Ghost Stories (2) High School
Ghost Stories • Sermon • Submitted
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1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
2 Timothy
Intro Ghost Story
Intro Ghost Story
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
How do we NOT have the appearance of godliness denying its power?
John 15:
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
What does the word “abide” mean?
Stay, continue, endure, wait.
What’s so hard about abiding?
impatience
distraction
boredom
What is our response to NOT abiding?
shortcuts/cutting corners
cutting corners
taking the easy way out
cheaper work for quicker results
So where does this leave us?
Right back to where we began this message… and it looks like we have the “appearance” of fruit, but really we’re a dead branch. The illustration of this is the appearance of everything is going great, but really I’m empty on the inside.
Insert Apple image here.
The goal in following Christ is to wear down outwardly, but be built up inwardly. And we do this through the power of the Holy Spirit and remaining in Christ.
It will be difficult following Jesus. I’ll go through storms, I’ll get knocked down. I may even suffer because of following Him. But… God has given me the ability and power to endure, have hope, and get back up. I can do this through the Holy Spirit and keeping my eyes on Jesus.
It looks as though we are losing… because we act, look, think different, suffer persecution in some places, are separated from our families because of it, or even killed because of it. Even though it looks like we are wasting away or even killed, God wins, and here’s how.
How does God win?
He “abides” and never changes, stops persisting or continuing to remain God. He’s always remained God. God is never worn down, lacking, or impatient.
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.