28 March, 2024

Lesson for August 26, 2018: Live by the Word of God (2 Peter 3:3-15)

by | 20 August, 2018 | 0 comments

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 9 (weeks 33–36; August 19—September 9, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com.

______

Beginning with this batch of four lessons, the weekly Bible lessons are based on a scope and sequence prepared by Christian Standard Media. For more information, click here.

______

By Mark Scott 

Israel lived by the Word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus lived by the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). The church should live by the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). In many ways the little epistle of 2 Peter is about living by the Word of God. It is in the written Word of God that we learn of his promises which help us to become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). One of the strongest passages in the Word of God for its inspiration is in 2 Peter (1:20, 21). And the false teachers obviously did not live by the Word of God (2:1-22). Peter told in this second letter (3:1) that the church should remember the predictions of the prophets and the commandment of Jesus “through the apostles” (found in the written Word of God) about the last days (3:2). The church should marvel at the Word of God.

The Doubting of God’s Word 2 Peter 3:3-7

The father of lies always tries to get God’s people to doubt God’s Word (Genesis 3:1). His minions, the scoffers (people who make fun of or deceive) do the same thing. Following their own evil desires (passions), they taunt the promise of the Word of God concerning the return of Christ. They cried out, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?” In their humanism the false teachers had no room for a God who would be involved in his own creation.

Their doubt in God’s Word caused them to whiz right by the place of that Word in creation, the flood, and final judgment. These three interventions of God in the world are linked by three words: creation, water, and judgment. God spoke creation into existence by his Word (Genesis 1:3). Water was an essential element in that original creation (v. 2). (By the way, water is also an essential element in people being new creations—John 3:5; Titus 3:5.) Water made Peter think about the judgment of water in the flood of Noah (Genesis 6–9; 1 Peter 3:20, 21), and that earlier judgment through water made Peter think about the future judgment of God through fire. For sure, things went belly up in Eden when people doubted God’s Word.

The Timing of God’s Coming | 2 Peter 3:8-10

Doubting God’s Word will ultimately lead to unbelief. Unbelief is part of spiritual amnesia. These false teachers forgot that God’s seeming lack of involvement was due to how he looks at time and to his quality of patience. God created time (Genesis 8:22), entered time (John 1:14), but exists outside of time. One day to God is the same as a thousand years. (Besides Revelation 20:2, 3, this is the only time in the New Testament that the phrase “thousand years” appears, and clearly it is used figuratively. See also Psalm 90:4.)

The reason for the delayed parousia (coming) is due to God’s patience (longsuffering). God does not want people to perish (see John 3:16). He wants them to come to repentance. More time equals more opportunity to respond to the gospel. But false teachers should not mistake God’s patience for God’s lack of keeping his Word. God’s delay is not a denial of his coming. In fact, his coming will be sudden, like a thief coming into the house—totally unexpected. In addition to the suddenness of his coming there will be evidence of the cosmic nature of his coming. The heavens (cosmic atmosphere) will disappear with a roar (very loud noise)—similar language to the account of Noah’s flood. The elements (basic foundational things of the universe) will be destroyed by fire—see 2 Peter 3:12, and the earth as we know it will be laid bare (or as the textual variant might have it, “burned up.”) God is coming in his time. The Word of God declares it.

The Holiness of God’s People 2 Peter 3:11-15

This is where the rubber meets the road. The Word of God declares that he is the maker of Heaven and earth, that he judged the world through a flood, and that he is coming back suddenly like the coming of a thief. Since those things are true, what kind of lives should we live? Peter answered his own question. We should live holy and godly lives so that we will be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Living this way affirms the salvation that Paul wrote about, even though some of what he wrote may have seemed hard to understand (3:16).

The text began and ended with promise. The false teachers ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” But those who live by the Word of God actually seek a new heaven and a new earth and in doing so speed (hasten) the coming of that promise..

________

Lesson study ©2018, Christian Standard Media. Print and digital subscribers are permitted to make one print copy per week of lesson material for personal use. Lesson based on the scope and sequence, ©2018 by Christian Standard Media. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

<a href="https://christianstandard.com/author/markscott/" target="_self">Mark Scott</a>

Mark Scott

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us