Living for His Return

2 Peter 3:1-18 (NIV)

Immorality and perversion is everywhere from the classroom to the boardroom. The good news is that there is not enough darkness in the entire world to extinguish the light of a candle. The darker the night the more opportunity the light has to impact the darkness. Peter was concerned because even in his day he could sense a lethargy among Christians.

2 Peter's theme is one of being alert, having knowledge of what is happening because Jesus is coming. Knowing what is happening around you is important. 1 Chronicles 12:32 speaks of the men of Issachar, who had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. There were some men that understood how to live.

That seems to be Peter's attempt to help us to understand the times, lateness of the hour, so we respond properly.

Scripture ought to Stir us (verse 1) PETER'S INTENTION IN WRITING TO "STIR UP" The word "STIR" means to "Awake fully, to arouse, to stir up." This is not a passive word. Its usage speaks of vigor, urgency...

Jesus was in the boat on the Sea of Galilee asleep when the great storm swept over the sea. The disciples went to Jesus. "They AWAKE Him."

Peter says I want to awake you to the urgency of the hour... I was an eye witness. The Word is better than an experience. It more sure. It is inspired of the Holy Ghost.

PEOPLE OF ALL AGES HAVE BEEN STIRRED BY THE WORD OF GOD

Noah was stirred by God's promise of deliverance.

King Josiah was stirred by Word of God
He repaired the Temple...II Kings 22:8-13.

The People of Israel were stirred and revived in the days of Nehemiah and Ezra at the reading and preaching of God's Word.

WHAT IS IT THAT STIRS YOU? When was the last time that you got stirred? Too many take this blessed book for granted. I am concerned for our times. People are confused.

Man is setting in judgment on the Book instead of the Book setting in judgment on men.

The Bible ought to excite us and stir us. You may be discouraged, You may feel beat, Turn to the pages in this Book. This is not a time for discouragement, Get stirred when you read. I am stirred as I see the thinking of our day.

SCOFFERS ARE ALL AROUND US

Verse 3

They mock any religious concept. They scoff at the Bible. They scoff at holiness. "You legalist!" The world can scoff about His creation. They can refuse to believe.

SCOFFERS DID NOT HINDER NOAH

Verses 5 - 6

Can't you just see them in Noah's day? "What a lunatic," he keeps talking about a flood, and rain.
What a fool building a boat in the desert. Noah just kept on building and preaching. "God said it is coming. You better listen and repent."

Can't you just see them finally the Ark is ready? The animals paraded into the Boat. They were laughing and carrying on. I wonder if they were still laughing when God shut the door?

I wonder what they thought when the sky grew black and the wind began to howl. The first lightening bolt ripped across the sky. The thundered rolled. The first drop of rain fell, Can't you see them clawing and pounding at the door? It is too late.

GOD'S PROMISE IS SURE - Verses 7 - 8

Let the Scoffers scoff. It should not bother or hinder us. We know the truth.

I like the saying
"GOD IS NEVER LATE, HE IS NEVER EARLY, HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT ON TIME."

GOD'S LONG-SUFFERING GIVES US OPPORTUNITY TO WORK

Verse 9 - The word "SLACK" means to delay. God is not haphazard, or careless concerning His promise. He does not got caught up in some other business. He has not forgotten about His promise and His people.

I may delay. - God does not!!

He is Longsuffering... not willing that any should perish. God was longsuffering while the Ark was preparing. He gave man an additional 120 years. God was longsuffering with Ninevah and used the preaching of a backslidden Prophet Jonah. God was longsuffering with Sodom and Gomorrah. God gave Lot ample opportunity to impact the city. Lot failed the test

WE MUST REALIZE His coming will catch the unsuspecting and unprepared sleeping. We need to be Aroused. No need to take a poll or a survey to find out the FELT NEEDS, Or how we can make our church more acceptable.

WE KNOW WHAT THE MAJOR NEED IS! We need to live and preach the Gospel. Seeker Services are OK. Modern dance and drama are OK. However, we will major on Preaching. Our churches should not be like Burger King and "have it your way!"

Paul said: Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. {17} For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Romans 10:13-14 (NIV)
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

THIS SHOULD MOTIVATE US TO LIVE HOLY LIVES AND REACH OUR NEIGHBORS

Verse 11 - This isn't some far out pipe dream. Everything God has promised has happened OR will happen.

The Apostle John said this way: 1 John 3:3 (NIV)
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Paul said: Ephesians 5:15-18 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, {16} making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. {17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. {18} Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

We are to realize the lateness of the hour. Too many of us are more concerned about Wall street than the highway and by-ways.

Some think God's plan doesn't work today. It is not that His plan does not work but that we are not willing to work His plan. Let our neighbors know that LMC is a church that loves them.

Jesus is coming! Get stirred up! Satan can not detour us. SATAN IS A MASTER AT DECEIVING GOD'S PEOPLE.

Satan is smooth, subtle, & slippery. Nehemiah faced intimidation from the Devil's crowd. Satan tried to get Daniel, to sell out to the pressure and pleasure of Babylon.

The Lord said to Peter, "SATAN HATH DESIRED TO HAVE YOU..." A little latter Peter fell into a backslidden mode. He denied the Lord, and said I am going fishing.

Satan's tactics have not changed

We need a good dose of Commitment to Christ

WE NEED TO DETERMINE THAT WE WILL NOT BE DETOURED. Keep the main thing the main thing. Let's change the face of society with our message instead of letting society's message change us.

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