you€don'tÐ L œ Ðknow€the€precious€promise,€it's€no€good€to€you.€I€Ô_ ÔmeanÔ_ Ô€if€this€Bible€is€crammed€full€of€promises.Ð 8 ˆ ÐBut€if€you€don't€know€them,€if€you€don't€know€the€promises,€you€can't€lay€hold€of€the€promises.Ð $ t ÐAnd€if€you€don't€lay€hold€of€the€promises,€then€you're€not€going€to€have€the€deliverance€that€GodÐ ` Ðwants€you€to€have.€"Whereby€are€given€unto€us€exceeding€great€and€precious€promises:€Ô_ ÔbyÔ_ Ô€theseÐ ü L Ðthat€ye€might€be€partakers€of€the€divine€nature,€having€escaped€the€corruption€that€is€in€the€worldÐ è 8 Ðthrough€lust."€€Why€are€so€many€people€living€in€this€world€corrupt,€many€of€them€with€names€onÐ Ô $ Ðthe€rolls€of€our€churches?€And€they€are,€they€are€slaves€of€lust.€And€they€are,€they€are€living€inÐ À Ðcorruption€and€filth.€Why?€They€don't€know€the€promises€of€God.€€Now,€my€dear€friend,€the€faithÐ ¬ ü Ðthat€makes€you€sure€is€the€faith€that€knows.€Pardon€comes€through€knowledge,€peace€comesÐ ˜ è Ðthrough€knowledge,€my€dear€friend,€power€comes€through€knowledge.€Promises€are€claimed€byÐ „ Ô Ðknowledge.€To€know,€to€know,€to€know,€not€just€to€know€about€these€things,€but€to€know€themÐ p À Ðwith€that€super€knowledge,€that€Ô_ ÔepiganosisÔ_ Ô,€to€know€these€things.€Now€the€Bible€says€that€whenÐ \ ¬ Ðyou€know€this,€you€understand€what€kind€of€a€nature€you€have.€Look€at€it.€Verse€four,€"WherebyÐ H ˜ Ðare€given€unto€us€exceeding€great€and€precious€promises€that€by€these€ye€might€be€partakers€ofÐ 4 „ Ðthe€divine€nature."€Now€you€have€a€divine€nature€in€you.€You€receive€that€nature€when€you'reÐ p Ðborn€again.€But€the€word€partaker€means€that€you€fellowship€with€that€divine€nature.€That€is€thatÐ \ Ðthe€highest€part€of€your€nature€comes€to€the€surface.€You€see,€it's€nature€that€determines€conduct.Ð ø H ÐIt's€nature€that€shows€you€how€you€live.€Your€behavior€is€determined€by€your€nature.€It's€theÐ ä 4 Ðeagle's€nature€to€fly.€It's€the€fish's€nature€to€swim.€It's€the€Christian's€nature€to€live€victoriously.Ð Ð ÐYour€appetite€is€determined€by€your€nature.€A€pig€will€eat€things€that€other€people€will€not€eat.Ð ¼ ÐIt's€the€pig's€nature.€A€dog€will€eat€things€that€other€people€will€not€eat.€As€a€matter€of€fact,€goÐ ¨ ø Ðover€to€Second€Peter€chapter€two€and€verse€22,€look€at€it,€"But€it€is€happened€unto€themÐ ” ä Ðaccording€to€the€true€proverb,€The€dog€is€turned€to€his€own€vomit€again;€Ô_ ÔandÔ_ Ô€the€sow€that€wasÐ € Ð Ðwashed€to€her€wallowing€in€the€mire."€Now,€God's€people€are€neither€hog€nor€Ô_ ÔdogÔ_ Ô.€I'm€telling€youÐ l ¼ Ðthat€behavior€and€appetite€are€determined€by€your€nature.€Environment€is€determined€by€yourÐ X ¨ Ðnature.€Whatever€you€nature€is,€that's€how€you€want€to€congregate.