What's Coming Has Come!

Introduction:

We have been talking about for years that the end times are coming or that we are living in the end times. Well, I think we can say that we are there. Now, to be fair, we have been in the last days since Jesus ascended into heaven, but when we see what Paul had to say about the last days, we will see that what is coming has come!

Let’s take a look tonight at what Paul had to say.

2 Timothy 4:1–5 ESV

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Pray.

1. A Warning About the Future (v.4-5)

A great apostasy is coming (great falling away)

The character of the apostates

They won’t endure sound teaching

They will get people to say what they want to hear (itching ears)

They will accumulate teachers that allow licentious living (lawlessness

They will stop listening to the truth

deaf adder

Psalm 58:4 ESV

4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear,

Zechariah 7:11–12 ESV

11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. 12 They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.

They will wander off into myths

Illustration: Facebook Conspiracy Posts

The Passion Translation

2 An Encouragement to the Faithful (v. 5)

Be Sober-minded

Illustration: Would you go into a dangerous situation inebriated? Don’t be drunk by the world, but be sober and alert.

Deer on the highway at night

Endure suffering

The righteous will be persecuted. Will you endure it?

Be an Evangelist

Fulfill Your Ministry

Conclusion What has God called you to accomplish for Him? Fulfill your ministry!