August 20, 2026 • 25 mins
Prophecy can turn into a spectator sport fast, but 2 Peter 3 won’t let us stay in the stands. We’re walking through verses 11–18 with Dr. Timothy Mann, and the big idea lands with real weight: God gives prophetic truth to motivate holy living, not to feed endless speculation. If you’ve ever felt the pull to chase timelines, debates, and “latest updates” while your day-to-day obedience cools off, this message brings you back to what Peter is actually after.
We talk through Peter’s call to “be diligent” and what that diligence looks like in normal life: holy conduct that is truly set apart, and godliness that worships well with a heart aimed at pleasing God. We also dig into the word “looking” as eager expectation, the kind that keeps a believer ready, warm-hearted, and unashamed rather than self-centered or worldly.
Then we hit one of the most intriguing lines in the passage: “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” What could it mean to hasten the Lord’s return? We explore how prayer, faithful service, and gospel witness relate to God’s sovereign plan without slipping into fatalism on one side or control issues on the other. Peter’s closing warning and invitation stays in view too: don’t get led away by error; grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
If this encouraged you, subscribe for more Bible teaching, share the episode with a friend who loves end-times discussions, and leave a review. What’s one practical change you want to make because Christ is coming again?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:22):
Today on Doctoration of Truth, we continue our
series, Truth in a World ofError, with the two-part passage
from 2 Peter chapter 3, verses11 through 18, entitled Be
Diligent.
Here now is Dr.
Timothy Mann.
SPEAKER_01 (00:36):
You know, I want to remind you this morning that the
purpose of prophetic truth,those passages in God's Word
that you see about prophecy, thepurpose of prophetic truth is
not speculation, but motivation.
That really is the purpose ofit.
So as a result, what the ApostlePeter is doing as we study his
word is he's concluding hisletter with some very practical
(00:57):
admonitions that we all mustheed, that we all have to take
into consideration.
It's unfortunate, in my opinion,and maybe at one time in my
life, early on, particularly inmy Christian life as an adult, I
might have fit into thiscategory.
And if if you do, I'm notdowning you per se.
I just think it's unfortunatewhen people run from one
prophetic conference to another,filling their notebooks and
(01:19):
marking their Bibles and drawingtheir charts, and yet not living
their lives to the glory of God.
In fact, I found in myexperience in church life, and
maybe you don't ever see this,but in fact, some believers
actually battle each other moreover prophetic interpretation
(01:40):
than any other subject in God'sword.
You ever notice that?
All true Christians really dobelieve that Jesus is coming
again.
That's a basic truth of God'sword that's part of orthodox
teaching.
All true Christians believe thatJesus is coming again.
They may differ in their viewsabout when certain events will
occur, these promised events,but they all agree that he is
(02:01):
returning as he promised.
And furthermore, all Christiansreally ought to agree that faith
in this future glory ought tomotivate us.
Ought to motivate us.
I remember in one church when Iwas teaching through the book of
Revelation and talking aboutvarious things related to
timeline and those kinds ofthings.
(02:22):
And I had one church member sayto me, and you know, I think he
had it right.
He said, I've moved off theplanning committee and I'm
joining the welcoming committee.
That's a good idea, don't youthink?
Now that doesn't mean we shouldstop studying prophecy.
That doesn't mean we shouldn'tlay that aside, and it certainly
doesn't mean that every opposingviewpoint is correct, because
(02:44):
that's an impossibility.
But what it does mean is thatwhatever our views, whatever
views we hold, they ought tomake a difference in our lives.
Be diligent.
Be diligent.
That is the admonition that bestsummarizes what the Apostle
Peter writes in this closingparagraph.
And he's used this word beforein his letter, as we've studied
(03:06):
it.
In 2 Peter 1, verse 5, he says,giving all diligence.
Add to your faith.
2 Peter 1 10, he said, givediligence to make sure that your
calling and election is sure.
He said, Moreover, I willendeavor or be diligent that you
may be able in 1 chapter 1,verse 15.
(03:27):
And so if we're going to besuccessful Christians, if we're
really going to be a successfulfollower of the Lord Jesus
Christ, we must learn to bediligent.
But not just diligent in anyparticular area or anything that
we would desire to be diligentin.
What happens in this text, aswe're going to read it in just a
(03:48):
moment now, is the ApostlePeter, inspired by the Holy
Spirit, he gives us threeadmonitions specifically that
encourages his readers and us inChristian diligence in light of,
in light of our Lord's return,in light of the fact that Jesus
is coming again.
And so let's read the text.
Beginning in verse 11, we'regoing to go down and finish the
(04:08):
chapter and wrap up this greatlittle letter today.
The Bible says, Therefore, sinceall these things will be
dissolved.
Now, a principle, and I've saidthis a number of times, you
can't ever forget it.
Anytime you come across God'sword and you see a wherefore or
a therefore, what do you have todo?
You have to find out what it'sthere for, right?
And so what that means is itrefers to everything that
(04:29):
precedes verse 11 and related tothis subject.
Verse 10, he said, But the dayof the Lord will come as a thief
in the night, in which theheavens will pass away with a
great noise, and the elementswill melt with fervent heat,
both the earth and the worksthat are in it will be burned
up.
