2Peter 3 – Faithful Faith (Steadfast Faith)

Four Encouragements:         
1. Remember the Words spoken beforehand
2. Don’t be discouraged by scoffers
3. Don’t be discouraged by the Lord’s delay
4. Stay steadfast and continue to grow in faith and knowledge

2 Peter 3

 1This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,
 2that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

2 Peter 1
10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;  11for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.  12Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.  13I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,  14knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.  15And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

1. Remember the Words spoken beforehand

Peter persistently reminded the churches of what they had been taught by the Prophets, him and the other apostles.

On average, people only remember about 12% of what they hear, and that is only if they hear it twice.  Story -  many people don’t remember the sermon they just heard. 

Daily dinner analogy.  “Man does not live by bread alone . . .”  (Deut 8:3)

 3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

2. Don’t be discouraged by scoffers

Peter again warns of those who would deceive, discourage or distract the churches from walking out their faith.

 8But 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.(Psalm 90:4) 9The 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.

 10But 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.

According to the Greek philosophers of the day, earth, air, fire and water were the four basic elements of the world.  (cf. The Metamorphoses of Ovid)

 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as 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. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

(See Luke 21:5-36 and Rev 21:1-8)

 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear 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.

3. Don’t be discouraged by the Lord’s delay

Encouragement to not be discouraged by how long it seems to be taking for the Lord’s return and our consequent salvation by glorification and for God’s judgment of the ungodly.  But rather to remain faithful to “live holy and godly lives” and to be “found spotless, blameless and at peace” with God.

Silver Lining: the longer the Lord takes to return, the greater the opportunity for people to repent. (Curious concept: Jesus comes again for all of us when we die.)

Why were they anxious for the Lord’s return?  They were suffering from persecution, trials and temptation.  One who is having a good time is not anxious to go home.

15Bear 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. 16He 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.

Interesting note: This statement of Peter’s is the first record we have of Paul’s writings being called, or at least implied to be, Scripture.  However, Paul’s writings always had authority since he was recognized as an apostle.

4. Stay steadfast and continue to grow in faith and knowledge

 17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,

 18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.