Scoffers

SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 3:3 "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,"

PROPOSITION: To use this text and others to show that a rise in scoffers is foretold in the scripture and also to show why wicked men mock God and his word and also to show that those who have mocked God are offered a chance to repent and place their trust in Christ.

1) Why do men scoff or mock the things of God?

A. Because natural men are controlled by their own lusts they walk after the lusts of the flesh. and despise those things that are of God's Spirit and consider serving God a foolish thing. 1 Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

B.) Because sinners are not only a slave to sin but also a slave to justifying sin. When sinners mock God they imply that they need not take God seriously. Satan has a strong desire to entice a sinner to mock God so that he will never take Gods offer of Salvation as legitimate. Satan wants the sinner to die in a state of condemnation with the wrath of God upon him. John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

C.) Because the devils children hate to see souls come to Christ, they mock the Lord Jesus Christ in an effort to discourage their fellow sinners from repentance. Matthew 13:21 "Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."

2.) Why in the last days will the amout of scoffers increase?

A. Because in the last days sin will abound and the love of many will grow cold, the last days will be characterized by violence (days of Noah), and perversion (the days of Lot) and mocking God, the more sin in the world the more wicked men strive to preserve their lifestyle by justifying sin through scoffing at God. notice in these two passages of scripture that Jesus compares the days of Noah and Lot to those of the last days.

Luke 17:26-30 "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."

3.) Can sinners get away with mocking God and there not be consequences?

Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

4.) Can a mocker of God become a lover of God?

A. Yes a perfect illustration of this is the thief on the cross who at first made sport of Christ in his suffering but later had a change of heart and in repentance asked Jesus Christ to remember him when he came into his kingdom, and Christ in compassion assured him of Salvation.

Both thieves mocking Christ: Matthew 27:38, 41-44 "Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. THE THIEVES ALSO, WHICH WERE CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, CAST THE SAME IN HIS TEETH."

One thief repenting: Luke 23:39-42 "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom."

CONCLUSION: Sinners can mock and laugh their way right up to the judgement bar of God, but for all those who die in their sin all laughing will cease and a great shame and despair will take the place of their laughter, and they will absolutely know that sin has been the ruination of their soul. But God who is rich in mercy offers salvation and forgiveness to all repentant sinners, even if they have spent all their precious years mocking God in the service of Satan.