2 Peter 3:1-10
2 Peter • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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How many numbers are between 0 and 10?
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(9 whole numbers, but an infinite amount of numbers!)...
Our most frequent sin is underestimating the Lord. We underestimate his power, his knowledge, his will, his authority…this world is infinitely small and infinitely large and He is over it all.
This truth applies to our hearts and lives as well…when we underestimate his authority in our lives, we attempt to control what He is in charge of.
Peter’s Reminder (1-3)
Peter’s Reminder (1-3)
WHY AM IS PETER REMINDING US: HOLINESS
1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,
1a - This is my second letter, beloved
1b - I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder
As we’ve mentioned, this very convicting letter was written to address beliefs and behaviors that were present among those claiming the name of Jesus and yet were in conflict with the Gospel
So Peter is bringing these fundamental reminders to stir up the church unto holy living
13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,
14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
In his first letter, Peter addressed persecution of believers by those outside the church: Government, Work and even within Marriage. His reminder there was that 1) we should not be surprised because our Lord suffered this way 2) Jesus told his followers they too would suffer this way and 3) finally that we ought to respond to such pressure as Jesus did…in sacrificial love.
In this letter, Peter has been addressing false teachers within the church that have been minimizing the importance of pursuing holiness in our walk with Christ.
PROPHETS, JESUS, APOSTLES WARNED AGAINST SCOFFERS...
2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,
2 - that you should remember the predictions of
the holy prophets (OT)
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill.’
17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”
10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, ‘Disaster shall not overtake or meet us.’
12 They have spoken falsely of the Lord and have said, ‘He will do nothing; no disaster will come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine.
13 The prophets will become wind; the word is not in them. Thus shall it be done to them!’ ”
and the commandment of the Lord and Savior
thru your apostles
4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
SO, WHAT ARE THE SCOFFERS SAYING?
Scoffers (3-7)
Scoffers (3-7)
3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
3 - knowing this first of all
that scoffers/mockers will come in the last days
with mocking:
as we will see more in v 4, they are mocking the return of Christ
they are also making a mockery of those who would pursue holy living
This mocking is self serving to them because it stands as justification for them to “follow their own sinful desires”
Again the words of the prophet Zephaniah:
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill.’
SCOFFER’S PREMISE
4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
4 - They will say
Where is the promise of his coming?
For ever since the fathers (?) fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation
PETER’S REBUTTAL
5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,
5 - They deliberately look over this fact
The heavens existed long ago
the earth was formed
out of water
Through water
by the word of God
6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
6 - and by means of these (the water and the WORD) the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished
7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
7 - But by the same word, the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire
being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly
Jesus is Coming (8-10)
Jesus is Coming (8-10)
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
8 - But do not overlook this one fact, beloved
with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
9 - The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness
but is patient toward you
God is actually moving as fast as possible to achieve His desired result
Not wishing that any should perish
but that all should reach repentance
The reason He waits is that more should come to repentance
He does not desire any to perish
And yet He has ordained his people to have a genuine responsibility in this life.
He alone can measure our hearts and his desire for each of is repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
10 - The day of the Lord will come like a thief
Jesus speaks of the day like this in Matt 24...
40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
What will happen on the day of the Lord
The current created order will be destroyed
And then the heavens will pass away with a roar
And the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved
The day is described by John in Revelation like this...
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Peter goes on to say...
And the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed
The real heart of the works will be shown for what they truly are…they will be laid bare…they will be manifest
GO WITH THIS...
The Lord created Earth by His Word…He will finish what He started
The Lord is coming back
The Lord is patient but his call is very clear:
that we walk in His ways, repent of our sin and tremble at His holiness