PETER AND DILIGENCE
TEXT: 2 Peter 1:13-15

Introduction: The four gospels are accounts of the life of Jesus Christ, whom God the Father sent to be the Savior of the world. The book of Acts chronicles the establishment and growth of Christ’s church as the gospel is preached and people respond in obedience to receive salvation.
The rest of the New Testament is basically made up of letters written for Christians of all ages telling us how God wants us to live for and serve Him in this life. One of the authors was the apostle Peter who penned two of these letters that, while short, contain important information. Read TEXT.
In putting us in remembrance, one of the themes Peter follows in this second epistle is that of “diligence” or being “diligent.” In fact, instead of “be careful” in v. 15, the KJV has “endeavour,” and the ASV has “give diligence.”
English words—Diligence: “Persistent application to one’s work or duty; persevering effort.” Diligent: “Showing perseverance and application in whatever is undertaken; industrious.”
Greek words (W. E. Vine)—Noun (”diligence”): “Earnestness, zeal, or sometimes the haste accompanying this.” Verb (“give diligence” or “be diligent”): “To hasten to do a thing, to exert oneself, endeavour.”
Not only did Peter give diligence to stir up our minds in remembrance, but in this short epistle he three times encourages us to give diligence or be diligent in our relationship to God.
So let’s see what we can learn from a study of TITLE.

I. To add to faith: 2 Peter 1:5-9
A. Start out with faith as foundation: Rom. 5:1
B. Add virtue: Phil. 4:8
C. Add knowledge: Col. 2:1-3
D. Add self-control: 1 Cor. 9:24-27
E. Add perseverance: Heb. 10:35-36
F. Add godliness: 1 Tim. 4:7-8
G. Add brotherly kindness: Rom. 12:10
H. Add love: 1 Cor. 13:4-7

II. To make calling and election sure: 2 Peter 1:10-11
A. How are we called and elected (chosen)?: 2 Thess. 2:13-14
B. How do we make our call and election sure? “For if you do these things…”: Matt. 7:21
C. What is the result? “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom…”: 1 Pet. 1:3-5

III. To be found by Him in peace: 2 Peter 3:10-14
A. The reason this admonition is given is because “the day of the Lord” will come as a thief in the night: Matt. 24:42-44
B. The question is, “What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?”: 1 Pet. 1:13-16
C. The idea is that as we “look for new heavens and a new earth,” we must be ready: Tit. 2:11-14

Conclusion: Hence, we need to give diligence—i.e., persistent application, persevering effort, industriousness, earnestness, zeal—To add to our faith so that we might make our calling and election sure—Especially in view of the fact that we need to be found in peace by the Lord when He comes.
How diligent are you?

By Wayne S. Walker

Return to the Sermon Outlines page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /