Grow In Grace
Sunday, March 5 th 2023

2 Peter 3:1-18
Introduction

The Lord is patient and kind, but be ready

I. The Lord is Patient and Kind (v.1-13)
Peter changes his tone in this chapter compared to the previous one. He reminds them
‘why’ he is writing them:
“I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder…”
v.2 – “that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the
commandment of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through your apostles…”
v.3 – “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing,
following their own sinful desires…”
‘last days’ are the time between Jesus first coming and his second coming
It begins with the return of Jesus Christ! They are mocking the teaching of Jesus’ return!
v.4 – “They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming?’ For ever since the fathers fell
asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
v.5 – “they deliberately overlook this fact”
v.5 – Peter uses Creation
v.6 – Peter uses the Flood
v.7 – Peter uses Jesus Return

v.8-9 – The Lord is Patient
“…that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day”
Psalm 90:4 – Peter quoting this Psalm of Moses
“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.”
v.10-13 – The Lord will come again and expose everything! His purpose is not to
destroy the earth but to expose evil and remove it with a new heaven and a new earth.

II. But Be Ready (v.14-18)
How can we be ready?
a) We are diligent (we are proactive in our relationship with God)
b) Pursue holiness (without spot or blemish)
c) Be at peace (Romans 5:1)
d) Study God’s Word and know truth (not carried away with error…)
e) Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

III. Conclusion