Therefore, based on that,therefore, since all these
things will be dissolved, whatmanner of persons you ought to
(04:52):
be in holy conduct andgodliness, looking for and
hastening the coming of the dayof God, because of which the
heavens will be dissolved, beingon fire, and the elements will
melt with fervent heat.
Nevertheless, we, according tohis promise, look for new
(05:13):
heavens and a new earth in whichrighteousness dwells.
Therefore, there he says itagain, therefore, beloved,
beloved, looking forward tothese things.
Now here's what you ought tounderline be diligent to be
found by him in peace, withoutspot and blameless, and consider
(05:34):
that the long-suffering of ourLord is salvation.
As also our beloved brotherPaul, according to the wisdom
given to him, has written toyou, as also in all his
epistles, speaking in them ofthese things, in which some
things are hard to understand,which untaught and unstable
(05:55):
people twist to their owndestruction, as they do also the
rest of the scriptures.
You, therefore, beloved, sinceyou know this beforehand,
beware, lest you also from yourfall from your own
steadfastness, being led awaywith the error of the wicked,
(06:17):
but grow in the grace andknowledge of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory both now andforever.
Amen.
So the Apostle Peter here says,in light of the fact that Jesus
is coming, be diligent.
(06:38):
But be diligent in what way?
In what manner?
Well, first of all, in verseseleven through fourteen, he
instructs us that we need to bediligent to live differently.
Be diligent to live differently.
The key word in this paragraphis look or looking, verse 12.
He says, looking for.
It means to be expectant or toeagerly await.
(07:02):
You find that in Luke chapter 3,verse 15, a similar way.
It says, as the people were inexpectation.
And in Acts chapter 3, verse 5,it says, expecting to receive
something of them.
In other words, it describes thekind of attitude of expectation
and even excitement, if youwill.
Not just expectation, butexcitement and realization as we
(07:22):
wait for the Lord's return.
And because of the fact that werealize, those of us who truly
believe God's word and know hispromise, because of the fact
that we realize that the worldand its works one day are going
to be dissolved and that eventhe very elements are going to
be disintegrated, what do we do?
We fix our hope, we fix our hopenot on anything in the world,
(07:47):
but only on the Lord JesusChrist.
That's what we do.
And because we don't know theday, we don't know the hour of
our Lord's return, what do wehave to do as a result?
We have to constantly be ready.
We have to be ready.
And when you as a believer, or Ias a believer, or even us as a
church, we begin to neglect thetruth of the blessed hope that
(08:10):
Jesus is coming.
What happens is we can veryeasily develop a cold heart,
very self-centered focus andattitude, a worldly attitude,
even.
And if we're not careful, evenan unfaithful life, as
individuals and as a church.
If we're not careful, we mighteven become a little bit like
the scoffers we talked about andlaugh or make some kind of
(08:34):
mockery of Christ's coming.
But this expectant attitude,it's not just I believe Jesus is
coming, this expectant attitudeought to make a difference in
our personal living, in ourpersonal conduct, if you will.
That's the word he uses here.
The word translated for us,verse 11, since all these things
(08:56):
will be dissolved, what mannerof persons?
That word manner means literallyexotic or foreign or out of this
world.
That's the idea here in thatword manner.
In other words, because we have,as he said in 1 Peter chapter 1,
verse 4, because we have escapedthe corruption that's in the
(09:17):
world because of salvation, thatwe then we must live differently
from the people in the world.
To them, if you're a believer inthe Lord Jesus Christ, you ought
to be like a foreigner in someway.
You ought to be a foreigner.
Why?
Because as the old time gospelsong says, this world is not my
home.
I'm just a passing through.
(09:39):
That's right, Sister Phyllis.
This world's not my home.
I'm just passing through.
He said in chapter 2, verse 11,we're pilgrims, we're strangers,
headed for a better world, theeternal city of God.
And so Christians should be,must be different.
Now, I didn't say odd.
(10:01):
Alright?
There's a big difference betweenbeing different and an oddball.
Because here's the problem withthat.
When you're different, youattract people.
When you're odd, you repelpeople.
Alright?
Now I know some of you say,well, that's just, you know, my
personality.
I can't help it.
Well, I get that.
I understand that.
(10:21):
All of us are a little bit of acracked egg, I guess, sometimes.
We all have one cracked egg inour dozen, right?
That's for sure.
But there's a big difference inbeing odd and being different.
We need to be different.
And he says our conduct shouldbe characterized how?
He uses a couple of words herethat we need to pay attention
to.
It says it should becharacterized in holy conduct
(10:44):
and godliness.
Holy conduct and godliness.
SPEAKER_00 (10:48):
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(11:32):
Timothy Mann.
SPEAKER_01 (11:33):
We need to be different.
And he says our conduct shouldbe characterized how?
He uses a couple of words herethat we need to pay attention
to.
It says it should becharacterized in holy conduct
and godliness.
Holy conduct and godliness.