€Squirrels€climb€trees,€andÐ D!” Ðmoles€burrow€under€the€ground,€and€fish€swim€in€the€water€because€that's€their€nature.€It's€theÐ 0"€ Ðnature€of€the€child€of€God€to€walk€in€holiness.€Association€is€determined€by€nature.€Fish€swim€inÐ #l ! Ðschools€and€birds€in€flocks€and€Christians€want€to€congregate€in€church,€they€really€do.€If€youÐ $X " Ðhave€no€desire€to€be€in€the€house€of€God,€if€you're€listening€to€me€through€television,€you€have€noÐ ô$D # Ðdesire€to€be€in€the€house€of€God,€it's€probably€just€cause€you€Ô_ ÔyouÔ_ Ô€don't€have€the€nature€that€theseÐ à%0!$ Ðfolks€have.€Christians€want€to€be€with€one€another.€We€love€Ô_ Ôone€anotherÔ_ Ô.€We€love€the€brethren.Ð Ì& "% ÐYou€see,€your€behavior,€your€appetite,€your€environment,€your€association,€is€all€controlled€byÐ ¸' #& Ðyour€nature.€€Now€the€promises€of€God€help€us€to€be€partakers€of€the€divine€nature.€And€when€weÐ ¤(ô#' Ðlay€hold€of€these€promises,€the€nature€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€that€is€in€us€begins€to€come€to€theÐ )à$( Ðsurface,€and€our€lives€change€according€to€our€nature.€Now€my€dear€friend,€all€of€this€isÐ |*Ì%) Ðwonderful.€First€of€all,€if€you€would€be€sure€that€you're€sure,€you€must€have€a€faith€thatÐ h+¸&* ÐK-N-O-W-€S,€knows.€The€word€knowledge€is€used€over,€and€over,€and€over€again€in€this€book.€Ð T,¤'+ ÐSecondly,€not€only€must€you€have€a€faith€that€knows,€but€here's€where€most€of€us€fail,€you€mustÐ @-(, Ðhave€a€faith€that€grows.€Now€put€it€down,€first€a€faith€that€knows,€verses€one€through€four.€AndÐ ° Ðthen€beginning€in€verse€five,€a€faith€that€grows.€Look,€if€you€will€now€in€verse€five,€"And€besideÐ œ ì Ðthis,"€beside€what?€Beside€knowing,€"giving€all€diligence,€add€to€your€faith€virtue;€Ô_ ÔandÔ_ Ô€to€virtueÐ ˆ Ø Ðknowledge;€Ô_ ÔandÔ_ Ô€to€knowledge€temperance;€Ô_ ÔandÔ_ Ô€to€temperance€patience;€Ô_ ÔandÔ_ Ô€to€patienceÐ t Ä Ðgodliness;€Ô_ ÔandÔ_ Ô€to€godliness€brotherly€kindness;€Ô_ ÔandÔ_ Ô€to€brotherly€kindness€charity."€Now€you€see,Ð ` ° Ðonce€you€have€this€precious€faith,€once€you€have€received€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€as€your€personalÐ L œ ÐSavior€and€Lord,€once€you€have€become€a€partaker€of€the€divine€nature,€Ô_ ÔisÔ_ Ô€that€all€there€is€to€it?Ð 8 ˆ ÐNo,€my€dear€friend,€the€faith€that€knows€must€be€the€faith€that€grows.€And€growth€is€yourÐ $ t Ðresponsibility.€And€the€Bible€says€you€are€to€give€all€diligence€that€you€grow.€€Now€the€reasonÐ ` Ðthat€many€people€are€not€growing€is€they're€not€diligent€about€growing.€They€have€the€idea€thatÐ ü L Ðsomehow€all€they€have€to€do€is€get€saved€and€that's€it.€But€my€dear€friend,€the€Bible€says€we€areÐ è 8 Ðto€grow€in€the€grace€and€knowledge€of€our€Lord€and€Savior€Jesus€Christ.€See€how€Peter€ends€thisÐ Ô $ Ðbook?€Look,€if€you€will,€to€the€last€verse€of€the€last€chapter.