II PETER Sermons by Rev. Mike Jones [Revised: May 27, 2021]
IIPet 01:3-4 ESCAPING CORRUPTION
IIPet 01:3-4; 2:17-22 CORRUPTION
IIPet 01:13 Do Not Fail to Remember
IIPet 01:13 REMEMBER TO REMEMBER
IIPet 01:8-11 THE FRUIT OF FAITH
IIPet 01:8-11 DO YOU KNOW THE REAL GOD??
IIPet 02:12-16 REWARD OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
IIPet 03:17 18 Growing for God
IIPet 03:18 WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF US?
IIPet 03:1-9 REMEMBER HIS RETURN
IIPet 01:3-4 ESCAPING CORRUPTION
2 Pet 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Discipleship Growth- see vs 5-8
[Amplified 2 Pet 1:3-4 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited to life and godliness, through the (Full, personal) knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you maY escape (by flight) from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.
2 Pet 2:19-20 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. Faith without Follow up. (Amp- 2 Pet 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through (the full, personal) knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they again become entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition is worse (for them) than the first).
3 Areas of Relationship with God:
Worship- Giving TO God
Waiting- Receiving FROM God
Working, Witnessing- Going FOR God
TRUE SPIRITUAL CONVERSION:
1) Non- Material (Physical)
2) Non- Psychological
3) Yields more than temporary Joy and Peace
4) Promotes Meekness, A hunger and thirst for righteousness, poverty of spirit, the fruits of righteousness.
We are Saved by Faith but we are Disciple by Denial and Doing- Mark 8:34-38 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Jesus laid down three conditions for true discipleship:
1) Surrender ourselves completely to Him. Denying self is not the same as Self-denial. Self-denial means we give up things or activities for a good purpose. Denial of Self means we surrender ourselves to Christ and determine to obey His will.
2) Take up the Cross- identify with Him in suffering and death.
3) Follow Christ obediently, wherever He leads.
The Motivation for true Discipleship-
For my sake and the Gospels. To lose yourself is not an act of desperation; it is an act of devotion.
False Christians:
1) Have escaped the pollutions of the world but not the corruptions. They are washed on the outside but not on the inside
2) They have a head knowledge of Christ but not a heart faith
3) They are go back to the old way of life; like pigs and dogs they return to their corruption.
IIPet 01:3-4; 2:17-22 CORRUPTION
One of the great problems in Christianity today is the loose living of those who profess to be disciples of Christ. Most are not Immoral, just Lukewarm. They try to avoid the Pollution of the World; but do nothing about the Corruption that eats at their heart.
During this Message I want us to see What Corruption Does and How People are corrupted. Then, during the 11am Message, We will look at What it means to Escape from Corruption.
CORRUPTION- (Greek-PHTHORA) signifies a bringing or being brought into an inferior or worse condition, a destruction or corruption. It is used:
(A)Physically:
(1) of the condition of creation as under bondage, Rom- 8:21;
(2) of the effect of the withdrawal of life, and so of the condition of the human body in burial, I Cor 15:42;
(3) of anything which is liable to corruption, I Cor 15:50;
(4) of the physical effects of merely gratifying the natural and desires and ministering to one’s own needs or lusts, Gal. 6: 8, of the flesh in contrast to the Spirit, corruption being antithetic to “eternal life,”
(5) of that which is naturally short-lived and transient, Col 2:22, “perish;”
(B)Materially: of the death and decay of beasts, 2 Pet. 2: 12, “destroyed ” (first part of verse; literally, unto destruction);
C) ethically, with a moral significance,
(1) of the effect of lusts, 2 Pet 1:4
(2) of the effect upon themselves of the work of false and immoral teachers, 2 Pet. 2: 12, R.V., “destroying” A.V., “corruption” and vs 19
RESULTS OF CORRUPTION:
- Corrupt Minds brought Flood- Gen 6:11-12 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
- Corrupt Morals Brought Moses off Mount- Exo 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
- Corrupt Living brought Captivity- Judg 2:19-20 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice
- Corrupt talk destroys Testimony- 1 Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
REASONS FOR CORRUPTION:
- Denial of God brings corruption- Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
- Guidance by Flesh brings Corruption- Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
- Trusting in Your Ability corrupts faith in God- Ezek 28:14-17 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
THE EVIDENCE OF CORRUPTION: Fruit shows Corruption- Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
The word used for Corruption in the following verses signifies someone who is a huckster, a crook; someone who destroys for profit.