He said in 1 Peter chapter 1,verse 15 through 16, because he
that has called you is holy, soshould you be holy in all manner
(11:57):
of behavior or conversation,because it is written, and he
quotes the Old Testament, beholy, for I'm holy.
Now that word holy, we getconfused by that sometimes.
It's a word that means to be cutoff or to be separate.
The idea, when you go to the OldTestament, and you look at it
through an Old Testament lens,it's that Israel was a holy
(12:19):
nation.
Now we know they weren't,practically, much of the time.
But the idea was they were to bea separate nation.
They were called out from amongthe Gentiles, and God separated
them out, sanctified them, madethem special and holy.
And so the idea is as aChristian that you and I are to
(12:40):
be called out from the worldaround us and we're to be set
apart for God.
Holy.
The word godliness could betranslated piety.
But if you really get down tothe heart of it, that word
godliness, it means to worshipwell.
To worship well.
In other words, it describes aperson whose life, that our main
(13:02):
priority is that of pleasingGod.
Not of pleasing myself, not ofpleasing you, not of pleasing my
family, not of pleasing anybodyelse, but really it's the idea
that my life is devoted topleasing God.
That's what godliness means.
That I'm going to be like Him inthat regard.
Piety, that I have that desire.
It's absolutely possible to beseparated from sin because of
(13:27):
salvation positionally, likejust because God has done that
in his grace and he's separatedyou out from the punishment and
penalty of sin because of hisgrace, but yet not enjoy living
for God personally.
It's possible.
The idea in the Greek worldwhere this word's used, that the
(13:48):
Apostle Peter is using this veryGreek language, taking it from
the Greek culture, it meantrespect and awe for the gods and
for the world they made.
So even in a pagan culture,there was that understanding
about that.
And in that attitude ofreference, that's what John the
Baptist said when he said, Hemust increase, and I must
(14:11):
decrease.
The idea of godliness is that inmy life and in your life, we
make much of God.
We make much of him.
Well, other New Testamentwriters taught us to have an
eager expectation of the Lord'sreturn and how that ought to
motivate us to live pure lives.
You can read all through the NewTestament.
You see that over and over andover.
But I want to say to you, it'snot simply knowing the doctrine
(14:33):
in the mind that motivates thelife, it's having it in the
heart.
The fact that you do love hisappearing, that you look for it
and you love it, you want it tohappen.
But not only does this expectantattitude should make a
difference in our conduct, itreally ought to make a
difference in our witness.
As a believer, the phrase, lookat this.
(14:55):
I need to show you this.
This is this was a little tidbitthat I picked up for the first
time in my understanding thispast week.
Looking for and hastening thecoming of the day of God.
Looking for and hastening thecoming of the day of God.
That can be, I believe,understood this way based on the
(15:18):
language, just how it straightup says this.
I think the Apostle Peter isaffirming to us that it's
possible in some sense for us tohasten the return of Jesus
Christ.
Otherwise, that word doesn'tmean what it means.
Last time I checked, hastenmeans hasten, right?
Looking unto and hastening.
(15:40):
The coming of the day of God.
Now, let me just run with thatfor a second.
Bear with me, okay?
The word translated hasten infive other places where it's
used in the New Testament is inthe same manner.
Luke 2, 16, the shepherds camewith haste.
Alright?
Luke 19, 5 through 6, Jesus toldZacchaeus to come down and make
(16:04):
haste.
And the Bible says he made hasteand came down.
Acts 20, 16, Paul hastened to beat Jerusalem.
And the Lord told Paul in Actschapter 22, verse 18, to make
haste and get out of Jerusalem.
And so to make this word asynonym for just simply eager
expectation would have been thatPeter would have to have
(16:26):
repeated himself in 2 Peter2.12, which is what the word
looking means.
Hasten.
Hurry it up.
Bring it along.
Now, there are two extremes thatwe have to avoid.
Not only in this, but in everyaspect of our lives as believers
who understands the truth ofGod's word.
(16:46):
One is the attitude that we arelocked into God's sovereign plan
in such a way that what we dowill not make any difference.
Some sense of fatalism.
The other extreme is to thinkthat God can't get anything done
unless we do it.
Alright?
(17:07):
Right?
Some of us think that God hasassigned us to be the general
manager of the universe.
And we act that way sometimes.
You know, control issues.
And while God's sovereigndecrees must never be an excuse
for laziness, neither do ourplans or our activities try to
(17:28):
take the place of God'ssovereign decrees.
Let me attempt just for amoment, again, bear with me.
I want to give you two OldTestament illustrations that I
think might help us betterunderstand the relationship
between God's plans and yourservice.
One is this God delivered Israelfrom Egypt.
(17:50):
And he told them very clearlythat he wanted them, he wanted
to put them into their land ofinheritance, the promised land,
the land of Canaan.
But what happened was thatKadesh Barnea, all except Moses,
Joshua, and Caleb rebelledagainst God and refused to enter
the land.
(18:11):
Now let me ask you, did Godforce them to go in?
No.
Of course not.
They don't get bound up on me inGod's omniscience and all that
kind of stuff.
Set that aside just for amoment.
Instead, what did he do?
He had them wander in thewilderness for the next forty
years while the older generationdied off.
