Abound2 Peter 1:8

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Introduction

Many people just try to “slide by” in life.

They seek to do the minimum to get by.

Soon the ‘min’ becomes the ‘max.’Not so for Christians; we are to “abound” in many things.

Abound: superabound, to make to increase (Thayer).

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Hope

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 15:13 Apostles spoke of hope: Acts 24:15;

1 Cor. 15:19; 2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Pet. 1:3

It’s an inheritance; the hope of glory; reserved in heaven: Eph. 1:18; Col. 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:3-4

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Hope

It is the “hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2; 3:7), but it is conditional: Springs from “righteousness of

faith”: Gal. 5:5; Heb. 10:38-39

Studying God’s word: Rom. 15:4

Perseverance in trials: Rom. 5:1-5; 8:24-25

Continued steadfastness: Col. 1:21-23

Hope is critical!Heb.6:19; 1 Cor. 15:19

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose

infinite hope.”

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Sufferings of Christ

“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” 2 Cor. 1:5 All Christians suffer: 1 Pet. 4:12a-14; 2 Tim.

3:12

Why? Men hate the truth: Jn. 3:18-21; Gal. 4:16

Don’t shy away or consider it unusual; be up to the task: 1 Pet. 4:12; 2 Cor. 2:15-16

Persecution, properly handled, strengthens and glorifies us: Matt. 5:10-12; 43-48

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Thanksgiving For God’s Grace

“For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.” 2 Cor. 4:15 Should characterize our speech and prayers:

Eph. 5:4; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1

Be thankful especially for God’s grace: Rom. 3:23; 6:23

What if lost? Matt. 25:41; Mk. 9:42-49; Rev. 14:11

God’s grace is truly marvelous! Rom. 5:8; Eph. 1:3-11

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Giving of Our Means

“But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.” 2 Cor. 8:7 Many take it too lightly; but our

giving is serious because what it supports is serious! 1 Cor. 16:1; Phil. 4:10, 14-16

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Giving of Our Means

Giving Giving

“you must do also” (1 Cor. 16:1)

“freely willingly” (2 Cor. 8:3)

“each one” (1 Cor. 16:2)

“this grace” (2 Cor. 8:7)

“as he may prosper” (1 Cor. 16:2)

“according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2 Cor. 8:12)

“liberality” (2 Cor. 8:3)

“willingness” (2 Cor. 9:1)

“according to their ability” (2 Cor. 8:3)

“generous…generosity” (2 Cor. 9:5)

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Giving of Our Means

Giving Giving

“sow bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6)

“service” (2 Cor. 9:12)

“as he purposes in his heart” (2 Cor. 9:7)

“is abounding through many thanksgivings to God” (2 Cor. 9:12)

“not grudgingly” (2 Cor. 9:7)

“liberal sharing” (2 Cor. 9:13)

“not…of necessity” (2 Cor. 9:7)

“exceeding grace of God in you” (2 Cor. 9:14)

“liberality” (2 Cor. 9:11)

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Giving of Our Means

“If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” Bob Hope (1 Jn. 3:17)

“True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense.” Emanuel Swedenborg (Acts 20:35)

Liberality in “giving” not limited to obligation to local church! Matt. 25:31-46; Gal. 6:10

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Every Good Work

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8 Basic aspect of Christians: Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8,

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We are not their source: Eph. 2:8-10; Matt. 7:21-23

One purpose of assembling: Heb. 10:24-25

Good works essential: Matt. 5:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 2 Cor. 3:2

“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

--Francis of Assisi

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In Love

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment” Phil. 1:9 Easy to claim, harder to do: 1 Cor.

13:1-8

Not mushy sentimentality: Phil. 1:9

Extends to even the “unlovable”: Jn. 3:16; Matt. 5:43-46; Matt. 16:26

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In Love To One Another“And may the Lord make you

increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you” 2 Thess. 3:12 One of the most prominent

themes in the New Testament!

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In Love To One AnotherLove One Another Love One Another

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:34-35)

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 15:12)

“These things I command you, that you love one another.” (Jn. 15:17)

“through love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13)

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In Love To One Another

Love One Another Love One Another

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Rom. 12:10)

“having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Phil. 2:2)

“bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2)

“concerning brotherly love you have no need that I write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another” (2 Thess. 1:3)

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In Love To One Another

Love One Another Love One Another

“in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Pet. 1:22)

“above all things have a fervent love for one another” (1 Pet. 4:8)

“all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, courteous” (1 Pet. 3:8)

1 John

2 John

3 John

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In Our Walk To Please God

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God” 1 Thess. 4:1 Many live on the “edge”! Eph. 4:1

God forbid! Phil. 1:27; 3:17-20

Requires a new “mind set”: Col. 3:1-2

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The Work of the Lord

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58 Every generation needs the gospel! 1 Tim.

2:4; Rom. 1:16-17

Hence, the great commission valid in every generation: Mk. 16:15; 1 Cor. 9:16

What a privilege to be “God’s fellow worker” ! 1 Cor. 3:5-11; Lk. 8:4-15

For this church to grow every member needs to do their part: Eph. 4:16

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The Seven Christian Graces

2 Peter 1:3-11Add To Your Faith Add To Your Faith

Virtue Godliness

Knowledge Brotherly Kindness

Self-control Love

Perseverance

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2 Peter 1:3-11 V. 5 why is growth so important?

Vv. 3-4

“giving all diligence”: “to bring in besides, to contribute besides” (Thayer)

We must “bring something in beside” God’s grace… faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love.

“be even more diligent”

The Seven Christian Graces

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Conclusion

Are you abounding in these things?

Be an “abounding” Christian!

You won’t be disappointed!

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11