II Peter 3:8-10 The Patience of the Lord

Introduction

When will Jesus Christ come again?

We saw last Sunday that the skeptic would answer that question with, “never !”

They reason in their minds that time keeps marching on and it never happens. Everything keeps moving forward as before and nothing ever happens.

The implication is that the return of Christ is not real. It is nothing more than simple mythological religion that has no basis as a valid belief system.

But we are told by the Apostle Peter to not overlook a certain truth when it comes to the Lord’s delay. We see this explained in verses 8-9. Look back at your text:

I. Explaining the Delay (8-9).

A. The certain truth that we should not overlook is that a day is as a 1,000 years to the Lord.

This is because the patience of God does not work on a human timetable. God’s patience is tied to His desire to see all to come to repentance.

Now several weeks ago we cross referenced to this passage and I explained it briefly.

This is not making the argument for Universalism. That would be that God is not coming until everyone on earth is saved.

If God is wishing that no one perishes and all reach repentance then He will not return until everyone comes to repentance. Some actually believe this to be true.

This idea ignores the context of II Peter 1:10: “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

If you went back and read II Peter 2 then you would know that the Bible references the judgment of God on the ungodly when Christ returns. That would mean that if Universalism is true there would be no one to judge on the final day of His return.

God is waiting patiently for His elect to come into the fold before He returns. Are you not glad Christian that your God waited patiently for you? That He worked salvation for you to bring you to faith in Christ.

That is what He is waiting patiently for and on the day of judgment He will expose the deeds of men. Look back at verse 10:

II. Exposing the Deeds (10).

A. It will come like a thief in the night. This denotes that it will not be expected. Many of the scoffers may even be in the middle of speaking their blasphemy at that very moment.

People often think they will never get caught and there will never be accountability for their actions. They often impose accountability for the actions of others but they somehow believe it will never happen to them. They underestimate the Word of God and the justice of God.*********

Hebrews 4:12-13 tells us: “12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (No Escape from the eyes of almighty God. See Psalm 139)

Also you can see Luke 12: 1-7 and Psalm 33 and many other text that I just don’t have time for this morning.

B. The day of the Lord is the day of judgment when the heavens will be burned up and be dissolved. The works done on the earth will be exposed.

Every deed will be laid bear and the value of those works will be tested with fire. Just like the Apostle Paul declares in I Corinthians 3:10-15 :

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

The deed that endures is the one that is done out of a regenerated heart for the glory of Christ our King.

Deeds of vanity and self exaltation are of the world and contribute no eternal glory to Christ. It is that which God produces in us and through us by His divine grace that will survive to bring glory and honor to Christ.

Conclusion

What will it look like for you on that final day? Will the judgment of God pass you by? Now is the time of the Lord’s patience. Perhaps today He is calling your to faith in Jesus Christ.

Everything is laid bear before the eternal God who sees all things. Nothing is hidden before His eyes.

That is a frightening reality but the gospel calls us into the light now. To turn from our sin and turn to Christ.

Unbeliever His grace through Christ can handle your sin. It can remove your penalty before God because Christ took it on your behalf. Believe the gospel.

Christian the grace of God continues to provide for us through Jesus Christ. That relationship with God that we have continues to work His transformation power in us.

Less of us and more of Christ is being brought forth as His grace sanctifies us as it calls us away from our infatuation with our sin and more into a passion for Christ and His glory.

Grace is cultivating a love affair in our lives with Christ and through this we reflect Him more in the world.

Confess your sin and Know He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us of all our unrighteousness.

Let’s Pray!