Bloom Church Podcast Bloom Church

 
THE FIRST RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES IS FAITH  
2. THE SECOND RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS MORAL EXCELLENCE
 
3. THE THIRD RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS Knowledge
 
4. THE THIRD RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS self-control
 
5. THE fifth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS Perseverance
 
6. THE Sixth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS GODLINESS   
 
Godliness is the reverent awareness of God's sovereignty over every aspect of life, and the attendant determination to honor him in all one's conduct.
 
“1 Tim 2:2b “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 
2 Peter 3:11b “what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” ).
 
Sanctification, separating oneself from sin & worldliness and growing in holiness & godliness through a conformity with the Holy Spirit.
 
 
 
THOUGHT  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
WORD The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21,  Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6
DEED“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col 3:17
 
How do you know you are living a life of Godliness?
OUR FRUIT
 
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:7-8
 
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14 & 17
 
 
No instead  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13
 
 
“I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:20b
Jude 1:3 tells us that contenders of faith labor tirelessly for goodness, righteousness, and holiness.
 
HOW do we do this?!
 
HOLY SPIRIT: Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Gal 3:3 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18
 
 
HIS WORD: Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
 
PRAYER: And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Eph 6:18
 
MENTORS. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”1 Corinthians 11:1
 
. But instead, it’s more about the conformity to the character and very nature of God through obedience to His will (jerry Bridges)
 
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude

God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. In view of this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self control. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. So dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and you will not fall away. 2 Peter 1:3,5,8,10 NLT
 
THE FIRST RUNG THAT -  WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES FAITH
 
THE SECOND RUNG -  THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE MORAL EXCELLENCE
 
THE THIRD RUNG -  THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN KNOWLEDGE
…and moral excellence with knowledge… 2 Peter 1:5 NLT
 
THE FOURTH RUNG IS WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE SELF CONTROL
 
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry… James 1:19
 
THE FIFTH RUNG IS WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE PERSEVERANCE
 
One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.
Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”
Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. Job 1:6-12
 
You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face. All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. Job 1:6-12
 
One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.   Job 1:13-20
 
God may be giving you exactly what you need it just looks different than what you thought.
 
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2nd Corinthians 12:8-10
 
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let

GOD HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIVING A GODLY LIFE. IN VIEW OF
THIS, MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESPOND TO GOD’S PROMISES. SUPPLEMENT YOUR
FAITH WITH A GENEROUS PROVISION OF MORAL EXCELLENCE, AND MORAL
EXCELLENCE WITH KNOWLEDGE, AND KNOWLEDGE, WITH SELF CONTROL. THE
MORE YOU GROW LIKE THIS, THE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND USEFUL YOU WILL BE IN
THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. SO DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
WORK HARD TO PROVE THAT YOU REALLY ARE AMONG THOSE GOD HAS CALLED
AND CHOSEN. DO THESE THINGS AND AND YOU WILL NOT FALL AWAY.
2 PETER 1: 3, 5, 6, 8, 10
 
1ST RUNG - FAITH
 
2ND RUNG - MORAL EXCELLENCE
 
3RD RUNG - KNOWLEDGE
 
4TH RUNG - SELF CONTROL
 
 
THE ABILITY TO CONTROL ONESELF, IN PARTICULAR, ONE’S EMOTIONS AND
DESIRES, OR THE EXPRESSION OF THEM IN ONE’S BEHAVIOR.
 
FAILURE TO EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL DEMONSTRATES THAT WE WORSHIP
OURSELVES MORE THAN GOD.
 
WHEN WE PUT THE WILL OF OURSELVES OVER THE WILL OF GOD WE ARE
ESSENTIALLY WORSHIPING OURSELVES.
 
WHEN WE FAIL TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER OUR NEEDS, DESIRES, AND EMOTIONS,
WE WILL HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE AROUND US.
 
WHEN WE FAIL TO EXERCISE CONTROL OF OUR TEMPER WE BREAK THE SPIRITS OF
PEOPLE AROUND US.
 
YOU BECOME WHAT THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE SAY ABOUT YOU.
 
THE TONGUE HAS POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH, AND THOSE WHO LOVE IT WILL EAT
ITS FRUIT.
 
1. ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE YOUR HEART
2. PUT A FILTER ON WHAT I ALLOW IN MY HEART
3. DECIDE TO SPEAK WORDS OF LIFE
4. SPEAK WORDS OF AFFECTION
5. SPEAK WORDS OF PRAISE
6. SPEAK WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
7. SPEAK WORDS OF HEALING
8. SPEAK WORDS OF FAITH
 
BETTER A PATIENT PERSON THAN A WARRIOR, ONE WITH SELF CONTROL, THAN ONE
WHO TAKES A CITY.
LIKE A CITY WHOSE WALLS ARE BROKEN THROUGH IS A PERSON WHO LACKS SELF
CONTROL.
 
MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, TAKE NOTE OF THIS: EVERYONE SHOULD BE
QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK, AND SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY, BECAUSE
HUMAN ANGER DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS GOD DESIRES.
THEREFORE, GET RID OF ALL MORAL FILTH AND THE EVIL THAT IS SO PREVALENT
AND HUMBLY ACCEPT THE WORD PLANTED IN YOU, WHICH CAN SAVE YOU.

'By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life… In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises… The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 2 Peter 1:3,5,8,10 NLT
 
THE FIRST RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES IS FAITH
 
FAITH IS SIMPLY STAYING SUBMITTED AND COMMITTED TO THE WILL OF GOD.
 
THE SECOND RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS MORAL EXCELLENCE
Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence… 2 Peter 1:5 NLT
 
' “If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15 NLT
 
Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines. Judges 15:20 NIV
 
'The woman ran and told her husband, “A man of God appeared to me! He looked like osonne of God’s angels, terrifying to see. I didn’t ask where he was from, and he didn’t tell me his name. But he told me, ‘You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. For your  will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from the moment of his birth until the day of his death.’” Judges 13:6-7 NLT
 
One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we’ll kill him.”Judges 16:1-2 NIV
 
RARELY DO WE GET TO THE WRONG PLACE IN LIFE BY ONE BAD CHOICE. WE GET THERE ONE STEP AT A TIME, ONE DAY AT A TIME, AND ONE BAD DECISION AT A TIME.
 
WE DON’T BELIEVE OUR BAD DECISIONS OR DISOBEDIENCE WILL COST US.
 
But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. Judges 16:3 NIV
 
Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. Judges 16:4 NIV
 
IThe rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” Judges 16:5-6 NIV
 
After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. Judges 16:19-21 NIV
 
HOW DO YOU PURSUE MORAL EXCELLENCE?
 
So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT
 
1. GIRD YOUR MINDS
So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is r