- Servants of Corruption- 2 Pet 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
- Bondage of Corruption- Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
- Corrupt Minds believe gain is godliness- 1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
The answer to the Corruption Confusion is found in realizing the true value of our Redemption- The Blood of Christ: 1 Pet 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers
As well as looking to the correct source for Redemption, the Word of God instead of the works, or wisdom, of man-1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
IIPet 01:4 COST OF CORRUPTION
Peter uses Corruption 3 times in Second Peter:
1) Saints are DELIVERED from Corruption- (2 Pet 1:4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2) Rebellious men will be DESTROYED by Corruption- (2 Pet 2:12) But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption
3) False Teachers are DEFEATED by Corruption- (2 Pet 2:19) While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. People who tell you how to live but cannot live right themselves because they are attempting to live by the power of their own will instead of being energized by the Holy Spirit. They have a “Mantle of Morality” but their heart is corrupted by sin.
The word “Corruption” is used in 2 main ways in Scripture:
1) A huckster whose goods are questionable- In Contrast to honest enterprise which is used of a merchant with needful goods. We would call such “corrupt” goods today “seconds” or “Lemons”. People expect one thing but end up with something much less.
2) To Destroy by means of Decay; as the corruption of a dead body.
A) Evil Company Corrupts MORALS
B) Education and wrong communication Corrupt MINDS
C) False Religions (Example- harlot Babylon in Rev 18) Corrupt SOULS (Rev 19:2) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
The Bible lists several things that men value but God tells us they will someday see corruption:
1) This earthly Body-(Acts 13:36-37) For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: {37} But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
2) The Crown of a Winner- (1 Cor 9:25) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
3) Money and Wealth- (Mat 6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. (1 Tim 6:5) Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
4) Religion without Christ- (1 Pet 1:23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (Gal 6:8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Several things are also listed as being Incorruptible:
1) God- (Rom 1:23) And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
2) Resurrected Saints- (1 Cor 15:52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
3) Rewards of Christians-(1 Cor 9:25) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
4) Heaven- (1 Pet 1:4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you
5) The Word of God- (1 Pet 1:23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
6) An Humble Spirit- (1 Pet 3:4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
THE CAUSE OF CORRUPTION:
A) Disregarding God: (Psa 14:1) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Trying to manufacture God also brings corruption- (Deu 4:15-16) Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: {16} Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female.
B) A Wicked Heart Brings Corruption:
1> Shown by your SPEECH [Out of the abundance of the Heart the mouth speaks. Luke 6:45]-(1 Cor 15:33) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (Eph 4:29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers].
2> Shown by your FRUIT (Mat 7:17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
THE COST OF CORRUPTION: The wages of Sin are Death- Every time you Sin it always has a COST- To You, to Others, to God. The corruption may be slow but it will surely be sure.
Some Examples:
1) Adultery: If a man commits Adultery the “corruption” of this sin will have a cost:
–To You: (1 Cor 6:18) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. First the Taste, then the bite, then the hunger (captivity), then the destruction.
–To Others- Heart break, Lost of trust, Divorce, Uprooted Children, Disease, etc
–To God- (Jer 29:23) Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD. Breaks God’s laws, then his heart.
2) Failure to Tithe: (Mal 3:10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
–To You. You get out of God’s covenant of blessings. You fail to develop Faith in God’s Provision. You grow and maintain an ungrateful heart.
–To Others. Souls are lost, Missionaries are missing from their fields trying to raise money, Ministries are crippled. The needy go lacking
–To God. God has to use other methods to fulfil His plans.
The Good News today is that God offers us a Salvation that reaches to the depths of our Heart- (Ezek 36:26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. God is able to take a corrupt heart and turn it into a clean heart. You can be “Born Again” by Faith in Christ and become a new creation thru the power of the Holy Spirit.
Don’t let Corruption Corrupt you! Come Clean– come to Christ today.
IIPet 01:13 Do Not Fail to Remember
Peter wrote two epistles. The first Epistle warned about the difficult days that the church would face because of the persecution coming upon them from the government. Second Peter deals with an even more deadly enemy, false doctrine. In this letter Peter continually tells his flock to REMEMBER what God has done so we won’t fall for Satan’s tricks or traps.
