The Light of Hope In the Dark of Night

A Sermon by Jim Hammond from 2 Peter 1:12-21

Part of the “Make Every Effort” 2 Peter Series

Tested

John Swope tells the following Story in “A Brother’s Gift”:

When I was 11 and my brother Joe was 15, I was sure he could lift small cars and jump small buildings without breaking a sweat. He was the coolest, toughest, smartest person in my universe, and I wanted to be just like him.

About a month before Christmas that year he said he was ready to give me "The Fort."

The Fort wasn't just some clubhouse; it was a two-room "suite" Joe and his friends had built into the upper half of our garage.

The floor spanned the width of the garage, had wall-to-wall carpeting, built-in multi-colored lights, a mattress, a separately suspended cabinet for the stereo.

Joe kept it locked, with the key on a chain around his neck. To my 11-year-old mind it was the most desirable place on earth. And Joe said he was giving it to me.

December passed in anticipation, as I envisioned the times I'd have in The Fort with my friends. Then on Christmas Eve, Joe approached me with a grave expression on his face. With authority in his voice that only big brothers can intone, he told me he had reconsidered his gift and wasn't quite ready to surrender The Fort this year.

"Maybe next year," he said.

I felt my world crumble. But I didn't throw a tantrum. I figured it was his fort, and he could do with it what he wanted. I quietly told him the only thing I could think of to say—"OK"—and went to bed.

On Christmas morning I found a large box with my name on the label. When I opened it, I found a smaller box inside. When I opened the smaller box, a key on a long chain poured into my hand.

I looked at Joe and saw him grinning. "I was testing you," he said, "to see if you were ready to handle it. You were."[i]

I have a question for you this morning, Are you being tested? Life is a test; have you been studying the answer book? 

On Trial For Sharing the Gospel

Anila met Perveen at school.  As their friendship grew, Anila gave Perveen a Bible and taught her Christian songs.  Perveen quickly learned Christian songs and began to teach them to her younger sister when her parents weren't home.  Perveen's parents soon learned of the songs.  Being strict Muslims, they were not happy about them.  But rather than confronting Perveen right away, they had her younger sister try to find out where she was getting this Christian influence.

Anila eventually invited Perveen to a Good Friday service.  When the young Muslim heard the gospel presentation, she immediately accepted Jesus.  Perveen became very excited about her new relationship with Jesus and saw great changes take place in her life.  She read her Bible and praised God boldly. Anila knew that, before long, her friend would encounter opposition from her family.

Perveen's parents were furious when they learned about her conversion.  They had previously arranged for her to marry a Muslim man.  When Perveen again refused, she ran away.

When Perveen's parents could not find her, they accused Anila and her pastor of kidnapping her.  They had Anila arrested.  Anila was slapped and beaten in front of her parents for over nine hours.  Finally she was taken to prison.

Anila's pastor and his family were taken to prison on the following day.  Anila and her pastor experienced horrible tortures in jail.  She was whipped 16 times (5 times would make a normal man pass out).  When they were released, Anila could not sit for two months, and her pastor could barely walk from the bruises on his hips and thighs.

Perveen was later found by her family.  In Muslim nations, children are often severely beaten for converting to Christianity.  Others are killed by their own parents or siblings for apostasy, converting to another faith.

To restore the honor of his family, Perveen's brother stabbed her to death.  He then turned himself in to the local authorities.  As is not uncommon in such situations, he was eventually released without incident.

Anila was then arrested on charges of kidnapping.

She was imprisoned, then released on bail a little more than a month later.  She and her family went into hiding, as their lives were threatened by radical Muslims.

In May 1999, Anila was acquitted of all charges.  Praise God for the prayers of faithful believers around the world!  Continue to pray for protection as she remains in hiding.  "I have seen the world," Anila said, "and it has nothing good.  Jesus is my only peace." [ii] 

This kind of darkness is not an isolated case in the world.  There are thousands of modern stories about the Light of Hope in the Dark of Night. Peter went through a very difficult test.  As a result, he understood the darkness of night.  He also learned about the Light of Hope.  Peter wrote to prepare all the Christ-Followers in Rome, and all of us as well, when we find ourselves in the dark of night.

