Sermon Tone Analysis

*Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 55:8-11*

* *

*Text:  2 Peter 1:5-11 – Becoming a passionate Christian*

* *

*Introduction:*  As you look back over nearly 2000 years of Christianity, what stands out in your mind?

You could say, the growth of the early church, or maybe the dark ages, or maybe the revivals of the 19th and 20th century.

Do you know what stands out about each of those periods of time?

Passionate, diligent, believers in Jesus Christ.

From Stephen the first Martyr, to John Calvin, and Martin Luther, to Wesley, to Spurgeon, and to Moody.

Our society is in deep trouble and desperately in need of revival, so where are the passionate, diligent, believers today?

* *

*Central Idea: In order to become partakers in the divine nature of Christ it takes all the diligence a believer can muster.*

* *

Main Transition:  As we get back into Peter’s second letter we cannot miss a beat.

Peter jumps right in and continues the challenge to live in holy conduct and godliness.

Today he lays out the pattern of Godliness, and the necessity of establishing the prominence of Godliness in our lives.

All of this is seen in the evidence of how we practice Godliness.

Peter’s thrust is it is hard to practice and live out holy conduct and godliness, this cannot be second on our list of priorities.

It must be first, it takes all the diligence that we can muster.

* *

*I.

The pattern of Godliness (5-7)*

* *

*            *A.

Because of the promises of God…

 

1.

Peter last week said hello to those in the scattered church, but we came to understand that his message was much more than just a simple hello.

a.

Peter’s concern is that Christians live out passionate Christian lives in a world that is going to make that hard.

b.

But rather then just giving the command he gave the reason to do so first.

2.

As Peter is about to tell us what to do he looks back to why we should do it.

a.

You are protected by Christ, the Christian life is filled with hazards and few understood that like Peter who at the very moment that he was writing is awaiting a death sentence for his faith.

b.

You are also a participant with Christ, you can live in holy conduct and godliness because Christ lives within you and you are a joint heir with Christ.

c.

All of this is built upon a deep and intimate relationship with your master.

3.

These are the promises that Peter builds the rest of the letter upon, you can accomplish holy conduct and godliness because you are given the divine power that is needed, you should because you are divinely protected

 

            B.

Qualities that affect your life

 

1.

So in opening up the rest of the letter, Peter lists eight areas that indicate how you ought to live in holy conduct and godliness.

2.

The first four are qualities that affect you personally, the word applying coupled with diligence means that it takes every bit of diligence and effort a Christian can muster, along with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, to “escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires”

 

a.

Faith – this is the saving faith that brings us into the family of God and is the foundation to all the rest of the qualities.

b.

Moral excellence – this is outstanding goodness and virtue

 

c.

Knowledge – This is knowledge that is practiced and lived out, we know what the Christian life should be about because we live it out.

This comes from wisdom in right living.

d.

Self control – This is the quality of one who has mastered his or her desires and emotions.

C.