1. What form of matter is fire?

2. What form of matter is a word?
Words are energy

3. The Power of the Word
II Peter 3:1-9
9th December 2018

4. 2 Peter 3:1-9 (RAV)
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Saviour, 

5. ‘be mindful’ = call to mind
1. Remember the Word
‘be mindful’ = call to mind
conscious or aware of something.
inclined or willing to do something
actively remember
We tend to forget quickly!

6. 1. Remember the Word WHY? Inspired written Word brings equipping
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16

7. 1. Be mindful of (Remember to do) the Word
The Devil actively resists the Word of God
Matthew 13:18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 
1. Be mindful of (Remember to do) the Word
c/f 2 Peter 1:9 – the prophetic word made more sure

8. WHAT? Jesus is coming! 1. Remember the Word
Zechariah 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, … 4 ​​And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, … 5 …​ ​​Thus the LORD my God will come, ​​And all the saints with You (Him).

9. 2 Peter 3: 3-4 (RAV)
3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

10. What will it be like when the prophecy is about to be fulfilled?
(V3) scoffers will come in the last days,
(V3)walking according to their own lusts, 
(V4) saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”
Sounds like now!

11. 2 Peter 3:5-7 (RAV)
5 For this they wilfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which now are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

12. 2. Some desire to forget… The creation was made by God’s spoken Word
Gen 1:1 the heavens and the earth
God’s word warned that the flood was coming
Gen 6:13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
God’s Word warns that fire is coming
Matthew 25:41  Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 

13. Don’t forget those who want to forget
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

14. 2 Peter 3:8-9 (RAV)
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

15. 3. Don’t forget… God is not slow! (Slack)
God is patient (long suffering)
God doesn’t want your neighbour to perish
 Luke 10: 2 “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
Matthew 28:18 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,

16. What will we do with God’s Word?
Conclusion
What will we do with God’s Word?
Be mindful – remember to live it!
James 1:22
Those who DESIRE to forget are NOT the enemy; they’re evidence
Snatch them from the fire
Don’t Forget that Jesus is waiting to return
Tell someone!

17. God’s Word is our Power for living

18. Living in the Kingdom means living by the Book!