2 Pet 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance
When we fail to Remember we:
1 Lose our Thankfulness- vs 9
2. Lose our Confidence- vs 10-12
3 Lose our Zeal- (Stir you up) vs 13
4 Lose our Long Term Vision- vs 14-15
If you memory has dimmed and your desire for God has cooled then you need to repent and come back to the place of blessing- Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works (Revelation 2:5).
Knowledge keeps us out of trouble- A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished (Proverbs 22:3).
Knowledge helps us to share the Truth- Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? (Proverbs 22:20-21).
The Danger: When a sinful lifestyle begins to control a life that person can eventually come to the place they do not “like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28).
Which brings us to the “Least Prayed Prayer”- That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 3:10). We all want to “Know” Him and “Know” the power of His resurrection but we seldom pray to Know the “Fellowship of His Suffering” because we fail to remember that this is how God shapes us and strengthens us.
IIPet 01:13 REMEMBER
REMEMBER TO REMEMBER- Our Knowledge of God is tremendously important: This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (Ephesians 4:17-18).
Does this remind you of Present Day Politicians? A couple’s car was stolen; after reporting it to the police they went back to show where it had been stolen from. When they arrived the car was there with a note saying a man had taken it because his wife was having a baby and they had to get to the hospital. With the note were two tickets to a country music concert going on that night as a way of expressing appreciation for the “loan” of the car. When the couple returned from the concert they found everything in their house had been taken. A note was on the front door from the person who had stolen their car saying he was sorry but he needed help supporting that new born baby!
2 Pet 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
Today is part of MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. This is a time set aside to honor America’s fallen heroes. Most people use it instead for the first real holiday of the summer. After all, War is so messy and it’s much more fun to look at bikinis than to remember battles.
Peter wrote two epistles. The first Epistle warned about the difficult days that the church would face because of the persecution coming upon them from the government. Second Peter deals with an even more deadly enemy, false doctrine. In this letter Peter continually tells his flock to REMEMBER what God has done so we won’t fall for Satan’s tricks or traps.
THREE TIMES HE TELLS US WHY IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE REMEMBER:
I. BECAUSE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF FORGETTING–2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Peter says that when we Forget what God has done for us it stunts our growth and silences our gratitude; two things that God looks for in every Christian.
HOW DOES PETER SAY YOU CAN TELL IF A PERSON IS NOT GROWING??
A) Barren- Idle, nothing going on (Still waters stagnate)
B) Unfruitful- Fruit of the Spirit is not produced
C) Blind- (Nearsighted) Failure to understand or produce causes us to try less and less and see less and less of God at work.
D) Forgetful of what God has done so you begin to doubt God’s power and your pardon.
II. BECAUSE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRISTIANS- II Pet 1:1-12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Our “Business” is glorifying God. Tell what He has done; Remember, the Goal of every Christian life is to Know and to Show Christ.
III. BECAUSE OF THE APOSTASY OF THE WORLD- 2 Pet 3:1-3 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye 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 there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts The Pull of the world and the fall of fellow Christians will mean that you must keep your eyes on what Jesus has done or you will be drawn into doubts and disaster.
When we fail to Remember we:
1 Lose our Thankfulness- vs 9
2. Lose our Confidence- vs 10-12
3 Lose our Zeal- (Stir you up) vs 13
4 Lose our Long Term Vision- vs 14-15
If you memory has dimmed and your desire for God has cooled then you need to repent and come back to the place of blessing- Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works (Revelation 2:5).
{Below is the Publication Version}
IIPet 01:13 REMEMBER TO REMEMBER
Rev. Mike Jones
2 Pet 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
Today is part of MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. This is a time set aside to honor America’s fallen heroes. Instead, most people use it for the first real holiday of the summer. After all, War is so messy and it is much more fun to look at bikinis than to remember battles.
Peter wrote two epistles. The first Epistle warned about the difficult days that the church would face because of the persecution coming upon them from the government. Second Peter deals with an even more deadly enemy, false doctrine. In this letter Peter continually tells his flock to REMEMBER what God has done so we won’t fall for Satan’s tricks or traps.
THREE TIMES PETER TELLS US WHY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE REMEMBER:
I. BECAUSE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF FORGETTING–2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Peter says that when we Forget what God has done for us it stunts our growth and silences our gratitude; two things that God looks for in every Christian.
HOW DOES PETER SAY YOU CAN TELL IF A PERSON IS NOT GROWING??