€Look,€if€you€will,€in€Chapter€threeÐ À Ðverse€eighteen,€"But€grow€in€grace€and€in€the€knowledge€of€our€Lord€and€Savior€Jesus€Christ.€ToÐ ¬ ü ÐHim€be€glory€both€now€and€forever.€Amen."€Simon€Peter€knew€what€it€was€to€grow.€You€mustÐ ˜ è Ðhave€a€faith€that€knows,€and€you€must€have€a€faith€that€grows.€And€you€must€be€diligent€to€grow.€Ð „ Ô ÐAre€you€a€growing€Christian?€Well€I€had€to€ask€myself€this€question€as€I€prepared€this€message,Ð p À Ð"Adrian,€are€you€a€growing€Christian?€The€people€of€this€church€deserve€to€have€a€better€pastorÐ \ ¬ Ðthis€year€than€they€had€last€year.€My€wife€deserves€a€better€husband€this€year€than€she€had€lastÐ H ˜ Ðyear.€And€I'll€certainly€say€that€my€God€deserves€a€better€servant€this€year€Ô_ Ôthan€HeÔ_ Ô€had€this€year."Ð 4 „ ÐI€have€to€ask€myself,€"Am€I€a€growing€Christian?"€A€Christian€is€not€a€stick€stuck€in€the€ground.Ð p ÐHe€is€a€plant,€a€tree€that€is€growing.€And€when€growth€fails,€then€decay€begins.€When€a€manÐ \ Ðceases€to€be€better,€he€ceases€to€be€good.€When€you€cease€to€be€better,€you€cease€to€be€good.€IÐ ø H Ðmean€if€you€are€not€growing,€you€are€failing.€And€if€you're€failing,€you're€sinning.€If€you're€notÐ ä 4 Ðgrowing,€you're€disobeying€because€this€book€ends€with€this€command,€"Grow."€€Besides€all€this,Ð Ð Ðlook€at€it€again€in€verse€five,€"giving€all€diligence,"€that€means€don't€let€anything€keep€you€fromÐ ¼ Ðthis.€"Giving€all€diligence,€add€to€your€faith€virtue;€and€to€virtue€knowledge;€and€to€knowledgeÐ ¨ ø Ðtemperance;"€and€so€forth.€Some€translations€give€it€this€way,€"add€in€your€faith."€That€is€it's€notÐ ” ä Ðsomething€that's€sort€of€a€heavenly€S.T.P.€to€make€your€faith€better,€but€these€are€things€thatÐ € Ð Ðcome€out€of€your€faith.€Now€what€are€these€character€qualities€he€says€we€are€to€add?€Let's€checkÐ l ¼ Ðup,€let's€see€if€you're€growing.€€First€of€all,€are€you€growing€in€virtue?€Look€at€it.€He€says,€"FirstÐ X ¨ Ðof€all€add€to€your€faith€virtue."€What€is€virtue?€Well€it's€a€word€that€means€strength.€And€it's€aÐ D!” Ðword€that€means€moral€excellence.€And€you€are€to€be€getting€stronger€and€stronger.€It€literallyÐ 0"€ Ðmeans,€Greeks€use€this€word€for€something€that€was€fulfilling€that€purpose€for€which€it€wasÐ #l ! Ðmade.€That€is€a€horse€that€was€sure-footed€and€strong€was€said€to€have€had€virtue.€Even€groundÐ $X " Ðthat€produced€a€good€crop€was€said€to€have€had€virtue.€Are€you€a€virtuous€person?€Is€there€virtueÐ ô$D # Ðin€you?€And€then€he€says,€"Add€to€your€virtue€knowledge."€€Now€there's€a€different€word€forÐ à%0!$ Ðknowledge€here.€This€word€is€not€epiganoso;€it's€an€ordinary€word€for€knowledge.€So€what€he'sÐ Ì& "% Ðsaying€is€you've€got€to€have€that€personal€knowledge,€and€then€you've€got€to€have€that€practicalÐ ¸' #& Ðknowledge.