I. GOD'S DIVINE POWER GRANTS UNTO US..... (1:3-4):

1. All Things That Pertain To Life And Godliness (v. 3) - 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jn. 10:10.

1. Through knowledge - Jn. 6:63, 67-68; 8:31-32; 2 Pet. 3:18.
2. Called us - With the gospel - 2 Thess. 2:13-14 (Acts 2:39).

2. His Precious & Exceeding Great Promises (v. 4) - cf. Heb. 6:13-20.

1. His promises enable us to become "partakers of the divine nature" - cf. 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Jn. 17:22; 2 Thess. 2:14; Heb. 12:10.
2. We have escaped the corruption of the world - Eph. 5:3-14.
3. We dare not resort back to it! - Rom. 6:1-2, 11-14; Col. 3:5-11.

 Therefore ("for this cause") - v. 5.......

 II. DEVELOP & LIVE A DILIGENT FAITH - 1:5-11. ("all" - total commitment, involvement, devotion). - Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1, 6; et al.

1. To Your Faith, Add....

1. Virtue - Moral courage or excellence, manliness - 1 Cor. 16:13; Phil. 1:9-11, 27-28. To virtue, add...
2. Knowledge - We must know when, where & for what to take a courageous stand! - cf. 2 Tim. 3:7; 2 Tim. 2:15. To knowledge, add....
3. Self-control - The ability to use the knowledge we acquire in order to abstain from evil and pursue good - 1 Cor. 9:25-27; 1 Thess. 5:21-22; Rom. 12:9; Titus 2:11-12. To self-control, add.....
4. Patience - The ability to remain steadfast and persevering, to be loyal and true to Christ, regardless of the obstacles we face or the successes we achieve - Heb. 10:36-39 (32-35). To patience, add....
5. Godliness - The piety of heart & reverence of life which looks heavenward can only thrive where first there is patience & self-control - Col. 3:1-4; 2 Tim. 2:5. To godliness, add......
6. Brotherly kindness - Here are expressions of love toward the saints which emulate God's love and kindness toward us - cf. 1 Jn. 3:13-18; Rom. 12:10; Eph. 4:31-32; Col. 3:12-13. To brotherly kindness, add...
7. Love - "Unconquerable benevolence, undefeatable goodwill" (Barclay). 1 Cor. 13; Mk. 12:28-34; Jn. 21:15-17; Jn. 14:15, 21, 23-24.

2. The Outcome Of Abounding In Such Spiritual Growth (1:8-11):

1. Not idle - Rom. 12:11; Jn. 9:4.
2. Not barren (fruitful) - Jn. 15:5-8; Lk. 8:15.
3. Knowledge of Christ - Controls & directs our zeal (Rom. 10:1) & our fruit (Matt. 7:21-23).
4. Make your calling & election sure - cf. Phil. 2:12; Col. 2:6-7; Eph. 4:1.
5. If you do these things, you shall never stumble - Jn. 10:27-29; 1 Jn. 5:11-13.
6. Entrance into the eternal kingdom - 2 Pet. 3:13.

3. The Tragedy Of Failing To Add To Our Faith (1:8-11):

1. Idle - Spiritual lethargy/lukewarm - Rev. 3:16.
2. Barren faith - Jas. 2:20.
3. Lack of knowledge brings destruction - 2 Pet. 3:16.
4. His calling & election are in jeopardy - Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:4-5.
5. Will stumble - 2 Pet. 3:17; Gal. 5:7; Lk. 8:13.
6. Entrance into heaven denied - cf. Matt. 24:45-51; Matt. 7:23.

 III. REMEMBERING TRUTH - 1:12-21.

1. Remember To Diligently Teach Needful Things - v. 12-15; Phil. 3:1; Gal. 4:16; 1 Tim. 4:16.
2. Remember The Credibility Of The Gospel - v. 16-21.

1. v. 16 - Eyewitnesses, not fabricators of fables - 1 Jn. 1:1-4.
2. v. 17-18 - Transfiguration of Jesus bears testimony to the credibility of the gospel message - Matt. 17:1-5.
3. v. 19 - The voice of the Majestic Glory (v. 17, the Father) confirms the word of prophecy.
4. v. 19-21 - Take heed to the word of the gospel (1:5-11):

1. It is a lamp - Psa. 119:105.
2. It is not of private (human) origin or explanation.
3. Its source is God, not man (cf. 1:3).

 CONCLUSION

 By honoring and remembering God's divine power and the call of the gospel, we will grow to maturity, resist sin and error, and enter heaven's eternal glories!

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