Pursuing Godliness

INTRO

Over the summer we have examined various spiritual exercises to grow in godliness

We have examined Paul’s command to train ourselves in godliness (1 Tim 4:7-8)

Consider 2 Pet 1:5-11 where Peter urges us to pursue godliness.

DISCUSSION

Pursuing godliness with all that we have.

Give all diligence (5, 10)

Am I giving all diligence if I...

Fail to spend time hearing and studying God’s Word?

Fail to spend time alone with God in prayer and meditating on the Word?

Fail to spend time serving others?

Fail to spend time evangelizing the lost?

Fail to spend my time and money wisely?

Fail to fast occasionally? fail to hunger after God?

Pursuing godliness with the Christian Graces

Add to your faith

How?

Virtue and knowledge—hearing, reading, and studying God’s Word. Knowledge calls us to virtue (2 Pet 1:3)

Temperance and patience—stewardship and fasting produce self-control and endurance

godliness—meditation and prayer and worship

brotherly kindness and charity—evangelism and service

Pursue godliness for the assurance of salvation

To be fruitful in the knowledge of Christ (2 Pet 1:8)

To remember the sacrifice of Christ (2 Pet 1:9)

To see the kingdom of Christ (2 Pet 1:10-11)—one who gives diligence to supply his faith with the Christian graces will be supplied with a lavish entrance into heaven—No one is saved by the skin of their teeth.

EXHORTATION

Will you pursue godliness?

with all you have?

with the Christian graces?

Do you have the assurance of salvation?