Main Takeaway:
God doesn’t just want you saved; He wants you stable. Salvation gives us new life, but spiritual maturity teaches us how to live that life. Peter gives us eight qualities that produce stability: Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-Control, Perseverance, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and love.

Introduction:
What is Stability?

Definition of Stability: Stability is the ability to remain firm, consistent, balanced, and established even when circumstances around you change. A stable believer isn’t someone who never experiences trouble. A stable believer is someone who has learned how to remain standing when trouble comes.

Steadfast - (kun) to stand, make preparation, make provision, be stable.
Established - (saw-mak) to lean upon, bear up, set self, sustain.

WHY DO BELIEVERS STUMBLE?
Peter says:“…if you do these things you will never stumble. ”The word stumble carries the idea of tripping, losing one’s footing, being caught in a trap, or falling. Spiritually, people stumble through:
*temptation
*offense
*uncontrolled emotions
*wrong relationships
*discouragement
*financial pressure
*disappointment
*pride
*isolation
*weariness
*compromise
*lack of spiritual discipline

The enemy is constantly looking for unstable areas. That’s why Peter tells us:
“ADD TO YOUR FAITH."

Add (Gk - epichorēgeōto) to furnish besides, fully supply, aid or contribute.

A. THE FOUNDATION OF STABILITY. Faith + Virtue + Knowledge

Before you can stand against what’s around you, you must establish what’s within you.

1. GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN YOU WHAT YOU NEED.

“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…”Notice:”Has Given.”

Our stability begins by recognizing: I am not trying to become equipped. In Christ, I have been equipped. My responsibility is learning how to develop and use what God has supplied.

Practical Application:
The question isn’t simply: “What will God give me?” The better question is: ”What has God already provided that I need to develop?”

2. FAITH STABILIZES WHAT YOU BELIEVE.

Definition:
Faith is confidence in God’s character, trust in God’s Word, and corresponding action based upon what God has said.

Faith says, "God said it. I believe it. Therefore, I will order my life accordingly.”

Practical Application:
Identify an area where circumstances have been speaking louder than Scripture. Ask: ”What had God said about this?”Find the promise. Meditate on it. Speak it. Believe it. Act upon it. Stable people don’t build convictions around circumstances; they build convictions on God’s Word.

3. VIRTUE STABILIZES YOUR CHARACTER.

Definition:
Virtue means moral excellence, integrity, courage, and excellence of character.Faith concerns what you believe. Virtue concerns who you’re becoming.

That’s stability. Integrity creates security.

Practical Application: The Private-Life Test.
Ask yourself: Is there anything in my private life that could eventually destabilize my public life? Relationships? Conversations? Spending? Sexual temptation? Internet activity? Dishonesty? Pride? Bitterness? You can’t manage compromise; you must eliminate it.

4. KNOWLEDGE STABILIZES YOUR DECISIONS.

Definition of Knowledge:
(Gk - epignosis) full discernment and recognition. Knowledge is spiritual understanding and practical wisdom rooted in God’s truth.

Notice: They weren’t destroyed because they weren’t God’s people. They were God’s people who lacked knowledge.

Practical Application:
Before making major decisions, develop the habit of asking: “What does God’s Word say about this?” Before choosing a relationship. Before making a financial decision. Before responding to conflict. Before making a career move. Before making a major purchase. Don’t just ask what you want to do. Ask what wisdom says you should do.

Conclusion:
Week One Stability check.
1. Faith - What am I believing?
2. Virtue - Where am I compromising?
3. Knowledge - What do I need to learn?