We Live in the Day with No Name

Good Friday and Easter Sunday have earned names on the church calendar, yet in a real sense we live on Saturday, the day with no name. What Peter experienced on a small scale—three days in grief over the death of his master and friend who had died on a cross, with questions filling his mind and no immediate answers—we now live through on the larger scale of redemptive history.  We live in the period of history between the time of promise and fulfillment.  While Jesus was in the grave, Peter found himself in the dark of night with dark questions about life and death, guilt and forgiveness, God and his promises.  We also live in a period of history with no name.  It isn’t Good Friday, and it isn’t Easter Sunday.  It is a no name day, or rather at times a no name night.  We have many questions in a world that includes Bosnia and Rwanda, inner-city ghettos, jammed prisons, cancer, and cruelty.  It's Saturday on planet earth. Will Sunday ever come?

Peter assumes something people in America often forget…

That all Christ Followers should expect to be tested through the Dark of Night.  He got this assumption from Jesus.

Matthew 10:21-22  (NCV)  ²¹“Brothers will give their own brothers to be killed, and fathers will give their own children to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and have them put to death. ²²All people will hate you because you follow me, but those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved.

Doesn’t this statement take on a more profound significance after hearing the story about how Perveen was killed by her brother?

John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

Notice these words of Jesus.  “You are going to have the light just a little while longer.”   Jesus expected that there would come a time of Darkness for his followers. 

IN the passage we study today, Peter writes, “you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns” (2 Peter 1:19).  Peter knew Jesus predicted that Christ-Followers would feel like they were in the Darkness of Night waiting for DAWN.

Jesus also said, in John 12:46  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Focus:  Pay attention to the word of the prophets as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns.

Why This Study Is So Important to Us (even though such persecution is rare in America Today)

The reason everyone needs to pay close attention today is that God asks us to in this very passage to pay close attention to what he has to say.  But besides that, the reason you need this message today is this.  If you don’t expect the world to be dark, you will falter when your world suddenly turns dark.  Peter had learned how not to stumble in such Darkness and he shared that knowledge with us.  He learned how to keep the darkness from darkening his outlook.  He shared how to keep our focus on the shining light that guarantees that DAWN is coming!  And not only was DAWN, the Return of Christ around the corner, He also knew that even in the darkness we have a light now that gives us hope, and guarantees DAWN is coming.  Let’s read together the passage of study for today, 2 Peter 1:12-21.

2 Peter 1:12-21 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

16We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

I.       What To Do When Your World Has Become Dark

A.      Focus Your Attention on the Eye Witness Testimony About Jesus

READ 1:13  So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,

The times were difficult—immorality was rampant; persecution was increasing from without; false teachers were spewing false and dangerously misleading doctrine from within.  In a dark world, Christians need to be reminded that knowledge of the gospel without obedience was no protection for them. 

Back To the Basics

Like a good coach, Peter reviews the basics, and tells the players, to practice the basics over and over, becoming proficient in the skills it takes to win.  The best athletes work hard on the basics and the disciplines that keep them sharp.  Don’t allow yourself to grow bored with the basics.  If you have only an appetite for what’s new you will open yourself up for heresy and danger.  If your appetite is for what is new, here is how you stay with the same old truths and keep fresh.  Pass the basics on to someone new and you will again see the freshness of these powerful truths through the eyes of those who see it for the first time. 

Peter tells us to “remember these things.”  What we are asked to do is to bring these memories to mind.  To bring to mind the essential truths, not merely as a memory, but in a way that informs our mind, will, emotions, and behavior.  Remembering God’s work on our behalf in this way makes a difference in our behavior.  This is similar to what the Lord asked Peter to do before His departure.  Do this to “remember”. 

