Sunday School Lesson

1. 2 Peter 3:1-18
With Anticipation
A Believer’s Hope is the Return of Jesus!
November 27, 2016
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
http://quotesthoughtsrandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/first-things-first.jpg
The glory of God!
https://forgodalmighty.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/cropped-sunset1.jpg
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIR
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6tzRiT-BrDs/TIGM_Ih3dAI/AAAAAAAAAX0/0AJWPvlAfqw/s640/Gods+Glory.jpg

2. November Memory Verse
Matthew 9:37-38 ESV
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his
harvest."
References
• Missler, Dr. Chuck. Sermons on2 Peter Chapter 3, Session 8. YouTube
Video.
• Crump, Leonce. The Return of Christ and the Christian’s Responsibility. 2
Peter 3:1-10. YouTube Video.
• MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Nelson
Publishing, 1997).
A Swan’s Song
• A final gesture or performance, given before retirement or death.
• Legend that swans, while they are mute during their lives, sing beautifully
and mournfully just before they die.
• 2 Peter is Peter’s Swan Song.
• 2 Timothy is Paul’s Swan Song.
The Swan Songs of Peter and Paul: 2 Peter & 2 Timothy
• Both put up warning signs to the apostasy that was coming in the Church.
• Both speak in a joyful manner.
• 2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only
to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Apostasy – an abandonment or breach of faith.
• A falling away from key and true doctrines of the Bible into heretical
teachings that proclaim to be the “real” Christian doctrines, which leads
to a complete renunciation of the Christian faith, which results in a full
abandonment of Christ.
Traits of Apostate (False) Teachers & Apostasy in 2 Peter 2.
1. Different Source – Scripture not the ultimate source.
2. Different Message –Christ not vital in their message.
3. Different Position – Man still a slave to sin.
4. Different Character – Lifestyle of the follower.
5. Different Appeal – Theology adapts to culture.
6. Different Fruit – The results in people’s lives.
7. Different End – Christ will not know you.

3. 2 Peter 3 Outline
1. The attitude toward the return of the Lord as a test of apostasy (false
teaching). Verses 1-9
2. The agenda of God for the world – (How it will all end). Verses 10-13
3. The admonition (challenge) to believers. Verses 14-18
2 Peter 3:1-2 ESV
1 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, 2 that you should
remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the
Lord and Savior through your apostles,
• Goal of 1 & 2 Peter – Stir up your minds.
• Remember the predictions = learn & memorize scripture.
2 Peter 3:3-4 ESV
3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing,
following their own sinful desires. 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."
• Scoffers = false teachers, apostates; one who considers himself an
ambassador of an opposing view.
2 Peter 3:5-7 ESV
5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and
the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and
that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and
perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are
stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the
ungodly.
“all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
Uniformitarianism:
• All natural phenomena have operated uniformly since the beginning of
the earth.
• The belief that God is absent in earthly affairs and does not intervene in
human history.
• All things will continue as before and the laws of nature rule.
Uniformitarianism - Not taught in God’s Word.
• Bible teaches Creation and The End of Time are linked.
• Bible clearly teaches that God spoke the world into being (creation) and
has described how it will end.
• Peter uses an Old Testament example where God intervened in history
(The Flood of Noah).

4. The False Teachers are not just uninformed.
• The ignorance of “scoffers” is a response to the will and a decision by
them and not a lack of information.
• Romans 1:19-20 ESV
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has
shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power
and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation
of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without
excuse.
Peter uses the example of the flood as God intervening in history.
2 Peter 3:6 ESV
6 … the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
1. The Universal Flood of Noah – Genesis 6-9.
• Biblical account with Noah.
2. The “Gap” Theory – An original judgment (flood) between Genesis 1:1 and
1:2.
• Theory proposed in 1814 by Thomas Chalmers.
• Difficult to support with scripture.
The “Gap” Theory Simplified.
• God spoke the original creation into being, but not the way we
experience it now.
• Angels were a part of this original creation.
• The fall of Lucifer to become Satan.
• There was a judgment (flood) associated with the fall of Lucifer.
• God did a “re-creation” that involved creation of man with a plan of
redemption that involved Jesus.

5. Translation from Hebrew of Genesis 1:2.
• Genesis 1:2 ESV
2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of
the deep.
• Genesis 1:2 (Retranslated to fit Gap Theory?) But the earth had become
without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the abyss.
• Abyss considered the home of demons and evil spirits.
“without form and void” Jeremiah had a vision of an uncreated earth?
• Without form and void = a confused and empty wasteland
• Jeremiah 4:23-25, 27 ESV
23 I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void;
and to the heavens, and they had no light.
24 I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking,
and all the hills moved to and fro.
25 I looked, and behold, there was no man,
and all the birds of the air had fled.
27 For thus says the Lord, "The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not
make a full end.”
Flood of Noah or Flood of Gap Theory??
• All agree that Peter is referring to a flooded earth in this verse.
• All agree that God intervened in history in a flood.
• The Bible documents the changes of the earth after the Flood of Noah
(Vapor canopy, climate, life span).
• However, according to Peter, God’s next judgment will be by fire, not
water!
2 Peter 3:8 ESV
8 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.
• Peter quotes Psalm 90:4 (metaphor not a calculation).
• God’s time is different than man’s.
• Eternity will not be “lots of time” but we will be living outside our particular
time domain.

