God is Both Deliverer and Punisher

Intro

Text - 2 Peter 2.4-11

2 Peter 2:9–10 NKJV

9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,

Title - God is Both Deliverer and Punisher

Series - Lessons in 2 Peter

Many find it hard to accept the fact that God is both Savior and Destroyer, Deliverer and Punisher, Lover and Judge.

The truth is, there is no conflict in it, one is necessary in order for the other to be true.

Background

the apostle Peter was concerned with the proliferation of false prophets and false teachers in his time

false prophet - grk PSEUDOPROPHETES

false teacher - grk. PSEUDODIDASKALOS

2 Peter 2.1-3

that they will bring in their destructive heresies

that many will follow their destructive ways

that they will exploit the people

But he said that their destruction will not slumber

just as God did not spare the angels who sinned

just as God brought the flood on the world of the ungodly

just as God turned to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

2 Peter 2.4-7

At the same time, he saved Noah from the flood, and delivered Lot from the destruction!

The Main Point

What is Peter trying to tell us?

that God is both Deliverer and Punisher

Deliverer of the righteous

Punisher of the ungodly

this gives us three important things:

the Lord “knows” how to deliver and punish

because, the Lord is - both Deliverer and Punisher

the Lord must be “both” - this is not a contradiction but a necessary component of His nature!

Sermon Points

The Lord “is” - both Deliverer and Punisher

This fact is demonstrated in three key events in the past

the fall of the angels

the destruction of the world by a flood

the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire

The “fallen angels”

2 Peter 2:4 NKJV

4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

The angels “who sinned”

when - before Adam’s time

Delivered to “hell”

grk TARTAROO (v) - cast in prison

Reserved for judgment

reserved, not predestinated

reserve - grk. TEREO, to be or become kept in a certain state

The antedeluvian civilization

2 Peter 2:5 NKJV

5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;

the “ancient world”

Noah’s time, the “old world” (2 Peter 3.5-6)

Noah, a preacher of righteousness

he warned his generation of the coming judgment

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

2 Peter 2:6–8 NKJV

6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—

condemned to destruction

Abraham even tried to bargain with God

made an example to those who will live ungodly

delivered “righteous Lot”

although he “pitched his tent” towards Sodom, in his heart he was grieved with the sinful living in Sodom

The Lord “knows” how to deliver and punish

2 Peter 2:9 NKJV

9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

DELIVER!

Noah and Lot were delivered by of their “righteous living”

Genesis 6.9

Genesis 7.1

note - Noah was still a “sinner” and needed saving grace, but his righteous living showed he had faith in God

2 Peter 2.7-8 - his soul was tormented by the evil done around him

he willingly offered his daughters to be abused in place of his guests (angels)

note - God still delivers “righteous men” from trouble

God delivers the godly out of temptations

godly - one who feared God

1 Corinthians 10.13

RESERVE!

Many of the fallen angels are remain chained in darkness - reserved for judgment!

Reserve - because does not punish rightaway!

in Noah’s time, God waited for hundreds of years before He sent the flood!

Reserve - because God’s grace covenant on the cross provides an opportunity for sinners to repent!

2 Peter 3.9 - God is not slack concerning His promise

that;s why the wicked can flourish, get rich and escape justice on earth

BUT SINNER WHO DO NOT REPENT ARE ALREADY RESERVED UNDER PUNISHMENT FOR THE DAY OF JUDGMENT!

2 Peter 2:10 NKJV

10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,

those who walk according to the flesh!

those who despise authority

those who are presumptuous (daring in an improper way)

those who are self-willed (self-important, concerned only with one’s own interests)

they speak evil against dignitaries (angels) - blaspheme

The Lord must be ‘both’ - necessary components of His nature

Illustrations

a government who does not punish civil and public offenses cannot be a good government

it practically tolerates lawlessness!

a parent a who does not punish a child’s offense DOES NOT LOVE the child in the real sense

For God to be Righteous, He must also be a Punisher of evil.

When He punishes sin and destroy evil -

God is demonstrating who He really is - that He is Holy, Good, Just

God is rewarding those who live godly and righteous in their sacrifices

James 4:12 NKJV

12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

One Lawgiver - both Savior and Destroyer

For God to be Righteous, He must allow evil to exist

God did not create evil

evil was created by those who were given the free moral agency

because is not a Tyrant, nor a Despot, nor a Dictator

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Ezekiel 33.11

For God to be a Savior, He must also be a Destroyer of evil.

1 John 3.8 - to destroy the works of the devil

Hebrews 2.14 - destroy the devil

Conclusion

NO EVIL CAN ESCAPE THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD!

all sin and evil - whether or not they are punished in this world - will face the wrath of God on Judgment Day

1 Peter 4.18

Proverbs 11.31

EVERY RIGHTEOUS AND GODLY LIVING WILL BE REWARDED BY THE RIGHTEOUS GOD!

not the “self righteousness” kind, no!

True righteousness is LIVING BY FAITH!

Matthew 6.33 - seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness!

Luke 18.28-30

The goodness and severity of God go hand in hand

Romans 11.22 - goodness and severity (harshness)

Exodus 20.5-6 - visiting iniquity…showing mercy…