God desires that none should perish in their sins.

Sermon Title: "God Desires None Should Perish in Their Sins" Introduction: Today, I want to address a truth that reflects the heart of God for humanity—a truth that resonates with His mercy and His purpose for each of us. Our key Scripture comes from 2 Peter 3:9, which says: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." The message is clear: God does not desire for anyone to perish in their sins. His love is so great that He offers every opportunity for people to turn away from sin and receive life through repentance. This is His heart for the lost, for those who are wandering far from Him, unaware of the eternal danger they face. As we explore this message today, let us reflect on God’s relentless pursuit of the lost, the reality of living apart from Him, and our call to reach out to those who are still in their sins. 1. God's Deep Desire for All to Be Saved The first thing we must understand is that God’s desire is for everyone to be saved. It is not His will for anyone to perish. In 1 Timothy 2:3-4, we are reminded: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." God’s love reaches beyond human understanding. He looks at every person—regardless of their past, their mistakes, or their distance from Him—and desires for them to turn to Him and be saved. This is the very reason He sent His Son into the world. John 3:16 tells us: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God’s heart is for all people, even those who are deeply lost in sin. He is patient, merciful, and ready to forgive. No one is too far gone for the grace of God. He waits with open arms, longing for the lost to come home. 2. The Tragic Reality of Perishing in Sin Yet, as much as God desires that none should perish, the reality is that many are still lost in their sins. What does it mean to perish in sin? Romans 6:23 says: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Sin leads to death—not just physical death, but eternal separation from God. To perish in sin is to die without having repented, without accepting the gift of salvation that Jesus offers. It is the most tragic outcome for a soul because it means missing out on eternal life with God. There are many today who are living as though they are fine, unaware that their sins are leading them toward destruction. The enemy blinds them, convincing them that there is no urgency to repent. But the Bible is clear that the road to destruction is wide (Matthew 7:13-14), and many are walking on it. They are perishing, not knowing that God is calling them to life. 3. Our Role in Reaching the Lost As believers, we know the truth. We have experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ. But that grace is not meant for us to keep to ourselves—it is a gift meant to be shared. We are God’s instruments to reach the lost. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives us the Great Commission: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Our responsibility is clear. We must be bold in sharing the gospel, in telling people about God’s desire for them to be saved. The world is full of people who are perishing, and God has placed us here to be a light, to bring them the good news of salvation. But we must also be mindful that it is not our words or efforts that save. Salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit. He convicts hearts and opens eyes. Our job is to plant the seed of the gospel, to share the message in love, and to pray for those who are lost. 4. The Urgency of Repentance While God is patient, His Word warns us not to delay in coming to Him. His mercy is abundant, but there is an urgency to repentance. 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us: "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." We do not know how much time any of us has. Tomorrow is not promised. This is why it is so important for the lost to hear the message of salvation today, and for us to share it with them while there is still time. The day of judgment is coming, and while God is not willing that any should perish, the reality is that there will be many who do. Let us be faithful in doing everything we can to bring people to the knowledge of Christ before it is too late. Conclusion: A Call to the Lost As we close today, I want to speak directly to anyone who may feel distant from God. Perhaps you realize that you are lost in your sin. Maybe you’ve been running from God, ignoring His call to repent. I want you to know that God’s desire is not for you to perish. His love for you is so great that He sent His only Son to die for your sins. He is calling you to come home, to turn from your sin, and to receive the gift of eternal life. It’s not too late. Today is the day of salvation. God’s arms are open wide, and He is waiting for you to come to Him. Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your great love and patience. We thank You that You are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Lord, we pray for those who are lost in their sins, that You would draw them to Yourself. Open their eyes to the truth and soften their hearts to receive Your grace. Help us, as Your people, to be bold in sharing the gospel, to reach out to those who are perishing, and to do so with urgency. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.