Do you know that we have a great advantage over these Roman Christians?  We each have access to Bibles.  WE can purposefully strengthen ourselves by focusing our attention on the eye witness testimony about Jesus.

This assures us of several things:

1.    Jesus is God’s Son (17)

2 Peter 1:17   And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God's glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven, "This is my beloved Son; I am fully pleased with him."

How did God prepare the Apostles for the darkness they would face?  He gave them an indelible revelation of the glory of Jesus Christ.  They were convinced Jesus was God’s Son.  No darkness, or lie, could take this away from them.  We are urged to focus on the Glorified Christ.

How convinced are you that Jesus is God’s Son?  Are you so convinced that you bow to him as Lord of your life?  Do you look to him for your daily guidance?  Do you obey his wishes?  If not, why not?  This needs to be the starting point of your life.  If it isn’t, your life hasn’t really started yet.  This needs to be the starting point of your day.   If it isn’t your day is not off to a good start.  You are heading into the darkness without any headlamps, or direction, or guidance.

2.    He was Glorified right before our (Peter, James, and John’s) Eyes (16, 18)

Let the eye witness account make an impression. 

2 Peter 1:16  (NLT)  [EYE WITNESS ACCOUNT]  For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes.

Matthew 17:2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

Luke 9:29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

Mark 9:3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.

2 Peter 1:18  (NLT)  [EAR WITNESS ACCOUNT]  We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with him on the holy mountain.

Matthew 17:5 ⁵While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Are you truly listening to him, his message above every other message, his purpose, above every other purpose?  That is what God asks you to do.  That’s what the eye witness, and ear witness testimony tells us to do.

3.    He is coming Back (16, 19)

2 Peter 1:16 (NLT) For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes.

2 Peter 1:19  (NLT)  Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place—until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts.

Peter recognized the transfiguration was a tangible preview of Christ’s return in Glory.  Jesus, told them about his coming glory then showed them a preview.  The subject of his Coming in Glory, was repeated often.  And it was usually spoken about in the context of the darkness and trial that would precede it. 

Matthew 16:27 ²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Matthew 24:27 ²⁷For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Mark 13…  Many will come in my name… don’t be deceived,   be on guard, you will be handed over…and flogged… Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.  … ²⁶“At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Luke 21

Peter considered his eye witness testimony about the transfiguration to be an eyewitness testimony to the Parousia, the coming of Christ in Power and Glory.  Teaching about Christ’s second coming is critical to your faith.  This is the Light of Hope in the Dark of Night.  Why did Peter spend so much energy and effort talking about this one doctrine.  He says more about this than about Jesus’ atoning death, and victory over death through his resurrection.  Why does Peter fix his attention on the second coming of Christ?  Because it is around this concept that there began to be disagreement in the church.

There were false teachers and scoffers about this matter in the church at Rome.  The false teachers are assumed in this paragraph when he says 16We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. Perhaps the accusation was that these doctrines came from clever stories rather than reality.  Later Peter confronts this disbelief again when he writes, 

2 Peter 3:3-4 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

Skeptics Then

Peter is about to build the case for why he believes in the second coming of Christ in power and Glory (16).  His preview of Christ’s power and glory assures him that Jesus was in fact who he claimed to be.  He was no ordinary man.

Skeptics Now

Before we proceed, mark well that the same skepticism is very strong today.  Few really believe that Christ will return to judge the world.  Few believe there will be a final reckoning.  Few believe what Jesus said.

Matthew 25:31-33 ³¹“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Jesus said it would be so.  Peter believed it.  Only Christ-followers would go to be with God for eternity. 

B.                 Focus Your Attention on the Power of Prophecy

For further Study SEE Bible References in the Footnotes Below:  [iii]

C.        These Previews of Light Guarantee DAWN is coming

Strengthened by Angels

Although he had never been there before, Private Ivan "Vanya" Moiseyev knew what awaited him at the Majors office.  The Communists were endlessly calling him to headquarters for talks, trying to "re-educate" him, to talk him out of his faith in God.  It was lunchtime.  The sun was shining brightly in the blue sky and the snow was glistening.  As Moiseyev walked along the snowy sidewalk, he praised God for this time alone, time to sing and pray.