(18:31):
Here's another illustration.
Let me give it to you.
When Jonah preached to thepeople of Nineveh, his message
was clear.
This is what he said.
Pay attention.
He said, In 40 days, veryspecific, right?
In forty days, Nineveh will beoverthrown.
(18:53):
It was absolutely God's plan todestroy that wicked city.
But when the people repented,from the king on down, what
happened?
God spared the city.
God spared the city.
Now what's the point of that?
The point of that is thisneither God nor his basic
principles changed, but hisapplication of those principles
(19:14):
changed in that moment in time.
Because God responds when menand women repent.
So how then can we as Christianshasten, as he says right here?
How can we not only look untoand expect his coming, but how
can we hasten the coming day ofGod?
(19:35):
Well, it's interesting to me.
I think one thing is we can prayas Jesus taught.
What did he say?
Thy kingdom come.
We pray for his kingdom to come.
Thy will be done on earth as itis in heaven.
But it also appears, it alsoappears from Revelation chapter
5, verse 8, Revelation chapter8, verses 3 through 4, that the
prayers of God's people in thatbook of Revelation are related
(19:57):
in some way to God pouring outhis wrath on the nations.
And so here's the idea.
If God's work today is callingout a people for his name, and
it is, then the sooner thechurch is completed, the sooner
our Lord will return.
So there's a suggestion, Ithink, of that truth in Acts
(20:18):
chapter 3, verses 19 through 24.
And you ought to read Matthewchapter 24 as well.
I think the principle there isthe same.
And so the idea is your service,man's ministry, if you will,
cooperates with God's program,God's plan, so that promised
events can and will take place.
Now I know there's mysterieshere that our minds cannot fully
(20:40):
understand or explain, but thebasic lesson to learn is clear,
and that's that the same God whoordains the end also ordains the
means to that end.
And here's the fact of thematter: you are a part of that
means.
I'm a part of that means.
This church is a part of thatmeans.
(21:02):
Every other church that believesand teaches God's word is a part
of that means.
So what does that mean in theend?
It means this our task, yourtask, is not to speculate, but
to serve.
It's not to speculate, but toserve.
That's your role.
That's my role.
That's our role as a church.
(21:22):
I think we waste a whole lot oftime speculating.
Now, this attitude, thisexpectant attitude also makes a
difference when we meet JesusChrist.
Did you see what he said?
He said, Be found of him inpeace.
He's going to greet us in peace.
That means there's going to beno charges against us, so that
we'll be not ashamed before himat his coming.
(21:42):
Now, absolutely, the judgmentseat of Christ is going to be a
very serious event.
Don't think it's not.
And we're going to give anaccount of our service to him.
But it's still better for us tomeet him in peace than to fight
against him in his word.
And we're going to be able tomeet him in peace.
And so if we're diligent towatch.
For his return, if we'rediligent to live different lives
(22:03):
like we're challenged to dohere, then there's no reason for
us to be afraid or ashamed.
We don't have to be afraid orashamed about his second coming.
As a matter of fact, it says wewill meet him verse 14 without
spot and blameless.
Why?
Because Jesus Christ, if Iremember correctly what he said,
(22:24):
what Peter said in 1 Peterchapter 1, verse 9, he said,
Jesus Christ is a lamb withoutspot and without blemish.
And his righteousness iscredited to you.
So without spot and withoutblemish.
But there's also that practicalreality of living lives
differently as we ought.
So how do we maintain?
That's my question.
How do we maintain this eagerexpectancy that's supposed to
(22:47):
lead to different living?
Well, I think it's by keepinghis promise before our hearts,
before our minds.
The promise of his coming.
It's like a light that shines ina very dark world.
And we ought to make sure thatthat day star is alive in our
hearts and in the church.
(23:08):
And we talk about it and we looktoward it, and we do not let
people forget that this world isnot going to go on as forever.
There is a day coming when Jesusis going to come in glory and
power, and we're going to seehim face to face.
We should never forget that.
SPEAKER_00 (23:25):
We love his appearance.
Thank you for joining us todayfor Foundations of Truth, the
biblical teaching ministry ofDr.
Timothy Mann.
If you'd like to hear thismessage again or hear back
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That's foundationsoftruth.net.
Join us again tomorrow for parttwo of this important message
(23:48):
from the Truth in a World ofError series.
Remember, God's truth does notchange, even when the world
around us does.
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(24:10):
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SPEAKER_01 (24:45):
Before we close today, I want to tell you about
a resource that I believe willbe a genuine help to you.
I've recently published my firstbook, Saved, Understanding God's
Work in Us.
In over 30 years of pastoralministry, one of the questions
I've encountered more thanalmost any other is this.
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(25:08):
And that is exactly what thisbook is designed to give.
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If you want to understandsalvation more deeply, stand on
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(25:29):
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I pray it strengthens yourfaith.
Thanks for being with us today.
God bless you.
Today on Doctoration of Truth, we continue our
series, Truth in a World ofError, with the two-part passage
from 2 Peter chapter 3, verses11 through 18, entitled Be
Diligent.
Here now is Dr.
Timothy Mann.
