WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 What happens if you know that a tsunami is coming? 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:14.000 ! A tsunami warning has been issued and everyone knows that it's imminent. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:16.000 ! How do people act? 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:23.000 Imagine you've seen on the news that morning that your region is likely to be flooded within the next 24 hours. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:25.000 What are you going to do? 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:29.000 Well nobody carries on the same as yesterday, do you think? 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:35.000 You don't get in the car and go to work as normal, come home afterwards and put your feet up. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:38.000 No, you take action. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:42.000 You pack your things, you get in the car and you get out of there. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:49.000 Because you know, what you know about the future changes how you act now. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:53.000 The way we act in the present depends on our view of the future. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.000 And that holds true in big things and small things, doesn't it? 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:01.000 If you know you've got an exam coming up, then you study. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:03.000 Or you should do. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:08.000 If you know you're going on holiday, then you pack, you take what you're going to need with you. 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:11.000 You even plan for far off in the future. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:14.000 We put money in our pension pot for retirement. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:17.000 We live in light of the future. 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:23.000 Nobody on the planet lives with no regard for what's going to happen tomorrow. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:29.000 Well in this letter, Peter has been talking about a huge future event. 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:33.000 A cataclysmic event, way bigger than a tsunami. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:39.000 This is worldwide, full scale, all out event of monumental proportions. 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:42.000 It's literally the biggest event ever. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:44.000 There's nothing that trumps it. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:47.000 Peter calls it the day of the Lord. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:53.000 The day when the Lord Jesus comes to earth to judge and to rule forever. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.000 And it's, you cannot possibly ignore it. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.000 It will change everything. 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:04.000 And if it's true, our whole life now has to change. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:08.000 We all live in light of the future and this future changes everything. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:11.000 And so Peter asks this big question. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:13.000 Verse 11. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:19.000 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be? 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:21.000 That's the big question. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:23.000 The day of the Lord is coming. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:27.000 So how should we live now in light of that future? 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:30.000 So let's dig in. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:35.000 Our first heading is, live in light of the coming judgment. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:38.000 Live in light of the coming judgment. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:41.000 We saw this morning that judgment is coming. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:42.000 Verse 10. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:45.000 The day of the Lord will come like a thief. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:48.000 And then the heavens will pass away with a roar. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:51.000 And the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:55.000 And the earth and the worst that are done on it will be exposed. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:57.000 This is not metaphorical. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:05.000 The heavens, the sky, the heavenly bodies, the sun, the moon, the stars will be set on fire and dissolved. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:08.000 Cosmic upheaval. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:11.000 And Isaiah described it like this. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:13.000 All the hosts of heaven shall rot away. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:16.000 And the skies roll up like a scroll. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:20.000 All their hosts shall fall as leaves fall from the vine. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:23.000 Like leaves falling from the pit tree. 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:30.000 God will scrunch up the skies and the stars like you scrunch a piece of tinfoil. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:33.000 And underneath, what will be exposed? 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:34.000 The earth. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.000 Heaven's dissolved. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:38.000 Earth exposed. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:44.000 It says in verse 10, the earth and the works done on it will be exposed. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:49.000 And as we saw this morning, the earth will not be destroyed when the fire comes. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:50.000 It will be exposed. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:55.000 That means the works that are done in the world will be revealed for all to see. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:58.000 And it will be purged of all evil. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:01.000 Judgment day is coming. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:07.000 And all the way through this series, Peter has been shown that it's certain that judgment day is coming. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:12.000 We've seen that it's certain because the Transfiguration proves it. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:15.000 It's certain because the prophets foretold it. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:22.000 It's certain because of God's previous judgment on angels, on Sodom and Gomorrah, in the flood. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:31.000 We've seen that the only reason it hasn't happened already is because God delays so that we will repent. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:35.000 The day of the Lord is certain. