Steps of Christian Growth - US.pdf - Bible Baptist Church of Blarney
Steps of Christian Growth - US.pdf - Bible Baptist Church of Blarney
Steps of Christian Growth - US.pdf - Bible Baptist Church of Blarney
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Solid <strong>Steps</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> <strong>Growth</strong> – 2 Peter 1<br />
Virtue<br />
I. Introduction (Philp 4:8)<br />
Virtue<br />
The Inner Strength To Do Right<br />
“Add to your faith virtue”<br />
Philippians 4:8<br />
A. <strong>Christian</strong>ity begins with faith/confidence in Jesus Christ,<br />
but it doesn’t end there<br />
B. Everyone who comes to Christ, comes as a wicked, condemned, lost sinner, with the desperate need to find<br />
forgiveness, and the ability to live free from the enslaving power <strong>of</strong> sin<br />
C. The next step after salvation, is the need to build up some strength against sin – takes hard work (diligence) –<br />
not going to be easy!<br />
D. <strong>Christian</strong>ity is not a life lived secluded behind walls, but a life lived free from constant defeat, by building<br />
walls between you and some definite enemies<br />
E. A <strong>Christian</strong>’s faith is directed towards God<br />
F. A <strong>Christian</strong>’s virtue is directed towards sin and temptation<br />
G. We are commanded to meditate on virtuous things (Philp 4:8)<br />
H. Let’s find out what those kind <strong>of</strong> things are<br />
II. What is Virtue?<br />
A. It is an old word – not used much today – too old fashioned I guess!<br />
B. It is very rare word (Pr 31:10). Not many people have virtue<br />
C. Definition<br />
1. “Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it.” David Starr<br />
Jordan<br />
2. Virtue simply is doing things God’s way (Ps 18:30) because it is the perfect way to do things.<br />
3. Virtue is a strength - a supernatural ability to say “no” to temptations and “yes” to right and good things -<br />
the ability to walk away from temptation (Philp 4:13) –it takes a lot <strong>of</strong> inner strength to do that because<br />
temptation usually is attractive and fun and enjoyable (see James 1:14,15)<br />
4. Illustration <strong>of</strong> a Balloon:<br />
a. Without virtue, a <strong>Christian</strong> becomes just like the world around it – is fashioned by the pressures<br />
around him – like a flat balloon<br />
b. With virtue, a <strong>Christian</strong> takes on a new shape that is formed by a pressure on the INSIDE – the filling<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Holy Spirit <strong>of</strong> God<br />
© 2006 Craig Ledbetter, BBC Ireland Page 10 www.biblebc.com