Living in Anticipation: Embracing God's Patience and Truth

Summary

### Summary

In today's reading from 2 Peter chapter 3, we delve into the apostle Peter's heartfelt reminder to the early Christians. Peter emphasizes the importance of remembering the teachings of the holy prophets and the commandments of the apostles. He acknowledges the presence of scoffers in the last days who question the promise of Jesus' return, highlighting their deliberate ignorance of God's creation and the historical flood. Peter underscores that God's timeline is different from ours, where a day is like a thousand years and vice versa. This divine patience is not a delay but an opportunity for more people to come to repentance, as God desires that none should perish.

Peter also warns of the coming judgment by fire, contrasting it with the previous judgment by water. He urges believers to live holy and godly lives in anticipation of the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells. He commends the wisdom given to Paul, acknowledging that some of Paul's writings are hard to understand but are indeed inspired scripture. Peter concludes by encouraging believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, remaining steadfast and not being led astray by false teachings.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Importance of Remembrance: Peter stresses the need to remember the teachings of the prophets and apostles. This remembrance is not just a mental exercise but a spiritual discipline that keeps our faith anchored in truth. By continually recalling God's Word, we guard ourselves against the deception and forgetfulness that lead to spiritual decay. [01:15]

2. God's Patience and Our Repentance: God's timeline is vastly different from ours, and His seeming delay in fulfilling promises is actually an expression of His patience. He desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance. This divine patience is a call for us to use the time wisely, growing in faith and helping others to find salvation. [09:36]

3. Judgment and Holy Living: Peter warns of a future judgment by fire, urging believers to live lives of holiness and godliness. This impending judgment should motivate us to examine our conduct and align it with God's standards. Our anticipation of a new heaven and new earth should inspire us to live in a way that reflects the righteousness that will dwell there. [10:56]

4. The Authority of Scripture: Peter acknowledges the wisdom given to Paul and affirms that Paul's writings are inspired scripture. This recognition underscores the authority of the New Testament and the importance of adhering to its teachings. It also highlights the unity and mutual respect among the apostles, despite their different backgrounds and experiences. [16:47]

5. Steadfastness in Faith: Peter concludes by encouraging believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This growth is essential for remaining steadfast and not being led astray by false teachings. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and staying connected to the truth, we can withstand the challenges and deceptions of the world. [19:26]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Opening Prayer
[01:15] - Stirring Up Pure Minds
[02:34] - The Role of the Apostles
[03:59] - Scoffers in the Last Days
[05:26] - Willful Forgetfulness
[06:58] - The Pre-Flood World
[08:11] - God's Timeless Perspective
[09:36] - God's Patience and Salvation
[10:56] - The Coming Judgment by Fire
[12:24] - Living Holy Lives
[13:50] - Paul's Inspired Writings
[15:15] - Twisting Scriptures
[16:47] - Paul's Epistles as Scripture
[18:17] - Final Exhortation
[19:26] - Growing in Grace and Knowledge
[20:55] - Conclusion and Blessing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Peter 3:1-18

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Peter remind the early Christians to be mindful of in his second epistle? [01:15]
2. According to Peter, what are the scoffers in the last days questioning? [03:59]
3. How does Peter describe God's timeline in relation to human understanding? [08:11]
4. What does Peter say about the writings of Paul and their significance? [16:47]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter emphasize the importance of remembering the teachings of the prophets and apostles? How does this act as a safeguard against deception? [01:15]
2. How does Peter's explanation of God's patience and timeline challenge our understanding of divine timing and human impatience? [08:11]
3. What is the significance of Peter's warning about the coming judgment by fire, and how should it influence the way believers live their lives? [10:56]
4. How does Peter's acknowledgment of Paul's writings as inspired scripture affect our view of the New Testament's authority? [16:47]

#### Application Questions
1. Peter stresses the need to remember the teachings of the prophets and apostles. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily life to guard against spiritual forgetfulness? [01:15]
2. Reflect on a time when you felt impatient with God's timing. How does understanding God's patience as an opportunity for repentance change your perspective? [09:36]
3. Peter urges believers to live holy and godly lives in anticipation of the new heavens and new earth. What specific changes can you make in your daily conduct to align more closely with God's standards? [10:56]
4. How can you help others understand the importance of the New Testament's authority, especially when faced with skepticism or false teachings? [16:47]
5. Peter encourages believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. What steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding and relationship with Christ? [19:26]
6. Considering Peter's warning about scoffers, how can you remain steadfast in your faith when confronted with doubt or ridicule from others? [03:59]
7. How can you use the time God has given you wisely to grow in faith and help others find salvation? What specific actions can you take this week to share your faith with someone? [09:36]

Devotional

Day 1: Anchoring Our Faith in Remembrance
Peter stresses the need to remember the teachings of the prophets and apostles. This remembrance is not just a mental exercise but a spiritual discipline that keeps our faith anchored in truth. By continually recalling God's Word, we guard ourselves against the deception and forgetfulness that lead to spiritual decay. Peter's call to remembrance is a reminder that our faith is built on a solid foundation of divine revelation, and it is through this foundation that we can withstand the challenges and doubts that come our way. [01:15]

2 Peter 3:1-2 (ESV): "This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them, I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles."