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:40.000 But Peter's question is what difference does that make to us now? 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:44.000 This awesome future event has to affect us today. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:51.000 Verse 11, since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be? 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:56.000 Who should you be in light of the coming judgment? 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:59.000 Well, here's his answer. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:04.000 Live holy and godly lives. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:08.000 Peter says, you need to live a holy life. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:11.000 Have a look again at verse 11. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:17.000 What sort of people ought you to be in light of holiness and godliness? 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:24.000 If there's a coming judgment on the ungodly, then live godly lives, says Peter. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:27.000 And that's what holiness means. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:30.000 Holiness means a godlike life. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:34.000 God says, be holy as I am, be like me. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:43.000 And godliness, we've seen earlier in this series that godliness is to have God's moral excellence, his righteous character. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:45.000 We're to be morally good, like God. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:47.000 Be holy and godly. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:52.000 So we're seeing that we live in light of the future. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:55.000 If you know the tsunami is coming, you prepare. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:00.000 And if you know the fire of God's judgment is coming, you live accordingly. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:04.000 Now this is not saying that we need to reach a certain level of holiness. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:08.000 And if we reach that level, then God will say, okay, I'll let you off. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:10.000 You won't face the fire. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:14.000 No one is good enough for God's perfect standard. 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:16.000 We've all fallen short. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:21.000 None of us standing on our own two feet can face God's justice. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.000 I'm guilty. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:24.000 You're guilty. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:33.000 The only way to stand in the judgment is to be in Christ, the man who is righteous, the one who met God's perfect standard for us. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:36.000 He took God's judgment instead of us. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:39.000 And that's the only way. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:43.000 But to be in Christ means that you have been washed from your sins. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:49.000 You've been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:54.000 You repented of your old way of life and you've put on the new self. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:07:01.000 His divine power has caused you to be born again to a new life of righteousness. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:04.000 So we are not saved by our works. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:09.000 But when God saves us, he always produces godliness in us. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:15.000 And that's why there's this contrast in 2 Peter between the godly and the ungodly. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:25.000 Since the fire is coming on the ungodly, what sort of people are we to be in lives of holiness and godliness? 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:28.000 Live in light of the coming judgments. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:31.000 Imagine two brothers. 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:37.000 One is a member of a criminal organization involved in all kinds of nefarious activities. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:40.000 And the other is a detective. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:44.000 Now one day the detective goes into his brother's turf. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:47.000 He goes into extreme danger to warn his brother. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:50.000 You can't keep living like this. It's wrong. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:51.000 And the police are onto you. 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:54.000 They're planning to raid this place next week. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:58.000 You're headed for a prison cell if you don't repent. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:00.000 Well, his brother has a change of heart. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:02.000 He realises what a fool he's been. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.000 And he leaves that life behind him. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:08.000 He's rescued by his detective brother. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:13.000 Now he knows that the day of the raid is coming up. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:18.000 That those criminals who he used to associate with will face the full force of the law. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:21.000 He's been rescued from that. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:27.000 But how will that knowledge of the day of reckoning affect how he acts now? 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:32.000 Is he going to go back to his old hideout and hang out with his old partners? 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:37.000 Is he going to get involved again with their operations and their criminal activities? 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:40.000 No, that would be insane. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:47.000 If he knows justice is going to fall on the lawbreakers, he's not going to go back to that life. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:53.000 Peter says to us, you've been rescued from the corruption that's in the world. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:59.000 Now since judgement is going to fall on the ungodly, what sort of people want you to be? 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:02.000 Holy and godly people. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:06.000 Live in light of the coming judgement. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:11.000 Secondly, live in light of the coming renewal. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:15.000 Live in light of the coming renewal. 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:18.000 The day of the Lord isn't just about destruction. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:23.000 It's not just stuff burning up and the judgement of the young godly. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:27.000 We saw in verse 10 that God's goal is not to destroy the earth. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:35.000 The fire will not annihilate our world but will expose it, purge it and ultimately God will renew it. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:40.000 Verse 12 says, we are waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:43.000 In other words, we want it to come. 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:49.000 Because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved and the heavenly bodies will mount as they burn. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:10:01.000 But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:06.000 God has promised us a renewed creation. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:11.000 Peter is talking about a perfect, glorious creation. 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:13.000 It's still this earth but it's completely renewed. 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:20.000 It's purged from all the stain of sin, unable to be corrupted like this creation. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:25.000 Instead of God destroying this earth and starting again, he's going to redeem it. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:32.000 Our world is beautiful and yet it's so messed up because of sinful desire. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:37.000 The expressive individualism of our culture says, follow your desires. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:40.000 And yet our desires are corrupt. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:44.000 We're killing babies in the womb because of sinful desire. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:50.000 We're pumping kids full of drugs to try and change their biological sex. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:57.000 People are getting doctors to cut off body parts in order to change their God given nature because of sinful desire. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:05.000 There's war, there's poverty, there's violence and adversity and pain because of sinful desire. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:09.000 This world is cursed because of sin. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:16.000 But God has promised, I will renew this earth so that it's perfect. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:20.000 Can you imagine a world without sin? 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:22.000 It's hard to imagine isn't it? 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:25.000 We're so used to the corrupt, fallen world that we live in. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:28.000 But imagine a world where righteousness dwells. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:32.000 We are waiting for a new creation. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:36.000 Radically new and yet still this same earth. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:42.000 It can be hard to get our heads around this idea that the earth won't be destroyed by the fire, 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:46.000 just exposed, purged, renewed. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:49.000 Well it's a bit like our resurrection bodies. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:58.000 The Bible says that those in Christ who die will be raised to life with new resurrection bodies when Jesus returns. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:02.000 And you might think, what kind of bodies are we going to have when we're raised? 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:04.000 Will we be recognizable? 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:07.000 Will we be the same person? 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:10.000 The answer is yes and no. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:14.000 Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, it's a bit like a seed. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:18.000 You plant a seed into the ground and it dies. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:20.000 But what comes from it? 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:21.000 A tree. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.000 The tree comes from the seed. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:28.000 It's not a completely new thing and yet it is radically new. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:34.000 Our resurrection bodies will be the same body but gloriously renewed. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:37.000 And it's the same with the new creation. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:40.000 God's not strapping this world and starting again. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:44.000 It's the same earth but it will be beautifully renewed. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:48.000 So what is the most significant thing about the renewed creation? 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:50.000 What is so new about it? 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:53.000 Peter says, verse 13, 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:58.000 We are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:01.000 What will the new creation be like? 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:04.000 The home of righteousness. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:09.000 Picture a world full of people who love to do what's right. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:12.000 They love to do God's will. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:19.000 A place full of love and peace and joy and kindness, faithfulness, gentleness. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:23.000 Full of people who resemble God in moral excellence. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:27.000 This is the place where righteousness dwells. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:33.000 You know, there's a view of heaven or the new creation where people think it's full of boring people. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:41.000 Strict, holier than thou kind of people who can't have any fun because they've got to obey all the rules. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:44.000 That is not what righteousness looks like. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:48.000 Our world says be free to be who you are and you'll be happy. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:52.000 Happiness comes from giving in to all your desires. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:54.000 And where has that led us? 00:13:54.000 --> 00:14:00.000 But in this new creation our desires will be for good, for righteousness. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:04.000 It's not restrictive, it's life-giving. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.000 It's freeing. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:09.000 We will be who we were always meant to be. 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:13.000 There's a world of righteousness coming and it will be amazing. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:17.000 A beautiful world of joy and peace. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:23.000 So if that's our future, how do we live in light of the coming renewal? 