The Danger of the Last Days

Sermon Title: The Danger of the Last Days

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Occasion: The Lord’s Day

Date: March 16, 2025

“Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Ti 1:2.

Opening Prayer

Introduction: A Story of Deception

Years ago, a man named Frank Abagnale became one of the most infamous con artists in American history.

Before he turned 21, he had forged millions of dollars in checks, impersonated a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer.

His deception was so convincing that even trained professionals were fooled.

Eventually, the FBI caught him, and his schemes were exposed.

What made Frank so successful was his ability to look the part—he had the appearance of authority, but he lacked the truth behind it.

In our passage this morning, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about a time when deception will be widespread—not just in society, but within the church.

There will be people who appear godly, who claim to represent Christ, but they deny the true power of godliness.

They are religious frauds.

They have the form of godliness, but their hearts are far from God.

This sobering reality brings us to the title of today’s sermon: "The Danger of the Last Days."

Paul tells Timothy to understand the days he is living in, to recognize the dangers, and to avoid false teachers who distort the truth.

And church, this is not just a warning for Timothy—it is a warning for us.

We live in these last days, and we need to be on guard against deception, stand firm in the gospel, and cling to Christ.

Our passage breaks into two major sections:

The Character of the Last Days (vv. 1-5)

The Corruption of the False Teachers (vv. 6-9)

Let us now turn to our first major section.

I. The Character of the Last Days (vv. 1-5)

Paul begins this section with a sobering command:

2 Timothy 3:1 ESV

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

Paul is telling Timothy—Don’t be naive!

Don’t assume that things will get easier as time goes on.

The phrase "last days" is not just referring to some distant future event.

It refers to the entire period from Christ’s resurrection to His second coming (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2).

We are living in the last days now.

And Paul says these days will bring "times of difficulty"—seasons of great hardship, not because of external circumstances like war, famine, or natural disasters, but because of sinful people.

The word Paul uses for "difficulty" (χαλεποί) means harsh, fierce, or dangerous.

This same word is used in Matthew 8:28 to describe the two demon possessed men who were so violent that no one could pass that way.

This is not just a warning of hard times, but of people who will be vicious in their rebellion against God.

Paul wants Timothy to understand that while there will be moments of gospel advance, revival, and joy, there will also be an increase in opposition, deception, and hostility toward the truth.

This is a reality that all Christians must be prepared for.

So, what makes these times so difficult?

It’s not just the events happening around us—it’s the kind of people living in these last days that make them so difficult.

A. A Self-Centered Generation (vv. 2-4)

Paul gives a sobering but honest list of nineteen characteristics that will describe the kind of people living in the last days.

Listen to how he describes them:

2 Timothy 3:2–4 ESV

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Notice how this entire list revolves around misplaced love.

The first and last descriptions in this passage give us the key:

"Lovers of self" (v. 2) : The root of sin is self-worship.

The world tells us that the highest virtue is to "love yourself," but the Bible warns that self-love apart from God leads to destruction.

"Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (v. 4) :

These people pursue pleasure as their ultimate god.

They prioritize entertainment, comfort, and indulgence OVER holiness, obedience, and devotion to Christ.

This list is not just talking about the world "out there"—it is talking about the visible church as well. Us! You and me.

The problem is not just sin in the world, but sin creeping into the church, where people claim to know God but deny Him by their actions.

The Depth of Their Sinfulness

Each of the sins in this list is a result of misplaced love.

Let’s look at some of these characteristics more closely:

"Lovers of money" – Greed is a defining mark of the last days.

Paul already warned in 1 Timothy 6:10 that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."

Lovers of money are individuals who make decisions driven by financial gain rather than what glorifies God.

Their hearts are set on earthly wealth, measuring their choices by what will increase their bank accounts rather than what will glorify the Lord and advance His kingdom.

This stands in direct contrast to those who love Christ—who, like the Apostle Paul, count all things as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Him (Philippians 3:8).

True disciples do not serve Mammon but deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Christ, finding their treasure in Him alone.

False teachers in particular are often motivated by financial gain rather than faithfulness to God (1 Timothy 6:5).

Example:

One need only look at the countless prosperity preachers who amass wealth by exploiting the desperate, promising divine blessings in exchange for donations.

Like the false teachers in Ephesus, they see godliness as a means of financial gain rather than a life of sacrificial obedience to Christ.

"Proud, arrogant, and abusive" – These people boast in themselves, thinking they are better than others, and they speak abusively against others—whether in words, slander, or online attacks.

These are individuals who exalt themselves above all else.

At every turn, they seek to advance their own status, willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead—no matter the cost to others.