A) Barren- Idle, nothing going on (Still waters stagnate)
B) Unfruitful- Fruit of the Spirit is not produced
C) Blind- (Nearsighted) Failure to understand or produce causes us to try less and less and, therefore, see less and less of God at work.
D) Forgetful of what God has done so you begin to doubt God’s power and your pardon.
II. BECAUSE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRISTIANS TO PASS ON THEIR FAITH– Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me (2 Peter 1:12-14). Speak it out, write it down, live it out. Let everyone know, every chance you get, what God has done in and for you. Never let people forget how Great God is!
III. BECAUSE OF THE APOSTASY OF THE WORLD– 2 Pet 3:1-3 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye 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: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, The Pull of the world and the fall of fellow Christians will mean that you must keep your eyes on what Jesus has done or you will be drawn into doubts and disaster.
When we fail to Remember we:
1 Lose our Thankfulness- vs 9
2. Lose our Confidence- vs 10-12
3 Lose our Zeal- (Stir you up) vs 13
4 Lose our Long Term Vision- vs 14-15
If your memory has dimmed and your desire for God has cooled then you need to repent and come back to the place of blessing- Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; … (Revelation 2:5).
As we remember and honor those gave their all be sure to remember the one Who Gave ALL so that ALL could have eternal life.
IIPet 01:8-11 THE FRUIT OF FAITH
(2 Pet 1:8-11) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. {10} Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: {11} For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
In these verses Peter gives us 7 “Fruits of our Faith”. These “Fruits” mean we will:
1) Not be Barren in the knowledge of Christ but instead we are to be Fruitful in these areas: (1) Converts to Christ, (2) Holiness of Life, (3) Holiness of Character (fruits of Spirit), (4) Good Works, (5) Sharing with others, and (6) Praising and Thanking God, (7) Knowledge of Christ.
2) No Longer be Blind but now will be able to see God’s Glory.
3) No Longer Forgetful of God’s Blessings. Unthankfulness is the first step on the downward road to departure from God (Rom 1:21).
4) No Longer likely to stumble and fall. Established on a rock.
5) Put forth a diligent effort to continually live up to their Christian Calling. Live a holy life.
6) Will not suffer loss at the Judgement seat of Christ. (2 Cor 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Some men’s works will not survive the fire of judgment–(1 Cor 3:10-14) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
Some have asked why the Believer must wait for the Judgement Seat of Christ to receive his rewards. Why can’t they be rewarded as soon as they arrive in Heaven?
A) By waiting Everyone gets to share in the celebration. (1 Cor 4:5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
B) Some works of Christians are still at work long after they have died [Many of Spurgeon’s Sermons are being preached as effectively today as they were in his life] (Rev 14:13) And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.
7) Will be Warmly Welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven-An Earnest Effort will result in an Abundant Entrance!! “Ministered” is the same word translated “add” in vs 5. It speaks of providing funds abundantly for a Greek Chorus. It means that if we add these graces to our life than God will add great blessings to our Home Coming in Heaven.
IIPet 01:8-11 DO YOU KNOW THE REAL GOD??
(2 Pet 1:8-11) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. {10} Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: {11} For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Why doesn’t Christianity work in some people’s life?? Is Christianity faulty?? Are the promises of the Bible true and real?? If so, why don’t they work the way you expect them to work? (Man who called about losing his trailer, car, and wife and was claiming a verse in scripture to believe that everything would be back to normal. Now he is living on one meal a day, his trailer and car are being repossessed and his wife left him. Did God fail to be trustworthy?)
The problem many people have is THEIR WRONG CONCEPT OF GOD- (2 Cor 10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (Amp Bible- We refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God;). Many people have a God of their imagination or of their pride that has nothing to do with Reality.
In many cases it appears THE GOD THEY KNOW IS NOT THE GOD OF THE BIBLE! They have a god made up of what they WANT God to be – and so they find disappointment and disillusionment in their walk for God. Fearful of being branded a heretic, or of dropping off the cliff of despair, they continue to try the best they can but they never know the joy and abundant life that they hear described. Peter would say they are BARREN and BLIND; no fulfillment in their relationship with the Lord and a tendency to continually stumble back into their old sinful habits.
Let me illustrate the reality of God by showing you 2 attributes of God that are seldom mentioned but may help you understand more of Who He is and What He expects of you.
