How to Stay Together When the World Comes Apart

August 18, 2023

Adrian Rogers

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 3:10-18

As Christians, we are citizens of Heaven, sojourning here on Earth as strangers and pilgrims in this world, which is soon passing away.

2 Peter 3:10-11 says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night… Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…”

Holy means separated; it is not a prideful thing to be holy, it simply means we are different.

Adrian Rogers says, “Holy speaks of our character and blameless speaks of our conduct.” Someday soon, this world is going to melt away; but because we have been set aside for a purpose, we will not have to fall apart with it.

In this passage, the Apostle Peter describes five components of our holy conduct; in this, we can learn how to stay together when the world comes apart.

First, we must look for His coming.

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…” (2 Peter 3:14). We must live in the expectation that Jesus Christ could come at any moment; this thought alone keeps us pure.

Second, we must labor for His Coming.

This labor is primarily through prayer and soul winning. We hasten the day that Jesus comes when we pray for His will to be done on Earth and endeavor to bring souls to Christ.

Third, we must live for His Coming.

We are to be at peace with God, with each other. and within ourselves. Living in purity doesn’t mean we are sinless; it means there is no unconfessed, unrepented sin in our hearts and lives.

We must also learn of His Coming.

We ask the Spirit for wisdom as we study God’s Word. Many of the details surrounding the Second Coming are difficult to understand. We must be faithful to read Scripture as it is written, without twisting or distorting it for our own gain.

Finally, we must lock onto His Coming.

We must get a grip onto the truth of the Word of God, for in doing so, we also hold on tight to our steadfast growth in Him

Apply it to your life

Christ’s return is imminent. Are you conducting yourself in a manner of holiness and blamelessness? As you study Scripture, are you holding fast to the truth of God’s Word and growing in your faith?