If that means using manipulation, deception, or even abusive behavior, so be it.

Why?

Because they are lovers of self rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:2).

Their hearts are set on their own glory rather than the glory of Christ, revealing a spirit of pride that stands in opposition to the humility of those who follow the Lord.

Example:

Mark Driscoll and James MacDonald, once celebrated pastors, built ministries that drew thousands, only for their unchecked pride and abusive leadership to leave behind trails of wounded staff, broken congregants, and shattered trust.

Stories of public humiliation, financial scandals, and domineering control reveal the devastating consequences of leaders who exalt themselves rather than Christ—turning what should have been places of healing into arenas of manipulation and fear.

"Disobedient to parents" – A generation that disregards parental authority is a generation that disregards God’s authority.

This is not simply about children being rebellious; it describes a culture that no longer honors the wisdom and structure that God has established in the family.

Example:

As believers, we must actively resist the cultural trend of dishonoring parents and authority.

Parents, disciple your children—not just by commanding obedience, but by modeling humble submission to Christ’s authority in your own lives.

Teach them that honoring parents is not about control, but about aligning with God’s design for wisdom and protection (Ephesians 6:1-3).

Children and young adults, recognize that disregarding your parents is not just rejecting them—it is rejecting the authority God has placed over you.

True freedom is found in submission to God’s order, not in rebellion against it.

And as the church, we must reclaim the biblical vision of family.

When the home is strong, the church and society follow.

"Ungrateful and unholy" – Ingratitude is a sign of a heart that does not recognize God as the giver of every good gift (James 1:17).

Ungratefulness is the mark of those who are never satisfied—never having enough time, enough money, enough possessions, or enough recognition.

Their hearts are restless, not because they lack, but because they refuse to acknowledge the One who provides.

Rather than lifting their voices in thanksgiving, they murmur and grumble, fixated on what they do not have, blinded to the countless mercies they do.

Paul describes such people as both ungrateful and unholy.

Ungratefulness stems from a heart that will not bow to God’s goodness, and unholiness follows close behind—a life that rejects the things of God in pursuit of its own way.

And let’s be clear: doing things our own way is un-ho-lay!

Illustration:

Picture a child receiving a gift, yet scoffing because it wasn’t exactly what they wanted.

That child does not see the kindness of the giver, only their own disappointment.

In the same way, an ungrateful heart refuses to see God’s goodness.

It is blind to grace, deaf to mercy, and in that blindness, drifts further from God until it disregards Him completely.

Gratitude is not just a virtue—it is a sign of a heart that knows its Maker.

Unholiness, on the other hand, is the inevitable result of a life that has no regard for the Giver of all good things.

"Heartless and unappeasable" – These are people devoid of natural affection, they are cold and unyielding in their relationships.

The Greek word for heartless (ἄστοργοι) describes an absence of even the most basic human love—love that should exist naturally, even among family members.

This is a hardened heart, calloused to the needs, pains, and affections of others.

These are the ones who turn away when compassion is required, who forsake even their own flesh and blood.

The word unappeasable (ἄσπονδοι) speaks of those unwilling to reconcile—always bitter, always offended, never forgiving.

They hold grudges like chains around their hearts, refusing to release or be released.

No apology is enough.

No attempt at peace is sufficient.

They would rather live in their anger than humble themselves for the sake of restoration.

Illustration:

A heartless and unappeasable person is like a locked door that refuses to open.

It was meant to welcome others and build relationships, but instead, it stays shut—cold, stubborn, and unmovable.

No amount of knocking, pleading, or effort can open it because the person behind it refuses to turn the handle.

Rather than seeking reconciliation, they reinforce the barricade with bitterness, shutting out love, peace, and restoration.

But the gospel calls us to something greater—The gospel call us to fling open the doors of our hearts, to love as we have been loved in Christ, and to forgive as we have been forgiven in Christ.

"Slanderous and without self-control" – Slander (διάβολοι) is actually the same Greek word for devil—because the devil is the father of lies (John 8:44).

This marks a society where people destroy others with their words, whether in gossip, online defamation, or public accusations.

Example:

In 2023, when Christian influencer and YouTube pastor Mike Winger publicly critiqued false teachers, social media exploded with slander—some twisting his words, others fabricating claims to discredit him.

In a world without self-control, platforms meant for connection have become battlegrounds where people, often without evidence or restraint, destroy reputations with a single post, mirroring the devil’s work as the accuser.

But Paul describes those in the last days taking up the characteristics of their father the Slanderer or the devil.