1) God is Jealous God- (Exo 34:14) For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God (Exo 20:5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. [Paul said it was even all right for him to have this same kind of godly jealousy about the Church- (2 Cor 11:2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ].
God does LOVE you but His love for you desires that you be Separated FOR Him and Dedicated TO Him. It is not a love that promotes your selfish whims or allows you to dictate to God about what your circumstances must be. God loves you enough to allow you to suffer in order to develop. He is jealous over you enough that He wants nothing else to claim your attention or affection.
That means He may sometimes bring you out of a tailor into a homeless shelter in order to build your relationship with Him and allow you to witness to and help people who really need your help. And that will fly in the face of your “Imagination god” that only wants what you want for yourself.
2) God shows Anger- We always think of God as a quiet, calm, peaceful old man that would never be upset about anything- so we feel guilty about our own frustrations while treating God like dirt, with the assumption that it will not matter.
In reality God was angry enough to:
A> Keep Moses out of the Promised Land: (Deu 4:21) Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance
B> Divide Solomon’s kingdom: (1 Ki 11:9) And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice.
C> Put Israel out of their land: (2 Ki 17:18) Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only
D> Anger even Motivated the Lord to set aside the Jews and bring the Gentiles in: (Luke 14:21) So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
E> And sinners should be aware that God is angry with them every day: (Psa 7:11) God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
F> God even realizes that anger is a part of human reality (Eph 4:26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Peter says we are to give diligence to make your calling and election sure. Don’t rise up an idol God in your mind. It may bring you some satisfaction here but it will not stand the trials of time or be able to defend you at the coming judgement of God.
Peter listed 3 things to we are to look for in a real relationship with the real God:
1) Fruit- For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ
Fruit is NOT- (a) Works we manufacture, (b) A Strain (fruit comes naturally), (c) Possible apart from the vine (See John 15:)
2) Sight- But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins
Sight (a) Enables us to see Reality, not just the world of imagination, (b) Enables us to see far off (Concerned about more than just self), (c) Gives us a Warning of danger approaching.
3) Assurance- Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall
Assurance brings (a) Peace of Heart, (b) Confidence in Witnessing, (c) Purpose to Life.
Are you BARREN and BLIND; or are you sure you are BOUND for Heaven??
IIPet 02:12-16 REWARD OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. (2 Peter 2:12-16).
Everyone likes to get rewards- I use Discover Card because I get cash back. As Executive Secretary, I used free mileage from Credit Card to visit missionaries. My wife has a sweat shirt she wears in December with pictures of gifts beneath a slogan, “I like presents”. Rewards make us feel special – Many people’s favorite verse is Jones 14:4 from the Devised Version, “Everyone like a little bit of petting every now and then”!
Tonight I want us to look at some Rewards that no one will want to receive- “The Rewards of Unrighteousness”. We know about the
• Work of Sin- The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil (John 7:7).
• Wages of Sin- For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
• Wealth of Sin- But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:5). It is this “treasured up Wrath Reward” that I want to look at tonight.
Miserable living- Sinners have traded Peace from on high for the peace of a High: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you (John 14:27).
Pleasures for a moment for Pain for eternity:
Brings Captive living: Drink, Drugs, Worldly pursuits.
Brings Corruption into LIfe: Sinful sickness, Family failures, Success failures, Stress Failure, and Anger issues to name a few.
IIPet 03:10-14 UNHOLY COUNTRY
Is there any hope for America?? NO! I fail to find America in End time Prophecy and believe that it will continue its present deterioration until it’s finally destroyed. I think the Church must turn its attention from trying to “save the sinking ship” to providing “life preservers” for as many of the passengers as possible!! The people in Noah’s day probably had nice homes and thriving businesses but they didn’t matter on flood day! The only hope or help was for those inside the ark.
America today has many SYMPTOMS of her fatal disease:
1. Drugs- something is missing in life so something is used to make your forget or give you pleasure.
2. Disease- Aids, etc. No Purity
3. Divorce- Family Deteriorating
4. Dollars- Inflation, covet, materialism
5. Depression- No Peace or Purpose
6. Devilishness- Violence, Vice
7. Decline in Church Influence- Attendance, Respect
The Church has preached against these symptoms; the government has spent Billions of dollars and passed hundreds of laws to correct these problems, and yet it gets worst ever day! We can keep wasting our energy “hitting at shadows” or we can admit that the Sickness is fatal (as God does!! He said His kingdom was not of this world. He’s saving a people out of this world to inhabit a new Heaven and a new earth!).
