The Bottom Line

2 Peter 3:14 CSB

Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.

INTRO—

I wonder…did Peter talk too much? I mean did he like to talk a lot — not did sometimes say too much; or speaking before fully thinking things through. His number and density (amount of words) of his letters is certainly less than Paul’s.

I think he just might’ve been like my college friend I’ve mentioned before (Michael Jordan)… “So, what’s the bottom line?” Whether or not Peter was either kind of person, we definitely see here—in 2 Peter 3.14-18—Peter getting to the ‘bottom line.’ Much of what he writes in these verses is also a “by the way, remember I said to you…”

These are Peter’s closing words to embolden his beloved elect exile brothers and sisters in Christ. SO, Peter…

Reminds them/us about…

Purposeful Patience [2 Peter 3.14-15]

WE Wait…Actively (3.14)

[While waiting} …Make Every Effort to be Found… [Every effort - Strive to; Be found - discovered and not ‘asserting’]

2 Peter 1:5 “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,” (3.5-8)

2 Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble.”

[[2 Peter 1:15 “And I will also make every effort so that you are able to recall these things at any time after my departure.”]]

Spotless & Blemish-less & at Peace.

**Contrast to…

2 Peter 2:13 “They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are spots and blemishes, delighting in their deceptions while they feast with you.”

GOD Waits…Redemptively (3.15)

[His patience]…= Salvation.

[[Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”]]

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”

Warns them/us…

Don’t Twist & Fall [2 Peter 3.16-17]

[[This is not the Isley Bros or the Beatles (Twist & Shout)…although…]]

Hard to understand [TWO Predominant categories = I don’t understand what (CONTENT; the substance of)…I don’t understand why (INTENT; the reason for); current context = regarding The day of The LORD], leads to…] (3.16a)

Twisted destruction, OR… [The untaught/learned & unstable/settled manipulated by self &/or false teachers] (3.16b)

[[Matthew 23:15 ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a child of hell as you are!”]]

Trusting discipline. [Be on your guard, alert, awake, aware, etc.] (3.17)

[[1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”]]

2 Peter 1:19 “We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

Reminds them/us of T H E…

THE Bottom Line [2 Peter 3.18]

[SOOOO…if we don’t fill our bucket (our lives) with lawless, selfish instability—what are we to do? Well, the bottom line is this…]

Trusting Discipline = GROWING

GROW [Imperative (not growing not an option); Grow up(ward), grow onward, forward…the opposite of ‘fall down’; progression looks like 2 Peter 1.5-8; Ephesians 4.15]

|—In the GRACE [of which Jesus is the Author]

Grow in the relationship (depth) with Jesus (by grace alone).

Grow in the gifts of grace (fruit of the Spirit, etc.) by which we live for Jesus.

|—In the KNOWLEDGE [of which Jesus is the Subject]

Grow in the relationship (depth) with Jesus (understanding of, experience with).

Grow in help others grow in knowledge (discipling)

[[John Newton — Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.]]

|—> OF OUR LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

The Result of this growth—

2 Peter 3:18 “…To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”

We get the good and God gets the glory!

CONCL—

‘Bookends of 2 Peter’…

2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”

2 Peter 1:2 “May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

[[Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”; a challenge INDEED…one to which we are most surely called throughout our lives.]]

INVITATION:

Salvation

Guarding

Growing

2 Peter 3:18 CSB

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.