The morning was so bright, at first Moiseyev didn't notice; suddenly, it caught his eye.  A bright star began to fall from heaven.  Like a comet, it came closer and became bigger and bigger.

He looked up to see an angel above him, bright and powerful.  Moiseyev's heart was filled with joy -- and fear.

The angel did not descend all the way to earth, but hovered about 200 yards above the ground.  He walked in the air above Moiseyev as though walking along the same road.  Then the angel spoke:

"Ivan, go.  Don't be afraid.  I'm with you."

Ivan couldn't speak, but his joy was like fire within him. Somehow he made it to Major Gidenko's office and knocked quietly at the door.  Major Gidenko, head of the political directive committee, looked up as the young soldier entered.  Ivan Moiseyev had been interrogated again and again by many others and had never backed away from his faith.  Still, Gidenko was certain he could solve this problem.

"Moiseyev, you don't look like a poor pupil to me.  Why are you not learning the correct answers?"  He asked.

"Sometimes there is a difference between the correct answers and the true ones," Ivan answered.  "Sometimes God does not permit me to give 'correct' answers."

"So, God talks to you?  Who is this God of yours?"  As soon as he had asked the question, he regretted it.  Ivan leaned forward in his chair, his face glowing with joy at the opportunity to share his faith.

"Sir, He is the One who created all the universe.  He greatly loves man, and sent His Son..."

Gidenko interrupted.  "Yes, yes, I know the Christian teaching.  But what has that got to do with being a soldier?  Do you disagree with the TEACHING of the glorious Red Army?"

"No, sir."

"But you do not accept the principles of scientific atheism upon which is based our entire soviet state and the military power of the army?"

"I Cannot accept what i know to be untrue.  Everything else i can gladly accept."

"Moiseyev, no one can prove the existence of God.  Even priests and pastors agree on that."

"Sir, they may speak about not being able to prove God, but there's no question about knowing him ."  He is with me now, in this room.  Before I came here, he sent an angel to encourage me."

Gidenko stared intently at Ivan.  At last he spoke wearily, "I am sorry, Moiseyev, that you will not be reasonable.  Your persistence will do nothing for you except bring discomfort.  However, through the years I have found that men like you often come to their senses with a little discipline."

"I am ordering you to stand in the street tonight after taps are played.  You'll stand there until you are willing to reconsider this nonsense about talking gods and angels.

"Since the temperature is likely to be 13 degrees below zero, for your sake, I hope you quickly agree to behave sensibly.  Tomorrow we shall make a plan together for your political re-education.  You are dismissed."

Gidenko expected Moiseyev to hesitate, to reconsider.  Instead, he squared his shoulders and walked quietly to the door.

"Private Moiseyev!"

When the soldier turned around, Gidenko noticed he was a little pale.  Then he had understood the order!

"You will obey my instructions in summer uniform.  That is all."

That night, as the bugle sounded, Ivan made his way down the stairs of the barracks and into the snowy street.  He recoiled from the icy blast of wind that burned his ears and made his eyes water.  His thin, summer uniform was no help in the bitter cold.  He glanced at his watch.  It was one minute after ten o'clock.

Tonight, he would have a long time to pray!  But for the first time since he had been in the Soviet army, prayer did not come easily.  He was worried. Could he stand out here all night?  What if he froze to death?  Would they let him freeze to death?  What if he got so cold he gave in to their demands?

The "what ifs" flooded his mind and left it spinning.  He knew he had to think of something else.  Then he remembered the angel who had visited him that morning.  The angel had said, "Do not be afraid, I am with you!"  Suddenly he realized the angel's words had been for tonight!  Although he could no longer see him, Moiseyev knew the angel was still there with him.  He began to pray fervently.

