HEAVEN IS FOR THE PREPARED
December 25, 2005 PM
Sermon Outline
2 PET 3:13,14
INTRO: There has been an incredible explosion of books promoting the idea of a second reign of the Lord on earth with attendant suggestions about the great tribulation, the rapture and such. I suppose the most recent of these to gain great popularity have been the Left Behind books. Some of the pre-millennial writings of considerable age would refer to this passage as proof that the earth will be cleansed by fire and made suitable for the millennial reign of Christ. Contrary to those ideas, however, the present passage simply teaches us that heaven is for the prepared!
I. THERE IS A PROMISE INVOLVED HERE
A. The Lord has promised an eternal rest to the faithful
1. Jno 14:1-3 - a prepared place for a prepared people
2. 2 Cor 5:1 - ...eternal in the heavens
3. Heb 11:10,14-16 - ...they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly..
4. 1 Thes 4:13-18 - ...so shall we ever be with the Lord
5. and Peter would certainly have been well acquainted with such a promise
B. The figure of the new heavens and a new earth
1. represents a dramatic change in situations
2. example: Isa 65:17 & 66:22 - of the restoration after Babylonian captivity
3. example: Rev 21:1 - of the period following great Roman persecution of the church in which the church enjoys peach and triumph
4. example: 2 Cor 5:17 - of the new state of one who is in Christ
5. while the expression may represent the dramatic change in situations, the context must tell us what the new situation is
C. ...wherein dwelleth righteousness
1. the first word needing our attention here is dwelleth
2. the Gr. word refers to permanent dwelling - this is a permanent state
3. only righteousness is permitted to be in this dwelling
4. what is the permanent state of the righteous? heaven!
5. heaven will be a dramatic change in situation for saints who have faced trials, persecutions and such in this present situation
II. THERE IS A CHALLENGE HERE
A. Peter refers to those things for which Christians would be looking
1. the day of the Lord - 1 Cor 5:5 (certainly, the great judgment day)
2. the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up - the end of the material creation
3. it is so easy for people of the material creation to become distracted, rooted ... and lose sight of reality!
4. Heb 9:27 - this is reality ... but it is so easy to neglect reality
B. The challenge to those who are anticipating?
1. simply be diligent - one cannot be nonchalant, ambivalent here
2. remember at 1:10 - give diligence to make your calling...sure
3. Peter, nearing the end of his life, is so concerned for others ... for the fate of their souls ... Wherefore, beloved....
4. no doubt, he has seen disciples neglecting, falling!
C. Diligence in three very important matters:
1. in peace - peace with God and man (Phil 4:9 & Jas 3:17,18)
2. without spot - pure, holy (Jas 1:27)
3. blameless - not worthy of blame, condemnation (1 Cor 1:7,8)
CLOSE: In 3:14 are the words that ye may be found of him. How will He find you? 2 Cor 5:9 ... are you laboring to be accepted of Him? Remember, heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
Cecil A. Hutson
25 December 2005