TEXT: 2 Peter 3:8–10 TEACHER: Mark Driscoll RELEASE DATE: July 19, 2009

Introduction

Perseverance is living in light of the last day of this life and the eternal life that is to come (2 Pet. 1:16–21; 2:1–10; 3:4–7).

Persevere because God is eternal (2 Peter 3:8)

• Christians are beloved by God. His love is not contingent on our performance but rather his affection. The pressure of performance off.
• God is without beginning or end—and not bound by time (Psalm 90:4).
• Like children who don't fully understand the concept of time, we cannot understand the eternality of God.

Persevere because God is patient (2 Peter 3:9)

• God endures many Judases: people whom God loves, pursues, and serves but ultimately forsake Jesus.
• God’s patience does not equal permission to sin; it is an opportunity for repentance.
• God's desire vs. God's decree: God desires everyone to repent, but not everyone does.
• As long as God’s patience endures, our work hasn’t ended.

Repentance

Repentance begins with a change of mind (to agree with Scripture) that leads to a change of life (Rom. 12:2). Repentance is receiving the truth and living in light of the truth. It is a three-fold process:

1. Conviction of sin: Conviction by your conscience and/or the Holy Spirit. Conviction is a gift (John 16:8). Don't blame others for your sin or hide from it—change.
2. Confession of sin: Talk about your sin with God (prayer) and with others in community (1 John 1:9).
3. Repentance (change): Put sin to death and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and begin to live like Jesus (may include restitution and reconciliation).

Counterfeit Repentance

• Confession – admission of wrongdoing but no change
• Selfish repentance – confession to get what you want (trying to manipulate God and others)
• Religious repentance – focus on the sin of others, never personal sin (Luke 18:9–14)
• Worldly sorrow – feeling bad or guilty, but not changing your mind or receiving the truth of the Gospel (2 Cor. 7:9–10)

The reward of repentance is a clear conscience in the sight of God. Every day our patient God offers repentance as a gift, that we might enjoy reconciliation with him through the atoning death of Jesus.

Persevere because God is sovereign (2 Peter 3:10)

Sovereignty does not mean that everything that happens is exactly what God wants. Rather, sovereignty describes God's chief lordship over everything. Nothing and no one can ultimately thwart the will of God.

The Day of the Lord

• Jesus will return, the dead will rise, and we will stand before Jesus and give an account for our life.
• The world and our works will be judged; some will go to hell and punishment, and some will go to heaven and joy.
• A new heaven, a new earth, and a purging of sin and the curse. Jesus' kingdom will be without sin, death, war, abuse, slavery, tears.
• Nobody knows when the Day of the Lord will happen ("gooftastic" wingnuts think they do)
• Jesus will return "like a thief" (Amos 5:18–20; Matt. 24:42–44; 1 Thess. 5:2, )

We’re not to worry about when Jesus is going to return, we’re to prepare to meet him whenever he comes—by repenting and sharing the gift of repentance with others.

Community Group Questions

• What do you need to repent of today?
• How is your perseverance? Where are you quitting?