Simple Christians Diligence
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· 8 viewsTo be a simple christian it takes deliberate effort but is eternally worth it.
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Life is hard it takes diligence
Life is hard it takes diligence
From the hall of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli; we fight our country’s battles, in the air, on land and sea.First to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean. We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.
Marine corp boot camp story (keep it brief)
Being a simple Christian and walking in a manner worthy of the calling takes diligence and it takes effort for life is hard and it is not an easy transformation process to develop the Christian character by the graces that God gives to us to do it.
Our decisions, our efforts or as we see in our passage tonight our diligence takes effort and has eternal consequences, be good or bad. God gave us a formula so we can assured of good , but it takes diligence.
2Pt
10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
Simple Christians Entrance takes effort
Simple Christians Entrance takes effort
(Insert boot camp picture here)
Just as there were things to do to be assured of having the title US Marine, there are things to do to have the abundant entrance into the eternal kingdom. They take effort, they take diligence. Diligence, what is it?
Diligence: constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.
By doing certain things, beyond obeying the gospel, things that take effort, that take diligence as a simple christian we can know our entrance into the kingdom is abundantly supplied to us as noted in 2Pt1:11 and look at
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Did you notice the word “therefore” in (v.10) which means we have to know what came before so we know what to do with the therefore, the application.
Insert Delayed enlistment program illustration briefly
Being a simple Christian takes some effort
Jesus said if you love me keep My commands (Jn14:15) - effort
Throw off the sin that easily entangles us (Heb12:1) - effort
Being faithful to anything takes effort
Being a husband, wife, father, mother, even a student takes effort
Being assured your abundant entrance into the kingdom takes some prep work too.
Simple Christians efforts have benefits
Simple Christians efforts have benefits
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. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
When we make the effort, when we are diligent, by having these qualities then you will not be useless or unfruitful.
So, fruitful in true knowledge of Christ!
Notice there was the word “if” the “if” clause means you have a choice, for if you do not have these qualities, these graces that are so freely given so you can share in the divine nature of God then you are shortsighted and forgetting your purification. (expand on this briefly)
So having these qualities has benefits but we have not even gotten to the qualities (graces) yet.
Simple Christians diligent steps
Simple Christians diligent steps
We have looked at the life is hard and it takes diligence as a simple Christian to know that our entrance into the kingdom of heaven is abundantly supplied for us. But effort has it’s rewards. Now having said that may we look at the graces God gives, that we are to diligently apply to our lives as simple Christians.
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,
2Pt
7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
Being a simple Christian takes effort like Jesus said in Lk9:23 about taking up our cross. These graces are a part of our maturing process, our transformation, and it starts with diligence doesn’t it?
Now coming from a place of faith, this is faith beyond your saving faith, this is growing faith, maturing faith, transforming faith, and from your faith comes. God gives us what we need, through knowledge, true knowledge, true faith like is displaced in
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
So having said that may we look at this Christian graces, traits for the simple Christian may we add:
Moral excellence - synonym of integrity (2Pt1:5; Job2:3)
We need to add to our faith, moral excellence, we need to be people of integrity. A great biblical example, outside of Christ, is Job.
3 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”
God speaks of Job being a man who holds to his integrity. Even in the midst of hard times. Then Job tells us it is something that he holds onto, in other words, makes an effort, is diligent to keep
5 “Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
God gave Job his integrity, acknowledged Job’s integrity and Job was confident in his integrity.
Moral Excellence (2Pt1:5; Job2:3, 27:5)
From moral excellence to true knowledge (Col2:2, 3:10)
True knowledge as noted in
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
From self-control to perseverance (Rom5:3-5)
(expand on true knowledge of God’s mystery; 1 min only)
From perseverance to godliness (1Tim4:8)
Our salvation, and our sanctification comes through true knowledge
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
From godliness to brotherly kindness (Heb6:1)
We learn having put on the new self, by being diligent, by making an effort to add true knowledge..
