2 Tim 3: Fan The Flame

Introduction

As we began this series we said that the context of Paul’s letter was established during Paul’s imprisonment and impending death in Rome. It is obvious that times are difficult as Paul is writing his letter. However, when we come to Chapter 3 Paul is going to highlight that more difficult days are still ahead. If we think that Paul was having to endure some tough days, we haven’t seen anything yet especially when we consider the last days that are still to come before Jesus returns.

So how is this encouraging? I thought you said that Paul was writing this letter to encourage Timothy? How is this supposed to encourage Timothy and others to continue on when things are only going to get worse before it gets in better?

Well to help us grasp this concept we need to understand how it is that God is going to use our suffering for KINGDOM IMPACT. You see, our difficulty and suffering is not just about us! It is more than the promise that we are going to be victorious in the end. It is more than just our own well being.

Now make no mistake! Let’s not short change the incredible promises we have!!

Such as the PROMISE of SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH provided for us by God to see us THROUGH!!

Philippians 4:13 (ESV) I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

We also have the PROMISE of A sure VICTORY and RESCUE no matter what we may face or have to endure in this life!!

John 16:33 (ESV) I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Paul emphasizes this victory in verses 10-11

2 Timothy 3:10-11 .

2 Timothy 3:10–11 NIV

10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

The point being that the light never shines brighter than when it is being displayed in intense darkness. In the beginning of Chapter 3 Paul  takes the first 9 verses to describe the darkness of the last days and the reasons why it will be so.

2 Timothy 3:1–4 NIV

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—

The last days that Paul refers to here is not some future period..but bsiblically refers to the age of the church untill Christ’ return. This phrase last days echoes what is said in Acts 2:17

Acts 2:17 NIV

17 “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

This is echoed in Hebrews 1:1-2

Hebrews 1:1–2 NIV

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

In other words, the last days is the period of the church untill Christ’s return.

He says that in these last days, the time from the pentacost untill Jesus’ return there will be specific characteristics. He gives several attributes which will mark the difficulties of the last days. People who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, disobedient to theier parents,ungrateful, unholy, without love, brutal, concieted. That these things will create the difficulties seen in the last days.

Notice however that will Paul talks about the difficulties of the last days, he doesn’t talk so much about about the type of pain and suffering we will go through, but rather the type of people, and the posture of heart that will work against the church.

He doesn’t say, there will be terrible times…dying, stealings, suffering, death..though thats true. He rather points out the character which will produce those things. The last days will be recognized not simply by what happens in the world, but what is happening in the heart of humanity!

This is why, in America, we must be careful that we do not equate comfort and ease with spiritual blessing or fruitfulness. We are largely more educated, and prosperous over the past century…but that says nothing about the hearts. If you educate the mind, without educating the heart..all we do is create more clever devils. And the terrible times Paul talks about is that way because of a heart posture.

I want to propose that the reason the American Christian church is largely ineffective in many parts of the nation isn’t because of the power of God, but because of the posture of our heart.

Let me say it another way…the health of a church or community is not in the size of its building, the attention it gets, the degrees or success of those who attend, the size of the homes..the comfort or worldly success. That matters very little in Kingdom value.

The health of churches and communities are revealed by the heart postures of the people in them. And when churches begin to be lovers of self, lovers of money, ungrateful, unholy, without love…when that is lost..it doesn’t matter what else you have. Darkness enters in and divides.

The difficulty of the last days doesn’t begin out here..it begins in here! Its heart issues!

EM Bounds said it like this, “The Church is looking for better methods, God is looking for better men and women.” It matters very little about anything else. The terrible times

Listen to what Paul describes as the heart posture that will characterize the last days. And then ask yourself if you demonstrate these things, and how you have seen these things in your life.

Lovers of self

This is part of our human condition that we have all battled throughout our lives.

The greek word used in “lovers of self” is philio. “Philia” is the Greek word used to describe deep, meaningful friendships. This goes much deeper than simply acquaintances. “Philia” love binds two people together and holds them through thick and thin. “Philia” friends are faithful, staying close to you in your best moments and your worst.

“Lovers of self” then in this context means people who are consumed with themselves. It is a deep attachment to ones own wants and needs. It is affection and attention devoted to oneself.

Children are born not having to be taught this. As soon as they can speak their words are, “my ball!”, “my spoon!”, “my doll!” Thier needs are central.

From the very beginning, there is a growing sense of “Mine.” The very first sin was the elevation of Adam and Eve’s percieved wants and desires over God’s word…and sin and brokenenss entered.

Lovers of self then want to define for themselves what is right and wrong. They want to do what feels good to us.