SPEAKER_01 (00:36):
You know, I want to remind you this morning that the
purpose of prophetic truth,those passages in God's Word
that you see about prophecy, thepurpose of prophetic truth is
not speculation, but motivation.
That really is the purpose ofit.
So as a result, what the ApostlePeter is doing as we study his
word is he's concluding hisletter with some very practical
(00:57):
admonitions that we all mustheed, that we all have to take
into consideration.
It's unfortunate, in my opinion,and maybe at one time in my
life, early on, particularly inmy Christian life as an adult, I
might have fit into thiscategory.
And if if you do, I'm notdowning you per se.
I just think it's unfortunatewhen people run from one
prophetic conference to another,filling their notebooks and
(01:19):
marking their Bibles and drawingtheir charts, and yet not living
their lives to the glory of God.
In fact, I found in myexperience in church life, and
maybe you don't ever see this,but in fact, some believers
actually battle each other moreover prophetic interpretation
(01:40):
than any other subject in God'sword.
You ever notice that?
All true Christians really dobelieve that Jesus is coming
again.
That's a basic truth of God'sword that's part of orthodox
teaching.
All true Christians believe thatJesus is coming again.
They may differ in their viewsabout when certain events will
occur, these promised events,but they all agree that he is
(02:01):
returning as he promised.
And furthermore, all Christiansreally ought to agree that faith
in this future glory ought tomotivate us.
Ought to motivate us.
I remember in one church when Iwas teaching through the book of
Revelation and talking aboutvarious things related to
timeline and those kinds ofthings.
(02:22):
And I had one church member sayto me, and you know, I think he
had it right.
He said, I've moved off theplanning committee and I'm
joining the welcoming committee.
That's a good idea, don't youthink?
Now that doesn't mean we shouldstop studying prophecy.
That doesn't mean we shouldn'tlay that aside, and it certainly
doesn't mean that every opposingviewpoint is correct, because
(02:44):
that's an impossibility.
But what it does mean is thatwhatever our views, whatever
views we hold, they ought tomake a difference in our lives.
Be diligent.
Be diligent.
That is the admonition that bestsummarizes what the Apostle
Peter writes in this closingparagraph.
And he's used this word beforein his letter, as we've studied
(03:06):
it.
In 2 Peter 1, verse 5, he says,giving all diligence.
Add to your faith.
2 Peter 1 10, he said, givediligence to make sure that your
calling and election is sure.
He said, Moreover, I willendeavor or be diligent that you
may be able in 1 chapter 1,verse 15.
(03:27):
And so if we're going to besuccessful Christians, if we're
really going to be a successfulfollower of the Lord Jesus
Christ, we must learn to bediligent.
But not just diligent in anyparticular area or anything that
we would desire to be diligentin.
What happens in this text, aswe're going to read it in just a
(03:48):
moment now, is the ApostlePeter, inspired by the Holy
Spirit, he gives us threeadmonitions specifically that
encourages his readers and us inChristian diligence in light of,
in light of our Lord's return,in light of the fact that Jesus
is coming again.
And so let's read the text.
Beginning in verse 11, we'regoing to go down and finish the
(04:08):
chapter and wrap up this greatlittle letter today.
The Bible says, Therefore, sinceall these things will be
dissolved.
Now, a principle, and I've saidthis a number of times, you
can't ever forget it.
Anytime you come across God'sword and you see a wherefore or
a therefore, what do you have todo?
You have to find out what it'sthere for, right?
And so what that means is itrefers to everything that
(04:29):
precedes verse 11 and related tothis subject.
Verse 10, he said, But the dayof the Lord will come as a thief
in the night, in which theheavens will pass away with a
great noise, and the elementswill melt with fervent heat,
both the earth and the worksthat are in it will be burned
up.
Therefore, based on that,therefore, since all these
things will be dissolved, whatmanner of persons you ought to
(04:52):
be in holy conduct andgodliness, looking for and
hastening the coming of the dayof God, because of which the
heavens will be dissolved, beingon fire, and the elements will
melt with fervent heat.
Nevertheless, we, according tohis promise, look for new
(05:13):
heavens and a new earth in whichrighteousness dwells.
Therefore, there he says itagain, therefore, beloved,
beloved, looking forward tothese things.
Now here's what you ought tounderline be diligent to be
found by him in peace, withoutspot and blameless, and consider
(05:34):
that the long-suffering of ourLord is salvation.
As also our beloved brotherPaul, according to the wisdom
given to him, has written toyou, as also in all his
epistles, speaking in them ofthese things, in which some
things are hard to understand,which untaught and unstable
(05:55):
people twist to their owndestruction, as they do also the
rest of the scriptures.
You, therefore, beloved, sinceyou know this beforehand,
beware, lest you also from yourfall from your own
steadfastness, being led awaywith the error of the wicked,
(06:17):
but grow in the grace andknowledge of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory both now andforever.
Amen.
So the Apostle Peter here says,in light of the fact that Jesus
is coming, be diligent.
(06:38):
But be diligent in what way?
In what manner?
Well, first of all, in verseseleven through fourteen, he
instructs us that we need to bediligent to live differently.
Be diligent to live differently.
