David Peake, Author at South Amarillo Church of Christ

Add to Your Faith – Self-Control

Our series of articles has been building the case that faith was never meant to remain idle or static, but to grow intentionally into a complete and fruitful Christian character. By first establishing the foundation of grace & peace — then faith, virtue, and knowledge, we have seen that spiritual growth is both God-enabled and personally pursued with diligence. Now, as we turn to adding self-control, we do so understanding that knowledge must shape behavior — because genuine faith matures when what we know about Christ begins to govern how we live. Recent Articles: What About Faith | Grace and Peace | But Also For This Very Reason | Add to Your Faith – Virtue | Add to Your Faith – Knowledge It is our goal to establish that while we may not know much about virtue in the beginning, we will gain virtue as we add knowledge. Similarly, we will find that self-control is related to knowledge. Let us read 2 Peter 1:5–9 again: But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. … Read more

Faith or Feelings

This episode of Let the Bible Speak explores the complex relationship between biblical faith and human emotion. By examining the lives of faithful servants like Abraham and David, as well as the compassion demonstrated by Jesus Himself, the broadcast illustrates that while emotions are an essential part of the “inner man,” they are not the measure of truth. The discussion contrasts “emotionalism”—prioritizing experience over Scripture—with “cold formalism,” which lacks heartfelt devotion. Listeners are guided toward a balanced, “spirit and truth” worship that utilizes God’s Word as the ultimate authority to regulate and inspire the human psyche.

Blessings in Christ

In this episode of Let The Bible Speak, evangelists Brett Hickey and Jonathan Edwards conduct an in-depth study of Ephesians 1:15-22 titled “Blessings in Christ.” The discussion addresses the fundamental questions of human value and self-perception, contrasting worldly judgments with biblical truth. Key topics include the necessity of spiritual wisdom, the significance of Christ’s resurrection power, and the believer’s inheritance. The presentation concludes by illustrating Christ’s absolute authority as the Head of the Church, providing a framework for understanding the true worth of every Christian within His body.

Add to Your Faith – Knowledge

We are several articles into a series on 2 Peter 1:1-11: Adding to Our Faith Recent Articles:What About Faith | Grace and Peace | But Also For This Very Reason | Add to Your Faith – Virtue Today we turn our attention to the second of the seven qualities found in 2 Peter 1:5–7. Peter writes: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” In our last article, we saw that we must be diligent to add virtue to our faith. Peter’s list is progressive—each quality building on the one before it. Once we begin adding virtue (moral excellence) to our faith, we then build upon that virtue by adding knowledge. But immediately, a question arises. Peter calls us to knowledge, yet Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 8:1 … Read more

The Salvation of Saul

In this episode of Let the Bible Speak, Kevin Presley is joined by guest speaker Eric Bullock to examine the biblical relationship between faith and obedience. Eric demonstrates from Scripture that saving faith is never presented as mere intellectual agreement, but as a trusting response that submits to God’s revealed will. By contrasting modern religious assumptions with apostolic teaching, Brother Bullock shows that grace does not eliminate obedience but calls for it. The message urges viewers to measure their understanding of faith by the New Testament pattern and to embrace a faith that is living, active, and obedient to Christ.

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians

In this episode of Let the Bible Speak, Brett Hickey is joined by Jonathan Edwards for a discussion of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Together, they explore God’s eternal purpose in Christ, the unity of believers in one body, and the practical call to walk worthy of that calling. From the riches of grace in the opening chapter to the armor of God in the closing verses, this conversation highlights both the theological depth and daily application of Ephesians — reminding us to stand firm in Christ and live transformed lives.

Add to Your Faith – Virtue

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” 2 Peter 1:5–7 Especially for the new Christian, this is one of the most important passages in the New Testament. It is not addressed to the person who is seeking how to be saved, but to the Christian who desires to grow — who longs to become stronger and draw nearer to his Sovereign Lord. Faith is certainly the foundation of all that pertains to our Christian life. As we are reminded in Hebrews 11:6, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Peter opens his second epistle by addressing those “who have obtained like precious faith” and assures us that God’s divine power “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:1–3). It is because of this gracious provision that Peter begins, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…” … Read more

The Wonder Of Worship

In this episode of Let the Bible Speak, Kevin Presley examines the biblical relationship between faith and obedience, showing that Scripture never treats faith as a passive or purely internal belief. Kevin explains that genuine faith is defined by trust in God’s word that results in action, not by profession alone. By contrasting biblical teaching with modern religious ideas that separate faith from obedience, he emphasizes that God’s grace is accessed through a living, responsive faith. The lesson challenges listeners to measure their understanding of faith by Scripture and to embrace a faith that honors God by submitting to His revealed will.

The Resurrection – Part 2

In this message on The Resurrection (Part 2), Brett Hickey digs deeper into the foundation of the Christian gospel — the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. He explains why the resurrection is not simply a hopeful metaphor but a historical reality essential to salvation, grounding his points in the Gospel accounts and the teachings of Paul. Drawing on the significance that early Christians were willing to die for this claim, Hickey emphasizes that Christianity stands or falls on the reality of Christ’s rising from the dead. Because Jesus was raised physically, believers have a living Savior, forgiveness of sins, and the hope of future resurrection. The message calls listeners to respond not with passive assent but with radical faith that shapes life and obedience.

But Also For This Very Reason

2 Peter 1:5 begins with a phrase that deserves our careful attention: “But also for this very reason.” These words do not stand alone. They reach backward, connecting what Peter is about to say with what he has already established. To understand the call to diligence that follows, we must first appreciate the reason that makes such diligence necessary. Our study continues from our last article (Grace and Peace), focused on 2 Peter 1:2–3, where Peter reminds his readers of the abundant provision God has already made. He opens with a blessing: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Grace and peace are not merely granted; they are multiplied through knowledge — knowledge rooted in God’s revelation of Himself through His Word. Peter goes on to affirm that God’s divine power has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Nothing essential is lacking. Our physical needs and our spiritual needs are fully supplied, and they are supplied through knowing Him who called us by glory and virtue. This knowledge is not abstract or theoretical; it is transformational. We should take note of verse 4, where Peter speaks … Read more