2 Peter 3 9 2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3: 9

2 Peter 3: 9 “What about all the lost people in deep, dark Africa? ”

• Usually an accusation against God - Is God so “unfair” and “unjust” to condemn people when it was impossible for them to hear the gospel? cp. Romans 9: 14 -16 › Like these Jews, many who can hear the gospel reject it because of this false way of thinking - However, many who are truly seeking God may also be faced with this question: › Friends, family may ask this of us in sincerity › Perhaps it is our own legitimate concern for the lost in other “less privileged” places So: “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens - A lesson directed toward people to whom God was “unknown” Acts 17: 22 -23 › These people were “very religious” and were involved in “worship”, however errant › God made man with a desire for worship cp. Josh 24: 15; Rom 1: 22 -25; Ecc 3: 11 › Man will always choose whom he will worship: either God: Josh 24: 15; Deut 6: 13 -14 or a false god (demons!, things, self): Josh 24: 15; 1 Cor 10: 16 -22; Col 2: 8, 18, 23 “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens - A lesson directed toward people to whom God was “unknown” Acts 17: 22 -23 - A lesson directed toward showing men God’s Acts 17: 24 -28 purpose in creation “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

Acts 17: 24 -28 “God, who made the world and everything in it… made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord…” “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

Acts 17: 24 -28 “God, who made the world and everything in it… made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times WHEN? and WHERE? the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord…” “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

Acts 17: 24 -28 “God, who made the world and everything in it… made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times WHEN? and WHERE? the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord…” WHY? “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens - A lesson directed toward people to whom God was “unknown” Acts 17: 22 -23 - A lesson directed toward showing men God’s Acts 17: 24 -28 purpose in creation › God made EVERYONE to be WHEN and WHERE they are SO THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK HIM !!! ü Adam and Eve ü A Eunuch in the desert ü Israel in Egypt ü A jailer in Philippi ü Jews in Babylon ü Idolaters in Athens! ü Christians in Rome ü “Deep, dark Africa” ü People in Hitler’s Germany “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens - A lesson directed toward people to whom God was “unknown” Acts 17: 22 -23 - A lesson directed toward showing men God’s Acts 17: 24 -28 purpose in creation › God made EVERYONE to be WHEN and WHERE they are SO THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK HIM !!! › Remember: God intended for man to “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” Gn 9: 1; 11: 4, 7 -8 › God is the one who scattered men into “deep, dark Africa” and He is the one who confused the speech – but then He “stacked the deck” “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens • Psalm 19 – A language common to all - God has left a witness of Himself in every Psalm 19: 1 -6 WHEN and WHERE › “Day unto day utters speech” [v. 2] › “There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard” [v. 3] heavens “The › “…their words to the end of the world” [v. 4] [CREATION] declare [speaks, talks, tells] the glory of God” !!! “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens • Psalm 19 – A language common to all - God has left a witness of Himself in every WHEN and WHERE Psalm 19: 1 -6 - Paul said that even some of their own “wise men” had discovered this Acts 17: 27 b-28 - God has done this because He wants all men everywhere to be saved 1 Tm 2: 4; 2 Pt 3: 9; Acts 17: 30 - For this reason, men who do not seek Him are “without excuse” cp. Rom 1: 18 -25 › All men knew God once cp. Gn 9: 1, 8 -11; Ex 20: 3 -6 “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens • Psalm 19 – A language common to all • Matthew 7 – God’s promise to seekers - God wants to be found and will answer if men truly call on Him! Mt 7: 7 -11; Jn 4: 23 › God wants to give men His Spirit cp. Luke 11: 13 - Now notice the context of “the golden rule”: “whatever you want…do also” Matt 7: 12 - God answers His promise to seekers by the preaching of the gospel! 1 Cor 1: 21 “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

OBSERVE: The gospel answers the confusion of speech: Miraculously – Acts 2: 5 -6 Practically – 1 Co 1: 10; Gl 1: 6 -9; Cl 1: 6, 23 The gospel proves the nearness of God: cp. Acts 17: 27 b-28 and Rom 10: 6 -8 The gospel is available in every WHEN and WHERE: cp. Matt 28: 18 -20; see also Rev 14: 6 -7 The gospel is what Paul taught the lost in Athens: What: Acts 17: 16 -18 How: Acts 17: 24 -31 The gospel is what WE must teach the lost also! Remember: Mt 7: 12 – “do also to them” “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

OBSERVE: Peter’s Sermon to Cornelius in Acts 10: 34 -43 proves that God’s gospel reaches ANYONE ANYWHERE who is truly seeking: whether in “deep, dark Africa” or in Jerusalem’s backyard. “What about deep, dark Africa? ”

There are many types of “deep, dark Africa” There is ONE GOSPEL that is suited for saving the lost in all of them Are YOU the key to reaching the lost with the ONE GOSPEL where you are? Have YOU OBEYED the ONE GOSPEL?