The key word in this paragraphis look or looking, verse 12.
He says, looking for.
It means to be expectant or toeagerly await.
(07:02):
You find that in Luke chapter 3,verse 15, a similar way.
It says, as the people were inexpectation.
And in Acts chapter 3, verse 5,it says, expecting to receive
something of them.
In other words, it describes thekind of attitude of expectation
and even excitement, if youwill.
Not just expectation, butexcitement and realization as we
(07:22):
wait for the Lord's return.
And because of the fact that werealize, those of us who truly
believe God's word and know hispromise, because of the fact
that we realize that the worldand its works one day are going
to be dissolved and that eventhe very elements are going to
be disintegrated, what do we do?
We fix our hope, we fix our hopenot on anything in the world,
(07:47):
but only on the Lord JesusChrist.
That's what we do.
And because we don't know theday, we don't know the hour of
our Lord's return, what do wehave to do as a result?
We have to constantly be ready.
We have to be ready.
And when you as a believer, or Ias a believer, or even us as a
church, we begin to neglect thetruth of the blessed hope that
(08:10):
Jesus is coming.
What happens is we can veryeasily develop a cold heart,
very self-centered focus andattitude, a worldly attitude,
even.
And if we're not careful, evenan unfaithful life, as
individuals and as a church.
If we're not careful, we mighteven become a little bit like
the scoffers we talked about andlaugh or make some kind of
(08:34):
mockery of Christ's coming.
But this expectant attitude,it's not just I believe Jesus is
coming, this expectant attitudeought to make a difference in
our personal living, in ourpersonal conduct, if you will.
That's the word he uses here.
The word translated for us,verse 11, since all these things
(08:56):
will be dissolved, what mannerof persons?
That word manner means literallyexotic or foreign or out of this
world.
That's the idea here in thatword manner.
In other words, because we have,as he said in 1 Peter chapter 1,
verse 4, because we have escapedthe corruption that's in the
(09:17):
world because of salvation, thatwe then we must live differently
from the people in the world.
To them, if you're a believer inthe Lord Jesus Christ, you ought
to be like a foreigner in someway.
You ought to be a foreigner.
Why?
Because as the old time gospelsong says, this world is not my
home.
I'm just a passing through.
(09:39):
That's right, Sister Phyllis.
This world's not my home.
I'm just passing through.
He said in chapter 2, verse 11,we're pilgrims, we're strangers,
headed for a better world, theeternal city of God.
And so Christians should be,must be different.
Now, I didn't say odd.
(10:01):
Alright?
There's a big difference betweenbeing different and an oddball.
Because here's the problem withthat.
When you're different, youattract people.
When you're odd, you repelpeople.
Alright?
Now I know some of you say,well, that's just, you know, my
personality.
I can't help it.
Well, I get that.
I understand that.
(10:21):
All of us are a little bit of acracked egg, I guess, sometimes.
We all have one cracked egg inour dozen, right?
That's for sure.
But there's a big difference inbeing odd and being different.
We need to be different.
And he says our conduct shouldbe characterized how?
He uses a couple of words herethat we need to pay attention
to.
It says it should becharacterized in holy conduct
(10:44):
and godliness.
Holy conduct and godliness.
SPEAKER_00 (10:48):
At foundations of truth, we believe the gospel
still changes lives.
In a world filled withconfusion, fear, and false
promises, people desperatelyneed the truth of God's word.
And that's why this ministryexists.
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(11:11):
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And thank you for your prayers,your encouragement, and your
faithful partnership withFoundations of Truth.
Now let's return to today'smessage with Dr.
(11:32):
Timothy Mann.
SPEAKER_01 (11:33):
We need to be different.
And he says our conduct shouldbe characterized how?
He uses a couple of words herethat we need to pay attention
to.
It says it should becharacterized in holy conduct
and godliness.
Holy conduct and godliness.
He said in 1 Peter chapter 1,verse 15 through 16, because he
that has called you is holy, soshould you be holy in all manner
(11:57):
of behavior or conversation,because it is written, and he
quotes the Old Testament, beholy, for I'm holy.
Now that word holy, we getconfused by that sometimes.
It's a word that means to be cutoff or to be separate.
The idea, when you go to the OldTestament, and you look at it
through an Old Testament lens,it's that Israel was a holy
(12:19):
nation.
Now we know they weren't,practically, much of the time.
But the idea was they were to bea separate nation.
They were called out from amongthe Gentiles, and God separated
them out, sanctified them, madethem special and holy.
And so the idea is as aChristian that you and I are to
(12:40):
be called out from the worldaround us and we're to be set
apart for God.
Holy.
The word godliness could betranslated piety.
But if you really get down tothe heart of it, that word
godliness, it means to worshipwell.
To worship well.
In other words, it describes aperson whose life, that our main
(13:02):
priority is that of pleasingGod.
Not of pleasing myself, not ofpleasing you, not of pleasing my
family, not of pleasing anybodyelse, but really it's the idea
that my life is devoted topleasing God.
That's what godliness means.
That I'm going to be like Him inthat regard.
Piety, that I have that desire.
