Day of the Lord

• I don’t know…

THE DAY OF THE LORD
2 PETER 3
1 Dear friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincere understanding by way of reminder, 2 so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles.

• Peter is reminding them of the good news in the midst of the false teaching.
• This is how we can find encouragement and power to endure the trials of the world.
• As long as our thoughts are fixed on Jesus we will not become distracted by lies. 

3 Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires, 4 saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised? Ever since our ancestors fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.”

• There existed then, as today, unbelievers who are critical of the Christian belief of Christ’s Second Coming.
• But Peter is quick to explain why Christ is waiting: The repentance of the world.
• The same authoritative word of God that brought about creation and the flood, will bring about the return of Christ after the world has had an adequate time to repent.
• After the time of salvation, Jesus will return, and there will be a day of reckoning. 

5 They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.

• God is eternal, without beginning or ending, and He dwells in eternity.
• Eternity is not just “extended time.”
• Rather, it is existence above and apart from time.[1]

6 Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded. 7 By the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

• In contrast to humans who live but a little while, God invented time as we know it.
• Time is nothing to God.
• So, it is not difficult for God to wait for the right time for Christ’s return.
• He waits so that all people will believe.
• He wants all people to come to repentance, and all who are in Christ escape the impending judgment.

9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.

• In a moment, God destroys the heavens and the earth.
• This means that humans do not ultimately destroy the world.
• Rather, Christ returns to whatever state humans leave the world in and creates a new heavens and earth. 

11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness

• God hates sinfulness and fallenness because it is not of His eternal nature.
• Because this reality is passing away, Christians ought to live righteously and not flirt with their old way of living in sin.
• Because we are godly by nature, we can live righteously.

12 as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat.

• This is a glimpse of the manner in which Jesus will remake the heavens and the earth.
• Apparently, there is a one-time intense event that Jesus uses to bring about a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
• Notice that this is not God making this current earth better.
• This is a completely new earth.

13 But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
 
CONCLUSION
14 Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.

• Peter is speaking of the active part of Christianity.
• We are saved by grace but empowered by grace to be active in the kingdom.
• Christians are built to live righteously and express the Spirit moment-by-moment and celebrate truth in all that we do.
• Peter encourages this kind of diligence so that we live according to our new natures and make the best of our time when Christ returns.
• He is not threatening Christians with divine judgment.
• We are spotless and blameless in Christ.
• But our behavior can be judged by people.
• By our behavior and demeanor, people will know who we are as Christians.  

15 Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.

• Peter again highlights God’s patience in waiting for the end.
• The reason for this slowness is God’s desire and willingness for all people to repent and believe in His Son. 

16 He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction, as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.

• Peter regarded Paul’s writings as Scripture despite his often-confusing language.
• This is encouraging because it shows that Peter regarded Paul’s letters as Scriptures.
• The apostles had a special understanding of the Holy Spirit’s movement within one another. 

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position.

• The false teachers were encouraging an abuse of Christian freedom by sinful lifestyles.
• Peter is warning the Christians to protect themselves from believing in such nonsense.
• Instead…

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.[2]

• Christians are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
• Remembering the true Gospel of grace is the key to standing firm against false teachings.[3]

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 464.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 2 Pe 3:1–18.
[3] Farley, Andrew. www.BibleCommentary.com. 2 Peter 1

67 AD (4 years later)

• Paul is in prison in Roman
• Nero has been persecuting the believers in Rome.
• Believers are staying clear of Paul.
• No one came to support Paul in his preliminary hearing.
• Luke visits Paul and pens the letter for Paul.
• Paul knows his time is near.
• Paul warns Timothy about those who will fall away from the faith.
• Needs to encourage Timothy to keep discipling.

 
BE STRONG IN GRACE
2 TIMOTHY 2
1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
 -   Be

• strong (dunamus = power) – empowered with grace
• To be enabled
• We are empowered by Jesus… not our own strength.
• Continuous active cooperation & dependence with Jesus

2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
 -   Thankful to be gone occasionally.

• Keith, Matt, Doug, Phil, Shannon, Luke, Scott and others are incredible at teaching.
• We had 16 people at our Logos class on Tuesday.
• “Faithful”… not ordained.
• We do not test modern teachers by popularity, education, or skill.
• We test them by the Word of God, particularly the doctrines of grace given by Paul.[1]
• You are encouraged to do ministry here.
• Hand off… Figure this thing out… Go… Go…

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

• We are in a spiritual battle.
• It is all around us.

