Victory Over Scoffers

Series: Victory in Jesus

Title: Victory over Scoffers

Text: 2 Peter 3:1-9

Title: Victory over Scoffers

Introduction:

Today we honor all of those who have fallen through the years and in recent days for our freedom. Since 1886, we have reserved this final weekend of May.

Note –With every conflict there have been heroes and scoffers

The contrasts are amazing. This past week Al Gore gave a speech in which he called for the resignation of our president. He scoffed at length every attempt of our president to fight terror. He called for the resignation of most of his cabinet. He called for our submission to the United Nations.

Former pro football player Pat Tillman was killed as he led his team of Army Rangers up a hill during a firefight in Afghanistan (news – web sites) last month, the U.S. Army said Saturday. Tillman walked away from a $3.6 million NFL contract to join the Army after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Arizona Cardinals’ safety became the first NFL player to die in combat since the Vietnam War.

Ill – On the 40th anniversary of D-Day, President Reagan reminded us that the troops were helped by their belief that God was an ally in their cause. He said that General Ridgeway, the night before D-day, listened in the darkness for the promise God had made to Joshua, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

Note – Christianity in America faces scoffers as never before.

Scoffers of the biblical family

Even secular sociologists have produced studies showing children need a mother and a father in the home. The first mention of marriage is in Genesis 2:24 – “…a man shall leave his father and mother, and they shall be one flesh.”

The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling, which will be used by gay rights groups to lobby for striking down all laws limiting marriage to heterosexuals, is just the latest example of a society that has abandoned the institution of a home ordained by God.

New poll shows 67% support Federal Marriage Amendment

Scoffers of the biblical account of creation

Ill –Dr. Gibbs with Board of Regents, “Would you be in favor of a Christian School teaching creationism and evolution if evolution was discredited?” – No. “Would you be in favor of a Christian school teaching evolution and creation if creation was discredited?” – Yes.

Scoffers are persons who shall endeavor to turn all biblical truth into ridicule, as this is the most likely way to depreciate truth in the sight of the giddy multitude. They come in mockery; this is their spirit and temper; they have no desire to find out truth; they take up the Bible merely with the design of turning it into ridicule. Often times parents pay large amounts of money to colleges that will scoff the faith of their children.

Jude 18-19

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit,

Note –Scoffers have always been, and will always be, a part of life. It seems bitterness will always need a target.

Ill –When Fiorello La Guardia was the mayor of New York City (1933-1945), he hung above his desk in City Hall, a pronouncement by Abraham Lincoln. Interestingly, General MacArthur had a copy of it hanging over his headquarters desk during World War II, and Winston Churchill had a framed copy of it on the walls of his study at Chartwell. It said: If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how—the very best I can, and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

In our text, Peter writes to stir up the readers’ minds “by way of remembrance.”

Note –God wants us to stir up our minds and remember, that even in a scoffing society, we can have victory.

Victory through His Promises – verse 2

[That ye may be mindful of the words] of the doctrines, the truths; the prophetic statements

The Word of the Prophets

2 Peter 1:19-21

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:70-71

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.

Note –God did not give ten suggestions.

Quote – James Madison, Architect of the Constitution – “We have staked our future on the Ten Commandments.”

The Words of the Apostles

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Ill – A skeptical young man confronted an old Quaker with the statement that he did not believe the Bible. The Quaker said, “Dost thou believe in France?” “Yes, though I have not sent it, I have seen others that have; besides there is plenty of corroborative evidence that such a country exists.” “Then you will not believe anything you or others have not seen?” “No, to be sure I won’t.” “Did you ever see your own brains?” “No.” “Ever see anybody that did?” “No.” “Do you then believe you have any?”

C.The Words of the Lord

Note –Jesus to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Luke 24:44-46

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.

Quote –“The right of freedom is a gift of God Almighty. These principles are clearly given in the New Testament.” – Samuel Adams

Victory through His Power – verses 5-7

Note – Our God has all power.

Power to Create – verse 5

Genesis 1:1

1 In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:9

9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Psalm 33:9-10

9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

Note –The world is willfully ignorant.

Power to Destroy – verse 6

Note –God has demonstrated in the past that He is a God of holiness.

2 Peter 2:5

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.

Genesis 6:5-8

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

C.Power to Judge – verse 7

Note – The Day of the Lord that was promised by the prophets and apostles, as well as by Jesus Christ, will come just as surely as the flood came in Noah’s day and the fire and brimstone came to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

Hebrews 9:27

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

III.Victory through His Patience – verses 8-9

Note –The scoffers will say, “Where is the promise of His coming?” – vs. 3

Ill – Scoffers – LA Times article on movie – Saved! “Refreshingly Irreverent”

Ill – Christians throw Bibles, condone homosexuality, and make fun of fundamental interpretation. Filled with sexual content and cursing. Imagine if this movie were filmed about Jews or a Muslim school.

Ill – Perhaps like the Jehovah Witnesses, these false teachers believed in the eternity of the world.

Note – It may seem that all of this is going unchecked, but it is not!

The Promise of His Coming – verse 8

According to His time table

Note – The doctrine Peter is defending is the return of Christ to Earth to set up His kingdom, and then, after 1,000 years, to usher in the new heavens and earth.

Psalm 90:4

4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Hebrews 9:28

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Note – For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent, there are eight that look forward to His second!

According to His plan – verse 10

Note – The period of the Tribulation, the millennial reign and the Great White Throne Judgment.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Ill – The Atheist and others will deny…

An atheist professor was teaching a college class and he told the class that he was going to prove that there is no God. He said, “God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I’ll give you 15 minutes!” Ten minutes went by. He kept taunting God, saying, “Here I am, God. I’m still waiting.” He got down to the last couple of minutes and a Marine just released from active duty and newly registered in the class walked up to the professor, hit him full force in the face, and sent him flying from his platform. The professor struggled up, obviously shaken and yelled, “What’s the matter with you? Why did you do that?” The Marine replied, “God was busy, so he sent me!”

B.The Promise of Salvation

God’s “delay” is actually an indication that He has a plan for this world and that He is working His plan. There should be no question in anybody’s mind whether or not God wants sinners to be saved. God “is not willing that any should perish.”

God is not willing that any should perish.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

God desires all to come to repentance.

Note – Repentance is a change of mind that results in an action of the will. If the sinner honestly changes his mind about sin, he will turn from it.

Acts 20:21

21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

Moses warned the children of Israel, as they would enter the Promised Land some day, “Beware lest thou forget the Lord.” Deut. 6:12

Ill –World War II Memorial dedicated this past week

Note – His Promises, His Power, His Patience for You