They want to be the God’s of thier life. The masters of our own ship.

Allegiance is to themselves selves and thier wants..not God, or anyone else for that matter. If they do have a realtionship with God or others it is always based on what we can get out of it.

We live in what is today called a post modern world. One of the primary beliefs is that there is no objective truth. Only my truth. There is a general skeptisicm to understood, even foundational ideas. From sex, gender, marriage, right, wrong…we have made ourselves the center of our reality..and seek to redefine it based on what we think or what we say.

There is even something you will see in some areas called post modern architecture. This architecture is characterized by buildings with odd shapes, bright colors, doors that lead no where, steps that go into the ceiling, windows of different shapes and sizes. It is a breaking from the rules and seeking to redefine reality. But you know regardless of how you build a house, or what design or where you put the windows or colors..there is one place on a house you can not mess with. There is one place you can not build how you want it. The foundation. If you mess with the foundation, everything else crumbles.

Lovers of self effectively become Gods of thier own lives.

Terrible times happen as humanity seeking to find freedom, try and build thier lives on another foundaiton than God’s word. We elevate our own feelings….our basis of truth is rooted in us now, and our wants and desires..and so communities, people, churches..crumble.

This at the core is what it is to be lovers of self. It is to make yourself, your feelings, the arbiter of truth.

What this also does, is it means we begin to elevate our feelings above God’s word.

We say things like, if it feels good it must be good. Or, God wouldn’t want me to give this up if I love it.

And so, when humanity and people begin to redefine God’s principles, or elevate thier own position..they bring about chaos and confusion.

Have you seen this in your own life? This is the default setting on children. If you don’t correct them they will think thier wants and desires are more important than anything. They will eat untill thier sick. They’ll do things which are dangerous. They will take and hit without boundaries. And bring about destruction if not corrected.

Have you seen this at work, relationships, churches, families..where they elevate thier feelings and wants above God’s wants and other people?

Matthew 22:34–40 NIV

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The Message of 2 Timothy a. Their Moral Conduct (Verses 2–4)

four of the nineteen expressions are compounded with ‘love’ (phil-), suggesting that what is fundamentally wrong with these people is that their love is misdirected

We will only love others rightly as we love God rightly.

Terrible times of the last days will also be characterized by lovers of money.

How do you know if you have become a lover of self?

You ask God to bless YOUR plans, rather than saying, “God what do you want for my life, what are your plans for me?”

Your feelings speak louder than faith and God’s word.

Your life is more concerend about how others see you, rather than how others see God through you.

You want to be elevated, rather than have God elevated. (John said, we must become less so that he can become more)..we want to become more.

Ask yourself what would be a sucessful life? For you to be known or to make Christ known? For you to be remembered or Christ remembered?

Lust for wealth

What do I mean when I say lust for wealth?

It means that your desire for money shapes your life. You pursue it at the expense of God and loving others.

If your first and last thoughts of the day are centered on money—earning more, saving more, spending more or paying off more—it may be an idol. - Faithworksfinancial.org

1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The problem isn’t money, but the issue is the love of it. Being consumed by it. And consumed with it.

1 Timothy 6:9 NIV

9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

The word "want" in 1 Timothy 6:9 indicates not an impulsive desire but premeditated planning to reach a goal. The verse describes those who pursue riches in a careful and methodical way. The desire for riches can ensnare a person of any class. One does not have to be wealthy or poor to be greedy.

Money must never be the goal. Pursuing and honoring God must be the goal, and money a natural consequence.

So again desiring money is like a kid chasing a ball in the middle of the interstate. Theres nothing with money, like theres nothing wrong with a kid wanting a ball..but the desire will lead you into situations which will kill you.

Do you desire to be rich? Do you desire to be rich more than you desire to be Holy? Than you desire God?

It is about a disordered desire..

You may say, RJ I desire to be rich, but I’m good. I love God too. I just want to be a rich Christian.

Well heres some questions to check our heart…

Do we work harder for our jobs than for God. We worry more about displeasing our employer than our savior.

Some of us have no problem missing church which is 2 hours a week…but will make sure we are at work 5 days a week, 8 hours a day.

We give to our jobs our best, and God the leftovers.

We pray and ask God to make more money, but fail to pray to make more disciples.

We say things like… “God if you gave me more money I’d use it for you” But are you doing anything for God now with what you have? Do you tithe now? Do you give now?

How many of our thoughts are about bills, jobs, expenses, making money, spending money, saving money?

How do we know when money has become an idol?