2 Timothy 3:3–4 ESV

…brutal (ruthless), not loving good (cynical), treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit,

Again, these characteristics flow from those whom are lovers of self and lovers pleasure rather than God.

The point is this: The self-centered are not only actively serving and loving themselves but actively destroying others!

But the only end of those whom are self-consumed is destruction.

Illustration: The Titanic

The best illustration of these nineteen characteristics is the illustration of the Titanic.

As many know In the early 1900s, the Titanic was called "unsinkable."

It was built with the most advanced technology of its time, yet it sank because of human pride and carelessness.

The crew ignored warnings about icebergs, assuming they were invincible.

The world today is much like that.

People believe they can live without Christ.

They reject His warnings.

But destruction is coming.

Paul’s warning to Timothy is a warning to us—we must not be deceived by the false security of sin.

Paul has described the self-centeredness of these last days, but now he turns his attention to those who corrupt the truth within the church.

B. A Powerless Religion (v. 5)

Paul now focuses on those who appear religious but deny the true power of God.

2 Timothy 3:5 ESV

having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Paul warns us here of religious hypocrisy.

These people look religious—they may go to church, read their Bibles, and talk about faith—but they deny the true power of godliness.

What does this mean?

It means their religion is external, not internal.

They may pray but never repent.

They may sing worship songs but never worship God in spirit and truth.

They may preach sermons but never submit to God’s authority.

Example: Spurgeon’s Warning

Charles Spurgeon once said,

"There is enough dust on some people’s Bibles to write ‘damnation’ on it."

Many people profess Christ, but they live as if He has no claim on their lives.

This is the heart of the issue:

A powerless Christianity is no Christianity at all.

A Christ-less Christianity is no Christianity at all.

False Religion Without Power

Throughout history, there have been religious movements that have focused on rules, traditions, and rituals while completely missing the gospel.

The Pharisees in Jesus' day were extremely religious, but they were the ones who rejected Christ (Matthew 23:27).

Many people today embrace Christianity as a cultural identity but do not truly know Christ.

False teachers focus on prosperity, success, and happiness but ignore sin, repentance, and the cross.

This is why Paul tells Timothy and us today, here on March 16th, 2025:

Avoid such people.

Do not be deceived by external religion that lacks the power of the gospel.

Application: Is Your Faith Real?

Ask yourself this morning, friend:

Do I have true godliness, or just the appearance of it?

Do I hunger for God’s Word, or do I just go through the motions?

Do I seek holiness, or do I only seek comfort?

Does the gospel transform my life, or is it just a tradition?

At this point, we might wonder—where does all this evil come from?

How does it spread?

Paul now gives us an answer by focusing on those responsible for corrupting others—the false teachers.

II. The Corruption of the False Teachers (vv. 6-9)

After describing the general wickedness of the last days, Paul now zooms in on a specific group—false teachers who infiltrate the church and lead people astray.

These men are not just sinful; they are actively engaged in deception.

They twist truth, manipulate the weak, and oppose God’s word just as the enemies of God have done throughout history.

2 Timothy 3:6 ESV

For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,

These false teachers take advantage of people's struggles, their guilt, and their longing for hope—but instead of leading them to Christ, they lead them further into error and destruction.

Paul now highlights three key characteristics of these deceivers.

A. They Prey on the Vulnerable (v. 6)

Paul describes these false teachers as those who "creep into households."

The Greek word for "creep" (ἐνδύνοντες) carries the idea of sneaking in stealthily, like a thief breaking in unnoticed.

These men are not coming in with open honesty; they use deception, charm, and persuasion to gain access to people’s lives.

Paul specifies that they "capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions."

The word for "capture" (αἰχμαλωτίζοντες) is a military term, meaning to take someone as a prisoner of war.

These false teachers are not simply persuasive—they enslave their victims.

They target those who are already struggling, weighed down by past guilt, and easily manipulated by emotions.

Illustration: The Tactics of Cult Leaders

History is filled with tragic examples of deceptive leaders who preyed on the vulnerable.

Men like Jim Jones and David Koresh didn’t target the strong or the discerning—they went after the lonely, the broken, and those searching for meaning.

They promised truth, belonging, and salvation, but in the end, they delivered destruction.

Their followers, completely devoted and utterly deceived, sacrificed everything—families were torn apart, life savings were handed over, and in the most heartbreaking cases, even their very lives were lost.

In the end, hundreds perished in mass suicides and violent conflicts, proving that false teachers don’t just lead themselves to ruin, but they drag countless souls into destruction with them.

As I said last week, “Bad theology hurts people.”

“The church must stand against false doctrine, not just for the sake of truth, but because real lives are at stake.”