€He's€not€talking€about€being€acquainted€with€the€Lord.€But€he's€talking€about€simplyÐ ¤(ô#' Ðknowing.€He's€talking€about€studying,€"Study€to€show€yourself€approved€unto€God,€a€workmanÐ )à$( Ðthat€needeth€not€to€be€ashamed€rightly€dividing€the€word€of€truth."€How€much€of€this€book€doÐ |*Ì%) Ðyou€know?€Add,€my€dear€friend,€to€your€faith€virtue,€moral€excellence;€don't€stay€the€same,€addÐ h+¸&* Ðto€that€virtue€that€moral€excellence,€knowledge,€practical€knowledge.€€I'm€glad€you're€going€toÐ T,¤'+ Ðheaven,€but€somebody€said€about€some€Christians€they're€so€heavenly€minded€they're€no€earthlyÐ @-(, ÐÔ_ Ôgood.€God€has€you€here€to€learn€and€to€grow.€And€may€I€say€that€salvation€is€by€grace,€as€we'veÐ ° Ðalready€learned,€and€there's€nothing€else€that€you€can€do€to€make€yourself€a€Christian;€you€justÐ œ ì Ðreceive€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ.€While€there's€nothing€to€earn,€there's€much€to€learn.€Now€lookÐ ˆ Ø Ðagain,€after€you€add€to€your€virtue€knowledge,€you€add€to€your€knowledge€temperance.€Do€youÐ t Ä Ðknow€what€the€word€temperance€means?€It€literally€means€self-control.€Do€you€get€out€ofÐ ` ° Ðcontrol?€It's€because€you€fail€to€grow.€You€can€be€saved,€but€if€you€lose€your€temper,€if€you're€aÐ L œ Ðperson€who€has€no€control€over€your€sexual€desires,€if€you're€a€person€who€has€no€control€overÐ 8 ˆ Ðyour€appetite,€if€you're€a€person€who€has€no€control€over€your€sleep€habits,€you're€not€a€growingÐ $ t ÐChristian.€You€are€to€add€temperance,€self-control.€€The€Bible€says€in€Proverbs€sixteen,€verse€32,Ð ` Ð"He€that€is€slow€to€anger€is€better€than€the€mighty;€and€he€that€ruleth€his€spirit€than€he€that€takethÐ ü L Ða€city."€Can€you€rule€your€spirit?€Proverbs€25:28,€"He€that€hath€no€rule€over€his€own€spirit€is€likeÐ è 8 Ða€city€broken€down,€and€without€walls."€The€devil,€my€dear€friend,€is€going€to€come€in€and€trampÐ Ô $ Ðover€everything€you€have,€if€you€can't€rule€your€own€spirit.€And€the€rule€over€your€own€spirit,€theÐ À ÐBible€calls€temperance.€It€calls€it€self-control.€And€then€you€add€to€that,€look€at€it,€patience.€€NowÐ ¬ ü Ðthe€word€patience€here€doesn't€mean€just€endurance€with€trivialities,€it€includes€that.€And€when€IÐ ˜ è Ðread€this€list,€I€said,€"That's€the€one€you€need€to€work€on,€Adrian."€Patience.€Are€you€patient?Ð „ Ô ÐTraffic€jams,€lost€keys,€long€lines,€late€airplanes,€flat€tires,€interruptions?€Are€you€a€patientÐ p À Ðperson?€Maybe€we€ought€to€ask€your€wife?€Are€you€a€patient€person?€Most€Americans€are€notÐ \ ¬ Ðpatient.€We€want€it,€we€want€it€now.€Our€forefathers€got€upset€if€they€missed€a€stagecoach,€andÐ H ˜ Ðthey€said,€"Well,€we'll€have€to€wait€another€month€for€one."€We€get€upset€if€we€miss€a€section€inÐ 4 „ Ða€revolving€door.