It's absolutely possible to beseparated from sin because of
(13:27):
salvation positionally, likejust because God has done that
in his grace and he's separatedyou out from the punishment and
penalty of sin because of hisgrace, but yet not enjoy living
for God personally.
It's possible.
The idea in the Greek worldwhere this word's used, that the
(13:48):
Apostle Peter is using this veryGreek language, taking it from
the Greek culture, it meantrespect and awe for the gods and
for the world they made.
So even in a pagan culture,there was that understanding
about that.
And in that attitude ofreference, that's what John the
Baptist said when he said, Hemust increase, and I must
(14:11):
decrease.
The idea of godliness is that inmy life and in your life, we
make much of God.
We make much of him.
Well, other New Testamentwriters taught us to have an
eager expectation of the Lord'sreturn and how that ought to
motivate us to live pure lives.
You can read all through the NewTestament.
You see that over and over andover.
But I want to say to you, it'snot simply knowing the doctrine
(14:33):
in the mind that motivates thelife, it's having it in the
heart.
The fact that you do love hisappearing, that you look for it
and you love it, you want it tohappen.
But not only does this expectantattitude should make a
difference in our conduct, itreally ought to make a
difference in our witness.
As a believer, the phrase, lookat this.
(14:55):
I need to show you this.
This is this was a little tidbitthat I picked up for the first
time in my understanding thispast week.
Looking for and hastening thecoming of the day of God.
Looking for and hastening thecoming of the day of God.
That can be, I believe,understood this way based on the
(15:18):
language, just how it straightup says this.
I think the Apostle Peter isaffirming to us that it's
possible in some sense for us tohasten the return of Jesus
Christ.
Otherwise, that word doesn'tmean what it means.
Last time I checked, hastenmeans hasten, right?
Looking unto and hastening.
(15:40):
The coming of the day of God.
Now, let me just run with thatfor a second.
Bear with me, okay?
The word translated hasten infive other places where it's
used in the New Testament is inthe same manner.
Luke 2, 16, the shepherds camewith haste.
Alright?
Luke 19, 5 through 6, Jesus toldZacchaeus to come down and make
(16:04):
haste.
And the Bible says he made hasteand came down.
Acts 20, 16, Paul hastened to beat Jerusalem.
And the Lord told Paul in Actschapter 22, verse 18, to make
haste and get out of Jerusalem.
And so to make this word asynonym for just simply eager
expectation would have been thatPeter would have to have
(16:26):
repeated himself in 2 Peter2.12, which is what the word
looking means.
Hasten.
Hurry it up.
Bring it along.
Now, there are two extremes thatwe have to avoid.
Not only in this, but in everyaspect of our lives as believers
who understands the truth ofGod's word.
(16:46):
One is the attitude that we arelocked into God's sovereign plan
in such a way that what we dowill not make any difference.
Some sense of fatalism.
The other extreme is to thinkthat God can't get anything done
unless we do it.
Alright?
(17:07):
Right?
Some of us think that God hasassigned us to be the general
manager of the universe.
And we act that way sometimes.
You know, control issues.
And while God's sovereigndecrees must never be an excuse
for laziness, neither do ourplans or our activities try to
(17:28):
take the place of God'ssovereign decrees.
Let me attempt just for amoment, again, bear with me.
I want to give you two OldTestament illustrations that I
think might help us betterunderstand the relationship
between God's plans and yourservice.
One is this God delivered Israelfrom Egypt.
(17:50):
And he told them very clearlythat he wanted them, he wanted
to put them into their land ofinheritance, the promised land,
the land of Canaan.
But what happened was thatKadesh Barnea, all except Moses,
Joshua, and Caleb rebelledagainst God and refused to enter
the land.
(18:11):
Now let me ask you, did Godforce them to go in?
No.
Of course not.
They don't get bound up on me inGod's omniscience and all that
kind of stuff.
Set that aside just for amoment.
Instead, what did he do?
He had them wander in thewilderness for the next forty
years while the older generationdied off.
(18:31):
Here's another illustration.
Let me give it to you.
When Jonah preached to thepeople of Nineveh, his message
was clear.
This is what he said.
Pay attention.
He said, In 40 days, veryspecific, right?
In forty days, Nineveh will beoverthrown.
(18:53):
It was absolutely God's plan todestroy that wicked city.
But when the people repented,from the king on down, what
happened?
God spared the city.
God spared the city.
Now what's the point of that?
The point of that is thisneither God nor his basic
principles changed, but hisapplication of those principles
(19:14):
changed in that moment in time.
Because God responds when menand women repent.
So how then can we as Christianshasten, as he says right here?
How can we not only look untoand expect his coming, but how
can we hasten the coming day ofGod?
(19:35):
Well, it's interesting to me.
I think one thing is we can prayas Jesus taught.
What did he say?
Thy kingdom come.
We pray for his kingdom to come.
Thy will be done on earth as itis in heaven.
But it also appears, it alsoappears from Revelation chapter
5, verse 8, Revelation chapter8, verses 3 through 4, that the
prayers of God's people in thatbook of Revelation are related
(19:57):
in some way to God pouring outhis wrath on the nations.
And so here's the idea.
