Living in Light of the End

2 Peter 3:10-18 Living in Light of the End: Ethics in an Uncertain World

Big Idea: Because everything will be revealed when Christ returns, believers should live ready, humble, and diligent lives shaped by eternal hope.

V.10 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-4 Timeline:

V.11-13 In light of a soon-coming king and judgment, what sort of people should we be?

3 logical responses on how we should live:

• 1. Live : V.11 Like your next big event is Jesus’ return. A ready person:
     1. holds lightly to material things and lays up treasures in heaven.
     2. Hope fuels action: v.13-14 (3x) Future hope drives present holiness.
  2. Live : Live as though everything will be revealed because it will. this person:
     1. Is humble and repentant.
     2. Takes seriously the call to live differently.
  3. Live Diligently v.12: Live to “hasten” Jesus’ soon return: How?
     1. Prayer -Mt. 6:10 “Your kingdom come”
        1. Kurdish people
        2. Unsaved friends/family
        3. Opportunities in your Oikos.
     2. Gospel proclamation (cf. Matt 24:14)- “this gospel of the kingdom… will be preached in the whole world, as a testimony to all peoples; and then the end will come. Evangelism is the means God uses to complete His harvest. V.15
     3. Repentance (Acts 3:19–21) How this hastens: Repentance is how people enter the kingdom and every conversion is one step closer to completion.
     4. Holy living (3:11-12): The church’s maturity is part of the timeline. Eph. 5 says that Jesus returns for a purified bride. There is a progression:

Prayer empowers God’s appointed work. Evangelism gathers the harvest. Repentance is the response to evangelism and fills the kingdom. Holiness prepares the bride.

Grow Group Discussion Questions

1. What area of your life would change first if you knew Jesus was returning this week?
2. Why do you think God delays His return, and how does that affect how you treat unbelievers?
3. What does “living holy but not legalistic” look like practically in your daily routine?
4. Which of the four ways to hasten Christ’s return (prayer, evangelism, repentance, holiness) challenges you most?
5. How can our group help each other live more ready for eternity this week?

Family Corner

Jesus is coming back one day, and He wants us to live in a way that shows we love Him and others. Let’s ask each other tonight: what’s one thing we can do tomorrow that would make Jesus smile?”

1. If Jesus came to visit our house tonight, what would you want Him to see you doing?
2. Why does God wait before coming back? (Answer idea: because He wants more people to be saved.)