Imminent 2 Peter 1:12-15 (AMP)

Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and are established in the truth which is held firmly in your grasp. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this earthly tent, to inspire you by reminding you, 14 knowing that the laying aside of this earthly tent of mine is imminent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 Moreover, I will diligently endeavor [to see to it] that even after my departure you will be able, at all times, to call these things to mind.

• Apostle Peter states three very important things here: Serving as a reminder:

1. He would always remind them of these things. Which things?

• These things that in 2 Peter 1:4 – Precious and magnificent promises (of inexpressible value) – to help us escape from immoral freedoms 
• Faith with Virtual 
• Virtual with knowledge
• Knowledge with self-control
• Self-control with steadfastness
• Steadfastness with godliness
• And godliness with brotherly affection 
• Brotherly affections with love 
• He concludes that these qualities are ours and if we don’t have them, they will leave us unfruitful/ineffective, near sighted – can’t see far ( what God is doing/Just ourselves)

2. He is in his earthly tent – He does not belong here – He is passing by

• Peter knew that even thought Jesus said, I am coming back soon, for him death had been for told 
• John 21:18-19(Nkjv) “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
• He had very clear understanding of his role while he was in the earthly tent –His mission to remind people of the word of God
• Having walked with Jesus, he spoke of the Word of God that He had seen at work – we should do the same 
• He knew that the life he lived was temporally and soon he would lay it aside – that laying it aside was imminent 

3. What would happen after his death – Yes death is imminent …no one will live forever(on this earth) but How did he want to be remembered?

• Apostle Peter wants people to remember the things of God – the things that he taught 
• To recall these things long after he was gone- He is not asking to be remembered for ;  being good looking, his humor, his giving, his sacrifice – He only wants that which has life giving – The word of God 

I titled this message imminent (about to happen, hanging over, happening soon, at hand, approaching, impending, close

• Imminent – (war, a doctor’s report , drinking poison, wild fire close to a residential home,
  • In 1678 war seemed imminent between France and England
  • When the arrival of a new baby is imminent, the family dynamics can’t help but change somewhat.
  • Your church leader has predicted the imminent end of the world.
• My example – Lucy our neighbor’s dog – it’s a matter of time (imminent) before he breaks through the fence and kill all of us – Starting with Zuri
• Apostle Paul is saying – I know that I am in a temporary body and my time is coming to leave this earth- Its imminent 
• He knew that he was against time – Something that we often forget because technology has a way of lying to us that we will live forever
• I contemplated on putting the birth and death clock up here and let it run and see how many people pass by the time we are done with the sermon – and truly you would be like Phew – I am glad I wasn’t on that list 
• Why is it important to remember? Because a time will come when we leave this earth 
• Our time on this earth is very limited,
  • Psalm 39:4-7 (NLT) “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
• And if you don’t take heed, if we are not reminded, if we don’t pay close attention, we will come to the end of our lives only to see all our works burnt up
  • 1 Corinthians 3:13 (Nkjv) Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is
• What pity to have woken up every morning, fighting the alarm day after day, only to realize that all the work we have done is nothing but a pile of smoke? 
•  I am not a morning person. God knows I have tried everything – back in the days they would tie a chicken to the leg – true story 
• I have chickens, not sure how Eva would take it if I did that 
• Woke up, went to work, and don’t forget traffic, and every detail of you day, put up with others 
• Day in day out – and yes from the outside you seem ok only to get before God, and you watch your lives worth been burn up and you hear these words “sorry I never knew you.”
• In this chapter Peter is aware that his time is drawing near and soon his works will be weighed- He wants his legacy to be more valuable than mere word of people – praises of people 
• He longs to hear the same amazing words that Paul longed for
  • 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (Nkjv) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. These men spoke the whole council of God and did not shy from the truth 
• Winning a fight or finishing a race requires us to know the why we are running/Fighting and what it takes to win/Finish
• It requires a time awareness
• 1 Peter 1: 14- Knowing that laying of this tent is imminent 
• The end of our journey here on earth is drawing near every day, we are taking a step closer to the end 
• The question remains what will you leave behind?
•  Parent what are you leaving behind for you kids – Birth parent, foster parent, adopting parent and spiritual parents 
• 1 Peter 1:15- Moreover, I will diligently endeavor [to see to it] that even after my departure you will be able, at all times, to call these things to mind.
• After your departure what are the kids going to remember?
• What kind of legacy are you going to leave 
• I was looking up the word legacy and most of the time people just think it’s all about money, but did you know according to some really smart people that I looked up online.
  • A legacy may be of one’s faith, ethics or core value 
  • It may come from one’s character, reputation, and the life you lead – setting an example for others – what they see they copy 
  • Legacies have a huge impact on the future generation 
  • They provide a guidance and inspiration for people and impact how they see Faith, Community, and business 
• What you do or don’t do matters in the Kingdom of God. It matters if your children and those around you are going to continue to follow Christ 
• Check out what the Lord says about generation:
• Deuteronomy 5:9-10 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 10 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[a] who love me and obey my commands.
• Deuteronomy 7:9 (Nkjv) Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
• Exodus 20:5(Nkjv) -You shall not bow down to them nor [a]serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting[b] the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
• Yes just like Apostle Peter : 2 Peter 1:13 (Nkjv) Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this [a]tent, to stir you up by reminding you – I am doing the same this evening
• Remember Lucy, on Monday it happened!
• Lucy – big bark but nothing – 
• Unfortunately, we can go through this life looking great on the outside and honestly thinking that we are doing the right thing only to fall big time 
• To get to the other side of the “fence” and look confused- We need to be sure that we are planted
• But Lord – check out my resume, you can even ask my friend, see all the things people have said about me?
  • Matthew 7:21-23 (Nkjv) Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
• As we come to the end, I want to remind you that a path has already been set to guarantee you a great ending  

1. Romans 3:23 (Nkjv) …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

• When you recognize your sinful nature that without Christ it’s impossible to do anything right-  a transformation begins.

2. John15:5(Nkjv) -I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
   1. When you abide in Christ its imminent that you will bear fruit and they will be visible 
3. John 3:16 (Nkjv)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
   1. This is a free gift for anyone who say yes, I believe that you died for my sins
4. Romans 10:13 (Nkjv) –For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
   1. The promise of salvation is immediate/Now for those who call on the name of the Lord. 
5. Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
   1. You immediately own a new heart, new spirit, an obedient one and one that desires to follow Christ. 

• 2 Peter 1:13- 15(Amp) I think it right, as long as I am in this earthly tent, to inspire you by reminding you, 14 knowing that the laying aside of this earthly tent of mine is imminent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 Moreover, I will diligently endeavor [to see to it] that even after my departure you will be able, at all times, to call these things to mind.

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