Pastor Greg continues his message series called “THE GAP: Clearing the distance between who you are and who God called and created you to be.” This week he teaches us about how to clear our individual “Character Gap.”

MESSAGE NOTES

Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: ~ 2 Peter 1:1

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
~ Galatians 3:24

Dikaioó (GREEK) – Justified (English)
to make righteous or to declare righteous, cleared of all charges, found innocent.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; ~ 2 Peter 1:2

Charis (GREEK) – Grace (English)
unmerited favor, we receive God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. ~ 2 Peter 1:3

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become  partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. ~ 2 Peter 1:4

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,  ~ 2 Peter 1:5

Spoudé (GREEK) – Diligence (ENGLISH)
to move quickly, to speed on, to not delay in what you are doing but to show zealous diligence,
to do one’s very best to give full effort to a cause of the Lord’s without delay, making haste.

Areté (GREEK) – Moral Excellence (ENGLISH)
virtue, perfection, moral excellence or goodness

and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self -control, perseverance,
and in your perseverance, godliness ~ 2 Peter 1:6

Egkrateia (GREEK) – Self-Control (ENGLISH)
self-mastery, self-restraint, self-control. In New Testament usage it refers to all forms of self-control
but especially applies to sensual appetites and passions.

“The ability to subordinate an impulse to a value is the essence of the proactive person.”
~ Stephen R. Covey,  in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Hupomoné (GREEK) – Perseverance (ENGLISH)
steadfastness, patient enduring, patient repeated behavior

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.  ~ Galatians 6:9-10

and in your godliness, brotherly kindness,  and in your brotherly kindness, love.  ~ 2 Peter 1:7

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.
~ John 15:12-13

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ~ 2 Peter 1:8

For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten
his purification from his former sins. – 2 Peter 1:9

It has happened to them according to the true proverb,  “A dog returns to its own vomit,”
and, “A sow, after washing,  returns to wallowing in the mire.” ~ 2 Peter 2:22

Hagiasmos (GREEK) – Sanctification (ENGLISH)
the process of making or becoming holy.

Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; ~ 2 Peter 1:10

for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. – 2 Peter 1:11

GO DEEPER
ALOHA GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1) How would you explain the concepts of “justification” and “grace” to a friend who is not yet a Christian?

2) Of the qualities Peter lists here in 2 Peter 1:1-11, which of them do you struggle with the most?

3) What can you do differently to master that particular character quality in your life?

4) How would you explain what it means to be “entirely sanctified” to a friend who is not yet a Christian?