Steps of Christian Growth - US.pdf - Bible Baptist Church of Blarney

Solid Steps of Christian Growth – 2 Peter 1
Introduction to Our Study
I. The Audience Peter is Talking To (2Peter 1)
A. Two Letters (Epistles) written by the Apostle Peter
Introduction to Our Study
2Peter 1:1-11
1. First Peter is all about encouragement, in the trials (1Pet 1:6-8)
2. Second Peter is about staying on track in spite of so many pressures and temptations
B. People needed to know how to go on and grow without Peter being around – he was leaving (2Pet 1:14,15) –
our growth is not to be dependant upon people, or upon miracles, or upon good days and sunshine – but rather
on truth, and the presence of the Lord Jesus in your life!
C. God orders our steps (lays them out ahead of us in the Scriptures), and expects us to take those steps. Not an
option!
D. God gave us three things to make sure we continue growing: His Word, His Holy Spirit, and His local Church
– we need each other!
E. The audience is believers
1. “Obtained like precious faith” – same faith as Peter and John had
2. People who had the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ!
F. Peter was concerned that Christians would know some things (2)
1. That God has given to us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” just because we know somebody –
Jesus!
2. That God has promised us PRECIOUS (rare) promises
3. That we would be like Jesus – “partaker of the divine (God) nature”
4. Now that you have been made free (escaped) the ruin in this world
II. The Task (1:5) – what God is commanding us to do
A. Look at the Christian’s responsibility! “Giving all diligence” means for you, and you, and YOU to work very
hard at adding these things to your life. Not easy! But necessary!
B. Christian growth is more about ADDING things to our life than just doing more things. The world wants to
block-out God, and subtract things from our lives, but God has made available some things that if we would
just add them to our way of thinking, and our way of living, we would be successful (bear fruit, and prosper) as
Christians!
C. Constantly adding is going to be the key – like adding healthy foods to your diet in order to grow. Can’t just
eat an apple once, and expect to be healthy for the next six weeks – you have to add lots of fruit to your diet,
and add lots of vegetables, and add lots of exercise, and add lots of laughter, and so on, to be healthy! Amen!?
III. The Staring Point – Level Ground – where do we begin?
A. We all start as sinners, lost, separated from God, doomed, law-breakers, enslaved by Satan, destined for hell
B. Then one day, we found out about forgiveness, and the righteousness of God that was available to us because
of Jesus Christ
C. That’s the day a sinner like me, like you, by simple, child-like faith accepted what Jesus did on the cross as
enough to save your soul, forgive you of your sins, and make you a child of almighty God!
D. THAT is where every believer begins – not at baptism, or in confirmation, or with good works, or according to
what country you were born in, or what religion your parents were!
IV. The Steps to Take – addition, integration of Biblical things into your life (Psalm 37:23,24)
A. Here is a great truth:
1. Salvation is a free gift received by faith
2. Spiritual Growth is a process, experienced by diligent and hard work
B. There are Eight steps for every Christian to take – not all at once
1. Faith is believing God as He promised in His word – increase it!
2. Virtue is the inner strength to do right
3. Knowledge is personally knowing something to be true, not just accepting it as true
4. Temperance is submitting your self to God’s will and God’s Holy Spirit (allowing someone else to
control your life)
5. Patience is the ability to go through troubles without complaining
© 2006 Craig Ledbetter, BBC Ireland Page 4 www.biblebc.com