But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!  2 Timothy 4:17-18

As we talked about previously, the Christian walk is not going to be an easy task, as Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow me (Christ) (Matthew 16:24) This is a walk of discipline and obedience, it’s also a walk of persecution and suffering. As Jesus also said “if the world hates you, know it hated me (Christ) first (John 15:18) 

But despite all of this, remember and understand this, The Lord is with you through all of it! As the Apostle Paul stated here “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me” , remember what the Apostle Paul also said “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13) The Lord Jesus Christ is with you always, everywhere you go, and will strengthen you also during times of hardship and trials.

Through all this, the Apostle Paul understood what his mission was, “so that the message might be preached fully through me” Paul wasn’t looking for his “best life now” Paul was trying to finish his race, complete the higher calling that was placed upon him. This should be our mission also, to fulfill the calling God has placed upon us. To have an eternal perspective on life and not a temporary outlook. Seek the Kingdom of God first! (Matthew 6:33)

“That all the Gentiles might hear” The Apostle Paul preached the gospel to the entire world, this is what we should do also, to fulfill the Great Commision “Make disciples of ALL the nations (meaning everyone) (Matthew 28:19) Preach the gospel to ALL Creatures (everyone) (Mark 16:15) This is your higher calling as a servant of Christ, to preach the gospel and make disciples, and The Lord will be with you and strengthen you, through all things!

You were marked, you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) As the Apostle Paul said “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me for His Heavenly Kingdom” Satan will try to destroy You and your ministry, but The Lord will deliver you, because it’s all for the Glory of God and not ourselves, fulfill your higher calling and understand The Lord is with You and will strengthen you through all things, Amen!

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

One day we will all have to stand before The Lord and give an account for our life, for Christians this is a glorious thought , for the unsaved this should be a terrifying thought. As scripture says “Its a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) This is why we preach the gospel with urgency to everyone, seek Jesus and become Born Again before its too late, because there are no second chances in Hell (Luke 16, Hebrews 9:27)

We talked about previously what it means to truly be a disciple of Christ, to carry your cross, to crucify your flesh and live for Jesus. Some would say, what is the point of all this? As a servant of Christ, its an honor and privilege to serve Christ, but also Jesus will reward your faithful service. As the Apostle Paul states here “There is a laid up for me a crown of righteousness” just as Paul compared the Christian walk with competing in a race or battle, the crown is the ultimate prize, the completion of a successful mission. As Paul also said “I press on toward the goal, so I can win the prize” (Philippians 3:14)

When we stand face to face with The Lord, we want to hear him say “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) What we don’t want to hear from The Lord is “Depart from me , I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23) These have to be the most terrifying words in the entire Bible. But Jesus is worthy and able to give you the crown of righteousness because He is the righteous judge!

My question or challenge for you today, is are you striving for the crown of righteousness? When you stand before The Lord and give an account of your life, what will He say to you? Are you living for Jesus? Does your life reflect the profession of your faith?

Now I would like to just end with what the Apostle Paul says here “but not only me, but also all of them that love His appearance” the crown of righteousness is available to all who love Christ. But if you truly love Christ, does your life reflect this? Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) See what Paul is teaching here is not works or legalism, this is about relationship with our Living God! Amen!

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:6-7

While the Apostle Paul was writing this epistle, he knew his time was running short. And he was correct, Paul was executed by the Roman Empire during his imprisonment which he wrote this letter. But the Apostle Paul knew to live his life has a “Living Sacrifice” to God (Romans 12:2) as he states here “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” We also as Christians should learn to number our days (Psalm 90:12) and to live for Christ and fulfill our calling by God

Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, come after me, deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24) This should be the mission statement for every Christian, any other expectation outside this mantra is not of the will of God. This is a hard reality for most Christians to accept, to take up your cross and die to self, to die to the world, to crucify the flesh daily, none of this seem natural to the carnally minded. But to those filled and led by the Holy Spirit, its the higher calling by our Lord

As the Apostle Paul states here “I have fought the good fight” Paul described the Christian walk as a battle, you are in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) Paul never described the Christian walk as “living your best life now” this is a deception from the devil. This is a fight, this is a battle, this is a war for your soul and all the souls of the world. The greatest war in human history has been ongoing for centuries, and most don’t even realize they are in it. Fight the good fight of faith, as Paul also said “endure hardness as a soldier of Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3)

The Apostle Paul also said “I have finished my course” As Jesus said “Count the cost” (Luke 14:28) Becoming a Christian will cost you everything, Jesus warns before you profess your faith in Christ, understand the cost. As Paul said “You were bought with a price, you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:20) Many believe in Christ but fall away when the road gets tough, finish the course! Jesus also said “Those who endure to the end, shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13) Complete your higher calling in Christ, fight the good fight of faith!

Finally Paul says “I have kept the faith” seems like a simple statement, but many lose their faith when they enter into the battle. Put your full faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ in all things, even when we don’t fully understand Gods plan, understand we already have victory in Jesus, Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33) Fight the good fight, Amen!

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Timothy 4:3-5

Once again the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is revealing what it will be like in the Last Days. “For the time (Church age) will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine” We live in an age where most people who profess to be Christians, don’t want to hear the sound doctrine of the Bible, more evidence it seems we are living in the last days. 

When you look around the Churches and see what is being preached from the majority of pulpits, most of its blasphemy, most of it is a complete denial of our foundational doctrine that has been given to us by the Holy Spirit. The majority of the Church today denies Jesus is God in the flesh, the majority of the Church denies they are sinners in need of repentance, a good portion of the Church denies the bodily resurrection of Christ, many deny the Virgin Birth, and so on and so on. If you don’t believe me, visit my YouTube Channel where I expose these heresies being preached from the pulpits.

We live in an age where good is called evil and evil is called good (Isaiah 5:20) But this is no surprise to God, as this was prophesied to happen, the great falling away will happen. As Jesus Christ said “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24) Jesus also said “Those who endure to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13)

So here’s the warning, don’t be deceived, because Christ said even some of the elect will be deceived. So what is the root behind these false teachings? As the Apostle Paul states “but after their own lusts, because they have itching ears” These are carnally minded people, not regenerated by the Holy Spirit. They want to feed the flesh, so they reject anything edifying by God. This is the root of all false religion, the flesh, the carnally minded and driven person

So what is their response “they will turn their ears away from the truth and shall be turned unto fables” Most people don’t want to hear the truth because they want to feed their flesh, they reject the Word of God, they reject the foundational doctrines of Christianity, they deny the knowledge of the Holy Spirit. This is the state of most of Christianity, clear evidence we are at the end

So what is our response as Born Again Christians? The Apostle Paul tells us “be watchful in all things, endure affiliations and hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” Amen!

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