Tough & Tender - Week 4 - The CORE - Pastor Tim Glende
Tough and Tender
Week 4 - The CORE
Pastor Tim Glende
Well, welcome to our summer sermon series right in the middle of it, “Tough and Tender”, and we've been following along in the book of second Peter, we just finished up chapter 2. We're going to get into chapter 3 today. And like I said, at the beginning of our sermon, I'm going to jump right into the middle section. So, we're going to kind of take it a little bit out of order, but I pray that you're blessed as we get to listen to important truths. That Peter wanted Christians, 2,000 years ago to apply to their lives. Just like they did. I pray that you do as well. Which is why I want to start right away in filling in our blanks with our question and take away that I really want you to think about today. What are you living for?
Like, what is it on the calendar that you are looking forward to? What is it that you are saving up money to spend it on that trip or event? What is it in your life? What is it in your family right now that you are living for? And I literally want you to think about that, somebody to help you, if you're not sure what it might be, what is it that you're spending, your time and your energy and your resources on like what's getting your thoughts? What's getting your resources? What's dominating your calendar? Might help you identify what you're living for.
If a family member or friend heard your unconscious thoughts, or maybe overheard the conversations at your kitchen table of the things that are going on in your life or the things that are really important to you and matter to you, what would they take? Note of and say it's definitely what they're living for.
What is it that has your heart? That you're passionate about. That you're living for maybe literally. Or looking forward to experiencing it in the days, months, weeks, years ahead.
No, I'm not sure what you wrote down, but I literally want you to have that. In mind, if you didn't write it down. Because here's probably what I would believe to be true about what you thought of or what you wrote down. They're probably not bad things, they're probably good things. Like right now, if I was honest, my wife, and I would tell you that, what we're living for, what we're looking forward to, what we're saving up money for is my 50th Birthday trip, that's coming up in a little over a month. Never been to the east coast, and we're going to Boston, and in Vermont, and, and maybe up into Maine, and we're going to stop it. My favorite Brewery of all times that have never seen, and it's gonna be really good.
And it's going to be really expensive. Like flying today.
Maybe it's a wedding. Maybe it's your child. Getting married and a granddaughter getting married. Maybe it's that you're living for that day. When you get to cross the finish line of graduation maybe it's the relationship here in and it gets your time and your energy because you pray that this is the one I want to be really honest and say those things are really good things, they're God things, they're not in themself bad things but here's the thing about a lot of good things that we live for the thing.
Like our kids.
Like a job.
Like that girl, that boy.
Like retirement.
Like, there can be good things but they can cross the line and become. THE thing. Which is really the issue.
That’s what Peter saw for those first century Christians. If you've been reading through the book of 2nd Peter within our series, as you've been coming across the different words, we're doing in our “Tough and Tender” Bible study, when you get to this section,
Can identify one of the issues that those Christians 2,000 years ago had that Christians, 2,000 years later still, have that that you have and I'm going to be honest with you today. I have it that sometimes we get consumed by being caught up and focused on the here and now and we forget about eternity like the things we live for the things that get our time and attention. Those good things sometimes become the thing and they distract us from the ultimate thing and that's what I pray. You wrestle with the day in that question, has a good thing to become a bad thing. What are you living for? Maybe some of you need to wrestle with the question differently that it's not a good thing. Like you're living for the here and the now and it's more like the prodigal son, but it is a child of God. What are you living for? And with that question on your mind, I want you to hear where Peter takes those Christians. 2,000 years ago, who wrestled with that same issue.
Most of them are not over indulging. In the prodigal life, the ones he was writing to were wrestling and struggling with storms with persecution with false teachers. As you heard about last week, people were putting questions in their head about the end of time and that's really what chapter 3 is and Pastor Bill next week is gonna help you wrestle with the answer to the question of, why hasn't God returned yet? But today, Peter is going to go from that point to the one we want to highlight today. Tell us to understand why it's so important to answer this question, right? What are you living for? So let's get after it. 2nd Peter chapter 3. And start with verse 10. We're going to jump around this little section, but you're going to see why in just a second because here's where Peter goes after answering the question. Why isn't God come back yet? Isolation, Peter says what, the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The day of the Lord is another day term for judgment day. It's an Old Testament term that Peter references more Old Testament prophets, used this, as the analogy and picture the day of the Lord, the ultimate day, the triumphant day, the the day on which he will come down in all his glory Day, Jesus referred to it. As the last day we sometimes call it Judgment Day.