€Patience,€patience.€I€went€out€to€the€airport€a€while€back,€I€needed€to€go€toÐ p ÐNashville,€Tennessee€for€a€meeting.€I€waited€and€waited,€they€said€the€planes€going€to€be€late.Ð \ Ð"Well,"€I€said,€"Adrian€practice€patience."€Went€back€they€said,€"It's€going€to€be€later."€I€said,Ð ø H Ð"Adrian€practice€patience."€Went€back€again,€they€said,€"We€don't€know€when€it's€coming."€IÐ ä 4 Ðsaid,€"Adrian€practice€patience."€I€went€back€again,€and€she€said,€"The€flight€is€canceled."€I€said,Ð Ð Ð"Adrian,€practice€patience."€And€God,€the€Holy€Spirit€spoke€to€me,€and€God€said,€"You€be€kindÐ ¼ Ðto€that€lady,€it's€not€her€fault€at€all.€She€doesn't€run€this€airline.€She's€just€working€behind€thatÐ ¨ ø Ðdesk.€She€has€no€control€over€that€situation."€And€so€I€said,€"Thank€you€ma'am.€God€bless€you.Ð ” ä ÐThat's€fine.€That's€wonderful.€Praise€the€Lord."€I€got€my€briefcase€and€I€went€over€to€a€part€of€thatÐ € Ð Ðairport€and€I€set€down€and€I€just€said,€"Well,€I'll€just€make€a€desk€here,"€and€I€began€to€do€myÐ l ¼ Ðwork.€I€said,€"Lord,€you€know€I€can't€get€there."€I'll€just€have€to€wait€for€the€next€plane.€SeveralÐ X ¨ Ðhours€later,€three€or€four€hours€later,€I€got€on€the€next€plane€to€Nashville,€Tennessee.€I€caught€aÐ D!” Ðcab€to€go€downtown.€As€I€leaned€over€to€witness€to€the€cab€driver,€I€asked€him€if€he€knew€theÐ 0"€ ÐLord€Jesus.€And€I€began€to€press€the€claims€of€Christ€on€that€big,€brawny,€red-headed€cab€driver.Ð #l ! ÐWe€stopped€in€front€of€the€Radisson€Hotel€in€downtown€Nashville,€Tennessee,€and€he€bowed€andÐ $X " Ðasked€Christ€to€come€into€his€heart.€Then€he€said€to€me,€"Mister,€God€put€you€in€this€cab.€GodÐ ô$D # Ðput€you€in€this€cab.€He€said,€several€weeks€ago,€I€was€in€an€accident;€my€brother€was€killed€in€theÐ à%0!$ Ðaccident.€And€I€was€so€close€to€death,€they€could€hardly€find€my€pulse€beat,€but€God€deliveredÐ Ì& "% Ðme€that€I€might€know€Jesus€Christ,€that€I€might€come€to€Christ."€And€I€thought€to€myself€aboutÐ ¸' #& Ðgetting€all€upset€about€missing€an€airplane€when€there's€a€God€in€heaven€who€knows€what€it's€allÐ ¤(ô#' Ðabout.€€Patience,€patience,€and€I€have€to€learn€that€over€and€over.€I'm€just€telling€you€the€goodÐ )à$( Ðstories,€I€could€tell€you€some€awful€ones.€Oh,€I€have€to€keep€on€learning€that.€And€what€it€literallyÐ |*Ì%) Ðmeans€is€to€bear€up€under€persecution,€not€just€patience€with€the€things€that€irritate€us.€But€friend,Ð h+¸&* Ðin€this€life,€as€Peter€was€telling€these€people,€they€were€going€to€face€real€persecution.€"All€whoÐ T,¤'+ Ðlive€godly€in€Christ€Jesus€are€going€to€suffer€persecution."€Let€me€tell€you€something€I've€learned,Ð @-(, Ðand€I'm€still€learning€it,€when€it€comes€to€this€endurance,€this€patience.