2 Peter 3

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There are a handful of "hinge" moments in world history. June 6, 1944, or D-Day, was one of those moments. On that day hung the balance of power in World War II—and the fate of the world. One of the most unknown heroes of D-Day however was a man who never set foot on a Normandy beach, never commanded a single troop and never actually wore a uniform— His name is Andrew Jackson Higgins.

Higgins was the man responsible for designing and building the LCVP, the small landing boats that brought the troops onto the beaches on D-Day. If Higgins hadn't had the foresight to see the need for them, then design and build them, former President Dwight Eisenhower said, "the whole strategy of the war would have been different."

And what's even more amazing is that Higgins did it all without any request from the military—in fact he did so by pushing against the wishes of the US Navy. For at the time, the Navy was only interested in larger vessels like destroyers and battleships. They had no interest in smaller vessels, especially not the LCVPs that Higgins had in mind.

If you've ever seen a D-Day movie, you know what an LCVP is. They're the small landing vessels with flat bottoms and high sides that ushered the troops up to the beach, then dropped their flat bows into the water to let the troops exit straight ahead, into horrifying cascades of gunfire. The Navy didn't want LCVPs, which later became known to soldiers and the world as "Higgins Boats," because their small size and flat bottoms meant they couldn't navigate across the English Channel.

But Higgins saw what the Navy couldn't see. That, after crossing the channel, the larger ships would not be able to get troops close enough to the shore. The assault on the beaches of Normandy involved dozens of battleships, scores of destroyers, but thousands upon thousands of Higgins Boats. The larger vessels transported personnel and equipment across the English Channel under the cover of darkness. Then, as tens of thousands of troops boarded thousands of Higgins Boats, the destroyers and battleships covered the coastline with artillery to prepare it for the landing troops.

No wonder, then, that twenty years after D-Day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower casually told the writer Stephen Ambrose, "[Higgins] is the man who won the war for us."

We hear this story this morning, and most of us are familiar with the battle of Normandy as American and Allie forces stormed the French shorelines. And as the article explains, this truly was a pivotal moment in world war 2. But in reading this article, here’s what stood out to me. That the most significant part of this battle was not a Navy destroyer, an aircraft carrier, or air assault… in fact, the most significant part of this battle started with the thoughts of one man.

You see as General Eisenhower would point out… “Higgins was the man who won the war.”

We transition then to our own lives this morning. And as we wrap up this summer, we also will be wrapping up our study on being built into the image of God.

Feel like your losing the battle within. There are negative thoughts, impure thoughts, and a host of other thoughts… that don’t line up with the image of God. This morning, God’s in the business of demolition.

Doesn’t start with the fruit, starts with the root.

If you have your bibles this morning, turn with me to 2 Peter 3. As we address 3 specific ways that Lord would like us to think this morning. 1. Built for wholesome thinking. 2. Built for forward thinking. 3. Built for evangelistic thinking.

1. Built for wholesome thinking

If you’re not already there, look with me at 2 Peter 3: 1-7. We’re told:

1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

We arrive at the end of chapter 2 and Peter is wrapping up not only the book of 2 Peter, but really 1 Peter. And he does so with this key idea in verse 1 which explains:

1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. (here’s the key) I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.

Now this is the last time that you’ll here me say this idea… but if you remember, the audience to whom peter writes is a group of Persecuted, first century Christians who have endured great trials and difficulties. They’ve been scattered from their homes and lifestyle in Rome. Again, as a reminder, there was the massive fire in Rome that took place, and as you’ll recall the emperor was known for wanting to build the biggest and greatest buildings… and so it was assumed that he started the fire, so rather taking the blame for the fire himself. The emperor conveniently says that the Christians are behind the fire, immediate persecution ensues, and the Christians flee to modern day turkey. These are Christians, he’s writing to…

And in the midst of this relocating, there’s a host of emotions that I’m sure came with this move. I don’t know about you, but if I was forced to move from my home, from my work, and friends, and environment… I would be mad. And the key is how do we respond in these moments? How do we respond when life seems unfair or unpleasant?

Peter gets this idea... As in these moments of writing, peter is most likely in a roman prison cell, facing persecution and awaiting execution … and so he gets their frustration and emotions. And yet, where he challenges them is with this in verse one. Is that they are to have “wholesome thinking.” Or Pure, Unsoiled thinking.

And here’s the point… these Christians had a right to be frustrated. I’m sure there is the potential for things not seeming fair to them in life. These Christians are also living in a fallen world. As verse 3 tells us: 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. So, the backdrop in which these Christians are living is with a people who follow their own evil desires… Can we relate with that this morning…

And yet, in the midst of this backdrop, in the midst of the prevalent evil… the people are being called to wholesome, to unspoiled thinking. And the question is why? Why does it matter if we have wholesome thinking? And the answer is this… as the mind goes… so goes one’s life…

Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

proverbs 4:23 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

By here’s the key, I want us to notice the difference between those who are stimulated to wholesome thinking verses those with evil thoughts.