Peter after wrestling with the question and helping them understand what Pastor Bills is going to talk about next week as to why it hasn't happened yet. Peter comes right out. Smack him in the face, really direct? It'll happen. Literally in the Greek as recorded by God, that word order matters. He will come. The day of the Lord make no mistake, don't be confused or allow those false teachers to convince you otherwise don't let doubt sink in and and don't allow the live for the here in the now moments. To cause you to forget that there's going to be a moment.
It will come. Peter said, And it will come like a thief. I gots the common reference often times that is attached in the Bible to Judgement Day of the last day. So Jesus said no one knows about that day or hour. Not even the angels, only the father. Like no one has a clue. No one knows when it's going to happen. In fact, the reality is, it's going to happen in a way that is unexpected. You're not going to see it coming. It's going to It's not going to take place when you expect it to when you're looking for. When you're sitting there and staring and going yep I called it.
I am like a thief. Two times in my life. I've experienced how thieves work. Like the night, my family came home from 7th grade graduation at St. Paul's in Columbus. We got to our house and the window was smashed. The house was turned upside down and valuable items of my mom and dad were gone.
We didn't know they were coming.
Or like the week after my honeymoon and my car in the morning was gone. And being the great husband I was, I doubted my wife and saying, honey, where's your car? It's outside, where's your car? It's outside. No, it's gone. It's gone. Like a thief came during the night when I wasn't watching it, when I wasn't expecting it and took it away, I wish they would have kept it and I didn't have to deal with the issues afterwards.
And here's the point.
Jesus talked about this a lot during his last week of Life read through the gospels, Is His Holy Week. Teachings are a lot about the end of time. Talk about the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins, some who are ready in some who weren't
Some of you out there are living for the here and the now, And I've even heard you say. Well, I'll get around to God or when it comes to my resources. When I get past this phase or that phase, God will get a little bit more of me than he's getting now.
And that's dangerous.
Like the slow creep of what you're living for, even for good things can lead to that thing, becoming the thing. And I bet you. If you let me evaluate your roots and you were honest about them. If you got to evaluate mind, you would see the Leaky areas. And how What I'm Living For is. Taking me off focus.
It can become a very dangerous thing that can lead to a bad thing. Peter wanted to make sure that this fact was very clear. Because if you're living for the here in the now, if this life is the be-all and end-all, if that's what you're living for Peter wants to make very clear that you understand this, it will come and it will come like a thief. You need to be ready at all times because you don't have a date on the calendar because when it does happen, this is what's going to happen. Look at these two verses that are sandwiched right around another section. Second Peter chapter 3. First verse 10. The heavens will disappear with a roar. The elements will be destroyed by fire in the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Like the be all and end all of this life, all the toys, all the possessions, every last thing, even the beautiful things of nature, The Amazing Creation that we get to Marvel. At it times, everything will be laid bare, everything will disappear at the war. There will be fire, that burns. It all up the destruction. Verse 12 B says the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.
Like if this is what you're living for, if it is the greatest thing, if it's the only thing, if it's become the thing, understand that all of these things, On that day, will cease to exist.
Like it's nice to have nice things.
It's nice to enjoy the things that this cruel world that God created for for mankind to enjoy, like read Ecclesiastes. It's not wrong, it's not bad.
Convincing myself that because I'm thinking about that trip again. It's okay, pastor. Tim to spend all that money doing that.
And it is.
As long as it's not becoming the thing. And those other things that are far more important that are all about God. Those Jesus roots.
Because in that moment,
All these things. They don't matter.
They're going to be gone.
And perhaps even scarier right in the middle, that verse is the phrase, which makes this tough, everything done in it will be laid bare.
Like everything you've done.
Everything. Every person has done everything.
But you might be trying to cover up, what you're living for that. You wrote down.
The Lord didn't need you to write it down. He knows it.
Which can be terrifying, can it?
Like, the day of the Lord that seen everything being destroyed the destruction that will come about brings fear to the non-christians hard, doesn't it? It's a tough word because it's a terrifying word.
