INDUCTIVE LESSON TWELVE The Lord s Longsuffering Our passage for study reads much like the headlines from the entertainment section of today s news. In the last days, mockers and scoffers will come, willfully choosing to forget God s judgment in the past and denying His future judgment. Americans flocked to theaters to see the movie Noah, sending it to a number-one ranking in box office receipts with over $44 million in ticket sales for the first weekend. The movie, which atheist director Darren Aronofsky describes as the least biblical movie ever made about the Bible, strays far from the biblical account, treating it largely as a myth. Do Americans outside of Hollywood feel that Noah and other accounts from the Genesis record are merely fables? According to an ABC News survey reported in the Washington Post in February of 2004, the answer is no. In their survey, 60% of all Americans and 87% of those identified as Evangelical Christians said the story of Noah and the deluge was a literal truth.1 What is myth to the liberals in Hollywood is actually deeply embedded in the culture of ancient societies around the world. John D. Morris, of Creation Research Institute, reports over 200 flood stories told throughout the ancient world stretching from Australia to Alaska. In his study of the deluge or flood stories, Morris concluded that because of the pervasive nature of these accounts and common elements found in them that the stories had at their root an actual historic event (the Genesis Flood). Below is a summary of Morris findings of shared elements of the various flood stories:2 Is there a favored family? 88% Were they forewarned? 66% Is flood due to wickedness of man? 66% Is catastrophe only a flood? 95% Was flood global? 95% Is survival due to a boat? 70% Were animals also saved? 67% Did animals play any part? 73% Did survivors land on a mountain? 57% Was the geography local? 82% As we look at the factual account of the Flood, we see that, like Sodom and Gomorrah, God s judgment came as a result of His holiness and justice (unlike the Hollywood version of a Creator who is angry over man s pollution of the planet). In our passage, we see that His delay in judging mankind at present is a result of other aspects of His divine nature: mercy and grace. As a male, I seem to have hard-wired into my DNA a need to see justice carried out quickly, so I found these comments from John Phillips a most interesting perspective to this passage: 1
The only hope of the salvation of any soul rests in the patience, long-suffering, and self-control of God. He was patient with all of us. Everywhere in the created universe is evidence of the almighty, limitless power and patience of God, the withholding of God s wrath, His righteous anger, which burns white-hot against sin. A Hitler or a Stalin unsmitten is a greater evidence of God s power than these men smitten. It would be easy for God to smite. Yet, He holds His hand. Why? Surely the measure of divine restraint indicates the measure of fearful doom from which God would save even those who provoke Him the most. Nothing but matchless grace moves God to give even the most godless nations time to repent. The fact that God allows outrages to continue must surely mean that He sees ahead for many a future of inconceivable horror. Rather than plunge the offenders into it at once, He allows them to continue. Their atrocities, terrible as they are, cannot be compared to the torments that await those who commit them. Out of pity for even such as they, God waits. 3 Peter concludes by asking us, in light of these things, how should we then live? To borrow a phrase from poker players, the correct response is All in. I believe Peter would tell us that anything less than being all in for Christ is an affront to the mercy and grace of God. 1http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/feb/16/20040216 113955 2061r/?page=all 2http://www.icr.org/article/why-does-nearly-every-culture-have-tradition-globa/ 3 John Phillips, Exploring the Epistles of Peter, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids MI, 2005, page 302 Prayer Start by praying over the passage and asking the Holy Spirit to give you fresh insights and wisdom in understanding it. Then read through the entire passage two or three times. Memory Verse But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8 9 Inductive Method Step 1: Observation My Observations: In the left column, write down observations you make directly from the text. Things to look for: What are the promises? What are the commands? What are the sources of conflict? What are the cause/effect relationships? What are the repeated words and ideas? What do we know about who is speaking and who is receiving the message? What comparisons and contrasts can you identify and what do they illustrate? Do you have unanswered questions on part of the passage? (Share them with your group.) 2
