~~~~~ No 35 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~ **Considering 2 Peter 3:15-16** And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. *1/ What we are to count as salvation - the longsuffering of our Lord. 2/ Who are those that are to be destroyed - the unlearned and unstable. 3/ What leads to these men's destruction - scriptures that are hard to understand and wresting or twisting scripture.* **Sermon summary:** The sermon examines the contrast between salvation and destruction as presented in 2 Peter 3:15-16, emphasizing that the long-suffering of the Lord is the mechanism of salvation for those who repent. It warns against the character of the unlearned and unstable, who twist Scripture to their own destruction, particularly regarding vital doctrines such as the person of Christ and the sufficiency of grace. The preacher contrasts the natural understanding of the world with the spiritual illumination provided by the Holy Spirit, urging believers to remain grounded in sound doctrine rather than being tossed about by diverse teachings. The message serves as both a comfort to sinners, highlighting God's patience, and a solemn warning against abusing that patience or engaging in heretical interpretations of the Bible.
