2 Peter 1c

1January 13, 2010

Gospel Baptist Tabernacle781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA

Friday Night, February 19 at 7:00Turn West on Salem Road at Stone Creek Elementary.

Cross Wilson Road and continue on Salem Road.

One-half mile on left.

Gospel Baptist Tabernacle781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA

Friday Night, February 19 at 7:00Turn West on Salem Road at Stone Creek Elementary.

Cross Wilson Road and continue on Salem Road.

One-half mile on left.

2 Peter 1:8 For if these thingsthese things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3

These things = these seven spiritual qualitiesseven spiritual qualities

Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, Charity

If these things be in yoube in you

4

Every son or daughter of God does possessdoes possess these qualities because God's Holy SpiritGod's Holy Spirit is in us.

These are DivineDivine qualities.

If you are savedsaved from sin and from hell,

These qualities are in youin you.

You possesspossess them.

If these things be in you and abound and abound (increase)

5

NIV: "If you possess these qualities in increasing measure"

Every Christian must be growing in virtuevirtue,

Growing in knowledgeknowledge of our Lord,

Growing in temperancetemperance (discipline and control)

Growing in patiencepatience (cheerful endurance)

Growing in godlinessgodliness

Growing in brotherly kindnessbrotherly kindness (tender affection)

Growing in charity (agapeagape) 1 Cor 13 love

"They make you"

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It is these divine qualitiesthese divine qualities that make usmake us what God intends for us to be.

The qualities that people valuepeople value aren't listed: looks, intelligence, daring, cool, wealth, charisma.

The qualities that make us more like our Lordlike our Lord are the qualities we must keep growing in.

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"that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

So many people complaincomplain that their life is empty, boring, unproductive.

The world is searching for purposepurpose and meaningmeaning.

Make every effort to growto grow in these qualities --

Every day and in every way.

Your life will become interestinginteresting, and you will be productiveproductive and usefuluseful in the Kingdom of God.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

8

There is no standing stillno standing still in our spiritual lives.

We are eithereither moving up or moving down.

We are either drawing nighdrawing nigh to God,

Or falling awayfalling away.

If we are not growingnot growing in these spiritual qualitiesspiritual qualities of

God's Divine NatureGod's Divine Nature,

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We will soon be outwardly no differentoutwardly no different from any any unsavedunsaved person person.

JoyJoy and peacepeace will be forgotten concepts.

We will live as iflive as if we have forgotten that we were ever saved from sinsaved from sin.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligencegive diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

10

The longer we walk carelesslcarelessly, not making the effort to groweffort to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord,

The less confidenceless confidence we will have of our own salvation.

The more maturemore mature we become as a son or daughter of the Most High God,

The less likelyless likely we are to stumble and fall.

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

11Acts 7

We can enter into Heaven with a glorious welcome.

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Or we can enter in "Yet so as by fireYet so as by fire" with no rewards, no crowns, no rousing welcome.

1 Cor 3: 15

I want to live my life on earth with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness,

brother kindness, and the love of God in action,

And then be welcomedwelcomed into Heaven with open armswith open arms.