Application: The Danger of Emotional Manipulation

Paul’s warning applies today.

Beware of any teacher who manipulates emotions rather than pointing people to Scripture.

False teachers thrive in environments where people are vulnerable—whether through personal struggles, guilt, or emotional instability.

They promise healing and spiritual insight but lead people further away from Christ.

But these false teachers are not only deceiving others; they themselves are deceived.

First key characteristic of a false teacher is that they pray on the vulnerable.

Second key characteristic is that They Are Always Learning, but they Never Arrive at a Knowledge of the Truth.

B. They Are Always Learning, Never Arriving at a Knowledge of the Truth (v. 7)

2 Timothy 3:7 ESV

always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

False teachers appeal to people's intellectual curiosity, but their teaching never leads to salvation or transformation.

They fill minds with endless discussions, speculations, and new revelations, but they never bring people to the truth of the gospel that alone can save souls and transform hearts.

This was the problem with the Pharisees in Jesus’ day.

They studied the Scriptures diligently, yet they failed to recognize the very Messiah they had been waiting for. Jesus rebuked them:

John 5:39–40 ESV

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

Knowledge without faith and repentance is dangerous.

Some people love theology and spiritual discussion, yet their hearts remain untouched by the transforming truth of God’s Word.

They keep seeking new ideas, but they never arrive at Christ.

Example:

People spend thousands on courses, meditation retreats, and personal coaching, and sometimes seminary, hoping to find purpose and fulfillment.

Yet, despite all their seeking, they remain restless and unsatisfied, never coming to the truth that is found only in Christ.

Like the Athenians in Acts 17:21, they spend their time in “nothing except telling or hearing something new,” but their endless pursuit of knowledge only leads them further from the gospel that alone can save.

Beware, saints.

Don’t get sucked in!

How can we avoid being sucked in by these false teachers?!

Application: Cling to the Sufficient Word of God

One answer to that question:

We must be rooted in the unchanging truth of God’s word.

The Bible is not a book of abstract theories—it is the revelation of God’s redemptive plan in Jesus Christ.

We are not called to endlessly search for new revelations but to hold fast to the gospel that has already been revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:16 ESV

[HOLD FAST] to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ [WE] may be proud that [WE] did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Or in the words of the Lord Jesus Himself…

Revelation 3:11 ESV

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

Hold fast to the Word, beloved.

Or, as the old hymn How Firm a Foundation declares:

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in God's excellent Word! What more can be said than to you God hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Or, in a modern way of saying it:

Stand strong, you saints of the Lord— Your faith is built on God’s unshakable Word! What more could God say than He’s already spoken, To those who run to Jesus for safety and hope?

Paul now reassures Timothy that these false teachers will not have the last word.

False teachers prey on the vulnerable.

They are always learning but never arriving at the knowledge of the truth.

Finally, they will all be exposed!

C. They Will Be Exposed (vv. 8-9)

2 Timothy 3:8–9 ESV

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

Paul compares these false teachers to Jannes and Jambres, the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:11-12).

When Moses performed miracles by God's power, these sorcerers were able to mimic some of them at first. (Literally, just a magic show! Fake/They were frauds!)

But eventually, their power was exposed as counterfeit, and they could not stand against the work of God (Exodus 8:18-19, 9:11).

Paul is making a strong point:

False teachers may seem powerful for a time, but eventually, their deception will be revealed.

Just as the magicians of Pharaoh could only go so far before being exposed, false teachers will not be able to continue their deception indefinitely.

Example: The Collapse of High-Profile False Teachers

Here are just a few who have been exposed (Only Mention a few):

Arius (4th century) – Denied the divinity of Christ, leading to the Arian heresy.

Tetzel (16th century) – Sold indulgences, exploiting people for financial gain.

Joseph Smith (19th century) – Founded Mormonism, claiming new revelation beyond Scripture.

Charles Taze Russell (19th century) – Founded the Jehovah’s Witnesses, rejecting biblical orthodoxy.

Jim Jones (20th century) – Led over 900 followers to their deaths in Jonestown through manipulation and lies.

David Koresh (20th century) – Claimed to be the Messiah, leading his followers to a tragic end in Waco, Texas.

Benny Hinn (modern day) – A prosperity preacher known for false healings and financial scandals.

Kenneth Copeland (modern day) – Built a multimillion-dollar empire preaching a false gospel of wealth.

Ravi Zacharias (modern day) – Once a respected apologist, later exposed for secret sexual abuse and deception.

Carl Lentz (modern day) – Former Hillsong pastor who fell due to moral failure and hypocrisy.

