ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE But also for

ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE! But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ~ 2 Peter 1: 5 CONNECTED NOT WAIT

“arete” “…any excellence of a person (in body or mind) or of a thing, an eminent endowment or quality…”- Thayer

“arete” “properly denotes whatever procures pre-eminent estimation for a person or thing” - Vine “can refer to excellence of achievement, to mastery in a specific field” - Kittel

EXCELLENCE STRENGTH “Doing what is right because it is right. ” 2 Peter 1: 3 ~ … through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue (excellence-NASU), NKJV “arete” Phil 4: 8 ~ … if there is any virtue (excellence –NASU) and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. NKJV 1 Peter 2: 9 ~ … that you may proclaim the praises (excellencies – NASU) of Him NKJV

Faith that Makes a Difference § Hebrews 11 § “Faith” defined the lives of these people! § Our “faith” is to define us too! § Acts 5: 14 ~ And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…

VIRTUE - EXCELLENCE, MASTERY § “mastery in a specific field” “excellence of achievement” § Where does our “virtue” lie? § What captivates our heart so that we give it our all? § Matthew 13: 44 -46: ◦ By the hidden treasure and pearl of great price, Jesus described the dynamics of “virtue” in His disciples. § 1 Cor. 9: 24 -27 § Rev. 3: 15 -17; Matt. 6: 33 – “first”

VIRTUE - EXCELLENCE, MASTERY § It always takes sacrifice and effort to become excellent. §Phil. 3: 7 -8 §Luke 9: 62; Luke 17: 32 §Phil. 3: 12 -14, 17 §Heb. 11: God’s servants who added “virtue” to their faith took hold of whatever task God gave them and did the best they could to complete it.

VIRTUE – COURAGE, STRENGTH § “To stand for what is right because it is right” § Power & Strength: Eph. 6: 10 § There must be desire: Matt. 5: 6; Rev. 2: 4 § Strength must practice being strong: Ezra 7: 10 § Phil. 1: 28 – “… not in any way terrified by your adversaries” § Daniel 1: 8 – “… purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”

VIRTUE – COURAGE, STRENGTH § It takes moral courage to repent! § It takes moral courage to confess Jesus before men! § It takes moral courage to be a daily disciple of Jesus! § It takes moral courage to reprove sin! § It takes moral courage pursue purity!

üGod’s divine nature makes Him praiseworthy! üChrist’s perfect sacrifice makes Him praiseworthy! üOur determination to do what is right in God’s sight makes our faith praiseworthy! üWhat we do for the Lord is completely worthy of pursuing with excellence! üAdd to your faith, virtue! VIRTUE