PM Sermon Outline: 11/27/2022
Except Who? (2 Peter 3:9)
Bro Avery Hines
In the 13th chapter of the book of John Jesus gives his disciples all sorts of discouraging news; He would be betrayed, remember, “that thou doest, do quickly.” He must let Peter, the “rock”, know that he is not as strong as he thinks he is “the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.” So, you might imagine the mindset at that moment, but Jesus then gives them the “good news.”
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
I go to prepare a place for you. The title of this lesson is “Except Who?”
I often find it kind of hard to say this, but there is an exception; an except who. If you read John chapter 14 verses 1-4, you’re immediately uplifted. It is a “go to” verse in the bible to make people feel good, like there’s hope, but there is a condition, and it is often overlooked, or even ignored. Jesus says “ye believe in God”, because they believed in God. Then He says “believe also in me”; there’s the condition, believing in Jesus. And where the condition comes in there also the exception comes in.
Remember, last week we went to Revelation; But the fearful and unbelieving — Who have not courage to face the difficulties which an open profession of my religion requires, and therefore do not overcome; and the abominable — All who indulge themselves in abominable vices to gratify their lusts; and murderers — Of the bodies, souls, or reputation of their fellow-creatures; and whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars — All who allow themselves, in their words or actions, to violate the eternal and immutable laws of truth and righteousness.
Verses 1-4 of chapter 14 of John was recorded, albeit the entirety of the bible that every future generation may carefully peruse and seriously consider it. Listen to this, every sincere believer, however weak, may be encouraged, and that every obstinate sinner may be terrified, and, if possible, awakened; and that none, in the day of the final judgment, may complain that they have not been warned and cautioned, with the greatest plainness and the greatest importance.
Except who, Jesus said “Ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
It is not my intent to keep you long. I want to show you 3 verses; prayerfully give you a little insight, and then attempt to give you a broader picture.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Again, ye believe in God, believe also in me. And the scripture goes farther than “for God so loved the world”. Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Except who, he that believe not. Why, because he hath not believed.
2Pe 3:9 The 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. Did you notice the “any” and “all” in that scripture? That any should perish; that all should come to repentance.
See, if we go back to verse 3; in the last days there will be scoffers, walking after their own lust (desires). Mockers (also called “scoffers” in Scripture) defy and renounce truth and good things, not only to their own detriment and destruction, but that of others. They are provokers of others to wrong, strife, and evil. But remember, the bible says “God is not mocked; for whatever a man’s sow, that shall he reap.
In those days, according to verse 4, they were asking where is this coming? These days no one is even concerned with that; they’ve given in to bad influence, to false teaching, or prefer no teaching at all. Some seem to have a “why is God taking so long” attitude if they express an attitude toward God at all.
God is above and beyond the concept of time. It may seem like we have been waiting a long time, but, to God, it could have been just a blink of an eye. Peter tries to explain why God has waited so long, from our viewpoint. The church believes it is God’s mercy that delays His judgment. The church believes God is waiting to give more people the opportunity to repent. God does not want there to be an “except who”; he wants any, and all, to have eternal life, just as John 14:1 says; if ye believe in God, believe in me.
Luke 16:19 There was once a rich man who wore expensive clothes and every day ate the best food.
Luke 16:20 But a poor beggar named Lazarus was brought to the gate of the rich man's house.
Luke 16:21 He was happy just to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs kept coming up to lick them.
Luke 16:22 The poor man died, and angels took him to the place of honor next to Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. Luke 16:23 He went to hell and was suffering terribly. When he looked up and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side, Luke 16:24 he said to Abraham, "Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch my tongue. I'm suffering terribly in this fire." Luke 16:25 Abraham answered, "My friend, remember that while you lived, you had everything good, and Lazarus had everything bad. Now he is happy, and you are in pain. Luke 16:26 And besides, there is a deep ditch between us, and no one from either side can cross over." Luke 16:27 But the rich man said, "Abraham, then please send Lazarus to my father's home. Luke 16:28 Let him warn my five brothers, so they won't come to this horrible place." Luke 16:29 Abraham answered, "Your brothers can read what Moses and the prophets wrote. They should pay attention to that." Luke 16:30 Then the rich man said, "No, that's not enough! If only someone from the dead would go to them, they would listen and turn to God." Luke 16:31 So Abraham said, "If they won't pay attention to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even to someone who comes back from the dead."
If you’re not a member of the body of Christ; you can be.
Hear the word of God, believe the word, of God, repent (turn to follow Christ), confess that Jesus is the Son of God, be baptized… for God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him…
Don’t let except who be except you.