Mark Driscoll & James MacDonald – Once influential church leaders, both were removed from ministry for patterns of spiritual abuse, arrogance, and financial mismanagement.

Bill Johnson (Bethel Church) – Promotes dangerous and unbiblical teachings about healing, prophecy, and extra-biblical revelation.

Joyce Meyer – Twists Scripture to support a prosperity gospel that contradicts the true gospel of Christ.

Todd White – Known for staging false healings and leading people astray with New Age-inspired, experience-driven theology.

The list could go on, but the truth remains the same—false teachers may rise, but they will not last.

Their deception will be uncovered, their influence will fade, and their judgment is sure.

Galatians 6:7 ESV

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

God is not mocked.

The truth will prevail.

Application: Trust in God’s Justice

The Lord does not want us to fret when false teachers seem to thrive.

He has already assured us in His Word that their foolishness will be exposed in time.

Their success is fleeting, but their downfall is certain.

Time always works in favor of the righteous, but the unrighteous are terrified of time.

Why? Because they know their fate.

God is neither indifferent nor slow in executing justice.

He will expose all deception, whether in this life or on the Day of Judgment.

No false teacher will escape His righteous wrath.

Scripture makes it abundantly clear that God will bring justice:

Hebrews 10:30–31 ESV

For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Psalm 37:28 ESV

For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

2 Timothy 4:1 ESV

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…

But Paul’s warning is not just about identifying false teachers—it’s also about guarding our own hearts from deception.

False teachers do not rise to power unless there is a willing audience.

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV

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,

People follow false teachers because their messages appeal to sinful desires—self-love, greed, and pleasure rather than godliness (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

These are people who attend churches that tell them what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear.

It is far more comfortable to attend a church that makes you feel comfortable in your sin rather than a Church and a preacher that calls you to repent from it!

So the real question is not just, “Who are the false teachers?” but “Am I seeking truth, or am I drawn to what is comfortable, what suits my own desires?”

If your faith is built on emotion, self-fulfillment, or the pursuit of prosperity and health rather than Christ and His Word, then you must repent and turn to the gospel of Jesus Christ alone.

Time is running out.

God’s justice is coming.

The lies of the enemy will not stand.

But for those who cling to Christ, there is hope.

Nahum 1:7 ESV

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

So where do you stand today?

Are you anchored in the truth, or are you being led astray by the voices you listen to and read?

Now is the time to repent, to stand firm in the faith, and to hold fast to the unshakable Word of God.

Now is the time to be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill the ministry God has entrusted to you (2 Timothy 4:5).

Conclusion: Stand Firm in the Truth

The danger of the last days is not just an abstract warning—it is happening now.

False teachers are leading many astray.

The deceived are blindly following them, accumulating teachers who tell them what they want to hear rather than the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

And in the midst of it all, the faithful must stand guard, holding fast to Christ and His Word, resisting the tide of deception.

Jesus warned us of this in Matthew 13:24-30. (The Parable of the Weed)

The wheat and the weeds grow together—true believers and false converts, faithful teachers and deceivers, all in the same field.

The weeds may look like wheat for a time, but the harvest is coming.

Then, in Matthew 13:36-43, Jesus explains the terrifying reality:

The weeds are the sons of the evil one.

At the end of the age, the Son of Man will send His angels to gather the lawless and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Those who lead others astray, and those who follow them, will face the full weight of God’s judgment.

But for the faithful, there is glorious hope.

Jesus declares in Matthew 13:43, (Turn there with me to close)

Matthew 13:43 ESV

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father…

Those who remain steadfast, who endure in the truth, will be gathered into His eternal kingdom—where deception, wickedness, and sorrow will be no more.

So the question stands:

Where do you find yourself in this parable?

Are you among the weeds, following voices that suit your desires?

Are you leading others astray with a false gospel?

Or are you standing firm, guarding your heart, and clinging to the truth?

The harvest is coming.

Christ’s judgment is near.

You must make decision today:

Walk in Error or Walk in Truth.

Walk in Darkness or Walk in light.

Matthew 13:43 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

PRAY

Closing Prayer

Father in Heaven,

You are the righteous Judge, and Your truth stands forever.

In these last days of deception and danger, keep us from being led astray, by your sovereign grace and keeping mercy.

By your Spirit, strengthen us to stand firm, to endure, and to proclaim the true gospel and live in light of it.

Rescue those trapped in lies, bring false teachers to repentance, and keep Your people faithful.

May we shine like the sun in Your kingdom, holding fast to Christ until the end.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

In Jesus' mighty and merciful name, Amen.