2 Peter 3:3-14 – Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

I’m Looking Forward to What’s Certainly Coming

By James Wiese on November 15, 2024

Sermon for the 2nd Last Sunday after Trinity November 17, 2024

Text: 2 Peter 3:3-14 Historic Pericope Series 24:2473

Theme: I’m Looking Forward to What’s Certainly Coming.

Years ago I read a devotion that began with the following story. It always comes to mind when we have texts like this.

An elderly pastor had a custom every evening before laying down for the night. As he went to the window to shut the curtains, he looked into the starry sky and prayed: “Perhaps, tonight, Lord?” When the night had passed and he awoke in the morning, his first act was to go to the window again, draw back the curtains, look out on the new day and pray: “Perhaps, today, Lord?” Every day His first and last thoughts were on the Lord’s return.

Looking forward to Jesus’ coming! Whether at night or during the day, it will happen in His time and way for the day of the Lord’s coming in judgment is certain. In keeping the older gentleman’s custom in mind, we need to ask ourselves, Am I Looking Forward to What’s Certainly Coming – the end of this world, the day of the Lord’s return, the Final Judgment?

I. It will happen in God’s time.

Some people scoff at this whole idea. Peter warns us, “Know this, that in the last days scoffers will come with their mocking, following their own lusts. They will say, ‘Where is this promised coming of His? For from the time that our fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have from the beginning of creation.”

Mockers in mockery have a big problem! They live as if the promise of Jesus’ return in judgment is just a story. They sneer at it because they do not want to be governed by the Word of God, nor found as they truly are, pursuing lusts and desires of an evil kind. Not wanting Jesus’ coming in judgment to interrupt them, they seek to cancel His deity and His word on it.

Mockers in mockery – this is a sign of the end times that Jesus gave when He said, “At that time many will fall from faith and false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Mt.24:10f). They will seek to belittle you and your faith, challenging: “You say that Jesus promised His coming. Well, where is it? We haven’t seen it. Did your father, grandfather, and great-grandfathers see it? For centuries people have promised it. Well, where is it?”

Mockers in mockery are somewhat right. For years much has

gone on as usual. And Jesus hasn’t come back yet. Since Peter’s day almost 2,000 years have passed and still nothing of Jesus’ return. But have all things been as we see them now? No. The flood left its indelible mark on our world. Yet, that escapes those who mock Judgment Day. Once destroyed by water, eventually to be destroyed by fire, that is God’s word on it. And His Word is decisive. It will happen in God’s time, Jesus promised (Mt.25:31f). Yet mockers mock. So, it is imperative that you understand why the last days have lasted so long and may continue for a while.

II. So that all believers are brought into God’s Kingdom.

Is it taking a long time? Yes, from a human perspective. But Peter reminds us, “For the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” The Lord’s relation to time is not the same as our relation to time. He is eternal. With Him there is no time. Short, long, time is not decisive for what He wills to do. Neither chained by brevity, nor by length, Peter writes, “He is not slow to do what He promised, as some consider slowness.”

What we might consider slowness in Jesus is not slowness, and certainly not bad. He is not just taking His time for no reason. He works carefully, deliberately in order to get the job done right for He has an eternal perspective that goes beyond our comprehension. It involves salvation of souls.

God could have sent the Savior to be born into the world just a few months after Adam and Eve sinned following creation. But He didn’t. He could have sent the Savior right after the Flood. But He didn’t. A similar thing concerns Jesus’ second coming.

God could have sent Jesus back just a few years after His resurrection and ascension. But He didn’t. Why not? Because He is not on a time schedule like you and I know. He knows what He is doing. Certain things must be done first before Jesus returns in judgment. Most importantly Judgment Day will happen when all believers have been brought into God’s Kingdom.

That is His reason for His so-called delay. God is waiting for the full number of those who will believe in Christ to be brought in. For “He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but all to come to repentance.” Wouldn’t we want that too?

If you knew that an unbelieving relative or a friend would come

to faith next year, would you want the world to end today, before they believed? I don’t think so! We don’t know who is going to come to faith or when they will be brought to faith. Only God knows. And He is patiently waiting. Certainly, we would not want the end to come before that person believed!

This is why the Lord has not brought the world to an end yet. He knows all whom He is still going to bring into His Kingdom, and until those people come to faith, the world will not end.

