His Return Is Certain
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:16-21
The return of Christ is certain and His kingdom is eternal
Mark 13:32–33
[32] “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.”
Maybe above all other gospel truths, Christ’s return provides the greatest motivation and highest accountability for growing in spiritual maturity and living a godly life.“
—James Shaddix and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter, Jude
Certainty comes from the eyewitness testimony of the apostles
The Transfiguration
—confirmed the deity of Jesus as the Son of God
—showed Jesus to be the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets
—gave us a preview of His powerful return
—taught us we can trust Him in all circumstances
Certainty comes from the Scriptures
The Prophetic Word
—Scripture is just as reliable as eyewitness testimony
—Scripture is more reliable than personal experience
—Scripture was written by men inspired by God
—Scripture demands a response from Jesus’ followers
“Our response should be submission to Scripture in view of Christ’s return. Both the superiority of Scripture as well as its divine origin compel us to pay attention to it and obey what it says.”
—James Shaddix and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter, Jude
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Discipleship Questions:
Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:16-21
The return of Christ is certain and His kingdom is eternal
Mark 13:32–33
[32] “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.”
Maybe above all other gospel truths, Christ’s return provides the greatest motivation and highest accountability for growing in spiritual maturity and living a godly life.“
—James Shaddix and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter, Jude
Certainty comes from the eyewitness testimony of the apostles
The Transfiguration
—confirmed the deity of Jesus as the Son of God
—showed Jesus to be the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets
—gave us a preview of His powerful return
—taught us we can trust Him in all circumstances
Certainty comes from the Scriptures
The Prophetic Word
—Scripture is just as reliable as eyewitness testimony
—Scripture is more reliable than personal experience
—Scripture was written by men inspired by God
—Scripture demands a response from Jesus’ followers
“Our response should be submission to Scripture in view of Christ’s return. Both the superiority of Scripture as well as its divine origin compel us to pay attention to it and obey what it says.”
—James Shaddix and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter, Jude
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Discipleship Questions:
- How does the certainty of Christ’s return provide motivation to live for God’s glory?
- How can we develop a sense of urgency to live in light of Christ’s return?
- In what ways does the eyewitness testimony of the Bible encourage you?
- What are some things you learned about the importance of the Transfiguration?
- How does this passage encourage you to trust God’s Word?
- How does this passage encourage you to obey God’s Word?
- How has God’s Word been a lamp and a light for you in the past?
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