We are not generous towards those in need. We look for ways to save, spend, or pay off something..but not ways to give more.

We become jealous towards those who have. We lack contentment and joy in our current situation. (We don’t celebrate when others do well..we say, “Why not me?”

Your job is seen through the lens of, (this is for me to make more money), rather than a means to build up God’s kingdom and reach people.

Matthew 6:19–21 NIV

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:24 NIV

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Materialism is one of our blind spots:

David Platt- Slavery

We choose!

I’ve shared this illustration before, but let me repeat it for the new folks in the room.

Wallet- Money from Philippines

Where is your riches?

Inflated Pride

Inflated pride means we think more highly of ourself than we should. We overestimate our own power and importance. I am not saying that you are not valuable, but that value is someting bestowed from God. We owe everything to Him. If you look at how God made you, and think you’re great..and don’t think God is great..you are greatly mistaken.

If I preach and you think more highly of yourself but not more highly of God I’ve failed you.

It is not my job to help you think more of you. It is to help you to think more highly of God..because when we think of God rightly, we will see ourselves rightly.

When God wants to encourage us, he doesn’t say..you’re stronger than you think you are..or you’re better than you think you are..God says, I’m stronger than you think I am. I’m better than you think I am.

God doesn’t encourage us by pointing to something in us..he encourages us by pointing to something in himself!

God does not need you…you need Him.

At the center of the gospel and what God is doing is not you or humanity for that matter…its himself. God does what He does first for His own glory and name..to proclaim His glory to the world. And he saves us, not because of our name but his.

Our culture today promotes the idea that everyone has to get a trophy because we don’t want them to be disappointed if they didn’t accomplish what someone else was able to.

We fall into two error here:

We either become overly confident and overestimate our power, or we fall into despair and feel like we are nothing. The problem with either thinking your are somebody, or nothing…is that you are still thinking of you and not Him!

CS Lewis rightly says, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less”

Inflated pride means we spend too much time thinking about our wants, desires, plans, but not God’s.

What if when God lead us ot do something we didn’t think, “How is this going to make me feel? How is this going to make me look? How is this going to affect me?” But said..how is this going to build up God’s kingdom.

Are you prideful?

"The first step in acquiring humility is to realize that you are proud. Until you realize this, nothing can be done about it. “If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” -CS Lewis

Heres a test:

If I ask you the problem with the world today…what do you think of? What would you say? Who or what would you point to?

The story is told that The Times of London at one point early in the 1900s posed this question to several prominent authors: “What’s wrong with the world today?” The well-known author G.K. Chesterton is said to have responded with a one-sentence essay:

_Dear Sir, __I am. _Yours, G.K. Chesterton

Inflated pride says they are the problem. We look out there instead of looking in here.

One of the surest signs of an inflated pride is this: Others sins bother you more than your own. No one else’s sin will be more destructive or consequential on your life than your own..because you have to live with it every day. And God holds you accountable for it. But yet, we point to the terrible days we are in..and always have someone else to blame…instead of saying, “I’m the problem.” Its the sin in me.

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

And Paul didn’t say this because he was comparing his sin to others…no. But because He was comparing his sin…to a Holy God.

Pride is always comparing themselves to others, instead of looking to God and judging by His standard.

Not only does pride look at others as the problem..pride wants to be served, not serve.

Matthew 20:25–28 NIV

25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

When you recognize that you are the chief of sinners and Christ still died for you..no one has to tell you to serve. You can’t help it! When you look at others you don’t see yourself as better, you see yourself as one of them! And you say, “How can I serve them?”

Heart Check:

Does other peoples sin bother you more than your own?

Have you put yourself at the center of what God is doing, instead of God.

Do you look to others, or church..and say, “What can I get?” instead of “What can I give?”

What if I told you you were the problem? That you are prideful, and you overthink your importance. And if something wells up in you saying, “I’m not prideful”..it only proves the point.

Is this characteristic of your heart?

Disrupted Home

Children disobedient to thier parents.

You see children being disobedient to thier parents is a heart issue. And if we have a hard time obeying the parents we have that we can see, how will we obey the God we can’t see.

The dymanics of homes, among parents, and children..is not just a reflection of hearts.

There is an epidemic of children being mistreated or neglected emotionally and physically. Children who do not respect their parents because they are mistreated, not being held accountable for their actions or in many cases are children themselves raising children and just don’t have a clue.

As families continue to deteriorate, society becomes more chaotic.

Families and homes will reveal who we really are. It reveals our heart.

As believers, we have an opportunity to show them the beauty of a loving peace haven where God's love is demonstrated in our homes. A place of belonging that leads to embracing a different approach to life that makes life better for everyone.

