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Sermon #5700

The Gospel and the Modern World

A Sermon on 2 Peter 3:1-18

Originally preached Oct. 4, 1959

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Scripture

2 Peter 3:1-18 ESV KJV

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing … This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The 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. But 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. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (ESV)

1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Sermon Description

As the modern world jeers at the church’s declining numbers in the West, it also mocks the pronouncement that the future still belongs to God. Christians today might assume such feelings of alienation are a modern phenomenon. In this sermon on 2 Peter 3:1–18 titled “The Gospel and the Modern Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones attests that there is nothing new about the modern world mocking God’s plan. People may think this is only part of the modern world, but it is as old as the fall of humankind. Scoffers have always made grand pronouncements about the Christian message as foolish, wishful thinking. Why should Christians think the future belongs to God? Is the modern world correct? Is there any encouragement for the nervous Christian? Dr. Lloyd-Jones seeks to answer these pressing questions. While taking his beginning point from 2 Peter 3, Dr. Lloyd-Jones surveys the Bible as he argues that the future of every individual, of every nation, in the entire world, is in the hands of God. Interacting with philosophical concepts like God’s permissive will, Satan, the presence of evil in the world, as well as history and prophesy, Dr. Lloyd-Jones maintains that God is still exercising His lordship over the world. The coming Day of the Lord will be like a thief in the night, but for those who hold fast to God’s salvation it will be bright.

Sermon Breakdown

The central message of the Bible is that God is in control of the future. This is the message of 2 Peter 3 which the sermon focuses on.
People today are being addressed by many voices about the future but the message of the gospel is unique. It is not appealing for support or votes but declaring God's message.
The preacher is not there to flatter or please people but to warn them of God's coming judgment.
The future of individuals, nations and the world is in God's hands according to the Bible.
Many scoff at this message today given the state of the world but we must consider the Bible's teaching.
The history of the past confirms this message. God has always seemed defeated but then acts to fulfill His plans. Examples are the flood, Tower of Babel, Exodus, Jesus' death and resurrection.
The present world conditions also confirm the message. Romans 1 shows how God gives sinful people over to their sin to show them their need for Him. The modern world is like this.
God's character shows He must reign. He is Creator, Lord of the universe and history. Prophecy proves He controls history.
Jesus' first coming shows God will fulfill His plans. Jesus will return to judge the world and usher in a new perfect world.
We don't know when Jesus will return but we know He will. The world will be destroyed by fire as foretold in 2 Peter 3.
This message calls us to respond. We must believe in Jesus to be saved from judgment and enter God's kingdom.

Sermon Q&A

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on God's Future Plan: Questions & Answers

What is the central message of 2 Peter 3 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the central message of 2 Peter 3 is that "the future belongs to God." He explains that this chapter proclaims God's sovereignty over all creation and His predetermined plan for the world's future. As he states: "Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this is not just one message among many human opinions but rather "the central message of the whole of the Bible."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish the preaching of the gospel from political speeches?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a clear distinction between gospel preaching and political rhetoric. While politicians appeal for support, seek to please people, and make promises to gain votes, the preacher's role is fundamentally different. As he explains: "I'm not here this evening to appeal for your suffrage or to ask for your support." Instead, gospel preaching involves "declaring the message of God" as an ambassador who has been commissioned to announce "God's program and plan for this world." The preacher is not seeking popularity but delivering divine truth regardless of how it might be received.

What evidence does Dr. Lloyd-Jones provide that God's plan will ultimately prevail?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers several proofs that God's plan will prevail:

The testimony of Scripture throughout the Bible
Past history confirming biblical predictions
The character of God Himself as Creator and Lord
The fulfillment of biblical prophecies throughout history
The first coming of Christ as evidence of God's continuing plan
Modern scientific discoveries that align with biblical descriptions of end-time events

As he states: "The whole story of the past is a story of God and his people in apparent eclipse and utter defeat, and the whole world laughing at the prophecy and the preaching of the servants of God... And then God arising and scattering his enemies and bringing his plan and his program and his purpose to pass."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the present condition of the world with its evil and suffering?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the current state of the world through two biblical concepts:

God's "permissive will" - God has given humans freedom of choice, allowing evil to enter the world, though only within certain limits: "He allows a lot of evil inside that. I don't understand it, but I do know this, that whenever he chooses to do so, he arises and he quells it."
God's judgment - Referencing Romans 1:18-32, he suggests that God is "letting men reveal what's in him, all the lust and the perversion and the foulness" as a form of judgment: "God has just withdrawn the restraint. He's taken back his spirit. He's handed over the world to itself and its own understanding and its own devices."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the Day of the Lord?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the Day of the Lord is a certain future event when Christ will return to judge the world. He describes it as coming "as a thief in the night" when people least expect it. On this day, "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat and the earth and the works thereof also shall be burned up."

This judgment will destroy all evil, after which God will establish "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." While no one knows the exact timing, Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes its certainty: "as certainly as you and I are in this chapel at this moment, this is going to happen. And nobody can stop it."

What practical response does Dr. Lloyd-Jones call for in light of God's future plan?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by calling his listeners to respond to this message by:

Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for their sins
Giving themselves completely to Christ
Turning away from worldly pursuits
Living for Christ's glory

He urges immediate action: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe he's the son of God and that he came into the world to die for your sins. Give yourself to him. Go after him. Turn away from everybody and everything else. Live only to him and for his glory... Do it now."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the hope Christians have for the future?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the Christian hope as looking forward to "a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." This transformed world will be "paradise again" and "glory," purged of all evil and sin. Believers will participate in this glorious future where they will "judge the world" and even "judge angels." As he states: "You will reign with Christ and enjoy him to all eternity." This future hope is contrasted with the hollow promises of worldly solutions that promise heaven but cannot deliver it.

Other Sermons

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.

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