God is Both Deliverer and Punisher
Lessons in 2 Peter • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro
Intro
Text - 2 Peter 2.4-11
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,
10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
Title - God is Both Deliverer and Punisher
Series - Lessons in 2 Peter
Many find it hard to accept the fact that God is both Savior and Destroyer, Deliverer and Punisher, Lover and Judge.
The truth is, there is no conflict in it, one is necessary in order for the other to be true.
Background
Background
the apostle Peter was concerned with the proliferation of false prophets and false teachers in his time
false prophet - grk PSEUDOPROPHETES
false teacher - grk. PSEUDODIDASKALOS
2 Peter 2.1-3
that they will bring in their destructive heresies
that many will follow their destructive ways
that they will exploit the people
But he said that their destruction will not slumber
just as God did not spare the angels who sinned
just as God brought the flood on the world of the ungodly
just as God turned to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
2 Peter 2.4-7
At the same time, he saved Noah from the flood, and delivered Lot from the destruction!
The Main Point
The Main Point
What is Peter trying to tell us?
that God is both Deliverer and Punisher
Deliverer of the righteous
Punisher of the ungodly
this gives us three important things:
the Lord “knows” how to deliver and punish
because, the Lord is - both Deliverer and Punisher
the Lord must be “both” - this is not a contradiction but a necessary component of His nature!
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
The Lord “is” - both Deliverer and Punisher
The Lord “is” - both Deliverer and Punisher
This fact is demonstrated in three key events in the past
the fall of the angels
the destruction of the world by a flood
the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire
The “fallen angels”
The “fallen angels”
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
The angels “who sinned”
when - before Adam’s time
Delivered to “hell”
grk TARTAROO (v) - cast in prison
Reserved for judgment
reserved, not predestinated
reserve - grk. TEREO, to be or become kept in a certain state
The antedeluvian civilization
The antedeluvian civilization
5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
the “ancient world”
Noah’s time, the “old world” (2 Peter 3.5-6)
Noah, a preacher of righteousness
he warned his generation of the coming judgment
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;
7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—
condemned to destruction
Abraham even tried to bargain with God
made an example to those who will live ungodly
delivered “righteous Lot”
although he “pitched his tent” towards Sodom, in his heart he was grieved with the sinful living in Sodom
The Lord “knows” how to deliver and punish
The Lord “knows” how to deliver and punish
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,
DELIVER!
DELIVER!
Noah and Lot were delivered by of their “righteous living”
Genesis 6.9
Genesis 7.1
note - Noah was still a “sinner” and needed saving grace, but his righteous living showed he had faith in God
2 Peter 2.7-8 - his soul was tormented by the evil done around him
he willingly offered his daughters to be abused in place of his guests (angels)
note - God still delivers “righteous men” from trouble
God delivers the godly out of temptations
godly - one who feared God
1 Corinthians 10.13
RESERVE!
RESERVE!
Many of the fallen angels are remain chained in darkness - reserved for judgment!
Reserve - because does not punish rightaway!
in Noah’s time, God waited for hundreds of years before He sent the flood!
Reserve - because God’s grace covenant on the cross provides an opportunity for sinners to repent!
2 Peter 3.9 - God is not slack concerning His promise
that;s why the wicked can flourish, get rich and escape justice on earth
BUT SINNER WHO DO NOT REPENT ARE ALREADY RESERVED UNDER PUNISHMENT FOR THE DAY OF JUDGMENT!
10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
those who walk according to the flesh!
those who despise authority
those who are presumptuous (daring in an improper way)
those who are self-willed (self-important, concerned only with one’s own interests)
they speak evil against dignitaries (angels) - blaspheme
The Lord must be ‘both’ - necessary components of His nature
The Lord must be ‘both’ - necessary components of His nature
Illustrations
a government who does not punish civil and public offenses cannot be a good government
it practically tolerates lawlessness!
a parent a who does not punish a child’s offense DOES NOT LOVE the child in the real sense
For God to be Righteous, He must also be a Punisher of evil.
For God to be Righteous, He must also be a Punisher of evil.
When He punishes sin and destroy evil -
God is demonstrating who He really is - that He is Holy, Good, Just
God is rewarding those who live godly and righteous in their sacrifices
12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
One Lawgiver - both Savior and Destroyer
For God to be Righteous, He must allow evil to exist
For God to be Righteous, He must allow evil to exist
God did not create evil
evil was created by those who were given the free moral agency
because is not a Tyrant, nor a Despot, nor a Dictator
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.
Ezekiel 33.11
For God to be a Savior, He must also be a Destroyer of evil.
For God to be a Savior, He must also be a Destroyer of evil.
1 John 3.8 - to destroy the works of the devil
Hebrews 2.14 - destroy the devil
Conclusion
Conclusion
NO EVIL CAN ESCAPE THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD!
all sin and evil - whether or not they are punished in this world - will face the wrath of God on Judgment Day
1 Peter 4.18
Proverbs 11.31
EVERY RIGHTEOUS AND GODLY LIVING WILL BE REWARDED BY THE RIGHTEOUS GOD!
not the “self righteousness” kind, no!
True righteousness is LIVING BY FAITH!
Matthew 6.33 - seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness!
Luke 18.28-30
The goodness and severity of God go hand in hand
Romans 11.22 - goodness and severity (harshness)
Exodus 20.5-6 - visiting iniquity…showing mercy…