“The Patience of the Lord” 2 Peter 3:1-9 March 7, 2010

I. Be reminded of what God’s Word says (1-2). Peter wrote to stimulate wholesome thinking. Peter wrote to stimulate wholesome thinking. We are to have sincere and pure minds. We are to have sincere and pure minds. We are to be aware of the dangers of phony leaders. We are to be aware of the dangers of phony leaders. We are urged to recall Scripture. We are urged to recall Scripture. He spoke in the past through the prophets. He spoke in the past through the prophets. Then by His commands through the apostles. Then by His commands through the apostles.

II. Develop prophetic perspective (3- 7).

There will be scoffers in the last days. There will be scoffers in the last days. They follow their own evil desires. They follow their own evil desires. They mockingly ask for prophetic evidence. They mockingly ask for prophetic evidence. They deliberately forget that God’s Word has the power to produce its desired effect. They deliberately forget that God’s Word has the power to produce its desired effect.

II. Develop prophetic perspective (3- 7). By God’s Word the heavens existed. By God’s Word the heavens existed. By God’s Word the earth was formed. By God’s Word the earth was formed. By God’s Word the world was destroyed by water. By God’s Word the world was destroyed by water. BY God’s Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for judgment by fire. BY God’s Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for judgment by fire.

III. Understand God’s timing (8-9). The Lord does not have the same time-table as we do. The Lord does not have the same time-table as we do. A day is like 1,000 years, and 1,000 years are like a day. A day is like 1,000 years, and 1,000 years are like a day. He is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. He is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. The Lord is patient with us. The Lord is patient with us. He does not want anyone to perish. He does not want anyone to perish. But He wants all to come to repentance. But He wants all to come to repentance.

Conclusion Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away.” John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away.”

Conclusion Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away.” John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away.” Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”