What God Desires
Introduction
2 Peter 3:8-12
INTRODUCTION: The Lord is merciful, gracious, and longsuffering. God’s will is for people to be saved. He gave His only Son to die on the cross for sinners. The lost must repent to be saved. Dr. Foy Valentine said of this verse, “This repentance is not just godly sorrow for sin but a profound turning from sin to the Savior.” God was longsuffering in the days of Noah when men were committing every sin imaginable. Only Noah and his family were saved. God’s mercy and grace came to a close and the flood waters covered the earth in judgment. The next time God will judge this earth and universe by fire. If you haven’t repented (had a change of mind) and called on the Lord for mercy, you are not ready.
I. Delay Of God
A. Problem With Delay.
1. Taunts of the scoffers. v. 3-4
2. Timing of the Sovereign. v. 8
B. Patient In Delay.
1. God’s longsuffering toward sinners.
“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Ps. 86:15
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4
2. God’s love for sinners. John 3:16
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
II. Desire Of God
A. Salvation Of Sinners. “not willing that any should perish”
1. Sinner’s danger. “perish”
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3
2. Sinner’s decision. “repentance” Jerusalem, Judas, rich young ruler
“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6
Warren Wiersbe: “Repentance is a change of mind that results in an action of the will.”
B. Savior For Sinners.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all.” 1 Tim. 2:5-6
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” 1 Timothy 1:15 - 16
III. Day Of God
A. Prediction Of His Coming.
1. Faithfulness of His coming. v. 20 “the Lord will come”
2. Fiery judgment at His coming. v. 10-12
B. Prepared For His Coming. v. 11
Christians should be holy and godly, (v. 11) so that when He comes we “may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” v. 14
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. God desires the salvation of sinners. As a Holy God, He demands sinners to repent. As a righteous God, He will not excuse the sinner. As a merciful God, He is longsuffering. As a loving God, He gave His Son. As a gracious God, He offers salvation.
2. The sinner who repents will despise his sin and have a desire for the Savior. Genuine salvation trusts the Savior and turns from sin.
3. God has delayed His wrath so sinners can be saved. The sinner cannot risk delaying repentance and trusting Christ as Savior and Lord. God warns, “Today, is the day of salvation.” Are you saved?