It was 12:30 when he was distracted from his prayers by the crunching of snow.  Bundled in their overcoats, hats, and boots, three officers were slowly making their way toward him.

"Private Moiseyev, have you change your mind yet?  Are you ready to come in and get warm?"

"No, Comrade officers.  As much as I want to come in and go to bed, I cannot.  I will not agree to remain silent about God."

Even in the dim light Moiseyev could see the officers were amazed and confused.  How could he stand such cold?

"Do you plan to stand here all night long?"

"I don't see how anything else is possible, and God is helping me."  Ivan checked his hands -- they were cold, but not too cold.  He could still move his toes easily.  It was a miracle!  He looked at the officers and could see that even in their coats they were already shaking from the cold.  They were stamping their feet and slapping their hands, inpatient to return to their heated barracks.

"You'll feel differently in another hour," the senior officer mumbled as they quickly turned away.

Ivan continued to pray for all the believers he knew.  He sang Christmas carols.  He prayed for every officer he knew and knew of.  He cried out to God on behalf of the men in his barracks.  But gradually his mind seemed to be floating somewhere outside of his head.  As much as he tried, prayer eluded him.

Ivan was dozing on his feet when, at 3 o'clock, the senior officer on duty woke him and let him return to the barracks.

For the next 12 nights, Ivan continued to stand in the street outside his barracks.  Miraculously, he did not freeze, nor did he beg for mercy.  Ivan continued to speak about his faith to his comrades and officers.  He sang about the glory of Jesus Christ in his barracks, though this was strictly prohibited.  To those who threatened him, he replied,  "A lark threatened with death for singing would still continue to sing.  She cannot renounce her nature.  Neither can we Christians."

Soldiers around him were converted, impressed by his ardent faith.

His commanders continued to interrogate him, trying to get him to deny Jesus.  They put him in refrigerated cells.  They closed him in a special rubber suit, into which they pumped air until his chest was so compressed he scarcely could breathe.

At the age of 20, Ivan knew that the Communists would kill him.  On July 11th, 1972, he wrote to his parents, "you will not see me anymore."  He then described a vision of angels in heaven which God had sent to strengthen him for the last trial.

A few days later, his body was returned to his family.  It showed that he had been stabbed six times around the heart.  He had wounds on his head and around the mouth.  There were signs of beatings on the whole body.  Then he had been drowned.

Colonel Malsin, his commander, said, "Moiseyev died with difficulty.  He fought with death, but he died as a Christian."

The father of this Christian hero writes to us, "May it be that this living flower which gave the fragrance of its youth on the cross should be an example for all faithful youth.  May they love Christ as our son has loved him."

A letter from Moiseyev to his parents -- written Jun. 15th, 1972.

"My dear Parents, the Lord has showed the way to me and ...  And I have decided to follow it...  I will now have more severe and bigger battles than I have had until now.  But I do not fear them.  He goes before me.  Do not grieve for me, my dear Parents.  It is because I love Jesus more than myself.  I listen to him, though my body does fear somewhat or does not wish to go through everything.  I do this because I do not value my life as much as I value him.  And I will not await my own will but I will follow as the Lord leads.  He says, Go, and I go.

"Do not become grieved if this is your son's last letter.  Because I myself, when I see and hear visions, hear how angel speak and see, I am even amazed and cannot believe that Moiseyev, your son, talks with angels.  He, Moiseyev, has also had sins and failings, but through sufferings the Lord has wiped them away.  And he does not live as he wishes himself, but as the Lord wishes."

We continue to shout our praise even when we are hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.  In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged.  Quite the contrary -- we can't roundup enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

     Paul the apostle martyred in Rome, 65 A.D. (Romans 5:3-5 THE MESSAGE)

Our Purpose is to Make Disciples who are like Christ—having a heart for God, a heart for one another, and a heart for the World. Our purpose is to be a church that reproduces fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.  

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