O K, Here’s where we are- The Boat is sinking, We can’t repair it, we don’t know how much longer we have before it finally goes under. Here are our Options: (1) We can PRETEND nothing is wrong and continue our normal activities until the boat finally sinks. (2) We can PROTEST against the Icebergs that destroyed the ship until the cold clammy waters rush in; while the icebergs continue on their merry way! (3) We can PRACTICE our Christianity and PREACH the Gospel so that we’ll have “rapture rafts” for us and can show the other sinking souls where they can find safety. Excuse me while I look over my “life Preserver”:
We have looked at the fact that the “Church” has a problem with Pollution which defeats her Purpose. It sounds alright to talk about “Them” in an abstract situation but when I know the boat is sinking I don’t want to know about “life preservers” in general I want to know about the One I’m wearing!! Let’s look at some Problem areas, see some Practical Helps, and then Purpose to do our job while we can.
I. PERSONAL PROBLEMS FOR CHRISTIANS:
A) We become Self Centered instead of Savior Committed.
Look at 4 traits of the Self-centered Christian:
1. Convenience replaces the Cross
2. Comfort replaces work
3. Covetousness replaces sacrifice (“ME” Generation)
4. Compromise replaces commitment
In a “Nutshell”, Self has replaced the Savior. It is important to reverse the flow of expectation in your life: You want to change from looking for everything to please self to the joy of giving to others of yourself and your means.
B) We allow Sin to block the Pleasures of our Salvation and the Power of our Testimony- Ps 51:12-13 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Sin causes us to Fear God instead of Fellowship with Him, to be timid instead of a “Testifier”.
God is looking for a PURE Church, endued with His POWER, to PREACH His word to a lost and dying world. Are you part of the Problem or part of the solution?
II. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR CHRISTIAN GROWTH We want to make sure that once we have our “Life Preserver” on that we never get careless and take it off! Here is a checklist to determine if we are getting careless with the most important thing we possess.
1. A growing Hunger in your Heart for God
2. An increasing desire to Know God’s Word.
3. A greater sensitivity to sin in your life.
4. A decreasing desire for the world and it’s attractions.
5. A greater Love for others
6. It becomes easier to forgive those who offend you.
7. An increasing desire to obey God.
8. Ever increasing Faith
9. Increasing concern for the spiritual condition of other people
10. Increasing Love for God.
Is your “Life Preserver” in good shape?? Remember, when the icy waters come rushing in, it won’t matter how neat you’ve made your bed! What will matter is if you have your “Life Preserver” on. If you’ve never been “issued” a “Life Preserver” they are found at the foot of the cross. They’re available only for a limited time so get yours today!!!
IIPet 03:17 18 Growing for God
God’s commands to us thru Peter are twofold:
First- To Grow
Second- To Grow in something specific: Grace and the knowledge of Christ
I. WHY WE SHOULD GROW.
A) THE REQUIREMENTS TO GROW- Grow- “not only do not fall from your own steadfastness but be so firmly rooted as to throw out branches and yield increase” One of the first rules you learn is that still waters stagnate, when you stop growing you die, and Lukewarm Christians make God sick!!! The “Profit Principle” with the Talents in Matt 25:14 30 shows you must not simply return the talent you were given; You must increase it.
B) THE REASON TO GROW- “Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” Satan seeks to keep us FROM God. When he fails there he then tries to DIRECT us AWAY FROM GOD by making us depend on Human wisdom and ability instead of relying on God. He tries to get us to live by Feelings or Facts instead of Faith. That’s why the Basis of Growth is our RELATIONSHIP to the WORD OF GOD (Faith comes by Hearing and hearing by the WORD OF GOD- Rom 10:17 ). See Ps 1:2 3 His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
That’s why Satan makes such a major effort to keep people out of Church and away from the Word of God. In the Parable of the Sower, the seed is the Word of God- Some seed is stolen by Satan, Some seed has no root so it can’t stand persecution or affliction, some seed is choked by the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things. Some seed hear the word, receive it and bring forth fruit.
C) THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GROWTH-
1. A PURGING- (Necessary to remove waste/garbage). Jn 15:2 3 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [God’s “purging” tool is the Word of God] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
2. A PLACE- Jn 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (You don’t use a 500 gal drum to water a pot plant or a tea cup to irrigate a field). You must be in the place Christ wants YOU in order to grow (Cactus can’t grow in swamp, Corn won’t grow in desert. A “Hand” can’t be a “Foot”!)