Moral Excellence (2Pt1:5; Job2:3, 27:5)
True knowledge to self-control (2Pt1:6; 1Cor9:25; Gal5:23)
Self-control to perseverance (2Pt1:6; Rom5:3-5)
Perseverance to godliness (2Pt1:7; 1Tim4:8)
Godliness to brotherly kindness and love (whew, what a list)
From moral excellence to true knowledge (2Pt1:5; Col2:2, 3:10)
From true knowledge to self-control (2Pt1:6; 1Cor9:25; )
Self control, this is one in which by Gods power we are able to control one’s self and one’s actions. And as a simple Christian it takes diligence to do it
From perseverance to godliness (2Pt1:6; 1Tim4:8)
(insert personal struggle, story here, keep it brief)
self-control is also learning and applying those things we know are Christ like and God pleasing so that we may receive the imperishable wreath.
From godliness to brotherly kindness and love (2Pt1:7)
1cOr9:25
25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
But no fear, God has equipped us for it (2Pt1:3) He has empowered us for it through His Spirit so that there may be evident fruit from it.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Moral Excellence (2Pt1:5; Job2:3, 27:5)
From moral excellence to true knowledge (2Pt1:5; Col2:2, 3:10)
From true knowledge to self-control (2Pt1:6; 1Cor9:25; )
From self-control to perseverance (2Pt1:6; Rom5:3-5)
Perseverance goes with diligence doesn’t it? A great scripture picture showing the place of perseverance in these simple Christian graces we are looking at today is.
From godliness to brotherly kindness and love (2Pt1:7)
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Perseverance being steadfast in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving it.
Moral Excellence (2Pt1:5; Job2:3, 27:5)
From moral excellence to true knowledge (2Pt1:5; Col2:2, 3:10)
From true knowledge to self-control (2Pt1:6; 1Cor9:25; )
From self-control to perseverance (2Pt1:6; Rom5:3-5)
From perseverance to godliness (2Pt1:6; 1Tim4:8)
Godliness is not an event it is a process - godliness is profitable in all things, but it takes self-control, true knowledge, and moral excellence that is added to your faith, which is more than your saving faith.
8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Godliness holds the promise, for this life and our life to come! (check time, may have some time to expand on this some)
Moral Excellence (2Pt1:5; Job2:3, 27:5)
To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives – the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections–that requires hard spiritual work. Still, we are only truly grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. Let us not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.
To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives – the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections–that requires hard spiritual work. Still, we are only truly grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. Let us not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.
— Henri J. M. Nouwen
— Henri J. M. Nouwen
From moral excellence to true knowledge (2Pt1:5; Col2:2, 3:10)
From true knowledge to self-control (2Pt1:6; 1Cor9:25; )
From self-control to perseverance (2Pt1:6; Rom5:3-5)
From perseverance to godliness (2Pt1:6; 1Tim4:8)
From godliness to brotherly kindness and love (2Pt1:7)
Brotherly kindness and love, it’s care, concern, it is compassion for each other, to have a heart like Jesus and to follow his commands.
Whew, what a list, and it sounds great, but it takes diligence to do it doesn’t it. But the result, the result of these graces being diligently applied in the life of the simple Christian is that it brings about maturity that goes beyond the elementary things.
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
(insert Marine Corp graduation story here) seeking God with diligence is even better.
God’s divine power for the simple Christian
God’s divine power for the simple Christian
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
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. 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.
(insert knowledge is power slide here)
You have heard it said that knowledge is power, and yes to a certain extent that is true, but what we are talking about is true knowledge, divine knowledge
Divine, true knowledge pertaining to life and godliness. How? through true knowledge of Him
True power, divine power so that you man be partakes of the divine nature of God. How? Through Jesus Christ .
1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ our savior, the righteousness of God revealed, the righteousness of God made available to man.
These simple Christian graces are available to all, all who are born again:
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
to the one who believes and is born of the Spirit
(Insert invitation slide here)
God wants to give you all things pertaining to life and godliness, but it comes through the Son.
To the one who has not been purified, come, have you sins washed away
To the one who has tasted but forgotten, come let us pray with you too.
Share in God’s divine nature through Jesus Christ this week by adding true knowledge of Him through the Word and show your love for Christ by the application of these graces in your life.
If you need to respond, we offer this now.