CHRISTIAN’S FUTURE

July 13, 2021

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

 

  1. Praying from: 2 PETER 3

 

WARNINGS AGAINST SCOFFERS

“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2     While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3     Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4     But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

WILLFUL IGNORANCE OF THE ANCIENT SCRIPTURES

        5     For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6     Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7     Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

THE DIVINE MEASUREMENT OF TIME

8     Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9     Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

DAY OF THE LORD FORETOLD

      10     For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

READINESS FOR THE GREAT DAY

11     Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

12     For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

THE BELIEVERS’ OUTLOOK

      13     And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

14     But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

15     But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

16     Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

17     For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

18     For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19     By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20     Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21     The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

22     Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

 

      I.    THE PROBLEMS—vv. 1–7

WARNINGS AGAINST SCOFFERS

  1. Reminder—vv. 1–2. Peter reminds the people of that which they already know.
  2. Rejection—vv. 3–4. Note two things here: (1) Scoffers—v. 3. They walk after their own lusts. (2) Criticism—v. 4. They question Christ’s coming.

WILLFUL IGNORANCE OF THE ANCIENT SCRIPTURES

  1. Regeneration—vv. 5–7. This is speaking of Noah’s day (Gen. 6–8). See also Matthew 24:37–42.
  2. THE PUNISHMENT—vv. 8–10

THE DIVINE MEASUREMENT OF TIME

  1. Divinity—v. 8. With God there is no time limit. He is eternal. Time means nothing to Him.
  2. Detainment—v. 9. Christ’s coming may appear to be a long time away. However, He is not willing that any perish, but that all be saved.

DAY OF THE LORD FORETOLD

  1. Destruction—v. 10. The whole earth will be destroyed—everything being burned up.

III.   THE PROMISE—vv. 11–13

READINESS FOR THE GREAT DAY

  1. Conversation—v. 11. Christians should be careful in their talk and living before God and others.
  2. Consumption—v. 12. We are looking forward to the coming of Christ. We should be anxious for His coming. What an event that will be!

THE BELIEVERS’ OUTLOOK

  1. Completion—v. 13. Hope of the new heavens and the new earth, where all will be peace and joy.
  2. THE PERFECTION—vv. 14–18
  3. Purging—v. 14. Live above sin. Perfect your living. We should be without spot and be blameless.
  4. Patience—vv. 15–16. Christ delays His coming, so we might spread the gospel of Christ. Watch out for the false teachers and cults.
  5. Problem—v. 17. Be careful of sinful men.
  6. Perfection—v. 18. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.
  7. THE A-MEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20   “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A-men.”

16:24   “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A-men.”

16:27   “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. A-men.”