2 Timothy 3- Last Days

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This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away 2 Timothy 3:1-5

As we look around the state of Christianity, its safe to say we are in perilous or terrible times. The majority of “Churches” have fallen away from sound doctrine, have created a new idol of Jesus that isn’t Biblical, they have created a new religion that is carnally minded justifying their lusts for the flesh and power. However these times were prophesied by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. So as shocking as it may be to witness this great falling away, we really shouldn’t be surprised because it was foretold in the scriptures

How do we know we are living in the last days? The Apostle Paul gives us signs and warnings , people will be lovers of themselves. We probably live in the most narcissistic generation in history, with social media everyone is the star of their own show, and this has invaded the Church also. Most Churches have become carnally minded, self focused rather than focused on Christ. As Jesus said “If you want to be my disciple, deny yourself, carry your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24)

We live in a day and age , when not only the world celebrates “Pride Month” but the Churches celebrate with them. Many Churches host a “Pride Sunday” if you don’t believe me just type a search in YouTube. As the Bible says “Pride leads to destruction” (Proverbs 16:18) Every Sunday we hear blasphemy being preached from the pulpits across the world. Unqualified and unregenerated people, who have elevated themselves as leaders in the Church, speak blasphemy against our Lord and his Church. This has become so common, when someone actually preaches scripture they are labeled legalist and bigots

They are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, this basically sums up Christianity today. As we look across the spectrum of Christianity, there is a common theme, carnally minded focused on self instead of Christ. As John the Baptist said “He must increase and I must decrease” (John 3:30) Most of Christianity today is about self glorification and self worship, this is Satanism 101. Instead of preaching repentance they preach acceptance. Instead of preaching holiness, they preach conformity to the world.

I could ramble on all day, however you get the point, the falling away from the Church is part of the signs of the last days. As the Apostle John said “many anti-Christ have entered into the world, this is how you know its the last hour” (1 John 2:18) Keep your lamps lit, Amen

2 Timothy 2- Truth in Christ

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But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:23-26

On social media , everyday there are people having foolish and stupid arguments, should we engage in these disputes as Christians? The Apostle Paul , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says No. Here Paul says to “avoid foolish and stupid questions” Why? “Because they produce strife and quarrels” There are alot of people who want to pull you into an argument, you don’t have to engage in every person you come across. Some people have no desire to under the truth, they just want to destroy your character and waste your time.

It can be very difficult to keep our composure , but as the Apostle Paul teaches here “the servant of The Lord must not strive or quarrel, but to be gentle to everyone” Getting into arguments with people is not bringing glory to God. We need to understand we are representing Christ as his servant, try to maintain composure as a Christian or you might need to walk away. 

So what is our goal when engaging with other people? As the Apostle Paul states “be able to teach, patient, in humility” The goal is to teach people the truth of Christ, nobody is listening when we are screaming and arguing. We must have the patience to be able to teach people with humility. Don’t expect people to grasp what you are saying immediately, it might take them awhile to grasp, be patient in their understanding, but what you can do is present the truth of the gospel to them, and those who have ears, let them hear

Notice what the Apostle Paul says here next, because this important “If God may grant them repentance, they may know the truth” People are never come to understanding on their own, they must have a supernatural experience with God, they must be Born Again. As the Apostle Paul says “If God may grant them repentance, a change a heart, a new birth, then they will know the truth. Until they become regenerated they will never understand the truth of Christ. Understand this, if you are arguing with a spiritually dead person, its like arguing with a wall. They will never be able to understand the gospel, until God changes their hearts.

Then when they become Born Again, “they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil” Jesus Christ can set us free, and only Christ can set us free. Pray the Holy Spirit opens the hearts and minds of the lost, Amen!

2 Timothy 2- The Masters Service

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But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22

Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) Until we crucify the flesh, become washed by the blood of the Lamb, be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, we are never going to be able to serve The Lord. The Apostle Paul , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us a great analogy for this teaching of regeneration. A concept that seems to be foreign to the majority of Christians today, which is why we see so much depravity in the Churches today.

“In a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver (valuable), but also of wood and clay (not valuable), some to honor (saved) and some to dishonor (unsaved) Growing up, whenever we would have family over for dinner and a Holiday meal, you would get out the special plates and silverware, and we would use the cheaper stuff on a daily basis. This was kind of the same in this cultural context, the gold and silver vessels or articles were for special use, put out for display. The items of wood and clay, were cheaper, and mostly hidden from use as they were not impressive.

The Apostle Paul is applying this analogy to the state of our souls. Unless you are Born Again, you are unable to be used for service, because you can’t be in the presence of the King! We are separated from God because of our sin, therefor we need to be reconciled back to our Heavenly Father through Christ. Unless you have been Born Again, you can never be used for proper service of The Lord. 