3. Be PREPARED- 2 seed are in a barn, comfortable, warm and dry. The farmer asks them to be buried in the dirt, die to self and come up as a plant, withstand heat and cold, wind and rain, and then be fruitful. One agrees to do so- it produces much fruit. The one that remains in the barn never grows or produces fruit. ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE SACRIFICES GROWTH DEMANDS???
II. WHAT ARE WE TO GROW IN?
I. GROW IN GRACE (That “Unmerited Favor” of which Christ is the author and bestower.”). To Grow in Grace is to progressively learn that Christ is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. We learn to rely more and more on HIM. We Trust Him for Our Salvation, for our Righteousness, for our very Life- the Grace for daily Christian living, namely, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the yielded saint, and the Christian graces that are a product of that work—– Tit 2:11 12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
II. GROWTH IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST (Christlikeness is our objective)
A) Photographically- thru the Gospels: Matthew-King, Mark- Servant, Luke-Man, John- God. See how He deals with real life situations. Model ourselves after Him. [You wear fashions, watch shows, and develop your life after certain things every day. Change your “Model” from Society to the Saviour.]
B) Powerfully- By the Spirit Jn 16:14 The Spirit shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
C) Personally- Thru Relationship Jn 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. The very heart throb of the Christian should be Paul’s proclamation in Phil 3:8 10 I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by Faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.
In order to know the REJECTIONS of Christ we must be rejected.
In order to know the SUFFERINGS of Christ we must be Persecuted
In order to know the LOVE of Christ we must have people HATE us.
ARE YOU GROWING IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.???
Ep 2:7 10 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For my grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
IIPet 03:18 WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF US?
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).
It is important that we hear what God is really saying to us. If you only heard me speak in English today many of you would not understand the Truth I am giving you. In the same way we must learn to hear God through His Word instead of just through our wisdom.
God expects us to:
1) GROW in our Christian life.
2) GLOW as lights of the world (Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14).
3) GO to those who have not heard the Good News of the Gospel (Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost Matthew 28:19).
4) SOW the Word of God everywhere
5) KNOW that we are Saved and how to tell others how to be saved.
(Jesus was listed as King in Matthew, as Servant in Mark, as Man in Luke, and as God in John. Different viewpoints but the same Good news. We cannot all do the same things but we can all do what we can, where we are with what we have).
IIPet 03:18 Christian Growth
When I want to involve people instead of simply informing people; these are some of the questions I will ask them.
WHAT THINGS WENT REALLY WELL FOR YOU THIS WEEK?
WHAT THINGS WENT REALLY BADLY FOR YOU THIS WEEK?
WHAT DREW YOU CLOSER TO GOD THIS WEEK?
WHAT TOOK YOU FURTHER FROM GOD THIS WEEK?
WHAT ONE THING DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE THIS WEEK?
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED FROM SCRIPTURE THIS WEEK?
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU NEED FOR US TO PRAY ABOUT THIS WEEK?
WHAT SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE DO YOU MOST OFTEN LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS?
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU DID SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOUR HUSBAND/WIFE?
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
An Arctic Explorer had to plot his position each hour to ensure he continued heading in the right direction. At one point a strange phenomenon began to occur. As he checked his instruments he found that even though he was moving north his position was farther south each hour. Regardless of the speed at which he walked north he went farther south each hour. Finally, he discovered he had ventured onto an enormous iceberg that was drifting in one direction as he was walking in the other.
There is a world of difference between activity and progress. The Christian life is meant to be one of growth and progress- (2 Pet 3:18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our question is How can we know that we are growing in Grace- that we are making real progress and not merely deceiving ourselves with activity.
1) Are you more thirsty for God now than ever before? (Psa 42:1). As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2) Do you love people more now? (1 John 4:7) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Are you concerned more and more with the Physical and Spiritual needs of others
3) Are you more aware of God now than ever before? You are bombarded with radio waves right now but they don’t bother you because you aren’t built to receive them. As a Christian we receive God!
4) Do you base your life more and more on the principles of the Word of God- see Ps 1:
5) Are you more and more concerned with the Church and the Kingdom of God? Christ died for it.