Ephesians 6:1–4 NIV

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

The point here is that there will arise a rebellious heart in humanity which will reveal itself in families..and have spiritual ramifications.

If you can’t accept correction from the people around you…you will have a hard time submitting to God’s authority.

Stubborn- Anybody else stubborn.

Stubborn hearts…I’m going to do it my way.

Instead of listening to wisdom and learning, we have to bump our heads or touch the stove.

We are in a day where people will be so hard headed, that they can look at the truth, hear the truth…it be laid clearly..and they still deny it.

Dead men do bleed.

It is spiritual. We are blinded, hard headed…stuck in our way..and that rebellion first with God..reveals itself in our relationships and homes.

Are you stubborn?

Have you been unwilling to budge on something that god has been trying to teach you?

You may be so stuck in your way..and wanting to do it your way..that you keep going through the same things, suffering…pain..because you are unwilliing to bend.

Ungrateful

We will be ungrateful. That is the next characteristic of our hearts that lead to the brokenness of the lat days.

with each generation we become more thankless and entitled.

We have more, but we are less content. We can always find something to complain about.

This lack of gratitude turns us away from God and eventually leads to idolatry, lust and lawlessness as we see ourselves as the only god in our lives.

As believers, gratitude flows from our relationship with God. Our appreciation for what He has done for us spills over into the lives of others and becomes blessings that they can take part in.

Psalm 7:17 NIV

17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

When God has given you a thankful heart…you are able to endure and stay close to Him

Philippians 4:11–13 NIV

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Are your prayers more about what you want, than thanks for what hes done?

It is a precursor of difficult times when people become more and more ungrateful.

Think about it, it is no coincidence that we are such an anxious generation, while also being an ungrateful generation.

We reach and reach, and go and go for more things because we are unsatisfied. And the anxiety stems from the reality that these things can’t satisfy..only God can.

Paul says, I’ve learend the secret of contenment…remembering that it is only God that keeps me. He is enough.

Are you grateful? Are you disasisfied?

Unholy

2 Timothy 3:2–4 NIV

2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—

Being holy means to live our lives in a way that reflects God's glory, rather than conforming to the ways of the world

Being holy is not just about doing good, or being good people..it is about reflecting a Holy God, and brining glory to Him.

Holiness is about your life being dedicated to please Him!

It means to choose God and flee sin.

If we are holy people we will take sin seriously.

Being holy means we don’t just agree with God when its convenient, it means we submit to God even when its hard.

Being holy means brining all of us to God.

It means that sexual sin, addictions, habits, the way we talk, the way we think, no matter how it feels…is submitted to God.

I know alot of people who “do good” but are not “holy”. The difference is your heart. Holiness is a heart posture. You can do good for various different motives. Even people who don’t know God may try and go good for whatever reason or motivation. Holiness’ aim is pleasing God!

We live in a time where we want to be good people, but we also want to be allowed to live in sin. We say, “i’m a good person” but I want to sleep with who I want, I want to watch what I want, I want to think what I want, I want to do what I want…I want to live how I want. If it doesn’t hurt anyoen its fine, we say.

But holiness isn’t just about your outward impact, its about your own heart. Because being unholy..the biggest person it destroys is us!

Hebrews 12:14 NIV

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

In other words, God saves us and makes us holy, and when our realtionship with Him is right, we can live right with others.

We must pursue holiness! We must deal with our hearts! We must look at our motives! We must deal with the unseen. Holiness goes deeper than actions.

Matthew 5:20 NIV

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Your heart must be aimed at pleasing Jesus! Not just doing religious rules. It must be deeper than that.

This is why he continues with this in verse 5.

First, make sure our LIVES match what we SAY!

2 Timothy 3:5 NIV

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

They appear on the surface to be godly but their heart motives and lifestyles do not reflect what they preach. The word does not seem to impact their lives. This is a huge problem and stumbling block in the last days.

Hypocrites. The problem with the hypocrit isn’t that they are imperfect. The problem with the hypocrite is that they pretend to be.

They will want to seem more spiritually mature than they are. They want the benefits of being a Christian without the commitment and sacrifice.

They want to play church, but not be the church.

Let me say it this way…maybe the reason many churches don’t have power is because they are playing church, rather than being the church.

They come dressed nice, they act like they have it together, but aren’t honest about thier own sin.

The first open sin in the church of Jerusalem was hypocrisy. Anninas and Saphira wanted to be seen like everyone else, but didn’t really want to sacrifice. Everyone else was selling houses and homes and giving all the money to those in need. They pretended, they sold it..but then kept the money. While saying, “We gave everthing”

And the text says they were lying to the Holy Spirit, and both of them died. God’s judgement passed on them.