If God's work today is callingout a people for his name, and
it is, then the sooner thechurch is completed, the sooner
our Lord will return.
So there's a suggestion, Ithink, of that truth in Acts
(20:18):
chapter 3, verses 19 through 24.
And you ought to read Matthewchapter 24 as well.
I think the principle there isthe same.
And so the idea is your service,man's ministry, if you will,
cooperates with God's program,God's plan, so that promised
events can and will take place.
Now I know there's mysterieshere that our minds cannot fully
(20:40):
understand or explain, but thebasic lesson to learn is clear,
and that's that the same God whoordains the end also ordains the
means to that end.
And here's the fact of thematter: you are a part of that
means.
I'm a part of that means.
This church is a part of thatmeans.
(21:02):
Every other church that believesand teaches God's word is a part
of that means.
So what does that mean in theend?
It means this our task, yourtask, is not to speculate, but
to serve.
It's not to speculate, but toserve.
That's your role.
That's my role.
That's our role as a church.
(21:22):
I think we waste a whole lot oftime speculating.
Now, this attitude, thisexpectant attitude also makes a
difference when we meet JesusChrist.
Did you see what he said?
He said, Be found of him inpeace.
He's going to greet us in peace.
That means there's going to beno charges against us, so that
we'll be not ashamed before himat his coming.
(21:42):
Now, absolutely, the judgmentseat of Christ is going to be a
very serious event.
Don't think it's not.
And we're going to give anaccount of our service to him.
But it's still better for us tomeet him in peace than to fight
against him in his word.
And we're going to be able tomeet him in peace.
And so if we're diligent towatch.
For his return, if we'rediligent to live different lives
(22:03):
like we're challenged to dohere, then there's no reason for
us to be afraid or ashamed.
We don't have to be afraid orashamed about his second coming.
As a matter of fact, it says wewill meet him verse 14 without
spot and blameless.
Why?
Because Jesus Christ, if Iremember correctly what he said,
(22:24):
what Peter said in 1 Peterchapter 1, verse 9, he said,
Jesus Christ is a lamb withoutspot and without blemish.
And his righteousness iscredited to you.
So without spot and withoutblemish.
But there's also that practicalreality of living lives
differently as we ought.
So how do we maintain?
That's my question.
How do we maintain this eagerexpectancy that's supposed to
(22:47):
lead to different living?
Well, I think it's by keepinghis promise before our hearts,
before our minds.
The promise of his coming.
It's like a light that shines ina very dark world.
And we ought to make sure thatthat day star is alive in our
hearts and in the church.
(23:08):
And we talk about it and we looktoward it, and we do not let
people forget that this world isnot going to go on as forever.
There is a day coming when Jesusis going to come in glory and
power, and we're going to seehim face to face.
We should never forget that.
SPEAKER_00 (23:25):
We love his appearance.
Thank you for joining us todayfor Foundations of Truth, the
biblical teaching ministry ofDr.
Timothy Mann.
If you'd like to hear thismessage again or hear back
episodes, or get more biblicalresources, or give a financial
gift, you can do so atfoundationsoftruth.net.
That's foundationsoftruth.net.
Join us again tomorrow for parttwo of this important message
(23:48):
from the Truth in a World ofError series.
Remember, God's truth does notchange, even when the world
around us does.
Foundations of Truth with Dr.
Timothy Mann is supported inpart by Cat Care Clinic, located
in Ormond Beach, and servingfamilies with thoughtful and
compassionate veterinary carefor cats.
We're grateful for theirpartnership in helping carry
(24:10):
biblical truth farther.
We're thankful for AMN Plumbing,a local ministry partner serving
the Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach,Fort Orange, New Smyrna Beach,
and surrounding areas withDependable Plumbing Service.
Their support helps makeFoundations of Truth available
to more listeners each week.
Foundations of Truth with Dr.
Timothy Mann is supported inpart by Luther Rice College and
(24:33):
Seminary, equipping men andwomen for ministry through
biblically faithful theologicaleducation.
As a leader in online learning,we are grateful for their
partnership in helping carrybiblical truth farther.
SPEAKER_01 (24:45):
Before we close today, I want to tell you about
a resource that I believe willbe a genuine help to you.
I've recently published my firstbook, Saved, Understanding God's
Work in Us.
In over 30 years of pastoralministry, one of the questions
I've encountered more thanalmost any other is this.
How can I know that I am trulysaved?
It is a question that deserves acareful biblical answer.
(25:08):
And that is exactly what thisbook is designed to give.
Saved, understanding God's workin us, walks through what the
scripture teaches aboutsalvation, what God has done for
us, what he is doing in us, andthe assurance that every
believer can have because of hiswork.
If you want to understandsalvation more deeply, stand on
firmer ground in your faith, orbe better equipped to share the
(25:29):
gospel with someone you love,then this book was written for
you.
You can find it on Amazon,Barnes and Noble, and Books a
Million, and pretty muchanywhere you buy books.
Just search Saved, UnderstandingGod's Work in Us by Dr.
Timothy Mann.
I pray it strengthens yourfaith.
Thanks for being with us today.
God bless you.
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