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:26.000 Well look down to verse 14. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:27.000 Peter says, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:36.000 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spots or blemish and at peace. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:40.000 In other words, live now like you belong there. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:48.000 Be diligent for godliness so that when Jesus comes he will find us without spots or blemish of sin. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:53.000 His people, his bride will be beautiful in righteousness. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:59.000 You know this language of spots and blemish, it comes from the sacrificial system. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:07.000 When God's people lived under the Mosaic covenant, and do you remember they were required to bring sacrifices, to bring lambs. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:10.000 And the lamb had to have no spots, no blemish. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:16.000 You couldn't bring a lamb with an inch of leg or a bad eye or any kind of infection. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:21.000 Because a perfect sacrifice was needed in order to deal with your sin. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:26.000 And this practice was pointing to the ultimate lamb without blemish, the Lord Jesus. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:33.000 Who was completely pure, without any sin, spotless, perfect sacrifice for our sins. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:40.000 But here's the thing, if we're in Christ, we're united with him by his Spirit, 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:45.000 then that means that in our union we start to look more and more likely. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:52.000 Bit by bit our spots and our blemishes are removed as we grow in righteousness and holiness. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:59.000 That's why Peter can say, be diligent that Jesus will find you without blemish when he comes. 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:02.000 Look how that ends, verse 14. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:05.000 At peace. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:08.000 We want to be found at peace with God. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:13.000 On the day of the Lord, we will all be Jesus' friends, not his enemies. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:17.000 Live in light of the coming renewal. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:21.000 Have you ever seen a bride getting ready for her wedding? 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:25.000 It takes a lot longer than getting ready for any other day. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:28.000 She gets a hairdresser to do her hair properly. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:30.000 Someone to do her makeup. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.000 It takes hours. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:35.000 More attention is paid to her makeup than ever before. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:39.000 Now I know nothing about wedding makeup, so I had to Google it. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.000 And here's what I found out. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:44.000 Bridal makeup should be timeless. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:48.000 Choose a look that accentuates all that makes you beautiful. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:51.000 You need something that complements your dress. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:58.000 Before you put on the makeup, you're supposed to do cryotherapy, face gym, light therapy and other facials. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:00.000 I'm not making this stuff up. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:10.000 Drink plenty of water, eat anti-inflammatory foods, eye masks, lip exfoliation, and this is all before you've even put on the makeup. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:17.000 The point is, on your wedding day, you make sure there's no spot or blemish. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:21.000 Because you want to look perfect for your bridegroom. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:24.000 We are Christ's bride. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:26.000 His church. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:29.000 He is joining himself to us. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:32.000 He will bring us to the home of righteousness. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:36.000 And we want to be without blemish for him when he comes. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:40.000 Live in light of the coming renewal. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:46.000 So to recap, Peter calls us to live in light of the coming judgement and the coming renewal. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:49.000 Live lives of holiness and godliness. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:52.000 Diligent to be spotless and at peace with God. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:18:01.000 But the thing is, while we are in this waiting phase, while the day of the Lord has not yet come, we're not in easy conditions. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:03.000 We're not in peacetime. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.000 We're at war. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:10.000 And Peter's been saying throughout this letter there will be false teachers among us. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:14.000 And many will be led astray by them and end up facing the judgement too. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:18.000 And there are people in the church who will entice us by sin. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.000 And if we're not careful, we'll fall. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:30.000 So Peter ends by giving us instructions on how to live in light of the future while we wait in these dangerous conditions. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:32.000 So that's our final heading. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:35.000 Waiting in dangerous conditions. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:38.000 Three things we need to do. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:41.000 Count God's patience as salvation. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:43.000 Guard against error. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:46.000 And grow in grace and knowledge. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:49.000 Have a look at verse 15. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:53.000 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:59.000 Just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:04.000 We saw this morning that the dangerous scoffing of the false teachers who were saying, 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:07.000 Where is the promise of his coming? 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:11.000 If Jesus is really coming back, why is it taking so long? 