The Waiting Church

I. Introduction

We have come to the end of our What is the Church of Jesus Christ? series today. Along the way we looked at:

Jesus’ Promise of the Church

The Apostolic Gospel

The Body of Christ

The Apostle’s Doctrine (Parts 1 & 2)

What a Fellowship!

The Breaking of Bread

The Praying Church (Parts 1 & 2)

Today we want to look at 2 Peter 3:14-18 to see the last thing we want to mention in our series that marked the church of Jesus Christ in the first century.

II. The church lived expectantly waiting for the return of Christ.

A. Some passages that speak of the church’s waiting for Jesus’ return:

1 Corinthians 1:7 ESV

7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thessalonians 1:10 ESV

10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Hebrews 9:28 ESV

28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

B. The Apostle Peter gives 4 commands in light of Jesus’ return as described in 2 Peter 3:1-13.

1. Be diligent (v. 14)

2. Count the Lord’s patience (v. 15-16)

3. Take care (v. 17)

4. Grow in grace (v. 18)