The reason this happens isn’t because this is what happens to all hyprocrites..because if it was we’d be in bad shape. But God is teaching a lesson, as they are the first..to make a point that hypocrisy and pretending have no place in the church. God was protecting the holiness of the church.

One commentator said it like this, that every person who comes into the church must step over the bodies of anninias and saphria and remember how seriously God takes hypocrisy.

Now, again…it wasn’t that they didn’t trust in Jesus.

The issue was that they weren’t sincere. They struggled, but didn’t want to admit it. They wanted to act one way at church and another at home.

There is danger in hypocrisy!

Sometimes we can go to church with folks and never share our mess, always act like we have it together. Want to act like we are commited to God, but are pretending.

Its ok to struggle! God knows we fall! But he does say this, don’t pretend! Be honest!

So we must check our hearts!

Secondly, make sure we emphasize GRACE and not RELIGIOUS DUTY or WORK.

2 Timothy 3:6 NIV

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,

the guilt of our sin can be used as a powerful manipulator when it comes to religion especially if we think we have to earn forgiveness. When we live in this place we can never get free.

the point here is that we must always remember that we are saved by what Christ does, and not by what we do. This again is a heart issue! Christ must change your heart!

Third, make sure we let HEAD knowledge become HEART knowledge that transforms our lives

2 Timothy 3:7–9 NIV

7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Are we always learning, but never coming to a knowledge of the truth?

According to Jewish tradition Jannes and Jambres were two Egyptian magicians who had pretended to convert to Judaism and it is believed that they were the ones who instigated the worship of the golden calf while Moses was on the mountain with God.

Something we need to be aware of are those who teach God’s word appearing to have a form of godliness but who deny its real power to transform one’s life. They are easily identifiable if their life is not consistent with what they preach and if their teaching does not align with the Word of God. God’s word has to be our standard otherwise the truth can become confusing and we can be led astray. If our light is going to shine brightly in a dark world we have to let the light of truth shape our heart and life!!

The most important sermon I preach won’t come from a stage. It will be the life I live when I get off the stage. Because that will be the message which will testify to every other one I speak. May I never settle for eloquence, when God is after something much more than words.Paul calls Timothy and all believers to check ourselves.

2 Timothy 3:10 NIV

10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

Paul’s teachings and way of life were in alignment with God’s word! God’s word being the OT and what Jesus taught as recorded by His disciples.!

Paul’s life was consistent with one who placed his faith in Jesus. Paul was radically changed from persecuting the church to serving the church. His purpose was to share the Gospel with all who would listen. He had such a love for others that he put his own self in peril so they could hear. This is what a true teacher looks like! His word was consistent with the truth and his life was consistent with what he taught. And even though he faced great difficulties, notice what Paul says at the end of verse 11 - Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

Heart Check:

Are you teaching others with your words what God’s word teaches? Does it apply in suffering and difficulty as well?

Is the way you are living your life true to God’s word? Your purpose? Your faith? Your love? Your patience? Your endurance? Are these consistent even in difficulties and suffering?

Paul reminds Timothy of what Jesus reminded us all of in John 15 and that we talked about in week 2. If we follow Jesus we will face persecution!

2 Timothy 3:12–17 NIV

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Useful for TEACHING - basic doctrines of truth concerning God and how we have a relationship with Him.

Useful for REPROOF - rebuking us and identifying what is wrong behavior we need to avoid

Useful for CORRECTION - showing us what is correct behavior that is pleasing to God that we need to embrace

Useful for instruction in RIGHTEOUSNESS - showing us that which should shape and motivate our heart.

Knowing that this word is not Paul’s thoughts about God but these words are given to us by God Himself! This word is more than just a religious manuscript that is to shape our belief. It is a living word that should be transforming our life! Is it?

Here is the bottom line: The days will grow more difficult, especially as the time for Christ to return draws near. But here is the encouragement! Let the word of God prepare you for that time and may your light shine so brightly in the darkness that those who are in the darkness may see and be saved by God’s marvelous grace!!

Invitation:

Do you know Him?

Is your life being shaped by God’s word?

Are you teaching others with your words what God’s word teaches? Do these truths apply in suffering and difficulty as well as times that are good?

Is the way you are living your life true to God’s word? Your purpose? Your faith? Your love? Your patience? Your endurance? Are these consistent even in difficulties and suffering?

Will our church shine brightly in the darkness or will the darkness overtake us as well?