How could anyone blame a merciful God for that, being what some consider slow in fulfilling His promises? How could people mock Him for that? When all who believe have heard the good news of a Savior and have been brought in, then the end will come.

III. And they will be found in peace, holy, blameless before Him.

At that time the heavens and the earth are restored to perfection. But first, this world tainted with sin will be destroyed – everything by fire, God’s purifying agent. All will melt in the heat. Then God will raise up a new heaven and a new earth. What that means, whether brand new or remade perfect once again, will have to wait until we see it. But it will be a fresh start as the heavens and earth are restored to the way God intended them to be in perfection.

Knowing this Peter writes, “Since all these things will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be, living in holiness and godliness, as you look forward to and eagerly expect (better than “hasten”) the coming of the day of God.”

Living in holiness and godliness; later he adds found in peace, spotless and blameless in His sight. Does that describe us?

In the Gospel Lesson (Mt.25:31-46) Jesus describes a godly life

as feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, helping the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, visiting the prisoner. He ends by saying, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

As the Lord sees it, when I look into the face of the hungry, the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, I am looking into the face of Christ Jesus Himself. To look into the face of Christ and turn away is not acceptable, not holy, not godly, not blameless before Him. To such who turn away He says, “Depart from me.” I have turned away too often when I could have done something. How can I be blameless?

If that were the end of my story, what hope would I have? But it’s not the end! There is more. Thank God there’s more so that we can look forward to the end with joy and not trepidation.

Eternal life or death will not be judged on the basis of the works I did or didn’t do. It’s not that God walks around with a clipboard, putting a check mark behind everything I’ve done and not done in life – adding up the points and deciding where I spend eternity on the basis of what I did. What do the Scriptures say about this?

“The righteous will live by faith” (Ro.1:17). And again, “It is by grace you have been saved through faith and this not from yourself; it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast” (Ep.2:8). And again, when someone asked the Apostle Paul what should be done to be saved, Paul replied: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” That means on Judgment Day, if God were to walk around with a clipboard, there would only be one thing behind each name. It would say, “Believed on the Lord Jesus Christ” who alone makes one holy, godly, spotless and blameless through His redeeming work on the cross, or it would say, “Mocked and rejected the Lord Jesus as the Savior.” It’s either faith in Christ or unbelief that counts one unworthy before God.

So then, Judgment Day is not a time for tabulating results as it is making a declaration of that which already happened. Either I go through life and pass it clinging in faith to the Lord Jesus as my Savior and striving to reflect it in what I do, or I go through life and pass it rejecting His redeeming work. Those who believe will stand on Judgment Day at His side, one with the Savior, spotless, blameless, in heavenly peace through faith in Him – forever!

I’m Looking Forward to What Is Certainly Coming. “Now I see through a glass darkly,” Paul writes. It is a vague sight of what will be. “Then I will see face to face. Now I know in part; then I will know fully, even as I am fully known” (1Co.13:12). How I long for that day! It will happen in God’s time, when all believers have been brought into His kingdom, and they will be found in peace with Him, holy and blameless before Him through faith

May that be the first thing on our minds every morning as we rise, and the last thing in our thoughts each evening as we lay down. May it permeate every waking hour. God grant it in our lives of faith for Jesus’ sake.

Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield

4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)

Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244

www.zionluthchurch.com

The Second Last Sunday after Trinity November 17, 2024

“All the nations will be gathered…and He will separate them.” Matthew 25:32

Welcome: The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.

U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e

“God, save me by Your name. By Your power judge me justly. God hear my prayer. Turn Your ear to the words of my mouth.” (Psalm 54).

W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t

The Saved Face the End – The Final Judgment. It is foolish to be living in this present mixed-up world without a thought of what will happen when this world ends. Yet it happens every day. Millions of people overlook an inevitable reckoning time as it draws near. Then all the deeds done in the body shall be brought before the Lord at His return, and then judgment will take place. The account must be satisfied.

Our world tries to close its eyes to this. It tries to forget that the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus, will appear in the clouds in all His divine glory. He will sit on His throne of justice, and all will be gathered before Him.

Is it just a piece of ancient superstition? Some treat it as such. But when it comes, there will be nothing funny about it. But Christians, redeemed in the blood of Christ look forward to that day with joy. They live in confidence as they await its coming.

To that end we pray: “Lord God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may always look forward to the end of this present evil age and the day of Your righteous judgment. Keep us steadfast in true and living faith, and present us at last holy and blameless before You; through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y

(The Lessons of the Day are from the Historic Pericope Series of the Christian Church.)

