September 21, 2025

Furnish your Faith with Moral Excellence

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 2 Peter 1:1-11
Service Type:

Introduction

  • We have started to think of Christian growth
    • Growth is required in all realms
    • Christians needs to grow
      • What happens when they are stunted in their growth?
  • The Corinthian Church was an infant church
    • They had knowledge but were carnal
    • They were acting like babes and not mature
  • We all need to grow – example
    • Peter reminds the believers of the dispersion that they need to grow
      • Where they are, far from home, they can grow
  • v5 – add virtue and the other characteristics
  • Last week considering v1-4 – ‘the basis for Christian growth’
    • We have all the resources we need
      • "Christ is in us the hope of glory"
      • "His power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness"
      • We have exceedingly great and precious promises
      • We have been united to Christ
    • So we can grow
    • God has given us the muscles to grow – but we must exercise these muscles (example)
    • v5 – "giving all diligence add to your faith"
    • There is a responsibility to personal growth
  • Looking at virtue today
    • Moral excellence / goodness / virtue
      • This bar is only met in God/Christ
    • Virtue – 5 times
      • 4 times by Peter and once by Paul
      • v3 and v5 (twice)
    • Christ went about doing good – we need to be like Christ
      • Virtue is principally seen in our actions
  • Looking at two practical areas
    • Virtuous Speech
    • Virtuous Conduct

Virtuous Speech

  • It is easy to appear more virtuous/spiritual that we are
    • Example of Saul
    • It was true of the Pharisees, of people in our society, of our politicians
      • What about their life?
  • It is no good speaking about God if you are not living for Him
    • To speak about Him but not to keep His word is blasphemy
    • Speech much match life
  • Be bold, courageous, speak in a Godly way
    • Not about courses or communication skills but being like Christ
  • Today many speak derisively
    • Scripture (including Peter and James) condemns this
    • Reading Prov 15:1, 4, 7; 12:18, 23, 25

Virtuous Conduct

  • Excellence in life is seen in deeds
    • Prov 31 – example of the virtuous woman
    • Seen in caring, giving, doing
      • It is not ‘letting go and let God’
    • We must be diligent, make every effort, add to our faith
      • Titus 3:1 – "be ready for every good work"
      • Titus 3:8 – "be careful to maintain good works"
        • The early church was known for their good works
      • Titus 3:14 – "maintain good works"
      • Be zealous for good works

Closing Remarks

  • This is all useless unless you have faith in Jesus Christ
    • We are unrighteousness
    • We need the foundation of Christ
  • Faith must be nurtured
    • Last week – Example of thinking of your life like a house
    • Today – think of your life like a farm
      • You need to put in the hours/effort/work to see things grow
    • We are to work out our salvation with God working in us
      • A wonderful harmony
  • Virtue cannot be taken in isolation
    • We must take all the characteristics (as we must take all the fruit of the Spirit)
      • Not like rungs on a ladder
    • We need to give ourselves to the study of God’s word, the practice of self-control, cultivate patience, engage in acts of love
    • We are not legalists obeying some moral code – it flows from God
    • We are not lackadaisical
    • Immaturity brings problems
    • Fruitfulness is beneficial to all
    • v10-11
  • Think of Jesus who lived a morally excellent perfect life
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