May Tiyak na Kahatulan
By Deacon Arron Merjudio
Sermon notes: 2 Peter 3:1–7
Preliminary:
(1) sovereignly rules over both the godly and the ungodly, and (2) will surely judge the wicked while saving His people.
The old covenant era was passing away, and the dawn of a new era was at hand.
- First-century Christians understood that the predictions of the prophetic Scriptures and the words of Christ (cf. Matthew 24) would soon be realized within their own generation.
- Tension: false prophets and scoffers emerged, motivated by their sinful desires… attacking the certainty of God’s promises, in order to normalize sin and eliminate the reality of judgment and hell. → remains active today
- First-century Christians faced these scoffers and were soon vindicated by Christ’s coming in power.
God’s Word protects His people and places all His enemies under judgment.
- The Word creates new life in a person. Through the Word, the Spirit removes the heart of stone and gives a heart of flesh (regeneration). → Reconcile to God… peace toward others…
- The same Word is dangerous to those who rebel against Christ the King. It hardens their hearts in sin and leads them toward destruction as their just reward (ch. 2).
Point 1: The Word is actively working in history for the final destruction of God’s enemies.
Note: “last days” (old covenant order), scoffers would arise, primarily unbelieving Jews, asking loaded questions meant to undermine confidence in Christ’s authority.
- “Where is the promise of His coming?” - presence, authority, and power.
- “They deliberately overlook this fact.” - They sought to erase… God is actively working to accomplish His purpose.
- Peter answers them with Scripture citing Gen 1 and 6 → That same Word who creates, is also the same Word who came to Noah with power and authority. → Matt 24:37ff
- Peter added v7 - The same Word that would once again come in judgment upon their present “heaven and earth.”
- “New heavens and a new earth” is a covenantal language, redemption and judgment by YHWH. cf. Isa 51; Isa 13
There is a sure and certain judgment for those who reject the Lordship of Christ.
Do not presume upon the grace of God you hear every Lord’s Day. → daily rejection = scoffing.
“Condemnation is ready for scoffers” - Proverbs 19:29
Point 2: … for the good of His people
Note: “beloved,” (4x)... to emphasize that they are one family in Christ, bound together even while scattered across different regions.
- v2 - To remember everything written and spoken in the past (perfect tense: enduring effect)… We need reminders more often because of our forgetfulness.
- Their scattering was God’s means of protection, sparing them from the coming destruction of Jerusalem… instead of falling into despair remind yourself that God delivered you from His judgment
- True Christians never overlook the fact that they are saved by the grace and mercy of Christ… The true Ark → Inward reality of water baptism cf. 1 Pet 3:20-21
- In Christ many were made righteous… part of New Creation… arrived to Mount Zion… faithful churches
Our faith is not futile, and our hope is not in vain because Christ is YHWH
- He is the imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance we receive from the Father. What He has promised to us, He will bring to completion until He finally returns, both body and soul, to consummate this new heaven and new earth. cf. Isa 54:9-10
Appreciate the covenant community that the new covenant has created.
- Every week He comes to us, Every Lord’s day His presence manifests in every means of grace we have. cf. 1 Peter 1:8
- Have a firm grip on the Word of God, the Bible we hold in our hands is the powerful and authoritative Word of God
- As New Covenant believers we must be all the more grateful, for we receive a covenant that cannot be removed, a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” - Psalm 125:1