Peter doesn't want you and me to be terrified. That you can evaluate, look at your heart and know sometimes I've lived for the wrong thing. If you're honest and truthful, it'd be really good for you to do that. If there's something right now, you're living for that, you need to address come and talk to one of us as pastors. We would love to encourage you in The Amazing Grace that God has for you and encouragement. God Longs for you to hear. To go in the other direction. And for the Christian who knows, Jesus, who understands God, who knows these truths. Peter doesn't want you to be afraid on that day. It's tough to hear those kind of words, which is why also right in the middle of them, gives us these words. But in keeping with his promise, here's the tender. We are looking forward to a new Heaven and a new Earth where righteousness dwells. I want you to focus on two words. New. Like, when I tell, you knew what comes to mind, Is new ever bad. I don't know. Oh, my wife would tell you her new car is way better than my 2001 Chevy truck is rusting. It's new like even though it still smells new, it's only four months old like it's that right? Knew it was better like new when the latest and greatest technology comes out the new iPhone rules out. You might be the first one in line because you love the new features. New to a runner when they've used their shoes up and they've burned out new shoes. Good souls are so much better. Like if you think this world is the beyond end, all if you're holding on to with both hands, I pray that today. Maybe just one of your fingers loses a little grip on it because you see there's something better. Something new. You know, what's the
Thing about the new. It's the place where righteousness literally lives.
You know what righteousness is?
It's what you and I wouldn't be without God.
Look like, God talks about righteousness, being that moral quality, that Excellence. That's required you. And I wouldn't be righteous if it wasn't for Jesus. He became our sin so that we might become his righteousness, like his perfect life, his death on the cross, everything he did for every time you live for the wrong thing, he lived for God, he lived for their. That's what all he was about. And you know what? You and I get as a result of Jesus, you know, you and I get because of Grace, you went, you know what you and I have because of the cross of Jesus Christ's righteousness. Now we are righteous
We still live in a sinful world of broken planet. You know what happens to new things. They break. They get replaced, they get old, they wear out. They're no longer in style, probably like my clothes. But this place will never get old. Because this new is all about Jesus and Grace, and forgiveness, and Holiness and love. You know why the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians, says these three things, remain faith, hope and love. Like when it's all said and done, when were there those three things that remain faith? Hope and love are all there because that's where righteousness dwells faith in God, by the power of His spirit that brought us there. It's, it's the hope that we're experiencing in full as the love of Jesus Christ that made it possible. My friends, that is such a tender comforting word in a broken world. And I need you to hold on to it when you're struggling with what you're living for. When you're thinking about the things here are so much better. How could that be any better? It's new, the righteousness of God will live there, because Jesus lives there. Butters of thousand days in your courts than one.
Anywhere else, what is your place? It's where I want to be.
Which gets to the why? Like Peter lays, all these things out, the facts of the end, it's going to happen. It's going to eliminate everything. Make sure you're living for the right things, as you're not going to see it coming, these things are going to be gone. They're what you will get to experience. Is so worth living for their righteousness of God dwells there. Jesus himself to
Will be holy and perfect. No sin will be there. And since all that is true, Peter says, this since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? It's really a rhetorical question but he put on their heart. Like how you live what you're living for? Should be different. You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed. It's coming.
Live for something different. Live for something different in mind.
That's why I love that. We talk so much about the roots.
Because all those different routes help you do just that live. Godly lives. Help you look forward to the day of God. Encourage you to pray and carry out the things that you can do that that God has called us to do. When we pray your kingdom, come sharing, God's word, telling others about Jesus living as God would have us live as lights in a dark World. Carries out that mission those Jesus Roots. My friends are so vitally important gather here so that you can remember what you're living for is gathering there and it's gonna be so much better like Jonathan and Jordan sing like Angels but the angels Just wait like group right here because, you know, you get to do in group. You get to encourage one another. When our eyes might get off focus, when we might start living and going down the wrong path. So that we don't let a good thing become the thing because, you know, we're going to get to do there, be in groups, a large group, the group of the family of God. And that group my friends is going to be so much better. Like grow right now. So you can do the things God Longs for you to do The Godly life that he's called you to the place, you can find the strength to do it in the Holy Spirit.
It'll be so worth it because it'll keep your eyes. On the day, you're looking forward to.