€If€the€trouble€that€you'reÐ ° Ðhaving,€are€you€listening?€If€the€trouble€that€you're€having€comes€from€God,€then€what€shouldÐ œ ì Ðyou€do?€Praise€Him.€Because€nothing€but€good€comes€from€God.€Isn't€that€right?€So€praise€Him.Ð ˆ Ø ÐWell,€you€say,€"What€if€it's€coming€from€the€devil?"€Then€praise€God.€You€see,€let€me€teach€youÐ t Ä Ðsomething.€If€it's€coming€from€God,€of€course€you€praise€God.€But€if€it's€coming€from€the€devil,Ð ` ° Ðthen€praise€God€and€when€the€devil€sees€that€what€he's€doing€to€you€causes€you€to€praise€God,Ð L œ Ðmaybe€he'll€stop€doing€it.€Huh,€because€the€devil€doesn't€want€you€to€praise€God.€I€mean€just€useÐ 8 ˆ Ðit€against€him.€If€the€devil's€doing€something€to€you,€then€praise€God.€The€devil€won't€like€whatÐ $ t Ðhe's€doing€to€you€causing€you€to€praise€God,€and€if€it€doesn't€cause€him€to€stop€doing€it,€it'll€buildÐ ` Ða€wall€of€praise€about€you€that€the€devil€can't€get€through.€Learn€my€dear€friend,€how€to€bear€upÐ ü L Ðin€persecution.€€And€then€he€goes€on€to€say,€"...and€add€to€your€patience€godliness."€Godliness€isÐ è 8 Ðsimply€God€likeness.€Let€the€life€of€the€Lord€Jesus,€it's€simply€what€we€would€call€reverence€andÐ Ô $ Ðpiety.€Just€glorifying€God€and€after€that€brotherly€kindness.€That€means€love€for€the€brethren.Ð À ÐPeter€had€to€learn€this.€You€talking€about€a€hot€head,€it€was€Simon€Peter.€But€the€great€evidenceÐ ¬ ü Ðthat€you€are€born€again€is€that€you€are€full€of€loving€kindness€and€gentleness.€In€this€congregationÐ ˜ è Ðthis€morning€there€are€plenty€of€people€who€need€your€loving€kindness.€There€are€those€hereÐ „ Ô Ðtoday€with€broken€homes€and€broken€hearts.€€There€are€those€who€have€suffered€divorce.€ThereÐ p À Ðare€some€who€have€had€babies€to€die,€many€of€them€are€sick,€some€are€lonely.€Some€are€inÐ \ ¬ Ðfinancial€distress.€There€are€people€here€who€don't€have€jobs.€They€need€your€brotherly€kindness.Ð H ˜ ÐAnd€last€of€all,€the€epitome€of€these€graces,€he€says€charity.€"Add€to€that€brotherly€kindnessÐ 4 „ Ðcharity."€€This€is€the€word€AGAPE€love€really.€Agape€love.€You€see€brotherly€love€is€for€brothersÐ p Ðand€sisters€in€Christ.€But€Charity€goes€to€all€people.€There€is€no€one€that€you€ought€not€to€love.€Ð \ ÐLove€everybody.€You€say,€but€they€are€not€worthy€of€my€love.€Well,€neither€were€you€when€GodÐ ø H Ðloved€you.€He€loved€us€and€we€ought€to€love€one€another.€€You€see,€listen,€you€don't€have€to€likeÐ ä 4 Ðwhat€they€are€doing.€You€can€love€the€dope€peddler,€you€can€love€the€pornographer,€you€can€loveÐ Ð Ðthe€rapist,€you€can€love€the€murder.€Do€you€know€what€love€is?€Love€says€that€I€will€do€you€goodÐ ¼ Ðregardless€of€what€you€do.€Love€says,€I€may€not€like€what€you€do,€I€may€not€like€your€personality,Ð ¨ ø ÐI€may€not€like€your€ways,€but€love€says,€I€will€not€give€you€what€you€deserve,€I€will€give€youÐ ” ä Ðwhat€you€need.