2 Timothy 3:1-2

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Introduction

In this last letter written by the Apostle Paul before his execution and martyrdom, Paul warns Timothy to be aware of the character and culture of the last days before Christ’s return. If this was important message in Timothy’s day, how much more should we take heed to this message as rapidly approaching the Lord’s return.

Paul says, “This know also”....

Don’t forget this Timothy!

“in the last days perilous times shall come”

Perilous - Dangerous, Hazardous, Fierce

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

A wise person would do everything to avoid perilous events or situations, because they value their life.

BTW, Thank you to the veterans, police, and first-responders that risk their life on a daily basis for us!

A wise person avoids hazards and dangerous situations....

There were sinful and wicked activities that in years gone by, that even lost people were afraid to mention.

Movement of Tolerance

You must accept every liberal talking point, or you will be ostracized, and called a bigot, racist, sexist, etc.

We live in perilous times!

Beware of Narcissism

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud....

Narcissism - inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.

Self-Consumers – Covetous

Covetousness is the lust that weed need more than what God has already provided for us.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Don’t let you focus in life be what you can acquire for yourself, look what you can do for others!

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

This world promotes unbridled lust

Self-Proclaimers – Boasters

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters....

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

Boasting is disgusting because it takes the glory away from God!

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Review: In this narcissistic world that we live in, people are covetous, and boasters...

Self-Sufficers – Proud

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud...

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Pride is a destroyer!

Pride destroys any possibility of God doing something for you

I am sick to death of pride!

Pride sends more people to hell than anything...

Pride is a destroyer!

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Review: In the sin sick world that we live in, we must beware of Narcissism, but also...

Beware of Nastiness

Nastiness is the ungodly behavior (corruption/pollution) there has permeated society today, we are surrounded by it all the time, and sometimes it can rub off on us, if we allow it, by getting to close to it and getting away from God’s word.

Point: Having a walk with God is not optional if you want to be clean from the Nastiness of the world...

Nasty Language - Blasphemers

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

so-called Christian people can have NASTY LANGUAGE

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Nasty Lack of Respect - Disobedient

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Parents are the first and foremost people children are to obey.

Obedience must be taught and enforced early!

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.

Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Nasty Lack of Gratitude - Unthankful

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

In the Narcissistic society we live in, people are unthankful because there is an epidemic of entitlement - were just about everyone thinks “THEY” deserve better....

Unthankfulness is not something new…

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

BTW - Thanksgiving is a Christian Holiday, we give thanks to God for his provision and protection in our life...

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For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Nasty Lack of Holiness - Unholy

Holiness - Separation from what is “unclean”; sanctified or consecrated

Reverence for God

The Lord’s Day

God’s House

God’s Book

God’s Man

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Conclusion

Either we will blend in with the World, or we will take a bold stand for the Lord.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Either we will blend in with the World, or we will take a bold stand for the Lord.

We live in perilous times, now more than ever we must be determined to forsake the things of this world, and follow Jesus!

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?