Look with me at verse 3 for a brief moment we see 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. (so first we see that they’re following their own evil desires, and they have no intention to do otherwise.) 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (so, there’s this idea of mocking the return of the Lord. Here’s the key.) 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

They Deliberately (that means intentionally; or on purpose.) forgot (or conveniently forgot) that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

You see, the people with evil thoughts, deliberately forgot it says long ago… God’s word. God’s word which formed the heaven, and earth. And humanity… which gives us life and instruction for living this morning…

And so, unlike the evil person, who deliberately forgets God’s word. Who is carried away by their every wish and desire, who has no restraint on their lives… we in contrast, as Christians are called to be Holyand how do we do this? Look with me at verses

1-2 1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

You see church, wholesome thinking comes… as we recall the words of God. As we look to the commands of our Lord, and use his Manuel for our lives. You can build a life that looks really, great, you can have the newest boat, the nicest cars, the newest toys… but if we aren’t right here (heart, and head…) we’re missing the point.

You see my kids started school this week. Anyone else have kids that started? And here’s what’s interesting, is that although I have a 1st, 3rd, and a 5th grader…That their schoolbooks are designed to teach them certain things… math, English, history… but here’s the key… they have to be in their books to learn.

Friends, for some of us this morning… our thoughts are off… and we wonder what’s going on. And church, if I could just speak to you for a brief moment… are we looking to his word this morning?

Psalm 119:9-11 9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Friends, as God desires to build us further and further into his image this morning… are we looking to his instruction manual for our lives? Are we looking to him for direction… are we turning to him and asking him to renew us this morning?

Because ultimately, it’s not about the here and now… ultimately, we labor for what’s ahead…That takes us to point 2 -

2. Built for forward thinking

2 Pet 3:8-13 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

We stop and consider this scripture for a moment and Peter wants to focus our attention on this one thing as he says. He writes: 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (This one thing that Peter draws our attention to is the concept of time…) verse 9: 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

So God is patient with us, his desire is for us to be transformed and come to repentance

I want to stop and consider this idea of looking forward for a moment, and I want to do so from 2 different perspectives. The first perspective we’ve touched on, and that is living a lifestyle of holiness.

For the bible tells us: 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. Matt 24:42-44

So, there’s this idea of holiness, and readiness because we don’t know the day nor the hour.

But I also want us to consider this idea of looking forward from the standpoint of 2. patient enduring.

You see, just by a show of hands, did anyone have anything painful or difficult to deal with this last week? If after life ended.. that was the end of the story, I think many of us would feel like we were shorted. That although life had its good moments… it wasn’t really as good as it could have been. Church that’s true.

But here’s the good news… there’s more to the story… there’s more to come. For we’re told 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

You see here’s the point this morning… the best is yet to come. We have more than we could ever imagine to look forward to.

You see, really it come down to preserving in the midst of setbacks and challenges. It comes down to seeing the big picture. Along these lines, I came across a story this week that explains: William McRaven was, commander of US Special Force Command, gave an oft-quoted speech at a university graduation in Texas in 2014. He spoke of his experiences in becoming a US Navy SEAL. SEAL training is regarded as being the toughest in the world. McRaven spoke about his Hell Week at Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/S) training:

The ninth week of SEAL training is referred to as Hell Week. It is six days of no sleep, constant physical and mental harassment and one special day at the Mud Flats. The Mud Flats are an area between San Diego and Tijuana where the water runs off and creates the Tijuana sloughs—a swampy patch of terrain where the mud will engulf you. You paddle down to the mud flats and spend the next 15 hours trying to survive the freezing-cold mud, the howling wind and the incessant pressure from the instructors to quit.

As the sun began to set that Wednesday evening, my training class was ordered into the mud. The mud consumed each man till there was nothing visible but our heads. The instructors told us we could leave the mud if only five men would quit—just five men and we could get out of the oppressive cold.

Looking around the mud flat, it was apparent that some students were about to give up. It was still over eight hours till the sun came up—eight more hours of bone-chilling cold. The chattering teeth and shivering moans of the trainees were so loud it was hard to hear anything. And then, one voice began to echo through the night—one voice raised in song. The song was terribly out of tune, but sung with great enthusiasm. One voice became two, and two became three, and before long everyone in the class was singing.

We knew that if one man could rise above the misery then others could as well. The instructors threatened us with more time in the mud if we kept up the singing—but the singing persisted. And somehow, the mud seemed a little warmer, the wind a little tamer and the dawn not so far away.

Friends, despite the difficulties in this world… we can look forward to more ahead.

Philippians 3:10-14 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Friend, I don’t know where you are this morning… maybe you’re tired… maybe you’re cold, or you feel like giving up. Friend, if I could encourage you with this one thing this morning. That he who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it. God’s not done with you yet. It may seem like God is slow in keeping his promises, but church, we can be encouraged that the best is yet to come.

3. Built for evangelistic thinking

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

As we wrap up this morning’s message, and sermon series. I want to challenge us with two last points. The first point is that we continue growing. And peter concludes this letter with this idea in verse 18 which says: 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

In other words, this growing process, this building process, doesn’t stop on this side of glory. This will continue until we’re face-to-face with our creator.

But I also want us to catch one last idea. In verse 15 we’re told: 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

And here’s the point this morning. God’s patience this morning means salvation. You see, a building is built for a purpose… a building isn’t built to just look nice, no, a building has a function… and we, as the body of Christ this morning, as His church. Are called to Go and Make disciples.

We’re called to reach the lost. Romans 10:13-15 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Call worship team up at this time

As they come up just want to speak to a few groups

1. Maybe you would say it’s been a while since you’ve told someone about Jesus. Back to Church Sunday.

2. Patient / Trying Season… Things don’t make sense, don’t feel good…

3. Mind / Sin

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.