1.
In
the name of Jesus. Amen. Christmas is fast approaching. Are you ready?
This time of year, our to-do lists grow in length: decorations, food, gifts,
shopping, parties, and more. As we check each item off the list, we convince
ourselves that we are more prepared to celebrate Christmas. Today, however, we
encounter John the Baptist in the Gospel. John calls us to prepare for our
Savior’s coming in a different way, a more significant way. John calls us to
repent. Repentance is more than just something to check off our to-do list.
It’s a change of heart that the Holy
Spirit brings about. Look to the Lord this Advent for the repentance and
forgiveness He gives as we prepare for His Son’s coming. That’s how to be truly
ready for Christmas. The Apostle calls
us to this repentance in light of the coming of the Day of the Lord. As we
learned last week, the season of Advent recognizes the “coming” of our Lord, not only to the coming of the Christ child at
Christmas, but also the Second Coming of Jesus on the Last Day. The message is entitled, “The Day of the Lord,” dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
2.
It’s been said that there’s only one
real difference between a man and a boy.
A man’s toys are more expensive.
There’s probably more truth in that saying that we’d like to admit. It’s amazing how much time and money people
spend on new clothes, sportier cars, flat screen TV’s and faster boats. Especially when one morning we’re going to
wake up and find that everything we have is all gone. That’s the point that Peter wanted to make
here. He didn’t care that he’d provided
insight into how the world will end. He
just wants us to know that, when “the
heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by
fire.” All those material playthings
we love so much will be all gone. Of
course, once we understand this, the Apostle Peter wants us to act
appropriately. “What kind of people ought we as Christians be?” Peter answers saying, “You ought to live holy and godly lives,” as
you look forward to a new heaven and a new earth. Why clutch your playthings when tomorrow
they’ll be gone? All you’ll have left is
you. Why not invest that time with
growing in holiness that can only come from the hearing and studying of God’s
Word and the reception of God’s grace through our Lord’s body and blood in the
Lord’s Supper.
3.
Peter begins 2 Peter 3:8-14 by saying
in verses 8-10, “8Do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that
with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The
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. 10But 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.” If people in Peter’s
day thought that God would never return, how much more uninterested are the
people of today with 2000 years of getting comfortable with the “nothing will
happen” mentality. It’s important that
we as God’s people understand why the last days have lasted as long as they
have. It’s not because God is forgetful,
powerless or asleep. It’s because He’s a
patient God, slow to anger and abounding in love. It’s because of us—he wants to give people
like us a chance to repent and live. The
only reason the world has lasted long enough is that God still has people to
gather into his church. Let this
patience stir in you not indifference but evangelism to tell others the Good
News about Jesus.
4.
It’s interesting to note that both
the Old and New Testament speak of a final judgment when this present heaven
and earth will be destroyed. Isaiah the
prophet said that this present universe will wear out like a garment and vanish
like smoke in Isaiah 51:6. The Apostle
Paul pictured Jesus returning in “blazing fire” in 2 Thess. 1:7. And the Apostle Peter here in 2 Peter 3 gives
a powerful description of the universe being reduced to its basic atoms.
5.
The Biblical picture of a universe
with a beginning and end was strange to those who lived 2000 years ago. In that age philosophers believed that matter
was eternal, shaped by a craftsman god who was himself subject to natural law. A God who could create the universe from
nothing and melt it at will, was beyond their understanding. To them the world
was, always had been and always would be.
In our day this way of thinking
isn’t all that different is it? Some
people are more concerned about climate
change than they are about Christ’s Second return. Scientists speak of a beginning of our
universe, but deny a Creator. All that
exists is explained by evolution. Whatever
the future holds, no God will intrude in the orderly process of the ages to put
an end to matter and then to raise the dead and judge them. First century intellectuals scoffed in the
name of philosophy. 2000 years later our
intellectuals scoff at the Day of the Lord in the name of science. But both are wrong. For God is, always has been and always will BE. The material universe isn’t eternal, but
destined for destruction as Peter says here in 2 Peter 3.
6.
2 Peter 3:10 says that to
unbelievers the Second Coming of Christ will come like a thief’s attack. Thieves just know when to steal. Their act of theft is always unexpected,
always a shock and by the time we find
out, it’s too late to prevent it. When
our possessions are stolen it leaves us feeling helpless and angry. The Apostle Peter was probably remembering
Jesus’ own words of warning and preparation from Tuesday of Holy Week, a few
days before Jesus would suffer and die on the cross for the forgiveness of our
sins. The disciples had been babbling
away about the timeless beauty of the temple in Jerusalem when Jesus gave this
solemn prophecy in Matthew 24:29, 42-44, “29“Immediately
after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will
not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the
heavens will be shaken… 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know
on what day your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master
of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would
have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore
you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not
expect.
7.
For us who are believing Christians
the Day of the Lord will come not like a thief, dreadful and shocking. But, it will be like a beloved father who
finally comes home from a lengthy business trip, bursting suddenly through the
door, arms wide open to hug his children and his pockets bulging with
treats. His children’s hearts will be
filled not with terror but delight. “Father! You’re finally here!” they say.
8.
2 Peter 3:11 & 13-14 says, “11Since all these things are
thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness
and godliness, 13But according to his promise we are waiting for new
heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14Therefore, beloved, since you
are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish,
and at peace.” As Christians we’re
relieved from the terror of the end of the world by the blood of Jesus Christ,
which cleanses us from all sin. The
wrath of God will pass over us just as the angel of death passed over all homes
in Egypt that had been marked with the blood of the Passover Lamb. We’re safe in God’s care.
9.
So now what? What difference does this knowledge of The Day of the Lord make in our daily
lives? Here the Apostle Peter is blunt. He calls on people who are baptized,
justified and sanctified to, “live lives
of holiness and godliness.” Peter
doesn’t want the people in his congregations to be paralyzed by the thought of
judgment day. Knowing of the final
destruction shouldn’t make people lazy and wasteful of God’s gifts. God has invested heavily in us so that we can
bring the blessings He’s given to us to other people. Clear knowledge of the end will energize us
to lead lives that worship God, obey His Word, and build Christian communities.
10.
The
child who was born in Bethlehem came quietly in
the night, unknown to many who lived near him, but he left prints behind in
history. Like a thief, he shattered barriers that told us we were individuals
and invaded our hearts. Jesus didn’t
come to steal and destroy, but to live in us and live in a world groaning in
death, fear and suffering. He became human as we are that he might show us what
it means to be truly human. Isaiah 53:5
says, "He was wounded for our
transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the
chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” The Season of Advent reminds us that
like a thief in the night, Jesus will come again. Let us therefore keep watch
for The Day of the Lord. Amen.
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