Introduction

·        2 Peter 3:1

·        The first stage of the battle for holiness takes place between our ears.

·        Wholesome thinking literally means "pure reason," or accurate thinking with                    objectivity.

·        Illustraton: Norman Vincent Peale said, "Change your thoughts and you change your world."

Transition: We'll look at four ways to think rightly about the world.

Allow the Word to shape your thoughts.

·        2 Peter 3:2

·        The "commands given by our Lord and Savior" refers to the Old Testament prophets and how they taught us to live.

·        What the Word says about the world is different from what the world says about itself.

·        The world says believe what you want but be sincere: The Word of God says Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

·        The world says "Don't get mad, get even." The Word of God teaches us to take care of those who can't care for themselves.

Be skeptical about the skeptics.

·        2 Peter 3:3–4

·        Most nonbelievers base their unbelief on emotion, circumstances, personal influence, or prejudice—not on intellectual inquiry.

·        Illustration: Movie critics or politicians usually seem more credible when they are attacking something.

·        Scoffers and cynics may be able to get pubic opinion on their side, but they usually speak from lack of knowledge and understanding.

·        We need to learn not to take the scoffers too seriously.

See every day as a gift of mercy.

·        2 Peter 3: 8, 9, 15

·        God isn't slow; he's patient.

·        Illustration: According to usprayercenter.org, every hour that Jesus waits to return changes the destiny of 673 Africans.

·        Every single day is a day of mercy.

·        Maybe you think you have squandered your life, but you can extend the calendar of mercy for someone by doing something good for the glory of his name today.

Conclusion

·        Big Idea: We need to see the world as the Word sees it; we need to refuse to see the Word as the world sees it.

·        Let the skeptics say what they will; we stand on the Word of God.

·        We celebrate every single day as a gift of mercy from our loving Father in heaven.

·        We share that mercy with the world around us.