Parkside Baptist Church
Pastor Jeff Humphrey delivers a message from 2 Peter 1:5
WHAT IF 2021 WAS YOUR GREATEST YEAR OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH EVER?
2 Peter 1:5 ESV
1. MAKE EVERY EFFORT
Mark Batterson writes... ONE OF THE GREAT MISTAKES WE MAKE IS ASKING GOD TO DO FOR US WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO FOR HIM.
When the Bible says we should MAKE EVERY EFFORT, it is a heavenly reminder that while God will be faithful to lead us to NEXT STEPS... and God will be faithful to empower us in the taking of NEXT STEPS... we have to make an effort in the stepping out.
2. VIRTUE - "goodness" or "moral excellence"
But the standard of goodness and moral excellence is not PEOPLE... the standard is the HEAVENLY FATHER!
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
We have to add to our faith the VIRTUE/GOODNESS/MORAL EXCELLENCE of GOD so as ambassadors of the Heavenly Father in this world we can live morally... and we can speak morally... and we can be the salt and light God wants us to be witness of for our families... our political systems... our communities.
3. KNOWLEDGE
When Peter writes that we need to add to our faith KNOWLEDGE... he is talking about GINOSKO... A growing relationship in knowing God that goes deeper and deeper in intimacy and experience.
Our first challenge... MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO HAVE A DAILY QUIET TIME WITH GOD.
What is a Quiet Time?
• A time we set aside EVERY DAY.
• Where we can BE STILL AND QUIET AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.
• A time where we read from the Bible and let God speak to us through it about who He is and who He wants to be in our life.
• A time where we cast our praise on him... and cast our sins on him... and cast our thanks on him... and cast our cares on him.