Audio Sermons

Cultivating Self-Control, Endurance, and Godliness (II)

Details
Series: 11am Worship Service
Date: 23 August 2026
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:6
Download Audio (16.43 MB)
Reflecting Christ, Redeeming the Time 
Cultivating Self-Control, Endurance, and Godliness
Life B-P Church Worship Service, 23rd August 2026
Text: 2 Peter 1:6
 
Introduction
  • 1:5-7 as a chain of virtues: each idea builds upon the previous one.
  • Peter’s urgent reminder to grow our Christian faith (3:1-3; 1:12-15).
 
1. Adding Self-Control to Knowledge 
“And to knowledge temperance;”
  • Knowledge (1:5) is not enough; it must lead to maturity.
  • We want Self-Control: A man with temperance (en-krateia), or self-control, is like a thriving and safe city (contra Prov 25:28).
  • Peter calls for complete Self-Control: The gospel creates self-control in our actions (cf. false teachers in 2:14; Titus 2:12), in our tongue (cf. false teachers in 2:3, 10), and in our inner life.
  • But Self-control is not enough. Self-control is the resisting of sin inside oneself; endurance is the resisting of sin outside oneself. 
 
2. Adding Endurance to Self-Control 
“...and to temperance patience;”
  • We want Endurance: Patience (hupomone), or endurance, is like a defence mechanism around a city. It is the man who is “cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:8–9).
  • Peter calls for complete Endurance: We build endurance when we suffer (Rom 5:3). But we often do what we can to avoid suffering. This does not train our endurance. 
  • But Endurance is not enough.
    • Non-Christians have self-control and endurance too.
    • God needs to be in the picture.
 
3. Adding Godliness to Endurance
“...and to patience godliness;”
  • We want Godliness: Godliness (eusebeia) literally means “right-worship.” It means having the right sense of who God is. Godliness is walking with God (Gen 5:24) in the presence of the God who is “looking down in love.”
  • Pursuing Self-Control and Endurance in Godliness:
    • Godliness is recognizing God’s power working in us and applying God’s promises to ourselves (e.g. 1 Pet 4:7; Heb 10:36) 
 
Conclusion
  • There is an urgency in pursuing self-control, endurance, and godliness.
  • We are helped by and motivated by exceeding great and precious promises.
  • But Godliness is not enough (come back next week!). 
 
 
Questions for Personal Reflection:
  1. How do the world and its priorities often run opposite to the pursuit of Self-Control, Endurance, and Godliness?
  2. What habits in your life should you cut off or develop so that you can better cultivate self-control, endurance, and godliness?
  3. What are your hindrances in cultivating these virtues? When have you found your greatest success? 

 

Offering for Missions

We thank God that Lifers are very generous in their offerings towards missions. In terms of support, the church gives priority to our fully-supported missionaries and we would like you to be aligned with the church’s position when giving towards missions. Rather than giving offerings that are designated to specific individuals or mission stations, you are encouraged to give to the Missions Fund and let the Missions Committee disburse them as it sees fit. Your understanding on this will facilitate an informed stewardship of resources for the Lord’s work in missions. If you wish to contribute financially to missionaries, please indicate "DO Missions" in the reference field in your e-Offering via the Life Church PayNow QR Code. May the Lord bless your cheerful giving.

 

For More Information Click Here