I. EXORDIUM:
Are scoffers real?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show what scoffers are really like
IV. TEXT:
2 Peter 3:3-4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.
They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”
V. THESIS:
Reminders of existence of scoffers in the last days
VI. TITLE:
Scoffers in the last days
VII. EXPLICATION:
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. First of all things
1. This is an important reminder something not to be taken lightly.
"Most importantly,"
B. This is a reminder
"...I want to remind you that..."
C. There will be scoffers in the last days
"....in the last days scoffers will come..."
D. Scoffers in the scriptures: (Psalms 73:11-12, Isaiah 5:18-19, Jeremiah 17:15-16, Acts 17:18)
1. Life of ease with riches multiplying but does not acknowledge GOD. (Psalms 73:11-12)
Psalms 73:11-12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
2. They drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, and they mock GOD. (Isaiah 5:18-19)
Isaiah 5:18-19 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart!
They even mock God and say, “Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do. Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan, for we want to know what it is.”
3. They don't believe in the rapture (Jeremiah 17:15-16)
Jeremiah 17:15-16 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
People scoff at me and say, “What is this ‘message from the Lord’ you talk about? Why don’t your predictions come true?”
Lord, I have not abandoned my job as a shepherd for your people. I have not urged you to send disaster. You have heard everything I’ve said.
4. They are usually wise in debate but does not acknowledge the LORD JESUS and His Resurrection (Acts 17:18)
Acts 17:18 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.”
5. They laugh at the truth
a. They not only laugh but also mocked the truth
"...mocking the truth"
6. They do every evil thing they desire
"...and following their own desires."
7. They thought everything here is permanent
"From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created."
8. They chooses to forget that GOD made the Heavens and the Earth (2 Peter 3:5)
2 Peter 3:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.
9. Our attitude towards them: (2 Peter 3:9)
a. The LORD is patient for everyone to repent.
2 Peter 3:9 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Wait for the LORD to act
2 Peter 3:9 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
