View
213
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
C. S. Lewis: “It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one.”
Joseph Stowell: “When we begin to believe the reality of the other side, we start behaving differently on this side.”
“Although [most] of us believe in an afterlife, no one much talks about it. Christians believe we will spend eternity in a splendid place called heaven . . . isn’t it a little bizarre that we simply ignore heaven acting as if it doesn’t matter?”
Phillip Yancey
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,
1. Is Sure (3:1-‐9)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.
1. Is Sure (3:1-‐9)
2. Will be Sudden (3:10)10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
1. Is Sure (3:1-‐9)2. Will be Sudden (3:10)3. Is Sanctifying (3:11-‐18)
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand,
which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. “Looking” = An earnest anticipation,
eager desire (Luke 1:21)
(75+ x’s) always connected with judgment
(2 x’s) refers to the ushering in of eternity
(3 x’s) relates wholly to the reward & blessingof the saints at His coming
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness
John McArthur: “Holy conduct refers to action, godliness refers to attitude.”
1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent…
• "be diligent" (aorist imperative)• spoudazo = to exert yourself, endeavor, do your best
1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure…
14 …be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
B. Live A Life That Is Morally Clean
• “spotless” = without defect, pure, clean, or uncorrupted
• “blameless” = morally blameless, without rebuke, without reproach
1. Peter’s command:
14be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
II Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
2:13
II Peter 2:13b They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,
2 Peter 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—
• “consider” = to constantly guard yourself; to watch, keep watch
• “longsuffering” = a state of quietness and rest in the presence of unfavorable circumstances, patience
Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
16 which untaught and unstable people twistto their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
• “twist” = to wrench, distort, misinterpret words to a false meaning; refers to an instrument of torture
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
• “fall” = is something they can fall from by being led astray by the error of these unprincipled men
• “beware” = be on your guard, keep under watch, look out for, avoid.
• “steadfastness” = a person’s secure position, firm grasp on the truth
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
A. Continue To Grow In God's Grace
• “grow” = increase or cause to grow, become greater (imperative mood with present tense)
• “grace” = (charis) gift, unmerited favor
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
B. Continue to Grow In Your Understanding of God’s Word
• knowledge = (gnosis) under-‐standing as the result of divine enlightenment, insight
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
C. Continue To Give God The Glory
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.