Learning on the way
Sermon Summary:
The sermon focuses on God’s patience as demonstrated in 2 Peter 3:1-9. The pastor explains how God’s perspective on time differs from ours and how His patience is purposeful, not a sign of weakness or abandonment. He emphasizes that God intentionally delays His return for multiple reasons: to test our stewardship, to allow us to participate in His work, to give people time for repentance, and because of His love for humanity.
Key Points:
God’s patience is purposeful and demonstrates His love, not His powerlessness
God delays His return to test our stewardship and let us participate in His work
His patience gives people time for repentance, but shouldn’t be taken for granted
Christians are called to mirror God’s patience in their relationships with others
Jesus will return, and we should be ready and actively making disciples
Small Group Questions:
1 Peter emphasizes that he’s reminding readers of things they should already know. What spiritual truths do you find yourself frequently needing to be reminded of, and why do you think those particular truths are easy to forget?
2 The sermon highlights how God’s perspective on time differs from ours (“a day is like a thousand years”). How might viewing your current life challenges from God’s eternal perspective change how you respond to them?
3 What does it mean to you personally that God is intentionally delaying His return to see how we steward what He has entrusted to us? What specific things has God entrusted to your care?
4 The sermon mentions that God’s patience is not powerlessness or abandonment. When have you misinterpreted God’s patience in your own life as absence or indifference? How does the knowledge that Jesus will return affect how you live your daily life?
5 The sermon suggests that impatience often stems from thinking “I could do it better myself.” Share a recent example where you struggled with impatience toward someone. What was really happening in your heart?
6 Like parents letting children help with chores (even imperfectly), God chooses to let us participate in His work. How does this perspective change how you view your own service or ministry efforts?
7 Paul describes himself as an example of God’s “perfect patience” (1 Timothy 1:15-16). In what ways have you experienced God’s patience in your own spiritual journey?
8 The sermon points out that God’s patience gives those we love more opportunities to repent. Who in your life are you praying will come to know Christ, and how does God’s patience encourage you in this?
Key Verses: 2 Peter 3:8, 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 12:47-48, 1 Timothy 1:15-16
Application On The Way
This week, identify one person or situation where you’ve been impatient. Make a conscious effort to show God-like patience by: 1) Praying for them daily, 2) Looking for ways to serve them, and 3) Reflecting on how God has been patient with you in similar situations.
Verses to Go Deeper:: Luke 12:35-48, Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 15:11-32, 2 Peter 3:8-15, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Romans 2:1-11, Psalm 136, Matthew 24:36-51, James 5:7-11, Exodus 34:6-7