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II PETER 1:2-8

"THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM"

Intro: Man is becoming more knowledgeable about the universe about him every day,  yet he
       remains so ignorant of the creator. Which is more important to know -  creation or 
       creator?

I. THE BENEFITS OF KNOWING GOD.
        A. Grace and peace be multiplied.
                1. Grace is God's undeserved and unearned blessings.
                        a. Salvation "by grace are ye saved..."
                        b. Love.
                        c. The gift of His Spirit.
                2. Peace is the result of grace.
                        a. Peace with God.
                        b. Peace of God.
                3. These are multiplied to us "through the..."
        B. He hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.
                1. This "life" is that eternal life in Christ.
                        a. Life in the Spirit.
                        b. Contrast life in the flesh "the mind of..."
                2. Godliness is God likeness.
                        a. How I desire to be like God.
                                1. In love, patience, purity, goodness forgiveness.
                3. He "hath" given all that pertains.
                        a. So many times we find ourselves begging God for strength and help 
                           to live this life.
                        b. These things come to us not by pleading with God, but by knowing 
                           God.

II. HOW CAN I KNOW GOD? "WHEREBY ARE GIVEN UNTO US EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES."
        A. We come to know God through His Word.
                1. God has revealed Himself to man.
                        a. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
I John 2:23 b. "God, who at sundry times."
                2. The perfect revelation is in Jesus Christ.
                        a. "He that hath seen me, hath seen..."
                        b. "Whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father."
        B. We are not to be satisfied with just faith in God, partake of His nature - give all
           diligence:
                1. Add to your faith virtue. 
                        and to virtue knowledge.
His nature and to knowledge temperance.
described. and to temperance patience.
                        and to patience godliness. 
                        and to godliness brotherly kindness. 
                        and to brotherly kindness love.
                2. These are the excellent graces that come through the knowledge  of God.
                3. For if these be in you and abound.
                        a. A reference to graces or,
                        b. A reference to great and precious promises.
                                1. By which I receive the nature of Christ. 
                                2. Through the knowledge of Christ.