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:13.000 And Peter said in verse 9, 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:16.000 The reason is, God is being patient with you. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:18.000 He wants to give us time to repent. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:24.000 Particularly those in the church who are being enticed to sin by these false teachers. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:28.000 We should count God's patience as salvation. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:30.000 He wants us to be saved. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:40.000 So while we wait in these dangerous conditions, we should view the waiting time not as God forsaking us, but as God's grace. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:44.000 A time for all God's people to be brought to repentance. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:53.000 You know, for many of us, if the judgment day had come 15 years ago, or 30 years ago, we wouldn't have been saved. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:58.000 But because God is patient, he delays the judgment day so that we will repent. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:03.000 So that we turn from our old sinful life and trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:06.000 Count his patience as salvation. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:09.000 Secondly, guard against error. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:16.000 In verse 15, Peter says that Paul also wrote to you about these things in his letters. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:21.000 But verse 16, there are some things in them that are hard to understand, 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:27.000 which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction as they do the other scriptures. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:31.000 There are some bits of the Bible that are hard to understand. 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:38.000 Some of Paul's writings have deep truths in them that take time to work through. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:40.000 And Peter has been warning us throughout. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:45.000 There are those who are unstable who will twist the Bible to say something else. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:48.000 And we have to take action when this happens. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:50.000 Look at verse 17. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:53.000 You therefore, beloved, know this beforehand. 00:20:53.000 --> 00:21:00.000 Take care that you are not parried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:03.000 We have to guard against error. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.000 We have been seeing this over and over again. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:12.000 There will be people in the church who say with their lives and with their words that godliness really doesn't matter. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:21.000 But this error of lawless people must be guarded in this so that we don't get dragged into it and lose our stability. 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:24.000 Finally, grow in grace and knowledge. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:26.000 Verse 18 says, 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:31.000 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:34.000 There are two parts to keeping our stability as Christians. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:36.000 We must die against error. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:38.000 But that's not the only thing. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:40.000 We also need to grow. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:47.000 Peter emphasised this in chapter 1 when he said we are to make every effort to grow in godliness. 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:50.000 But here he picks out just two areas of growth. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:54.000 Grace and knowledge of Jesus. 00:21:54.000 --> 00:22:01.000 Peter is saying our experience and understanding of the grace of Jesus should deepen and increase. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:08.000 Our knowledge of the person of Christ should expand until his arrival brings the full revelation. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:14.000 This is how we will remain stable in our faith in a dangerous waiting place. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:16.000 Count his patience as salvation. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:18.000 Guard against error. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:21.000 Grow in grace and knowledge. 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:23.000 We are waiting in dangerous conditions. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:27.000 And so we must take care that we don't lose our stability. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:33.000 Now we have been asking this question, since the day of the Lord is coming, how shall we live? 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.000 How shall we live? 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:36.000 How shall we live in light of that certain future? 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:43.000 Peter says, if we know the fire is coming on the ungodly, let's live broadly like this. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:50.000 If we know he's renewing a righteous earth, let's be diligent to be found spotless. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:56.000 If we know this is a dangerous waiting time, let's take care not to lose our stability. 00:22:56.000 --> 00:23:03.000 Brothers and sisters, Jesus is coming back to renew a home of righteousness. 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:08.000 Let's live now like we belong there. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:13.000 To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.000 Let's pray. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:25.000 Our Father, we thank you for your words through your Apostle Peter. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:32.000 Thank you for speaking to us by your Spirit as we've listened together over these past weeks. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:35.000 Thank you for reminding us that the day of the Lord is coming. 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:38.000 And that Godliness matters. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:42.000 Father, we pray that your Spirit will apply these things to our hearts. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:45.000 So that you beautify your church. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:52.000 Presenting us without spot or blemish by your divine power and work in us. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:56.000 Protect us from being carried away by the error of lawless people. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:24:02.000 And instead cause us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:05.000 For his glory we pray. 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:06.000 Amen. 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.000 Amen. 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.000