by Pastor T.d. KASUKU
INTRODUCTION
a)
The platform from which we receive things from God is knowledge. What does it mean?
It means that without knowledge there’s nothing we should expect to receive
from God. In other words, we receive from the Lord at the level of our
knowledge of God.
2 Peter 1:3 According
as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and
godliness, through the knowledge of
him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
b)
Through knowledge we receive not some things but All things. Not only all
things but also exceeding great and precious promises
2 Peter 1:3 … his
divine power hath given unto us all things …2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto
us exceeding great and precious
promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
c)
Just because God has given us all things, does it mean that we should be lazy? Should
we fold our hands because God has given us all things through knowledge? Is it
enough to know? From verses 1 to 4 of 2 Peter 1 we see God’s part. From 5 to
the end we see man’s part.
d)
In verse 5, Peter says, “…adding on your part…”
2 Peter 1:5 And beside
this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2 Peter 1:5
(ASV) Yea, and
for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply
virtue; and in [your] virtue knowledge;
e)
So, what is my part? Still in verse 5, Peter says, “…adding on your part ALL DILIGENCE…” So my part is
DILIGENCE.
f)
What is diligence? From the Greek root,
diligence means speed, haste, eagerness, earnest care, striving after anything,
showing interest.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AND
WHERE THERE’S DILIGENCE?
1)
WHERE
THERE’S DILIGENCE, THERE’S UNENDING, ENDLESS, CONTINUAL, INCESSANT, CEASELESS, UNSTOPPABLE
ADDITION, INCREASE AND GROWTH.
2 Peter 1:5
And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD
to your faith virtue; and ADD to
virtue knowledge; 6 And ADD to
knowledge temperance; and ADD to
temperance patience; and ADD to
patience godliness; 7 And ADD to
godliness brotherly kindness; and ADD
to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound,
they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and
cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2)
WHERE
THERE’S DILIGENCE, WEALTH AND PROSPERITY FLOW AND FOLLOW YOU NATURALLY,
OBVIOUSLY AND EVIDENTLY
Proverbs 10:4
(KJV) He
becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 10:4
(NIRV) Hands
that don't want to work make you poor. But hands that work hard bring wealth to
you.
3)
WHERE
THERE’S DILIGENCE, YOU ARE SET TO BE ONLY ON TOP AND ABOVE NEVER BENEATH AND DOWN.
Proverbs
12:24 (KJV) The hand of the diligent shall bear rule (be in charge, gain
control, become leader,…): but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Proverbs
12:24 (MSG) The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are
oppressed by work.
4)
WHERE
THERE’S DILIGENCE, THERE’S FULFILLMENT, COMPLETION, ACHIEVEMENT AND ENJOYMENT BECAUSE
NOTHING IS LEFT UNDONE.
Proverbs
12:27 (KJV) The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting:
but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Proverbs
12:27 (MSG) A lazy life is an empty life, but "early to rise"
gets the job done.
Proverbs
12:27 (NIRV) Anyone who refuses to work doesn't even cook what he catches.
But a man who works hard values what he has.
Proverbs
12:27 (NLT) Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the
diligent make use of everything they find.
Joshua 11:15 (KJV) As the
LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did
Joshua; he left nothing undone
of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
Joshua 21:45 (KJV) There failed not ought of any good thing
which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
5)
WHERE
THERE’S DILIGENCE, WISHES, DREAMS AND PROMISES ARE TURNED INTO REALITIES AND WORDS
INTO WORKS.
Proverbs 13:4
(KJV) The soul
of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall
be made fat.
Proverbs 13:4
(MSG) Indolence
wants it all and gets nothing; the energetic have something to show for their
lives.
6)
WHERE
THERE’S DILIGENCE, THERE’S PROFITABLE PLANNING AND PREPARATION LEADING TO LONG
LASTING PROSPERITY AND PLENTEOUSNESS
Proverbs 21:5
(KJV) The
thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; But every one that is
hasty [hasteth] only to want.
Proverbs 21:5
(MSG) Careful
planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further
behind.
Proverbs 21:5
(NLT) Good
planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
(GNT) Plan
carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have
enough.
7)
WHERE
THERE’S DILIGENCE, THERE’S EXCELLENCE, SKILL, EXPERTISE AND KNOW-HOW. AS A
MATTER OF FACT, YOU ARE IN DEMAND, ADMIRED AND SET TO STAND BEFORE KINGS
Proverbs
22:29 (KJV) Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand
before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Proverbs 22:29 (MSG) Observe people who are good at
their work - skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take
a back seat to anyone.
Proverbs
22:29 (NIV) Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve
before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
Proverbs
22:29 (NKJV) Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before
kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
Proverbs
22:29 (BBE) Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will
take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
WHAT ARE THE AREAS TO SHOW DILIGENCE?
1)
BE
DILIGENT IN SEEKING GOD
Hebrews 11:6 But
without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and [that] he
is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Luke 15:8 Either what woman
having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle,
and sweep the house, and seek
diligently till she find [it]?
2)
BE
DILIGENT IN HEARING GOD
Deuteronomy 28:1 And it
shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken
diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe [and] to do
all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will
set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
3)
BE
DILIGENT IN SPEAKING AND TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD
Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Acts 18:25 This man
was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently
the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
4)
BE
DILIGENT IN LEARNING THE WAYS OF GOD
Jeremiah 12:16 And it
shall come to pass, if they will diligently
learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as
they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst
of my people.
5)
BE
DILIGENT IN KEEPING YOUR SOUL
Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take
heed to thyself, and keep thy soul
diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and
lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy
sons, and thy sons’ sons;
6)
BE
DILIGENT IN YOUR BUSINESS (whatever you do)
Proverbs
22:29 (KJV) Seest thou a man diligent
in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before
mean men.
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