In this lesson we continue to examine 2 Peter 1 and what we must add to our faith if we are to grow spiritually.  The first thing the apostle Peter tells us to add to our faith is virtue.  We define virtue, we show how Jesus lived a virtuous life and we give other scriptures defining and explaining virtue. Both slides and audio can be found together at www.cmcoc.org Sermon by: Brian Birdow

1. Growing in Virtue
By: Brian Birdow
Sermon text: 2 Peter 1
www.cmcoc.org

2. Objective of Lesson
• To remind us of the twofold nature of mankind.
• To better understand the first thing all children
of God must add to their faith.

3. Virtue
Growing In
2 Pet 1:5
Virtue – The courage & strength to do what is right
under all circumstances; Moral excellence
Lamb Lion
Strength - Courage - Purity - Decision

4. Jesus the lamb
John 1:29

5. Jesus as a lamb
• John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto
him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world.
• Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,
that it cannot save; either His ear heavy, that it cannot
hear; But your iniquities have separated between you and
your God, and your sins have hid His face from you that
He will not hear.
• Mankind has a sin sickness, and the cure is found IN
CHRIST!

6. Oh’ what love!
• Because of the Godhead’s love for mankind, Jesus the
Christ became flesh (John 1:14). He was sacrificed for our
sins (Isaiah 53:6) through His pure life, death, burial and
resurrection we a His children have hope
(1 Corinthians 15)!
• He shed is blood for us, which gives life to those who obey
Him! (Ref. Hebrews 5:7-9)
• 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of
God, when we love God and obey His commandments.

7. A spotless (pure) Lamb
• Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 22:20-25; Deuteronomy 15:21
• Malachi 1:13-14 ”You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!'
And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts,
"and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is
lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive
that from your hand?" says the LORD.
• "But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock
and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the
Lord, for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "and
My name is feared among the nations."

8. A spotless (pure) Lamb
• 1 Peter 1:18-19 Since you know that you
were not redeemed with corruptible things,
as silver and gold, from your vain manner
of life received by tradition from your
fathers; But with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot:

9. A spotless (pure) Lamb
• 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye
may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our
passover is sacrificed for us: 8Therefore let us keep the feast,
not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and
wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and
truth.
• Colossians 1:22 Yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly
body through death, in order to present you before Him holy
and blameless and beyond reproach--
• A His children He expects us to pure as well, to mature and not
continue in sin. Ref. Matthew 5:8; Matthew 5:48; Romans 6:1-
4

10. Virtue—Purity
• Proverbs 31:10— Who can find a virtuous
woman? For her price is far above rubies.
• Proverbs 4:23—Keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
• Genesis 39:1-12 ….turn with me please…

11. Virtue—Courage
• Acts 4:17, 29 …turn with me please….
• Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without
covetousness and be content with such things as ye have:
for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say THE LORD IS MY HELPER,
AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO
ME!
• Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but
are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is
able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

12. Jesus (courage)
• It took courage to be mocked and and not revile, but rather
bless!
• It took courage to be spat upon and not strike back.
• It took courage to do the Father’s will and die on that cross
for the sins of the world!
• He took courage and commitment not endure the
scourging!

13. Jesus the Lion
Revelation 5:4-6

14. Jesus the Lion (strength)
• Revelation 5:4-6 Then I began to weep greatly because no
one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;
5and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold,
the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,
has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
• And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures)
and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven
horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God,
sent out into all the earth.
• Ref. Matthew 28:18-20 …all power…

15. Purity (Strength)
• Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of HIS might.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye (be watchful), stand fast in
the faith, quit you like men( act like men), be strong.
• Colossians 1:11—Strengthened with all might, according
to His glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering
with joyfulness.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ….turn with me please…

16. Jesus decision
Matthew 26:53

17. Decisions, decision,
decisions!
• He had a decision to make, will I do what I will or what the
Father will’s! Luke 22—NOT my will but thine be done!
• Joshua made decision for family and
household…leadership Joshua 24:15
• Moses made a decision to suffer affliction with the people
of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season!
Hebrews 11:23-24