The Cure For Short-Sighted Saints

Text: 2 Peter 1:1-7,9

Memory verse: "For he who lacks these qualitites is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins." (NASB)


  1. EXCELLENCE. The Greek word arete, can be translated "virtue," and refers to demonstration of power. In this case it refers to the filling of the Holy Spirit and the word "excellence" used in verse 3. We have to supply the power of the Spirit of God, which means we must know how to be filled by Him.

  2. KNOWLWEDGE. Once we understand how to be filled with the Spirit, then we must study (2 Peter 3:18). It will take diligence, spiritual hunger, and humility to benefit from divine perception (Heb. 11:1, 6).

  3. SELF-CONTROL. The filling of the Spirit plus the continued perception of the Word sets up a system of inner authority in the soul. When we learn how to lead one, then we will be able to lead many (Heb. 5:14). We began to control ourselves not just because someone else is watching, but because we are servants of God and know how to act under the authority of His Word in our souls (2 Peter 1:6)

"God allows us to go thru the storm to become good sailors"

  1. PERSEVERANCE. This is from the Greek word hupo, "under" and meno, "abide". It beautifully illustrates the faith-rest life. It is the persistence, stamina, the ability to abide in the Word under pressure, to stand, no matter how much we are suffering (Ps. 119; James 1:2-3; 12; 1 Peter 1:6-8; 2 Peter 1:6).

  2. GODLINESS. Conformity to Christ is godliness. In 1 Timothy 3:16, Paul talks about the great mystery of godliness, "God was manifest in the flesh" (KJV). If God manifest in the flesh is the mystery of gofliness, then godliness in the Christian life means conformity to the person of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

  3. BROTHERLY KINDNESS. This comes from the Greek word philidelphia, "the love of brothers". It is the love of the royal family of God that comes from conforming to the image of Christ. We learn to see every believer and say, " That person's life and growth are important to me" (2 Peter 1:7).

  4. LOVE. This is the Greek word agape, the love that only God can produce. It is not an emotion or a feeling. It is a passion for man's ultimate good. It is never casual, but always sacraficial (1Cor. 13:1-8). Agape is not based on anything inherently lovable in the object and does not demand to be loved in return (Matthew 22:37-40).

Fountain of Faith Baptist Church (713) 270-4567 7887 Beechnut Houston, TX www.fofbchouston.org

Taught by: Sr. Pastor-Teacher: Rev. Mark A. Cain Sept. 18, 2011 11 A.M. Sunday Worship Service

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