Reflection: Think of a specific teaching or commandment from the Bible that you have recently forgotten or neglected. How can you make a conscious effort to remember and apply it in your daily life starting today?

Day 2: Embracing God's Patience
God's timeline is vastly different from ours, and His seeming delay in fulfilling promises is actually an expression of His patience. He desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance. This divine patience is a call for us to use the time wisely, growing in faith and helping others to find salvation. Understanding God's patience helps us to trust in His perfect timing and to be diligent in our spiritual growth and evangelistic efforts. [09:36]

2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV): "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who has not yet come to faith in Christ. How can you use God's patience as motivation to share the gospel with them this week?

Day 3: Living in Light of Judgment
Peter warns of a future judgment by fire, urging believers to live lives of holiness and godliness. This impending judgment should motivate us to examine our conduct and align it with God's standards. Our anticipation of a new heaven and new earth should inspire us to live in a way that reflects the righteousness that will dwell there. This call to holy living is a reminder that our actions have eternal significance and that we are called to be set apart for God's purposes. [10:56]

2 Peter 3:10-11 (ESV): "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily habits and lifestyle. What is one specific change you can make to live a more holy and godly life in anticipation of Christ's return?

Day 4: Recognizing the Authority of Scripture
Peter acknowledges the wisdom given to Paul and affirms that Paul's writings are inspired scripture. This recognition underscores the authority of the New Testament and the importance of adhering to its teachings. It also highlights the unity and mutual respect among the apostles, despite their different backgrounds and experiences. By recognizing the authority of scripture, we commit ourselves to studying and obeying God's Word as the ultimate guide for our lives. [16:47]

2 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV): "And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."

Reflection: Think about a passage from Paul's letters that you find challenging to understand. How can you seek guidance and deeper understanding of this passage through prayer, study, or discussion with fellow believers?

Day 5: Growing in Grace and Knowledge
Peter concludes by encouraging believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This growth is essential for remaining steadfast and not being led astray by false teachings. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and staying connected to the truth, we can withstand the challenges and deceptions of the world. Spiritual growth is a continuous journey that requires intentional effort and reliance on God's grace. [19:26]

2 Peter 3:17-18 (ESV): "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But 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."

Reflection: Identify one specific area in your spiritual life where you need to grow. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your knowledge and experience of God's grace in that area?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Our father, God is not willing that any one human being on the whole face of the earth should perish and go to hell. Not one. That's not his will. It is his will that every single human being come to faith in Jesus, receive the grace and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and become born again in a part of the family of God. That is the will of God for everybody. And don't you let anybody tell you otherwise." [09:36] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "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. He said, you have to realize it may seem like forever. It's taking forever for these things to come to pass. He said, but you got to realize who made these promises. To God, a day is like a thousand years to us. And for us, a thousand years is like a day to God. I mean, God is eternal. He's outside of time. He created time for us." [08:11] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night. I don't know about you, but I'm glad I'm here, I'm glad I'm in the word, I'm glad I'm hearing God's word, because it changes me on the inside, and I believe it's changing you too. God bless you, we'll see you tomorrow." [20:55] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? He said, since this kind of a judgment is coming, and this kind of a burning heat and destruction is coming to this earth, a judgment against all unbelievers in the Lord Jesus Christ. He said, since that's true, what manner of person ought you to be? How should you be living your life? What should you be condoning and not condoning in your life?" [10:56] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found in him in peace without spot and blameless. And consider that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation. God waiting and delaying the coming of Jesus is salvation. That's bringing salvation to many people. As also our beloved Paul, and I love this part, as also our beloved Paul, according to the wisdom, given to him. So here is Peter by the Holy Spirit, acknowledging that God has given wisdom to our beloved brother, Paul." [12:24] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "He said, you've got these scriptures where God has conveyed these truths to you and helped you to understand through the Old Testament scriptures, Peter, Paul, and all this, he said, therefore, press into the knowledge, and don't let that happen to you, because you know the truth, praise God. Oh, this is why I tell you that reading God's word will change your life, because you read these things, and now you're getting God speaking to you and explaining all these things to you." [20:55] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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