August 26, 2007
Sun Oak Baptist Church
Introduction
See Matt. 24:1-27.
Theme of 2nd Peter is “certainty.” Chap. 1: be certain you are saved. Chap. 2: be certain false teachers will be in the church. 1:10, 16, and chap. 3: be certain Jesus is coming again. Over one-third of this 2nd letter devoted to the Second Coming of Christ.
4 statements regarding the doctrine of Christ’s Second Coming.
I. The doctrine of Christ’s Second Coming questioned.
How is the doctrine of the Second Coming attacked? What tactics does Satan and false teachers use?
A. Tactic #1: they question God’s Word.
1. Satan tempted Eve by calling into question God’s Word. See Gen. 3:1-4.
2. The media constantly questions God’s Word.
3. “Scholars” constantly question God’s Word.
B. Tactic #2: they twist God’s Word.
When Satan quoted God he changed what God actually said. See Gen. 3:1 and 2:16-17.
C. Adolph Hitler: “If you tell a lie long enough, loud enough, and often enough, the people will believe it.”
II. The doctrine of Christ’s Second Coming misunderstood.
3 reasons why Christ’s Second Coming is misunderstood.
A. Reason #1: because Biblical doctrine in general today is neglected.
1. Early Christians were devoted to doctrine. See Acts 2:42.
2. Doctrine in the church today is neglected.
3. Preaching and teaching today has the ever increasing tendency to indulge people in a vague, general, and moralizing philosophy with respect to life.
B. Reason #2: because of a variety of teachings about Christ’s Second coming.
C. Reason #3: because the study of prophecy is over-emphasized.
Conclusion
This message is the first of 3 parts.