The Old Testament Lesson: Daniel 7:9-14

In a vision Daniel sees the heavenly throne room and the Son of Man coming in great glory with the clouds of heaven. All authority was given to Him by the One on the throne. Many fell down in worship to Him.

The Epistle Lesson: 2 Peter 3:3-14

Peter exhorts believers to live god-fearing lives as they see the signs of the end times about them and wait for the final judgment to come. Others may scoff at it, but that day will come. Believers look forward in joy to being with their Lord.

The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus describes the final judgment. All nations will be gathered before His judgment seat. A separation of “sheep” and “goats” will take place. A verdict is pronounced, and the final lot of believer and unbeliever will take place. Jesus spoke to comfort and encourage us in faith.

O u r P r a c t i c e o f H o l y C o m m u n i o n

Out of deep love for the truth of God’s Word and precious souls, we follow the practice of Close Communion in our congregation. This has been the practice of Christians for centuries and reflects the Bible’s teaching on unity of faith in the reception of the Supper (1 Cor.10:17). It does not judge a person’s heart but anticipates agreement in that which God says. Since we do not wish to put anyone in the position of declaring such agreement with us before study in the Word is possible, we ask that only those who are communicant members of this or another Wisconsin Synod or ELS congregation come to receive the Sacrament.

The Organist: Jane Rips is attending her Aunt and Uncle’s anniversary.

The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

Point to Ponder: “No one is better prepared for Judgment Day than the person who longs to be without sin…. He should earnestly pray that the time of (Christ’s) judgment and visitation, together with His Kingdom, may come soon and redeem us…. I suppose that Judgment Day is not far away…. In my opinion, that day will come after Easter, in spring, when the year is most beautiful, early in the morning, at the rising of the sun. The sky will be overcast, and there will be thunder for an hour or a little longer …And so Judgment Day will suddenly come upon the world.

— Martin Luther on Judgment Day

Outline of Our Worship

The Preparation

Opening Thoughts on the Service

The Entrance Hymn: #491

Order of Worship: The Service: Setting Two with Holy Communion: page 172-180

Prayer of the Day

The Ministry of the Word

Daniel 7:9-14

2 Peter 3:3-14

Gospel Acclamation: God’s Word p.179

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon Hymn: #488

Sermon: 2 Peter 3:3-14 I’m Looking Forward to What’s Certainly Coming.

The Nicene Creed pg.180

Our Response to the Word

Prayer of the Church: pg.182

The Offering

The Lord Blesses Us

Preparation for Holy Communion Hymnal page 182-187

(Visitors: Please read above regarding Holy Communion)

Consecration and Distribution

Distribution Hymns: #661

Thanksgiving & Blessing Hymnal: middle of page 187

Closing Hymn: #718

Silent Prayer

Second Last Sunday after Trinity – Historic Series

Old Testament Lesson: Daniel 7:9-14 – The Coming of the Son of Man.

⁹I continued to watch until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days was seated. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair on his head was like pure wool. His throne was flames of fire. Its wheels were blazing fire. ¹⁰A river of fire flowed out from his presence. Thousands upon thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and books were opened.

¹¹I kept paying attention to the sound of the boastful words that the horn was speaking. I kept watching until the beast was killed, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the burning fire. ¹²As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion had been taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a set period of time.

¹³I kept watching the night visions, and there, in the clouds of heaven, I saw one like a son of man coming. He came to the Ancient of Days, and he was brought before him. ¹⁴To him was given dominion, honor, and a kingdom. All peoples, nations, and languages will worship him. His dominion is an eternal dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

Epistle Lesson: 2 Peter 3:3-14 – The Destruction of the World Is Coming

³First, know this: In the last days scoffers will come with their mocking, following their own lusts. ⁴They will say, “Where is this promised coming of his? For from the time that our fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have from the beginning of the creation.” ⁵You see, what they are intentionally forgetting is that the heavens came into existence long ago by the word of God and that the earth came together out of the water and between the waters. ⁶Through these waters the former world perished, when it was flooded with water. ⁷And now, by that same word, the heavens and earth have been stored up for fire, since they are being kept until the day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly. ⁸But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: For the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. ⁹The Lord is not slow to do what he promised, as some consider slowness. Instead, he is patient for your sakes not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance.

¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the elements will be dissolved as they burn with great heat, and the earth and what was done on it will be burned up. ¹¹Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be, living in holiness and godliness, ¹²as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God? That day will cause the heavens to be set on fire and destroyed, and the elements to melt as they burn with great heat. ¹³But according to his promise we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

¹⁴Therefore, dear friends, as you look forward to these things, make every effort to be found in peace, spotless and blameless in his sight.

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:31-46 – Jesus Will Judge the World.

³¹“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³²All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. ³⁴Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. ³⁶I was lacking clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’

³⁷“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or lacking clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰“The King will answer them, ‘Amen I tell you: Just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’

⁴¹“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire, which is prepared for the Devil and his angels. ⁴²For I was hungry and you did not give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you did not give me anything to drink. ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, lacking clothes and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not take care of me.’

⁴⁴“Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or lacking clothes or sick or in prison and did not serve you?’ ⁴⁵“At that time he will answer them, ‘Amen I tell you: Just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ ⁴⁶And they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Today

Nov.17

Mon.

Nov.18

Tues.

Nov.19

Wed.

Nov.20

Thurs.

Nov.21

Fri.

Nov.22

Sat.

Nov.23

Next Sun.

Nov.24

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

with Holy Communion

online -Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Bible Study

Door Offering for WELS Ministry to the Military

2^nd Last Sunday after Trinity

6 pm

Elders/

Trustees/

Council Meeting

9:30 am Women’s Neighborhood Bible Study

(part 4)

6 pm

Planning Committee

Meeting

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

online -Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Bible Study

Last Sunday after Trinity

A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today

At the end of the world, Jesus will come back in glory to judge both the living and the dead. He warns us that no one knows the time or date of His coming. He could come at any time. So, the question is: “Are you ready?”

The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:31-46 (the answers are found on the back side)

Who are the sheep that are on Jesus’ right and the goats that are on His left?
Here Jesus seems to be saying that those who are saved are those who have done good works and lived good lives. However, recall how the Scriptures plainly tell us in all its parts that we are saved by faith and not by works. Explain.

Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Norine Richardson; Liz Lisenby; Barbara Long; Pastor Roger Neumann from Oskaloosa, IA.

Neighborhood Women’s Bible Study The women at Zion are continuing to sponsor a Fall Bible study on the Book of Ruth on Thursday mornings at 9:30 in our fellowship hall. All are welcome. Childcare is being provided. Session 4 will be held this coming week. See Barbara Breidel for more information

Divine Call Returned Pastor Benjamin Birner has returned our call. The Holy Spirit led him to remain at his present call at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Liverpool, NY. Our next Call Meeting will be scheduled for Thursday, December 12, at Zion.

Forward in Christ’s latest issue for November has arrived. There are plenty of copies for family and friends on the credenza in the narthex. Also, copies of Meditations next series of daily devotions, beginning December 1^st, will be found there. There are plenty of copies for you to take extras for family, friends, or neighbors.

Fall Clean-up With all the events going on in October, we haven’t been able to schedule in our normal Fall Clean-up time in preparation for winter. We will plan on clean-up time from Nov.11-23^rd on your own time. A Task Sign-up Schedule will be placed in the fellowship hall so that those who can’t make a Saturday can do something whenever you have time.

Upcoming Services and Events

Today – Door Offering for WELS Military Ministry

Tuesday, November 19, 6 pm – Church Council Monthly Meetings

Thursday, November 21, 9:30 am – Neighborhood Women’s Thursday Bible Study, part 4

Thursday, November 21, 6 pm – Planning Committee Meeting at Zion

Thanksgiving Worship – Thanksgiving Eve, Nov.27^th, 7 pm, at Peace; Thanksgiving Day, Nov.28^th, 10 am, at Zion

Next Sunday’s Lessons:

Last Sunday after Trinity: Isaiah 35:3-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:1-13 (Historic Pericope Series)

Answer to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:

The sheep are those who will be saved, i.e., all those who believed in Jesus. The goats are those who did not believe in Him and are therefore condemned.
We are saved by God’s undeserved love, through faith in Jesus. We are not saved because of the lives we live or the works we do. That said, however, through faith in Jesus we now want to and are enabled to do works of service and love. These works are evidence of the faith in our hearts. Jesus in these verses speaks of our works of service as evidence of our saving faith in Him.

Book: 2 Peter 3:3-14