Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are

















"Preach The Word"

Is There A Willingness On Our Part?

Text:  II Peter 3:9-10

Introduction:  Every great doctrine of the Bible is - and has been attacked by the devil.  People in every generation are in a state of confusion because of this.  This does not have to be if we rightly divide the Word.  Concerning:

1.  Salvation - Some do not know who  or how you can be saved.
2.  Sanctification - So many play on words, not the Bible truth.
3.  Sin - No one seems to know  what sin is anymore.
4.  Service - And many other things.

What does God say about these?  Let God be true.
At Sinai man could not come near.  Now we are asked to "Come"

I.  Sin - Verse 10
     Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:  though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword:  for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

     (1)  When can one come?  Come now.  Let us reason together.
             a. Many are waiting for various things to happen.  They have 
                 heard so many stories.
     (2)  The subject of reasoning.  Sins    Think of God's grace.
            a.  That God would even reason with us.
            b.  That He is willing to forgive us.
            c.  That God is still asking men to come.

Word Scarlet:
Hebrew "tolath" - a worm used in making a red dye.  An insect on a tree.  Word used in Psalm 22:6 for worm.  Much of this color was found in the Tabernacle, in the Priest's garments, and in purification of the leper.  Insect never moved far from birth and died on a limb of a tree.  Only in death did life come from it.

     (3)  The sinners choice, Verse 19-20, "If ye then be willing and obedient  
            (notice the comma) willing to be washed.            
     (4)  The saints table - Verse 19, Eat the good of the land
     (5)  The surety and severity of judgment for refusal, Verse 20
            a. This is a statement - not a warning

II.  Salvation - Matthew !!:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest.

(1)  Laboring under Law - Ceremonies - Creeds - Credentials, etc.
(2)  Laden with fears - foolish ideas - fleshly efforts.
(3)  Jesus said, "I Am," seven times.  We want to put "I did."

III.  Satisfaction - Ruth 2:9

Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them:  have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee?  And when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

(1) When she could go - "When" - (or anytime)
And the spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.  Rev. 22:17

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.  Isaiah 12:3  (Notice the wells are plural)

IV.  Service  and Strength - John 21:12

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.  And none of the disciple durst ask him, Who art thou?  Knowing that it was the Lord.

(1) Weakness of the flesh - Elijah under the juniper tree.
(2)  Empty nets of the disciples - John 21
       a.  Toiling all night - "Caught nothing."
       b.  Table of nourishement - "Bread and fish"
       c.  Threefold necessity  (When they had dined Jesus said)
             "FEED"     "FEED"    "FEED"

Thirty three years Peter had the strength to do what Jesus asked him to do.

V.  Saviour's Likeness - Rev. 4:1 -21;  I Thess 4:13 - 18

Thoughts on I Thess. 4:13-18 on Second Coming

Sermon Outline by Dr. C.L. Roach