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Virtue (Moral Excellence) 2 Peter 1.5-7 Introduction: Jesus tells us to live in the world but not be of the world. What does that mean? It means we are to be different; to live differently, to think differently, to reason on a different plain than the world. This can be seen in the qualities mentioned in our text. We want to concentrate on the quality of “Virtue.” I) Definition a. Thayer – any excellence of a person, an endowment, property, or quality b. Vine – whatever procures pre-eminent estimation for a person c. TDNT – the excellence that the righteous are to maintain in life or death d. Cremer – the excellence of a person which give him his worth i. Strength of character that maintains moral integrity thus giving one real worth ii. Quality that Is active, not passive, requiring great energy and boldness to ever maintain the moral code e. It is something we don’t just have but we work at obtaining. i. We must be diligent – is not easy to be a virtuous person. ii. Requires us to make sacrifices—an unscrupulous businessman will not question whether it is right or wrong but a virtuous person will. iii. Must rise above the level of mediocrity, or “good enough” or “everybody else is doing it” Emma Talley: Caldwell County sophomore seemingly won her second consecutive state golf tournament by six strokes before voluntarily disqualifying herself after discovering a one-shot error on her signed scorecard. She would have won by five shots without the error.
II) Stems From Character of God a. 1 Peter 2.9 “praises of (virtue) of Him who called you. b. Hebrews 6.18 impossible for Him to lie (Titus 1.2) c. 1 Thessalonians 5.24 He is faithful, we can completely rely on God d. Romans 9.14 He is righteous e. 2 Peter 1.5 it is this strength of character that we, as God’s children, are to supply III) How Does Character Come? a. One is not virtuous by accident but by purpose or design b. One must contemplate, think about that which is right, Phil. 4.8 c. We must make the conscious and firm decision that we are going to do what is right d. Then we must go beyond the thinking stage to the doing stage and practice what is right, 2 Peter 1.5 i. In every situation of life. If we have not made this commitment we are likely to stumble and do that which is wrong when the unexpected comes about. ii. We must say we are doing to do the morally excellent thing” even when others may reject us, persecution arises, or even death could come about. iii. See the opposite of this recently in politics. Certain politicians had a problem with a bill until they were offered enough money to buy their vote. IV) Examples of Those That Showed Moral Excellence a. Noah in Genesis 6.5-13 b. Lot lived in Sodom and Gomorrah but was virtuous, 2 Peter 2.7-8 c. The apostles, Acts 4.21; 5.29 d. Paul in Acts 20.22-24 V) Virtue Does Not Ask a. What will others think of me? i. If something is right then it will not matter what your friends think about it. The same can be said for your family or co-workers. ii. If something is wrong then the same principles applies. b. How will it affect me materially? i. What will one give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8.36-37 ii. Moral excellence cannot be bought and sold. c. How will it affect me physically? Philip Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of "disciple." He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54. Ignatius In this persecution suffered the blessed martyr, Ignatius, who is held in famous reverence among very many. This Ignatius was appointed to the bishopric of Antioch next after Peter in succession. Some do say, that he, being sent from Syria to Rome, because he professed Christ, was given to the wild beasts to be devoured. It is also said of him, that when he passed through Asia, being under the most strict custody of his keepers, he strengthened and confirmed the churches through all the cities as he went, both with his exhortations and preaching of the Word of God. Accordingly, having come to Smyrna, he wrote to the Church at Rome, exhorting them not to use means for his deliverance from martyrdom, lest they should deprive him of that which he most longed and hoped for. "Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and all the malice of the devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win Christ Jesus!" And even when he was sentenced to be thrown to the beasts, such as the burning desire that he had to suffer, that he spake, what time he heard the lions roaring, saying: "I am the wheat of Christ: I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread." d. Is it pleasant? i. There are a lot of unpleasant things we are called upon to do in order to serve God but it is right. To bear our cross, to turn the other check, to pray for those that spitefully use us. Etc VI) In Any Situation There is Only One Question – Is It Right? a. Requires us to know what is right. Our virtue is going to be connected with our knowledge of God’s word. b. Requires us to make the firm decision that we will not sin against God. i. Joseph was committed and would not sin against God, Genesis 39.9 ii. Another way of making my point is what would it take for you to sell your soul? VII) Application a. Obeying the Gospel i. What is it God requires of me? Acts 16.30 ii. The first step of moral excellence is diligently adding to our faith. Faith depends on hearing the word of God (Romans 10.17); requires us to repent, confess Jesus, and baptism into Christ. b. Worship in the way, place, time God requires. c. Work of the church d. Attendance e. Church discipline f. Moral issues – Abortion, Homosexuality, Adultery, Gambling, Pornography, Immodest Dress, Drinking, Dancing, etc. Conclusion: “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better”—Pat Riley |