THOSE MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED

2 Pet 1:3-11 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, {4} by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. {5} But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add

to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, {6} to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance

godliness, {7} to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. {8} For if these things are yours and abound,

you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} For he who lacks these things is

shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. {10} 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.

SUCCESSA. 2 Pet 1:10-11 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.

B. You don’t have to believe in predestination to predict who will most likely succeed. If we properly define “success”, there is no way one can be a failure if the following things are done.

C. If you are a child of God and you are willing to do the following things then it will help to assure your success.

I. Those who know that they believe and stick to honorable goals will succeed.

A. (Isa 26:3) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

B. (2 Tim 1:12) For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

II. Those who show mercy to others will succeed.

A. (Mat 5:7) Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

B. (James 2:13) For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

III. Those who go the second mile will succeed.

A. (Mat 5:41) "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

B. (Eph 6:7-8) with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, {8} knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

IV. Those who shun evil companions, wrong doing, and evil speech will succeed.

A. (1 Cor 15:33-34) Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." {34} Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

B. (1 Pet 3:10-12) For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. {11} Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. {12} For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."

V. Those who are persistent in fulfilling duty faithfully to the end will succeed.

A. (2 Pet 1:3-11) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, {4} by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. {5} But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, {6} to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, {7} to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. {8} For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. {10} 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.

V. Those who are persistent in fulfilling duty faithfully to the end will succeed.

B. (Rev 2:10) "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

VI. Those who humbly serve others without desire for glory will succeed.

A. (Mat 20:20-28) Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. {21} And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." {22} But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." {23} So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.“>>>

VI. Those who humbly serve others without desire for glory will succeed.

{24} And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. {25} But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. {26} "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. {27} "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; {28} "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

VI. Those who humbly serve others without desire for glory will succeed.

B. (Mat 23:8-12) "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. {9} "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. {10} "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. {11} "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. {12} "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

C. (Mark 9:33-35) Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" {34} But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. {35} And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

ARE YOU SUCCEEDING?A. Are you likely to succeed if you continue doing

what you are doing now?B. If you have questions or doubts about your

salvation please clear them up so you can be sure of your home in heaven.

C. 1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

TONIGHT’S SERMONA “C” AVERAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR