Introduction:
A. How to Pray for Your Preacher
B. Virtue is having the kind of courage needed to do what we know is right (2 Pet. 1:5-11).
I. What Is Virtue?
A. “Virtue” is used only 5 times in the New Testament.
B. Virtue is an outgrowth of faith (2 Pet. 1:5; Jn. 17:17; Rm. 10:17).
C. Relationship between “faith” and “virtue”
1. Faith without virtue is hypocritical.
2. Virtue without faith is self-righteousness.
3. Faith and virtue is what Christians ought to practice.
D. “Virtue” has changed meaning (Lk. 8:46; 6:19) since 1611.
II. Why Is Virtue Important?
A. Because we are tempted to fear people instead of God and please others at the expense of biblical principles.
B. The early church (Acts 8:4; 28:22; Col. 1:23; Lk. 6:26; Mt. 20:28; 10:32-33)
C. Everywhere exhorted to practice virtue (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:10; Hb. 10:39)
III. What Does Virtue Look Like?
A. Examples of virtue (Josh. 24:14-15; Dan. 3:16-18; Acts 5:29; Hb. 11; 12:1-4)
B. Case studies in virtue
1. Peter (Lk 22:61-62; Gal. 2:11-12 cf. Acts 4:19-20)
2. Timothy (2 Tim. 1:7; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Tim. 4:1-4)
C. Considerations:
1. It will not happen overnight.
2. Even our heroes struggled at times.
3. We will not show virtue in great arenas until we have passed the test in smaller arenas.
4. God gives the strength (Is. 40:29; 2 Cor. 12:10).
5. Not called to physical courage so much as moral courage.
Conclusion:
A. Will you add to your faith, virtue?
B. Will you have the courage to do what you know is the right thing to do?