Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#41]
THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM BEING READY
2 Peter 3:16
Introduction:
It is hard to believe that we are on the 41st sermon of this series. Generally speaking, when a pastor preaches about hope; most of us think about Heaven. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I look forward to His coming. I often look around at the world and ask, “What is God waiting for”? Something that each of us must remember is that no one knows when Jesus is coming back. It is not for us to come up with dates when we think Jesus is coming back. We are told to watch and be ready for the Jesus’ second coming.
2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Don’t forget about…
1. God’s patience.
We really have no idea when Jesus is coming again and what seems to be a long time to us is nothing to God; but God is not waiting in order to be difficult. He has a purpose for waiting. God is waiting as long as He can so that all that will be saved will do so.
God is all knowing and He knows who that last person will be. Verse 9 is proof to us that God wants everyone to be saved. When He sent Jesus to this earth to pay the price of sin for us on a cross, He did that for all people. This is also a time in Scripture that we find that God does not always get what He wants. God wants all people to be saved; but that will not happen because many will refuse God’s gift of salvation.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (NIV)
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
Don’t forget about…
2. God’s promises.
The end of this world as we know it will happen and catch many by surprise. God promises us that Jesus will come again. He also promises that this earth will be destroyed and that there will be a new Heaven and a new earth. He promises that those that know Jesus Christ as Savior will have eternal life in Heaven with Him and those that refuse Jesus Christ as Savior will have eternal death in Hell separated from God. God has always fulfilled His promises and in His time He will fulfill His promise of ending the life of this earth. It is not a matter of if, but when.
2 Peter 3:14-18 (NIV)
“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
Don’t forget about…
3. God’s petition.
God’s request of His children is that we live our lives like Jesus is coming back today. We must give each day to Christ, use the Bible as our guide, stay in communication with the Father, and be on guard against Satan and his attacks.
Conclusion:
Are you ready?