Digging Deeper: In the right column, write down any additional observations you can add from other sources such as: Other scriptures that apply (cross references) Dictionaries for specific words (English or Greek dictionary) Bible dictionaries for historical information Commentaries (See the Tool Box at the end of the study for suggested sources.) Parallel passages in other books. Accounts found in parallel passages, while very similar, often reveal small but critical details omitted by another author. Inductive Method Step 2: Interpretation Webster tells us that interpret means to explain the meaning or make understandable. What is the spiritual truth or lesson that God is trying to teach in this passage? Don t isolate the passage but read into it and read out of it. Look for commands, imperatives, promises, or warnings. What is God saying to those people at that time? (You will share what God is saying to you in the next section.) State the spiritual truth or lesson in a single sentence. Inductive Method Step 3: Application This is where you purpose to do what God has taught you in your time with Him. It is through applying the Word that God changes lives. Application does not happen by osmosis but by intent. God enlightens us with His Word, we apply what we ve learned with our wills, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to carry out these choices. The goal of all application is to glorify God by becoming more like Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for... Teaching: What did I learn? Reproof: Where do I fall short? Why do I fall short? Correction: What will I do about it? Training in righteousness: How can I make this principle a consistent part of my life? Study Text / Worksheet Write down your observations, comments, or questions directly on the text as you go over it. God s Promise Is Not Slack 2 Peter 3:1 9 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you 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 Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which 3
the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. My Observations Digging Deeper Interpretation: Application: Living in Light of the Lord s Return 2 Peter 3:10 18 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to 4
His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. My Observations 5 Digging Deeper Interpretation: Application: Parallel Passage When my family is hosting a large gathering for friends and relatives, the preparation for the arrival of guests starts at a very leisurely pace that gradually accelerates into a near frenzy as time winds down and the first guests pull up in front of our house. Unfortunately most of us, while agreeing that Jesus will come again, prepare for the event like my family preparing for a party. Our passages of Scripture in this week s study should create a sense of urgency and direction for purposeful living in light of the imminent return of Jesus.
The Day of the Lord 1 Thessalonians 4:13 5:11 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one 5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, Peace and safety! then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. My Observations Digging Deeper 6
Interpretation: Application: Take Away / Summary If one of your friends at work or a neighbor were to ask you what you did on Tuesday, you would tell them you went to a Bible study. The next question would likely be, What did you learn? We often summarize an entire athletic contest or a movie in a few brief sentences and easily convey the essence of the event. Now apply these same skills to give a summary of the passage in a sentence or two. Then, in an additional sentence or two, describe what impact this passage will have on how you live. Memory Verse But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8 9 Key Words/Phrases Write out the definition of these key words. You can use a regular dictionary or go to one of the Greek sources listed in the Tool Box at the end of the study. You may also use a concordance to see where else and how the word is used in the Bible. Longsuffering Toward Us (2 Peter 3:9) 7
Day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:10) Tool Box Step 1: The Bible. Read the passage in a couple of different versions. If you are having trouble understanding a passage, choose a more dynamic version such as New Living Translation or The Message). To focus in on the exact meaning of a verse, choose a more literal translation such as New American Standard Bible or New King James Version. Step 2: Study Tools. Use these to help you dig deeper. Background Information: 1) Unger s Bible Dictionary 2) Bible Dictionaries online at biblestudytools.com and blueletterbible.com. Word Studies: 1) Zodhiates The Complete Word Study New Testament 2) Vine s Complete Expository Dictionary 3) Strong s Dictionary of Bible Words 4) The two websites listed above Step 3: Commentaries. Commentaries should not be used in place of studying God s Word directly, but they can give you additional insights. Some good commentaries include: John MacArthur, J. Vernon McGee, The Expositors Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, William Barclay (great for background and culture but be careful of his spiritual applications). 2014 Mark Newton. All rights reserved. Express permission granted for use and reproduction by Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA. www.harvest.org Message Notes 8