So what should we do? See what the Apostle Paul says here “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” I don’t know if there is a better explanation of regeneration that this, you must be Born Again! Notice it says “useful for the Master” without the Holy Spirit, you are still dead in your sins, leading others dead in their sins!

So how does the Holy Spirit change us? The Apostle Paul teaches us “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” God will remove the heart of stone and give you a new heart and put the Holy Spirit within you (Ezekiel 36:26) How do we flee from sin and pursue righteousness? Because the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, you are a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7) Amen!

2 Timothy 2- Protect The Flock

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Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:14-19

False teachers has been a problem in the Church since the beginning. The Apostle Paul is instructing how to handles these false teachers within the assembly of the Church. Have you ever experienced a false teacher coming to a Church service, and then trying to sabotage it with their false arguments? This actually happens more often then you think, the important thing is we rightly divide the word, however we also don’t want to divide the congregation with confusion.

As The Lord Jesus said “Don’t throw pearls to the swine” (Matthew 7:6) When a demon comes into divide the Church waste your valuable time with them. Devote yourself to preaching the truth to the sheep of Christ. As the Apostle Paul warns us under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “not to strive or quarrel about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. If your going to argue with these heretics, do it when your not surrounded by your own flock, as they can be confused and persuaded by false arguments that deceivers like to us. The main agenda of Satan is to divide the flock and destroy as many souls as possible, your job as a Shepherd of the Church is to guard the flock from wolves.

Another thing to remember is everything we do we are representing Christ and his Church. As the Apostle Paul says “Be diligent to present yourself approved by God, a worker that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” If we get into some heated argument with a blasphemer , how does that appear to yourself and Christ? Don’t allow the wolves to get under your skin, don’t allow Satan to tempt you to make a fool of the Church, handle yourself with grace of The Lord 

Notice this strong warning by the Apostle Paul “avoid and shun profane and idle babblings for they will increase to more ungodliness” Interesting advice here by Paul, the more we engage with these heretics the more they corrupt us. Paul then gives an example of a couple people Hymenaeus and Philetus, who tried to spread a false teaching within the Church that denied the bodily resurrection, unfortunately a false teaching that still exists today. Rebuke them for their false teachings will “spread like gangrene” as Paul also says “they destroy the faith of some”

Some within the Church will listen to false teachers and their heresies. Protect your flock, don’t allow these wolves to invade your Church, rightly divide the word, Amen!

2 Timothy 2- Foundation of Faith

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It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13

What is the foundation of your faith? The early Church had many creeds or affirmations, such as the Apostles Creed or Niscene Creed, these are foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. If you denied the foundational statements in those Creeds, there was a red flag to whether you truly understood the Christian faith or Jesus Christ of the Bible. Here the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us basically a “creed” of the early Church. As Paul says “This is a faithful saying” meaning this is true doctrine of Christ that has been believed since the Apostles

A true walk with Christ includes death to your old self and walk in the newness of life in Christ (Romans 6) As the Apostle Paul says “for if we died with him, then we live with him” To the world this seems like a contradictory statement, but this is the fact we must be Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) Our old self must die on the cross with Christ, and our new self, must be raised with Christ. We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) Our lives belong to Christ, we live for him. If we die due to persecution or affliction, we still live with Christ and for Christ forever!

Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, they must deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow him” (Matthew 16:24) The Christian life is about self denial and obedience to Christ. As the Apostle Paul states “If we suffer or endure, we shall reign with him” To the world its looks like we are losing, it looks like we are defeated, but the reality is we reign with Christ. We already have victory over the world because Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33) So in our suffering and persecution, we reign with Christ, our victory is in Christ and not ourselves

Jesus also said “If anyone denies me before men, I will deny before my Father” (Matthew 10:33) Never be ashamed of your Lord, never be ashamed of your faith, never be ashamed of the cross you must bear, because Christ has already died for you. As The Apostle Paul said “If we deny Him, He will deny us” It’s very simple, yet should send a strong warning to Christians. Don’t ever deny our Lord before the world, always give him the praise and glory that Christ deserves! If Jesus is truly your Lord, then treat him as if he is your Lord!

Don’t be deceived, God will not be mocked, what we reap is what we will sow (Galatians 6:7) If we truly deny The Lord in word and action, there is no hope for us. As the Apostle Paul says “If we remain faithless, He remains faithful, He cannot deny himself” Don’t believe you can be saved by your works or a religious association, Christ can’t deny himself. Meaning The Lord will remain true to His word and commandments, we must be Born Again to see the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3) Amen!