Feeding on Bible Prophecies

Intro

Text - ;

2 Peter 3:1–6 NKJV

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

Title - A Balanced Diet of Bible Prophecies and Commandments

Title - Feeding On Bible Prophecies

Main Point

Christians grow when they feed on a balanced diet of God’s Word, composed of Bible prophecies and promises, and the commandments for life.

Background

Peter’s second epistle was a letter of “reminder -

Peter wanted to emphasize the importance of prophecy -

that they were not written in vain

that they will be fulfilled at the right time

that they guide the people God through history

Peter was warning the church against “false prophets” and “false teachers” -

Peter warned against neglecting the importance of Bible prophecies and the commandments of the apostles

Main Point

As end-time believers of God, the most important part of our “spiritual diet” should be Bible prophecies, because the end-time is the time when the remaining Bible prophecies will be fulfilled.

These two compliment each other:

Neglect of Bible prophecies will result in our ignorance of God’s end-time works.

the prophecies are the basis of the gospel preaching and doctrine

A healthy diet of Bible prophecies will prepare us to become partakers of God’s work in the last days

the commandments of the apostles teach us how to conduct the Christian life in connection to Bible prophecies

to neglect the prophecies is essentially to disobey the apostles’ commands

Worse - there are churches that no longer prioritize these two; they just pick anything in Scripture that will please them for earthly purposes.

Sermon Points

Scoffers in the Last Days

2 Peter 3:3–5 NKJV

3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

2 Peter 3.3-5

Scoffer - grk. EMPAIKTES, mocker; one who jeers, mocks and treats something with contempt

they question the veracity of the God’s promises

they are motivated by lusts

they willingly forget fulfilled promises/prophecies

Scoffers exist because there are those who do not believe the Bible in the first place

the unbelieving was not the main problem even in the time of the apostles

Scoffers exist because some who believed the Bible grew tired of waiting for the fulfillment of Bible prophecies

they began to interpret prophecies in a different way

they began to drift back to the world

Scoffers are primarily driven by lust

prophecy and worldly lust are incompatible

Believers Need a Stirring of the Mind

2 Peter 3:1 NKJV

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

.1

Stir up - grk. DIEGEIRO, to stimulate, rouse; to stimulate for feelings or actions

Believers should be mindful of Bible prophecies, together with the commandments of the apostles

2 Peter 3:2 NKJV

2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

mindful - grk. MIMNESKOMAI, to recall knowledge from memory

Do not despise prophecies

1 Thessalonians 5:20 NKJV

20 Do not despise prophecies.

prophecies lead us to the fullness of light -

prophecies are our window to God’s secrets -

the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy -

there are consequences against tampering with prophecies -

the apostles based their gospel preaching on prophecies

Prophecies have the power to stimulate the mind and heart of a true believer -

to watch and pray -

to be serious and watchful -

serious - to be soberly wise

watchful - to get self-control

to prioritize fellowship -

Conclusion

The church needs a stirring up in the mind - to be reminded of Bible prophecies

Is your mind stirred up already?

Are you stimulated in to feel and act in accordance with Bible prophecies?