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer.

• Stay focused… don’t be distracted with nonsense.
• Our time can be consumed with “good things”…
• Bump that up to “excellent things”.
• Choose the right priorities.

5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

• Romans were enthusiastic about their sports.
• Fishers Basketball won Sectionals – Rob Bell
• An Olympic athlete swore an oath to a statue of Zeus that they had physically trained for at least ten months.

6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.

• Planting and nurturing leads to a harvest.
• All three illustrations teach us that faithfulness is a huge portion of the formula that leads to reward.

7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

• Caught vs Taught
     - Avitar –
              Neytiri: Why save you? 
              Jake Sully: Yeah, why save me? 
              Neytiri: You have a strong heart. No fear. But stupid! Ignorant like a child! 
              Jake Sully: Well, if I'm like a child, then maybe you should teach me. 
              Neytiri: Sky People cannot learn, you do not see. 
              Jake Sully: Then teach me how to see. 
              Neytiri: No one can teach you to see

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel,

• The mention that Christ 'descended from David' shows that Christ has messianic qualifications and is the heir to the glorious promises of God for David.
• 2 Samuel 7:11-14 - “ ‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord himself will make a house for you. 12 When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son.”[2]
• “my gospel” – This message had been entrusted to Paul.
• The Truth is being distorted… among the Church… Facebook

9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound.

• Paul had been the chief suppressor & oppressor of Christianity.
• Now he has suffered the most due to his gospel.

10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy:
For if we died with him, (positive)
we will also live with him; (positive)
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; (positive)
if we deny him, he will also deny us; (negative)

• Great White Throne Judgment (nonbelievers) of the Judgment Seat (believers).

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself. (negative)

• Jesus will fulfill His Word either way.
• No matter what your choice may be.

 
AN APPROVED WORKER
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen.

• What are subjects that are causing Christians to “split hairs”?
• Reformed Theology; Evolutionism, End times/
• What about Law & Grace?

15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

• Just as a construction worker can point out “bad work”… so can a teacher.

16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus (Hi-ma-knee-us) and Philetus (fill-eat-us) are among them.

• Paul had already turned Hymenaeus over to satan in 1 Timothy 1:20.
• Get to a point where you can distinguish “religious talk” vs truth.
• Gangrene is described as a sore that eats at the flesh.
• There is a difference between “getting into the weeds” of the Word vs the Word being active in nourishing others.
• How are we helping people (each other) if we just sit here on Sunday morning and study the Word?
• Spiritual constipation.

18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.

• Certain carryovers from their pagan religions.
• Spiritual resurrection – sinless perfection?

19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, (Numbers 16:5) and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.

• We still have to make choices.
• Repentance – change your mind about your behavior.
• Who leads us to repentance? Romans 2:4 – “Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”[3]

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

• Those who become students of the Truth vs.
• Those who have a lack of commitment to study & even proclaim false truths.
• There will be a separation here on earth… not a salvation issue.

22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

• Youth movements: Veganism, peace, etc. Passion, reformed theology…
• 18-34 years old are more agenda driven
• Typically, in relation to the media/social networks
• They determine what is cool, what is right/wrong and what we tend to focus on in the world.

23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels.

• These questions are going to be brought before you…
• Calvinism vs Arminianism
• Predestined vs Free Will
• Preterist vs Futurist
• Law vs Grace

24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.[4]

• Who grants repentance? God does…

Through His kindness…

• Should I defriend blatant sinners on Facebook?
• There is a difference between acceptance & teaching with gentleness.
• How will those who have a sinful nature or are walking in their flesh ever come to know how much Jesus loves them?
• How will the addicted ever come to know how much Jesus loves them?
• How will a left-wing liberal tree-hugging hippie ever come to know how much Jesus loves them?
• How will the staunch right-wing, good doing, 10 commandment card carrier ever come to know how much Jesus loves them?
• It certainly will not be because of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas City.
• Why would the younger generation want to have anything to do with that type of religious condemnation?
• How do I engage them in conversation enough to intrigue them?
• The focus has to remain on Jesus alone.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 245). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 2 Sa 7:11–14.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ro 2:4.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 2 Ti 2:1–26.