6. Time – How valuable?
Psalm 90:12
12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
• Time is our most “inelastic” and precious resource; it doesn’t change with
the economy.
• You can earn more money, but you cannot buy time.
• Are you spending your time wisely?
2 Peter 3:9 ESV (Why God is waiting.)
9 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.
• Sad news – God does not get what He wants – salvation for all!
• Good news – Christ has not returned, so there is time to accept Christ.
2 Peter 3:10 ESV (The Ending Described.)
10 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.
“But the day of the Lord”
• A phrase used 19 times in the OT and 5 in the NT.
• A phrase used to describe a point in time when God will end human
history and judge His creation.
• It encompasses a period of time and not “one 24 day”.
“the day of the Lord” (Baptists believe?)
• Begins with the Rapture of the Church.
• Closes at the end of the Millennium with the destruction of the heavens
and the earth 2 Peter 3:10.
• The Great Tribulation occurs during this time.
• The New Heavens and Earth follow the destruction of the heavens and the
earth.

7. “will come like a thief” (Paul explains.)
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6; 9-10 ESV
2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief
in the night. 3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then
sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant
woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that
day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the
day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as
others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord
Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might
live with him.
What is Paul telling us here?
• The believer will not get caught by surprise; they have been waiting and
watching.
• The day of the Lord will come as a thief only to those who are in darkness
(unbelievers).
• Believers are in the “light” and unbelievers are in the “dark”.
• Believers will not encounter the “wrath”, but go in the Rapture.
What happens to the heavens?
• Pass away with a great noise – like the swish of an arrow, splash of water,
hiss of a serpent.
• Elements will melt – to untie or unleash.
• Components of matter (protons, electrons, neutrons) are going to
disintegrate.
• The entire universe will be consumed by fire.

8. 2 Peter 3:11-13 ESV (Waiting and Hastening.)
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to
be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of
the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved,
and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise
we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
“we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness
dwells.”
What is Peter’s message here?
• The knowledge of these coming events should be affecting our behavior
and revising our priorities.
• Our lives should be marked by holiness and godliness.
• We should be praying for the hastening of the Lord’s return. “Thy kingdom
come…”
2 Peter 3:14-16a ESV
14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by
him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 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, 16a as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of
these matters.
“be diligent”
• Diligent = showing care and conscientiousness in one’s duty.
• Salvation is a starting gun for the race and not the finish line.
• Your behavior matters.
• You are working now for your inheritance and reward to lay your crown at
Jesus’ feet.

9. “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation,”
• God’s patience and waiting to return is to give time for people to come to
salvation through Christ.
• Christians “hasten this” by sharing Christ with others.
• Christ chose His followers (us) to be the mode of carrying the Gospel to
the ends of the earth.
• We should continually be prepared and longing for our Lord’s return.
2 Peter 3:16b–17 ESV
16b There are some things in them (Paul’s writings) that are hard to understand,
which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the
other Scriptures. 17 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.
2 Peter 3:18 ESV (Peter’s closing statement.)
18 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.
What does it mean to grow in grace?
• It does not mean gaining more grace from God; God’s grace is infinite.
• Growing in grace is to grow in our understanding of what Jesus did and to
grow in appreciation of the grace we have been given.
• The process of sanctification, becoming more like Christ, is synonymous
with growing in grace.
How do you grow in grace?
1. Bible Reading – God’s word dwelling in you.
2. Memorizing Scripture – Hide it in your heart.
3. Prayer – Listening to God.
4. Service – Being the “hands and feet of Jesus”.
5. Giving – Sharing your blessings and being faithful.
6. Witnessing – Sharing your story of Christ.
7. And – Others ways.
Spiritual Growth Checkup.
1. When you look back on the last year, have you grown spiritually?
• Why or why not?
2. Are you more compassionate, merciful and forgiving now than you were
a year ago?
3. Are you making an effort to grow spiritually?
4. Do you have unconfessed sin or sin cycles that are continually a problem?

10. Next Sunday December 4, 2016
Joshua 1:1-9
“Commissioned”
The next Lessons for December 2016-February 2017 will be in Joshua, Judges
and Ruth.
The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 ESV
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 14:6 ESV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.”
Romans 3:23 ESV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a ESV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
 Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
 Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sins.
 The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 ESV
8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the
lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 ESV
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.
Romans 6:23b ESV
23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

11. Revelation 21:7 ESV
7 "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will
be my son.”
 Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquerors.
Romans 10:9-10 ESV
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart
one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:13 ESV
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/