Some of God's Promises Are Conditional (2 Peter 3:9)
Introduction:
1. Peter stated in 2 Peter 1:4 that God has given "exceeding great and precious promises" to His people. 2. Later, Peter stated in the verse we read that "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise" (2 Peter 3:9). 3. As we pointed out last Sunday evening, "God can be trusted." 4. We can trust God because He keeps His promises. 5. In our lesson we are pointing out from the Scriptures that "some of God's promises are conditional." 6. We first need to point out how . . .
Discussion:
I. GOD HAS MADE SOME PROMISES THAT ARE UNCONDITIONAL
A. (Genesis 8:22) God said that the earth will always experience the various seasons and the regular passing of days and nights. 1. God had made provision for this on the 4th day of Creation (Genesis 1:14). 2. God's design will continue as long as the earth exists. B. (Genesis 9:8-17) God told Noah and his sons that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. 1. God did not say that the earth: a. will never experience floods b. will never be destroyed. 2. He placed the rainbow in the cloud as the token of His covenant.
II. GOD HAS MADE SOME PROMISES THAT ARE CONDITIONAL
A. God promised to give Canaan to Abraham's descendants forever (Genesis 12:1, 5, 7; 13:15). 1. God's promise included conditions for the Israelites. a. God said He would bless the Israelites if they remained faithful to Him (Deuteronomy 7:9-13). b. God also said He would curse the Israelites if they turned from Him and worshipped idols (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). 2. God kept His promise to give Canaan to the Israelites (Joshua 21:43, 45). 3. Unfortunately, the Israelites did not abide by the conditions that God gave to them, and He removed them from Canaan (2 Kings 17:5-8; 25:1, 21). B. God promised to bless Solomon and his throne forever (1 Kings 9:4-5). 1. God's promise included conditions for Solomon. a. God required Solomon to serve Him faithfully (1 Kings 3:14). b. God also said in 1 Kings 9:6-7 that He would punish Solomon if he turned to other gods. 2. Unfortunately, Solomon worshipped the idols of his wives, and God punished him (1 Kings 11:6-11). C. God has made a special promise to Christians -- "eternal life" (Titus 1:2). 1. This promise includes conditions. a. Those who desire to receive eternal life must be "faithful unto death" (Revelation 2:10). b. Those who turn from the Lord and back to the world will not receive this blessing (2 Peter 2:20-21). 2. God's promise is trustworthy, and trusting in it will lead His people to serve Him faithfully. 3. Those who serve God faithfully will be blessed with eternal life.
Conclusion:
1. How grateful we need to be that: a. God has given us such wonderful promises b. God is not slack concerning His promises. 2. Let us remember that some of God's promises are conditional. 3. Let us examine ourselves to determine if we are complying with His conditions.
