1. Remember God is faithful. Verse 17
“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.”
A. Remember who we are in Christ.
B. Remember what the Apostles and Jesus taught.
2. Recall what apostates are like. Verse 18-19
"They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”
A. They are mockers following their own lusts.
B. They are divisive, worldly, devoid of the Spirit.
3. Respond by building yourselves up in the faith. Verse 20
“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
A. Build yourselves up.
B. Pray in the Holy Spirit
C. Remain in God’s love
4. Redeem all that is possible. Verse 22-23
"Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
A. Have mercy on the doubting.
B. Rescue the perishing.
C. Continue to be careful around those corrupted by false teachers.