€What€you€need.€That's€what€love€is.€Now,€did€you€check€up€on€yourself?€Did€youÐ € Ð Ðsee€those€seven€qualitites€that€are€to€be€added€to€your€faith.€The€Bible€says,€you€give€allÐ l ¼ Ðdiligences.€We€use€to€sing€the€song,€let€go€and€let€God€have€His€Wonderful€way.€€Well,€friend,Ð X ¨ Ðyou€can't€just€let€go€and€let€God€have€His€way.€That's€a€good€song€as€far€as€it€goes.€€I€appreciateÐ D!” Ðpart€of€the€sentiment,€but€you€have€to€take€hold€and€do€something€yourself.€You're€not€saved€byÐ 0"€ Ðfaith€and€works,€but€you€are€saved€by€faith€that€works,€and€you€are€not€going€to€grow€unless€youÐ #l ! Ðgive€all€diligences€to€add€to€these€things.€Why€don't€you€write€these€seven€qualities€in€yourÐ $X " ÐBible?€Why€don't€you€write€them€in€the€flyleaf€of€your€Bible?€And€why€don't€you€every€morningÐ ô$D # Ðwake€up€and€say,€"Am€I€growing€in€Virtue?€Am€I€growing€in€knowledge?€Am€I€growing€inÐ à%0!$ Ðtemperance?€am€I€growing€in€patience?€Am€I€growing€in€brotherly€love?€Am€I€growing€in€agapeÐ Ì& "% Ðlove?€Am€I?"€Friend,€no€one€who€is€not€a€growing€Christian€can€be€sure€that€he€is€sure.€€Alright,Ð ¸' #& Ðhere€is€the€third€thing,€and€we've€got€to€hurry€to€get€finished.€Not€only€a€faith€that€knows,€notÐ ¤(ô#' Ðonly€a€faith€that€grows,€but€a€faith€that€shows,€a€faith€that€shows.€Look€if€you€will€now€beginningÐ )à$( Ðin€verse€eight.€"For€if€these€things€be€in€you€and€abound,"€these€things,€these€seven€characterÐ |*Ì%) Ðqualities,€"they€will€make€you€so€that€you€will€be€neither€barren€nor€unfruitful€in€the€knowledgeÐ h+¸&* Ðof€our€Lord€Jesus€Christ.€But€he€that€lacks€these€things€is€blind€and€cannot€see€afar€off€and€hasÐ T,¤'+ Ðforgotten€that€he€was€purged€from€his€old€sins."€Did€you€know€that€you€can€be€saved€and€almostÐ @-(, Ðforget€it.€You€can€be€saved€and€blind€to€it.€"Therefore,€the€rather€brethren,€give€diligences€toÐ ° Ðmake€your€calling€and€election€sure.€For€if€you€do€these€things,€you€shall€never€fall."€€ThreeÐ œ ì Ðthings€very€quickly€now,€here€is€the€faith€that€shows.€First€of€all,€when€you€begin€to€grow,Ð ˆ Ø Ðnumber€one,€you€will€be€no€longer€barren.€Look€at€it.€In€verse€8,€"You€shall€neither€be€barren€norÐ t Ä Ðunfruitful."€Is€there€fruit€in€your€life?€I€mean€do€people€love€Jesus€more€because€of€you?€AreÐ ` ° Ðpeople€coming€to€Jesus€because€of€you?€Is€the€cause€of€Christ€being€moved€forward€because€ofÐ L œ Ðyou?€Jesus€said,€you€have€not€chosen€me,€but€I€have€chosen€you€or€ordained€you€that€you€shouldÐ 8 ˆ Ðgo€forth€and€bring€fruit,€and€that€your€fruit€remain.€Are€you€fruitful?€If€you€do€these€things,€youÐ $ t Ðwill€be€no€longer€barren€number€one.€€Now€look€at€it,€and€no€longer€blind.€Verse€9.