But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:13-15

If you look at the state of Christianity, from just 50 years ago, it’s amazing how far many have fallen from the foundation of our faith. Many heresies and false teachers have invaded the Church, many people are deceived, many people are false converts, not even knowing the true Risen Lord. However as the Apostle Paul prophesied here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, none of this is a surprise to God, infact it was expected!

As Paul warns here “evil men and seducers or imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” The imposters that have overtaken the pulpits are so deceived, they even deceive themselves. As the Apostle Paul predicted , this will happen in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3, 1 Timothy 4) This is one of the signs , we are living in the last days. The great apostasy has flooded the Church, God is using this to separate the sheep and the goats, the wheat from the chaff, the saved from the unsaved.

But Paul credits Timothy “but you must continue in the things you have learned” True believers will hold fast to the Word of God, that does not change, that is the same today, yesterday, and forever. Don’t be deceived by false doctrine and false teachers, remain grounded in the Word of God, that was delivered by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets. The Word that was spoken directly by God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, this is your foundation, not the wisdom of the world which is doctrines of demons

But many people fall away, as scripture says “My people perish from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6) Many people are false converts, claiming the name of Christ but never becoming Born Again in Christ. Never having a new heart and new mind, having the law written on their hearts, having the Holy Spirit live inside of them. They are dry bones dead in the valley, without the Breath of God, there is no life in them!

So what do we do? Notice how Paul credits Timothy’s faith “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures (The Bible) , which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” Timothy was grounded in the Word of God, which he learned since he was a child. Be grounded in the BIble, know the Word of God and you won’t be deceived by the demons of deception.

By most importantly, Timothy had complete faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, his salvation wasn’t dependant on any man-made works so anyone should boast, his salvation is in Christ alone, Amen

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:10-12

Previous verses the Apostle Paul revealed what false Christians would look like, they were depraved, beyond understanding as they were consumed by their own carnal desires. Our scriptures today, show us what a real Christian should look like, or what your walk with Christ will be like. As I continually quote, Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, deny yourself, carry your cross, and follow Jesus” (Matthew 16:24)

As the Apostle Paul states “you have fully known and followed my doctrine (The Word of God), manner of life, purpose, faith , patience and love” You believe and obey the Words of God, also you produce fruits of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7, Galatians 5) The Holy Spirit is living inside of you, and everyone can see Christ living inside of you. There is no question to the world if you are a Christian or not, you are clearly demonstrated by the way you live your life for Christ. 

Now the Apostle Paul turns to the difficult side of our Christian walk that most won’t talk about, persecution and afflictions. As Paul testified he has suffered and endured as a Apostle of Christ, “but out of them all The Lord delivered me” This is not your best life now, this will be your worst life now as a real Christian. However this is the only Hell you will ever know, remember that. You will suffer and be persecuted as a Christian, because the world hates the real Jesus of the Bible (John 15:18)

However understand that God will never leave or forsake you, even though you will suffer for the Kingdom of God, you will be delivered for the glory of God. Now you might say I don’t want to suffer or be persecuted , the Apostle Paul says “ all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” Notice the Apostle Paul didn’t exempt any Christians, if you want to live a life for Christ, you will be persecuted by the world for Christ!

But understand this, we already have victory in Jesus Christ! Regardless of what the world does to us, Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33) Live for Jesus and not for this world, Amen!

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 2 Timothy 3:6-9

As we continue the Apostle Paul’s prophetic vision of the last days, the great falling away of the Church to apostasy, the rejection of the truth, the rejection of the Word of God, the rejection of the Holy Spirit, the rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord. As we are seeing today, most of Christianity has become carnally minded and corrupted.

But the question you might ask, is how did we get to this point? Why are so many deceived by false religion? As The Lord Jesus warned “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24) The Lord warned that even the elect will be deceived

This is what the Apostle Paul is teaching us here, these false teachers “creep into houses” and they deceive the spiritually weak and vulnerable. You need to understand these false teachers know what they are doing, they are wolves preying on the sheep. They know exactly what you want to hear, they know exactly how to seduce you with false doctrines This is why you need to know the Word of God, you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you need to be in relation with Christ, otherwise you are going to be deceived

The Apostle Paul goes on to call these deceivers “men of corrupt or depraved minds” The Greek word means “to destroy” These are not harmless preachers just conveying false doctrine, they are depraved demons looking to destroy your soul. They have been given over to Satan, there is no truth in them. As the Apostle Paul stated “God gave them over to a reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28) They are totally incapable of preaching the truth, so not only stay away from these wolves but rebuke them in Jesus name!

However if you are Born Again, if you are grounded in the Word of God, you should know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16) As the Apostle Paul states here “for their folly or madness will be manifest or obvious to all” If you know the Word of God, then the deception by these wolves will be obvious to you, however as Gods states “My people perish from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6) Many are deceived because they don’t know the truth, they don’t have the Holy Spirit, they don’t read the scriptures, they don’t truly know The Lord Jesus Christ, Amen

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

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!

Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:8-10

One thing we need to remember is nobody will stop God’s plans! No matter what they tried to do to the Apostle Paul or they try to do to us, to prohibit the gospel from spreading, it can’t be stopped, “The Word of God is not bound or chained” We need to remember this everytime we preach The Word it is not in vain, the Word of God is powerful , a two edged sword that pierces the heart, its the supernatural Word of God and can’t be stopped (Hebrews 4:12)

The Apostle Paul is reminding them what is the gospel message, Jesus Christ, God incarnate, the fulfillment of the Messiah, David’s Throne, died on the cross for our sins. And then Christ rose again on the 3rd day defeating sin and death forever, giving us eternal life. I would like to address verse 8 as people who reject Paul will say “Paul is creating his own gospel” This is just awkward translating from the Greek to English, as you look at the other translations, Paul is saying “This is the gospel that I preach”, which is about Jesus Christ and not himself. 

Preaching the gospel will have a cost as Paul tells us “for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer” When you preach the Word of God, the world will tell you you are homophobic, you are transphobic, you are racist, you are every file thing in the world, because the world hates Jesus Christ of the Bible. Being a true disciple of Christ will have a cost!

But as the Apostle Paul states “But the Word of God is not bound or chained” Nobody can stop the gospel message, every since Christ rose from the dead, the world has been trying to cover up the resurrection, they have been trying to eliminate any knowledge of Christ, however the world was already defeated at the cross, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33)

So preach the Word of God in and out of season, preach even when there are consequences, preach even when it seems nobody is listening, because the Word of God will never be made void, the gospel will never be chained, Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen Indeed, Amen!

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 2 Timothy 2:5-7

Just recently I saw a Church is adding Thursday evening services to accommodate parents who have children involved with sports on the weekend. This is obviously a controversial issue, however the point I bring up is sports is a heavily involved activity. Nobody can really say “I’m going to dabble in sports” , probably because they wouldn’t be very good. It would also demonstrate they dont have any dedication or love for their team also. Athletes who are successful, typically train all year round, continue to work with their teammates to improve chemistry and readiness. So why am I rambling on about sports?

Well the Apostle Paul says this “if anyone competes in athletics , he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules”. Previously the Apostle Paul compared our calling in Christ to being a Soldier of Christ in The Lord’s Army. Today Paul is comparing our calling in Christ to being a successful athlete. So lets dive into what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us with this analogy.

Again as I said previously, a successful athlete will train continually, will spend alot of time practicing and preparing for the big game. They will spend alot of time with their coaches , taking advice and getting mentored. Their coaches will analyze the players’ performances and advise ways they can continue to improve to get better. This should reflect our calling with Jesus! 

We shouldn’t take our calling as a Christian as casual or just something to do on the weekends, this is a higher calling that we are continually trying to improve upon to gain our crown of glory. Now I can hear the lukewarm people, “this is legalism” , no this is the Word of God here by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “He is not crowned unless he competes”

The Apostle Paul also compares our calling to a farmer, who is continually working on the fields expecting a harvest crop to come, this again should reflect our calling as Christians. We should be continually working the fields (evangelism) planting seeds (the Word of God) and waiting for a harvest to come (new converts) Of course the Holy Spirit transforms people, but we need to labor for Christ, we are called to be the salt and light (Matthew 5) as the body of Christ.  A farmer who is lazy will produce no crops and no harvest, if we want to see God working in our ministry, we must work for God!

I understand these are spiritual applications, but as the Apostle Paul says here “The Lord will give you understanding of these things” Don’t take your calling in Christ lightly, consider the cost, run the race, plant the spiritual seeds of the Kingdom, Amen!

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. 2 Timothy 1:13-18

To get some context of the scriptures we are reading today, the Apostle Paul is imprisoned again here in his second letter to Timothy. However this time, Paul knows and doesn’t expect to make it out alive this time. The Apostle Paul knows his time here on Earth is coming to an end, therefor he’s trying to warn his fellow brothers and sisters of the persecution coming, but also he wants to make sure they hold to the faith in Jesus Christ, that he taught them.

So understanding the urgency, it brings to life the words here from the Apostle Paul “hold fast the form or pattern of sounds words of words you heard from me or sound teaching” Meaning don’t abandon your faith when the persecution comes. Keep or hold on to the true teachings of Christ given by the Apostle under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Don’t abandon your faith when hard times come, because they are coming! We see this alot in todays Churches, many people have abandoned the true gospel of Christ to conform to the ways of the world. Many people have abandoned the Word of God so they can adhere to the agendas of this world, because they never truly had faith to begin with

You might say, I’m not able to endure persecution or the harsh treatment of this world. Remember what the Apostle Paul says here “that good thing that was entrusted to you or guard the treasure entrusted into you” Notice how precious the Word of God is, and it was entrusted to you. Most of the world hates the Word of God because it brings life, hold on to these promises and revelations like precious gold. Just as if you would protect your money and valuables, you should protect and secure the Word of God that was given to you. 

“Keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, this is why you can endure the persecution, this is why you can comprehend the Word of God, because the Living God is living inside of You! The same Holy Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead is living inside of you (Romans 8:11) You are not alone or defeated, you are equipped to endure your calling in Christ 

But many people have abandoned the Apostle Paul in his times of need, just as many people will abandon us, however hold fast to the gospel, hold fast to the Holy Spirit living inside of you, hold fast to our Lord Jesus Christ who will never leave or forsake us, hold fast to our Heavenly Father who has called you by name before the foundations of the world, Amen