========================================================================
  2 PETER 1:8
  by John Gill
========================================================================

Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of a fruitful,
experiential knowledge of Christ that transforms lives through the Holy
Spirit's work.

Topics: "Spiritual Growth", "Fruitfulness in Faith"
Scripture References: John 15:5, Galatians 5:22, 2 Peter 1:8

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Gill emphasizes the necessity of possessing and practicing
spiritual qualities as outlined in 2 Peter 1:8. He explains that true
knowledge of Christ is not merely theoretical but must be accompanied by
practical application and the fruits of righteousness in one's life.
Gill warns against a barren and unfruitful faith that lacks genuine
experience and trust in Christ, contrasting it with a vibrant faith that
flourishes like a well-watered tree. He encourages believers to actively
cultivate these graces to ensure they are fruitful in their knowledge of
the Lord. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deep, experiential
relationship with Christ that manifests in a life of obedience and good
works.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ver. 8. For if these things be in you,.... Are wrought in you by the
Spirit of God, and exercised and performed by his assistance, who works
in his people both to will and do:

and abound; increase in their acts and exercises by the frequent
performance of them: they make you; both by way of influence and
evidence,

[that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a knowledge of Christ which is barren
and fruitless; and those that have it are so in their conversations, and
it will be of no avail to them another day: and this is a mere notional
and speculative knowledge, such as is not attended with any inward
experience and application of Christ to themselves, or any fruits of
righteousness in their lives, and is a bare theory of things relating to
his person, offices, and works; but there is a knowledge of him that is
spiritual and experimental, by which a soul not only approves of Christ,
but places its trust and confidence in him, and appropriates him to
himself, and practically observes his commands and ordinances in the
faith of him; and in love to him he performs the above duties, and
exercises the above graces; from whence it appears, that he is neither
barren nor unfruitful himself in the profession of his knowledge of
Christ; "or in the acknowledgment of him", as it may be rendered; nor is
that a vain, empty, and useless thing: he is not like the barren fig
tree, or the earth that bears briers and thorns, and is nigh to cursing
and burning, but like a tree planted by a river of water, and is green,
flourishing, and fruitful. This is used as an argument to enforce the
foregoing exhortation, to add to, that is, to exercise and perform the
above graces and duties, in conjunction with each other.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-gill/2-peter-18/
========================================================================