Preached October 3, 1999 at Faith Baptist Church
By Pastor Steven E. Mays
What Manner of Person Ought Ye To Be?
Text II Peter 3:9-18
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, WHAT MANNER OF PERSONS OUGHT YE TO BE in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord is coming.
Because He's coming, we should not be able to be the same.
One danger of the world we live in is the fact that it's constantly changing. What it expects today it may disdain tomorrow. Thank God this bible isn't changing.
Let's notice the phrase we find in verse 11... What manner of person ought ye to be?
I. A LOOKING PERSON VS. 12 - 14
LOOKING & HASTENING
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, BE DILIGENT THAT YE MAY BE FOUND OF HIM IN PEACE, WITHOUT SPOT, AND BLAMELESS.
Are you looking for Jesus to return? Are you looking for His coming Judgement? You should be...
Looking at the fields
John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Looking at the flowers
James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Looking at the future
Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Thomas Edison had been in a coma. Coming out of it he said, "It is very beautiful over there," and then he died.
II. A LOVING PERSON VS. 14
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Love the Brethren
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 John 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Love the Book
Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Love the Blinded
Romans 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Seen on a church sign:
We Care About You
Sundays 10 a.m. Only
III. A LOYAL PERSON VS. 14
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
There is nothing so loyal as love. Alice Cary (1820-1871)
Loyal to our Christ -- in peace
Loyal to our Church -- without spot
At Philippi Paul had a "loyal yokefellow" (Philippians 4:3)
Loyal to our calling -- blameless
A loyal carpenter, working for a very successful building contractor who called him into his office one day and said, "John, I'm putting you in charge of the next house we build. I want you to order all the materials and oversee the whole job from the ground up."
John accepted the assignment with great enthusiasm and excitement. For ten days before ground was broken at the building site, John studied the blueprints. He checked every measurement, every specification. Suddenly he had a thought. "If I am really in charge," he said to himself, "why couldn't I cut a few corners, use less expensive materials, and put the extra money in my pocket? Who would know the difference? Once the house is painted, it will look just great."
So John set about his scheme. He ordered second-grade lumber, but his reports indicated that it was top-grade. He ordered inexpensive concrete for the foundation, put in cheap wiring, and cut every corner he could; yet he reported the purchase of much better materials. When the home was completed and fully painted, he asked the contractor to come and see it.
"John," said the contractor, "what a magnificent job you have done! You have been such a good and faithful carpenter all these years that I have decided to show my gratitude by giving you this house you have built, as a gift!" Disloyalty will always cost YOU!
IV. A LONGSUFFERING PERSON VS. 15
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
Benjamin Franklin said, "He that can have patience can have what he will."
Long suffering is something every child of God should possess! Yet so few do.
Longsuffering in our Suffering. Don't quarrel
Longsuffering in our Service. don't quit
Longsuffering in our Silence.. Don't fight back
V. A LED PERSON VS. 17
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
The Right Leadership...
ROM. 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Mark Twain said, "Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest."
The Wrong leadership...
II Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
You know what kills a lot of Chistians? Following other So-Called Christians!
When the Blind lead the Blind, they both fall into the Ditch!
VI. A LEARNING PERSON VS. 18
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Some can never grow, cause they've never been saved! Salvation is a prerequisite of Growth.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
A. A spiritual growth. grow in grace
"But grow in grace.."
B. A studious growth. grow in knowledge
" ..in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"
Many people want to grow in grace but they are not interested in growing in the Knowledge of God
C. A steady growth. Keep on growing.
Don't get satisfied!
What really matters is what happens in us, not to us.
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