Give. Like, I just think about resources, time and energy our calendars reveal a lot. About we're living for The Giver, gives you a great opportunity to apply here. What really matters and who were living for and go. Like, sometimes I know it's hard and this is hard but it's so worth it. Like if this is what's going to happen to this place and you and I know people in this place that we love
The GO root is such an important thing to help carry out that day of the Lord. My friends. Here's the truth. But I want to leave you with and I want you to hold on to that. I think Peter wants them to remember because it's important to be lanced. The question rightly, what are you living for? Remember this, the day of the Lord is coming? I know it's simple. I know it's sweet but that's both tough and tender. The tough part. It's all going to be gone. The tough part. Like all of what we've done is we've been revealed, but the tender part of Jesus is what God sees what Jesus did is what has made us righteous and we'll live in righteousness forever. It's tough, and it's tender. It's hard to live Godly lives in a Godless world. So, don't forget the truth. It is coming, be ready right now.
Which leaves me with that, take away that I want to try and reinforce for you just a little bit of what Peter wanted them to maybe walk away with.
I have something I think might help you see this and I heard Pastor Mike did this before. So if you've seen this before, maybe this will help create the perspective you need.
Like the red part is my life. Like birth death, I'm going to turn 50. I admitted it already some about two-thirds done like I'm here.
Like I'll just be honest if I get the law of averages 7778, it's not much longer.
The red represents my life. The white is eternity. I understand the difference between these two. What you're living for. If it's in the red, it's all about the red. These things have become the thing. You're missing out on the thing and and all that it has to offer where righteousness lives and dwells down at that. You need a little help. If you can help it run visualize this like get the right perspective, understand the reality, what Peter knew was so important. He wanted to impress on their hearts as don't live for the here and now don't don't let it consume you. But instead live for eternity I keep going.
I keep going. They understand the white. Eternity like, keep going.
Take it out the door if you need to keep going. I think there's a whole lot of rope keep going. Like the Rope is all bunched up, like I don't think eternity has punches in it, but Keep going. All right, so you can close the door now like we can't see how far it goes. Like, that's good, right there is leave it sit. Close the door. Like Jonathan's gone and Eternity is out there. You don't know how long it goes.
Look at that.
That's the Here and Now
My friends time is short. Peter said, What time here on Earth is short?
Eternity. Eternity is long.
If you fill in the blanks, The takeaway, they answer the question. What are you living for what Peter wants you to live for what God wants you to live for?
I did about the new, like, in the here and the now Quality time in your Jesus roots. Have impact on. Eternity. The bless you now to be focused on there because this won't consume you. And that'll be where you're headed. It's by the grace of God, that that can happen. Like, there are so many good things in this timeline of my life.
There, we have so many better things, new things. This Side of Heaven.
Exactly what the Apostle John knew.
Live for eternity. The Apostle John in Revelation said this. I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth like God allowed him to cast a vision of that for the first Heaven, and the first Earth had passed away. And there was no longer any sea. What Peter talked about John was able to visualize and see I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven, from God prepared. As a bride beautifully, dressed for her husband, and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, look, God's dwelling. Place is now among the people God, he will dwell with them. He will, they will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes will be no more death or Mourning or crying or pain for the old Order of Things has passed away. He was Seated on the throne said, I am making everything new That's Jesus. And he said, write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.
My friends live for eternity. It'll be so much better.
And as you do, so many more people will be blessed. Well, they're living here. Because they'll be there by the grace of God. Let's pray about that.
Or the stuff message.
What makes it tough as we love here? Sometimes too much.
I love my wife, I love my kids, I love my granddaughter, I love my church. I love good food. I love so many things that are part of this amazing world in blessings from you. Sometimes those good things become THE thing. And I forget about the ultimate thing. All the Holiness and righteousness, the joy, and the love and the happiness. The celebration that eternity will be Because Lord, Peter was one of those people he wrote to us to not be deceived to know that in the blink of an eye in a moment today. Tomorrow, 500 years from now, it could happen. So, to be ready. To not live for the here and now because it will be gone. But to live for eternity in mind, because Eternity. Lord is with you. We turn to you and will go on and on and on the celebration of grace and the joy of that place. And each and every day with Jesus. That's worth living for. And that's all my life, that's possible because you live for us. They bless us in this, strengthen us and allow us to live holy and godly lives as we see that day approaching. Amen