6) Do you make an effort to Grow? (1 Tim 4:7) But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
7) Are you more and more aware of your sinfulness? Are you more and more willing to forgive others?
8) Are you thinking more and more about heaven and being with the Lord Jesus? (Phil 1:23-24) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
IIPet 03:1-9 REMEMBER HIS RETURN
It is interesting to note that nearly 1/3 of a letter about the dangers of false doctrine is devoted to teaching about the Lord’s Return. It should also be remembered that the one book every new convert wants to study when they get saved is Revelation. There is a natural urge in a person to want to know what the future holds. False teachers know this and often use natural curiosity to corrupt a new convert and lead them astray.
Peter is very conscious how dangerous wrong doctrine about the Lord’s return can be so he gives several guidelines to keep this important doctrine in its proper place.
I. STIR YOUR MEMORY 1-2 Don’t forget to remember the Return! Peter said he was writing this second letter to “Stir up” the minds of his readers in order to get them to remember what the prophets and the Lord had said concerning the Lord’s return. The writer of Proverbs said that “Grievous words stir up anger” (Prov 15:1). Just as these grievous words stir you to passion and action so Peter wants the return of Christ to stir you to cling to the right way.
Paul said we need to stir up the Gift of God within us (2 Tim 1:6 -Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.) in order to be effective workers for God. Peter said we also need to stir up our Remembrance of what God has done for us in order not to fall (2 Pet 1:13) and then we need to stir up our minds to remember that this world is not our home so we will live like Pilgrims in this wicked world. Too many Christians apparently want to be settlers instead of soldiers.
Sadly, it is easy to become complacence in the Christian life- a Lukewarm Church is the sign of the last days (Rev 3:16). [Remember that Eutychus went to sleep while Paul preached and the disciples went to sleep while Jesus prayed!]. Prophetic teaching must not lull us to sleep; it is to stir us to action as we long for and look for Christ’s return.
II. DON’T BE SCARED OF SCOFFERS 3-7
–These Scoffers will not simply deny the Lord’s return, they will mock it
–The guiding force in their life will be their own wants and desires
–The Logic they follow will be based on Human Reasoning- Where is the promise of His coming? Life goes on year after year. Why should we worry?
–Their willful ignorance:
Of Creation- they claim evolution by accident instead of creation by God.
Of Past world encompassing Judgments (Flood). No rain before Noah.
Of God’s Promise of Coming world encompassing Judgment (Fire)
Ignorance exist because of (1) lack of opportunity to learn, (2) lack of ability to learn, or
(3) lack of desire to learn. Peter called this “willful ignorance” and it fits a surprising number of people. The danger they face is not because of their ignorance but because of their unwillingness to learn.
III. SEE TIME FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE 8-9
A) God’s View of Time- God is eternal so He does not view time the way we do (thousand years as a day; a day as a thousand years). It is interesting to note that eternity is not extended time; it is apart from time.
B) God’s View of Wrath- He is longsuffering about releasing wrath because of His desire that all men have the opportunity to be saved ((Mat 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.)
God delays His wrath in order that men may repent (Repent means to “change your mind about sin and your sinful life style. Contrast this to Regret (I am sorry I got caught) and Remorse (I am a hopeless case that should give in to despair).
Peter said God wanted men to “Come” to repentance. “Come” here means to “make room for” and carries the idea of a person wanting something so badly until they will remove things in their life to clean out an area for this new desire. That is what is missing in the salvation decision of many people; that desire to “let the dead bury the dead “ if that is what it takes to make room for Christ to come in and take charge of your life.
Peter said that Scoffers:
–willfully rejected the truth in order to follow their own desires (I don’t care what God said, this is the way I feel it should be!)
–ignore the fact that God has brought judgment in the past and has promised to do so in the future (I don’t believe that a god of “love” would do harm to a living soul no matter how badly they live).
–Demean God by saying His delays are a sign of lack of ability or of will power (It has been so long until God has forgotten us or given up on us as a hopeless case).
When God looks at your life does He see a Scoffer living as if the Lord will never return or does He see the life of a Saint; living in expectation of the Return of our Savior??
IV. SEEK TO LIVE READY FOR HIS RETURN 10-14
V. BE AWARE OF THE STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND SCRIPTURES 15-16
VI. STEADFASTLY GROW SO YOU WILL NOT BE LED ASTRAY BY FALSE DOCTRINES 17-18