€"But€he€thatÐ ` Ðlacks€these€things€is€blind€and€cannot€see€afar€off€and€he€has€forgotten€that€he€was€purged€fromÐ ü L Ðhis€old€sins."€What€does€that€mean?€He's€blind,€he€can't€see€afar€off,€he€can't€see€the€glory€thatÐ è 8 Ðbelongs€to€the€children€of€God.€He's€blind,€he€has€forgotten€what€happened€to€him€when€JesusÐ Ô $ ÐChrist€saved€him€and€brought€him€up€out€of€the€pit€and€gave€him€a€new€heart€and€a€new€life.€DoÐ À Ðyou€remember€when€you€first€got€saved?€Brother,€I€remember€when€I€first€got€saved.€But€you€canÐ ¬ ü Ðbe€so€bogged€down€in€this€world€and€the€cares€of€this€world€that€you€forget€the€glories€of€heavenÐ ˜ è Ðtoward€which€you€are€headed,€and€you€have€forgotten€the€pit€of€hell€from€which€you€were€savedÐ „ Ô Ðand€you€become€blind.€God€pity€you€if€you€are€barren€and€if€you€are€blind.€But€no€longer€barren,Ð p À Ðno€longer€blind,€no€longer€bewildered.€€Look€if€you€will€in€verse€10.€"Wherefore,€the€rather,€giveÐ \ ¬ Ðdiligences€to€make€your€calling€and€election€sure."€You€say,€I€know,€I'm€not€bewildered,€I€knowÐ H ˜ ÐI'm€saved.€I€know€I'm€saved.€Now€that€doesn't€mean€that€your€calling€and€election€are€sure€fromÐ 4 „ ÐGod's€point€of€view;€that€was€settled€in€all€eternity.€Settled€from€your€point€of€view.€That€youÐ p Ðsay,€I€know€that€I€know€that€I€know€that€I'm€saved.€I'm€no€longer€barren,€I'm€no€longer€blind,€I'mÐ \ Ðno€longer€bewildered.€I€have€a€know-so€salvation.€Do€you€have€it?€My€dear€friend,€again,€I€wantÐ ø H Ðto€tell€you€that€our€faith€is€a€precious€faith€and€it€is€a€faith€that€knows.€€Personal€knowledge.Ð ä 4 ÐEpioganaso.€It€is€a€faith€that€grows€and€you€ought€to€give€all€diligences€that€you€will€grow.€€AndÐ Ð Ðthen€it€will€be€a€faith€that€will€show.€It€won't€be€barren,€it€will€be€fruitful.€You€won't€be€blind,€youÐ ¼ Ðwill€see.€My€dear€friend,€you€won't€be€bewildered,€you€will€know.€And€if€you€don't€have€thatÐ ¨ ø Ðsweet€assurance,€it's€because€you€have€never€been€saved,€or€it's€because€you€are€not€letting€yourÐ ” ä Ðfaith€grow€in€the€grace€and€knowledge€of€our€Savior€Jesus€Christ.€€And€if€you€are€not€growing,€itÐ € Ð Ðmight€be€a€sign€that€you€have€never€been€saved.€But€growth€is€your€responsibility€or€else€GodÐ l ¼ Ðwould€not€have€told€you€to€give€all€diligence€that€you€might€grow.€Are€you€sure€that€you€areÐ X ¨ Ðsure?€Let's€bow€in€prayer.€COPYRIGHT€DISCLAIMER:€The€text€contained€in€this€database€isÐ D!” Ðprotected€by€copyright€and€International€Law,€and€is€solely€owned€by€it's€authors.€TheÐ 0"€ Ðreproduction,€or€distribution€of€this€product,€or€any€portion€of€it,€without€the€expressed€writtenÐ #l ! Ðauthorization€from€the€contributing€authors€is€forbidden.€€Remember,€this€database€is€to€inspireÐ $X " Ðthe€development€of€new€messages€to€further€the€kingdom's€work.