I. 2 Peter 3:17,18  A. Here is a warning. Beware!  There is a teaching popular with Christians that once they know the gospel they are forever saved. However, this verse tells us to beware lest we be led away.   1. We have been warned.   2. The error of the wicked: unbelief, doubt.  B. And an exhortation - Grow in grace. II. Keep Yourselves From Falling From Your Steadfastness  A. Danger for all.   1. A man had fallen into an extramarital affair. We spoke some encouraging words to him as he had fallen away.   2. A man had been nominated to a position. As a member of the nominating committee we wanted the most effective president of Latin America we could find. A man nominated seemed lackluster and I withheld my support. Others felt the same way and he was not elected. Later we found out he had been involved in activities that went against our beliefs.

 B. "Satan will use every kind of deception to seduce the soul of man." OCH:347.
  1. "Men who for a long time have been advancing in the path of truth will be tested by trial and temptation." OHC:347.
  2. "We need to be constantly on our guard, to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. The indulgence of spiritual pride, of unholy desires, of evil thoughts, of anything that separates us from an intimate and sacred association with Jesus, imperils our souls." OCH:347. Spiritual pride - not feeling a need for Christ.
 C. "Spiritual Pride"
  1. A.T. Jones, a minister, leader, writer and great preacher said "Self exaltation is your great danger. You tend to swell with pride. You trust in your own wisdom..." Letter 242, 1906. He failed to follow through in his responsibilities as a leader and fell away.
  2. Let us remember. Romans 12:3
&nbps;D. "Unholy Desires"
  1. E.J. Waggoner - a very important man. At the 1897 General Conference he have 18 separate studies on Hebrews.
  2. He was advised that his teaching of "spiritual affinity" was in error.
  3. He later was divorced and remarried. He ultimately lost his way completely.

 A. "The great controversy is neary its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God." OCH:346
  1. Let's go on to perfection. Hebrews 6:1 Don't be satisfied with only what you knew when you came into the church.
  2. Jesus says: Be perfect. Matthew 5:48
  3. May He sanctify you wholly. 1 Thesselonians 5:23 Peter warns us about falling away. Instead of falling away, grow in grace.

IV. All Creation Is Waiting Romans 8:19-23
 A. For the manifestion of the sons of God. (v19)
 B. We ourselves groan for the redemption of our body. (v23) We see this in sickness and pain and groan for relief.

It is God's plan to bring us back into harmony.

 A. Adam and Eve were created perfect and we are all waiting to be brought back into harmony - perfection. Man by nature is corrupt since Adam bequeathed this to man.

 B. We saw Christopher Reeves paralzyed and now able to move a toe and anticipating improving. We anticipate that day when we will have reief and be restored.