Refocus
29 December 2013 AM – 2 Peter 3:1-13 – Scott Childs
Introduction: There is nothing worse than a blurry photo. The content of the photo may have been very special, but if the photo is not in focus, it is not worth keeping. Most cameras today, when used correctly, automatically focus. In years gone by, one had to manually focus the picture, which required frequent refocusing.
In our busy world, it is common for our view of the future to get out of focus. If we are not careful, we will lose our biblical focus and join the world as it focuses on global warming, saving the whales, and avoiding world war. As Christians, God wants our focus to be on eternity not on current problems. Often, we need to refocus biblically, and there is no better time to refocus than at the beginning of a new year.
Transition: In 2 Peter 3, the Holy Spirit urges us to refocus on three important facts that will prepare us for the future.
I. Refocus on the Lord’s Promise to Return (1-8)
A. Scoffers laugh, but the Lord will return!
1. Peter predicted that in the last days people would mock the Lord’s return.
2. Atheists today laugh at this doctrine.
“The Rapture: You KNOW it’s Nonsense. 2000 Years of ‘Any Day Now,'” says the atheist group’s billboard in Oakland, Calif.
3. God’s creation that is all around us makes all atheists man without excuse. Intelligent design demands an intelligent Designer not billions of years of evolutionary accidents.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
4. Peter tells us that mockers are willingly ignorant.
a) They willingly reject the biblical creation (5).
b) They willingly reject the biblical flood (6).
c) They willingly reject the promise of coming judgment (7).
5. Jesus WILL return. He promised it.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
B. God is not governed by time (8)
1. God does not want you to be ignorant of this fact.
“There was a time when there was no time.” Kent Hovind
2. This verse does not support the old earth false teaching. It simply states that God is timeless. He is not in a hurry nor is he ever late (1 d = 1000 y = 1 d).
**The fact that Jesus has not yet returned does not mean that He will not return. It simply means God’s time to return has not yet come. Refocus and strengthen your faith.
II. Refocus on the Lord’s Burden for the Lost (9-10)
A. The Lord is merciful (9).
1. The Lord is longsuffering. This means that He is slow to avenge or slow to punish. He patiently waits for unbelievers to repent.
2. He is not willing that any should perish. He does not deliberately wish that anyone should go to hell.
3. BUT that all should come to repentance. In complete contrast to wishing that some would perish, God is leaving space for all to repent.
4. For nearly 2000 years, Christ has been patiently leaving space for sinners to repent. He is still waiting, but one day His mercy will end.
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
2 Corinthians 6:2 … behold, now is the day of salvation.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
If you have not yet repented of your sins and believed that Jesus died and rose again to pay for your hell, you must repent and believe today. Tomorrow may be too late (Proverbs 27:1).
B. The Lord knows the judgment that is coming.
1. Peter gives us a summary of the day of the Lord.
a) Jesus will come unexpectedly like a thief.
b) The heavens will perish with a great noise.
c) The elements will melt with great heat.
d) The earth and all on it will be burned up.
2. The day of the Lord will begin with the Rapture and end when the Kingdom is complete.
**The Lord is burdened for the lost. He is mercifully waiting for more to be saved. He knows that judgment is coming. We must refocus on reaching the lost before they die or judgment day comes.
III. Refocus on the Lord’s Expectation for Christians (11-12)
A. God expects Christians to be different.
1. He says, Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be. In other words, “How should the coming destruction of the universe affect the way you live?” Think about it.
a) God is so holy that he will totally destroy His first creation and start over because of man’s sin.
b) God is so mighty that by His spoken word the heavens will be destroyed, the elements will melt, and the earth burn up.
c) God is so loving that he has been waiting for people to repent for nearly 2000 years.
d) Since God is that loving, mighty, and holy, how should we fearfully live?
2. God immediately gives us the answer, “in all holy conversation and godliness”
a) We ought to have holy conduct. To be holy is to be set apart from all that displeases the Lord and to be fully dedicated to pleasing Him. Holiness speaks of being sacred, pure, clean, blameless. It denotes an object of awe. Zodhiates adds, “Its fundamental idea is separation, consecration, devotion to the service of Deity, sharing in God’s purity and abstaining from earth’s defilement.” Our entertainment, music, words, and conduct must be holy. What would God say you need to change in order to be truly holy?
b) We ought to be godly. To be godly is to have reverence and respect toward God that results in obedience to Him. “It covers everyday conduct in honoring God as Creator and Redeemer.” TDNT It is a life that is morally good. Perhaps we could say that to be godly is to be God-like in our conduct. Do others see Jesus in you? Do you obey God in everything?
B. God expects Christians to anticipate His return.
1. This is really a continuation of God’s list of the kind of persons we ought to be.
a) Looking expectantly for the day of God.
b) Hastening [desiring earnestly] the day of God.
As a boy, when I disobeyed and Mom said, “You will have to see Dad when he gets home”, I dreaded the time Dad would arrive because I knew I was in trouble. A thinking and honest Christian will have the same troubled thoughts about the Lord’s return if he is not living a holy and godly life.
c) Only a holy and godly Christian can look expectantly and desire earnestly the Lord’s return.
2. God also wants us to be looking expectantly for His promise of new heavens and a new earth (13).
a) One day, all that is sinful and stained by sin will be destroyed.
b) God will create new heavens and new earth where dwelleth righteousness.
c) God will bring heaven, the new Jerusalem, down to the new earth and we who know the Lord will live with God forever (Rev 21:1-2).
Conclusion: As we prepare to begin 2014, let’s refocus on the Lord’s return, on the Lord’s burden for the lost, and on the Lord’s expectations for our daily lives. There is no better time than now to repent of sin and refocus. Will you do it?
If you are not saved, you are not at all ready for the Lord’s return. Today is the day of salvation. Trust Christ as your Saviour today. Tomorrow may be too late.
Song: Cleanse Me – 166