Sermon Tone Analysis

Just a closer walk with thee. . .

Jesus is the sum of all things.

In knowing that, don’t we want to have a closer walk with thee?

OK, so that is a rhetorical question.

So how do we get a closer walk with thee?

Today we are looking at growing in a closer walk with Jesus.

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We are challenged to grow (2Pt3:18)

We are encouraged to grow (2Pt1:5-7)

We have proof of growth (Jn13:35)

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We are challenged (commanded) to grow (2Pt3:18)

It is important to grow in knowledge and grace which brings about maturity.

Today we will also see

We are challenged to grow (2Pt3:18)

We are encouraged to grow (2Pt1:5-7)

Not only encouraged but told how to.

When we grow in grace or in this case and this passage before us today, graces and knowledge, true knowledge, then God gets the glory!

Isn’t that what we want, to give God the glory?

So as we go today I would like you to consider this question and see if we answer in along the way.

So what does it mean to grow in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the sum of all things?

How can we know, how can we be assured that we are growing in knowledge, true knowledge, the right knowledge, the maturing knowledge of Jesus Christ?

By practice (2Pt2:10) and by practice (application) it brings proof.

We are challenged to grow (2Pt3:18)

We are encouraged to grow (2Pt1:5-7)

We have proof of growth (Jn13:35)

Peter defines what it means to grow in knowledge of Christ and that is found in our passage today 2Pt1:2-11.

So without any further delay let’s get into the message.

What does growing entail?

It entails developing the eight graces in our passage (2Pt1:5-7)

Faith (2Pt1:5; Heb11:1)

Knowledge (2Pt1:5; Pro1:2)

Virtue (2Pt1:5; Ps23:60

Self-control (1Pt1:6; Gal5:23)

Perseverance (2Pt1:6; Rom5:3-4)

Brotherly kindness (2Pt1:7; Gal5:220

Love (2Pt1:7; Rom5:8)

Faith - conviction with strong assurance

Knowledge - this is the right knowledge of true things

Virtue - this is moral excellence, goodness

Self-control (discipline) Gal5:23

Perseverance - being able to bear up under trials and tribulations (Rom5:3-4)

Godliness -godly character that comes from our devotion to God (1Tim4:8)

Brotherly kindness - active love towards one another (Gal5:22)

and finally, love - active desiring the best for others, especially those who are in need; and boy were we in need and God met the need

So, there you go, in general the eight graces with some parallel passages, now moving on.

So, what do you notice about these qualities from this verse (2Pt1:8)?

Theses qualities are yours!

Be sure to discuss “if” clause for the verse does use the word “if”

They are increasing

They make you fruitful because of true knowledge

We must abound if we are to grow in these graces.

When we do they will result in growing knowledge of Jesus.

This is so much more than intellectual knowledge.

So moving on to the developing of these graces.

Each of these graces are “Christ like attributes” - more growth means more knowledge, more knowledge means more graces and more graces means more like Christ.

Developing the graces

It takes knowledge (2Pt1:2-3)

The word knowledge used (v.2) is the Greek word:

Epiginosko “to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly, to know accurately, to know well - Thayer’s lexicon of the New Testament

So, if we are acquainted, know thoroughly, know well, then we will apply and our life will demonstrate these graces.

It takes these graces working together (2Pt1:5-7)

when we look at these verses you see that there is the “add to” look and see

Each of these work in conjunction with each other.

In some versions you may see the word “supply” but both words work.

Each of these graces work in harmony with each other to produce the result, Christ like character.

May it be illustrated like this: To knowledge we add self-control, this helps us to know how to apply the knowledge that we have through self-control.

Then you add perseverance, the effort needed to be consistent in our self-control because of the knowledge that we have and that we need to apply.

If we want to grow in Christ, to mature in Christ, these graces must be developed in conjunction with each other, but they do take effort, diligent effort.

It takes diligent effort (2Pt1:5, 2Pt1:10)

dil·i·gence (noun) careful and persistent work or effort.

Dictionary.com

Or even look at what the Message interpretive sys

Maturing, growing in knowledge of Christ Jesus takes diligent effort, earnest zeal, much effort at times.

It does not come naturally or accidently; you have to develop these graces.

So, are you making the effort to develop these graces?

Are you willing to make diligent effort to doing it?

Maybe you are not sure if it will be worth it.

Well then, the next point tells us why we should develop these graces.

Why we should develop these graces

Do it for multiplication of knowledge (2Pt1:2)

Grace and peace are coupled together as a greeting in many of the N.T. books.

Grace the greeting which asks for God’s favor upon the person or people being greeted.

Peace is the intended result of the favor of God to those who are being greeted.

Grace and peace, is that not what we want?

Is that not what we want for others?

Well it comes through knowledge.

Everything we need comes through true knowledge of Him (2Pt1:3-4)

All things pertaining to life and godliness; Our physical lie, our spiritual life, godliness that refers to our godly conduct as a result of our devotion to God.

It is only when we grow in knowledge of Christ Jesus we are able to have and enjoy the “all things;’ the true things, the full things, the divine things that are unlocked by God’s divine power to the believer who is growing in these graces.

Knowledge including His precious and magnificent promises

Knowledge so as to be partakers of God’s divine nature

Knowledge that has given us freedom and victory over the corruption that is in this world by lust.

We develop so we are not spiritually blinded or short-sighted (2Pt1:9)

We don’t want spiritual myopathy; to become spiritually weak; spiritually blind to what we have and forgetting what we have and how we came to have it.

Failure to develop and grow is an indication that we have either forgotten why we were redeemed or became complacent.

May we remember we have been redeemed and our sins have been forgiven.

So that, one day we maybe presented to God to be like the Son one day.

We develop these graces as a part of our transformation process (Rom12:2; Rom8:29; 1Jn3:2).

This is what maturity is, to grow more into His image.

We do it so we will not stumble (2Pt1:10; 1Jn1:8-10)

Stumble: to fall into misery, become wretched, the loss of salvation - Thayer’s