Factual Caution
Harvest Ready • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsWhen preparing for the work of the Lord, one must realize the dangers that will attempt to turn you away from God.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Continuing our look into being Harvest Ready, we are reminded of the breakdown of 2 Timothy:
Fearless Confidence
Faithful Commitment
Factual Caution
Final Charge
Today we will take note of the caution Scripture shows with regard to working for the Lord specifically in the Last Days.
Perilous Times
Perilous Times
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, 3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
What we have here is a warning that the basic sins of the Adamic nature will increase as time goes by, and in the days immediately preceding the Rapture (1901–1990), they will be matured to the place where they will be the outstanding characteristics of the general populace. This will be brought about by the news media, the NEA, and mass communications, as all of these organizations are humanistic and secular from top to bottom (including the Vatican press, hierarchy, and priesthood) and are aimed at PUFFING mankind: deifying man as his own savior (i.e., “Man is the measure of all things”). Hence the tirade begins with “LOVERS OF THEIR OWN SELVES.” The outstanding mark of mankind in general, before the Advent, is given here, and again in Matthew 24:12. It is self-love. It is the belief that man is smart enough to correct God, smart enough to disobey God, smart enough to eliminate God, and smart enough to invent his own God, fashioned after his own depravity (see Rom. 1:22–23). It is self-love.
Ruckman, Dr. Peter S.. Pastorial Epistles (1 - 2 Timothy, Titus Commentary) (The Bible Believer's Commentary Series) . BB Bookstore. Kindle Edition.
perilous times shall come
vs. 2-4 describes the character traits of these men which can be summed up as lovers of self
vs. 5 shows us their outward appearance
form of godliness
‘Form’ is defined as “shape or external body of appearance.” [Genesis 2:7-8]
Paul points out that even though these men of the last days have an outstanding love for self, they still have an external appearance of godliness.
These men of the last days that Paul is warning of are men that pretend to be Christians but do not know Christ!
Contrast this with Pauls plea in Philippians 3:8-10 [know the power of his resurrection]
ever learning, and never able vto come to the knowledge of the truth
These times are defined by these men that love self, look the part, but are unable to come to the knowledge of truth!
They have the piano, the pulpit, and the organ, but the Holy Spirit hasn’t been in a service since the deacon board helped Mrs. Fillinjim run the pastor off. They have the robed choir, the plastic smiles, the King James Bible, a handshaking preacher, and a congregation with folded hands and “reverential attention,” but you couldn’t find God in the mess with a flashlight. The artificial smiles, the artificial handshakes, and artificial prayers are only to be equaled by the artificial sermons under the artificial lights, where the artificial “fundamentalists” put on a show for the TV camera. They are deader than a hammer on a sand dune. They know the words (“Glory to God,” “Praise the Lord,” “God bless,” “God has been so good,” “We give God all the glory,” “We are sharing with you,” “An arm of the church,” “Caring Christians,” “In our outreach to touch lives,” etc.), they know the songs, they have even memorized some verses, yet they are deader than last year’s birds’ nest.
Ruckman, Dr. Peter S.. Pastorial Epistles (1 - 2 Timothy, Titus Commentary) (The Bible Believer's Commentary Series) . BB Bookstore. Kindle Edition.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Scripture uses the example from Exodus 7 to give us a picture of their operation. Jannes and Jambres resisted the truth of Moses by relying on their own abilities to overcome what God was doing. Serving Pharoah as opposed to the God of Moses.
These men of the last days will do the same.
resisting truth
corrupt in mind
reprobate concerning the faith
their afolly bshall be manifest
What is the folly? The form of godliness. They appear to be working on behalf of God (just as Jannes and Jambres appeared to be doing miracles on behalf of Pharaoh’s god). This will be revealed to be false to all men just as Jannes and Jambres where revealed to be counterfeits.
When does this folly manifest? vs. 1 the last days! see Revelation 16:13-16
Fully Known
Fully Known
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
The importance of this knowledge us unparalleled in regards to the confidence we may have regarding out Apostle, Paul.
nout of them all the Lord odelivered me.
The Christian always recognizes the deliverance comes from God!
[example Acts 16:19-26]
evil
[Pro 4:14 KJV] 14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men].
[Pro 12:12 KJV] 12 The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]: but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
[Pro 24:1, 19 KJV] 1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. ... 19 Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou envious at the wicked;
[Pro 28:5 KJV] 5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things].
seducers
Mark 13:19-22 KJV
[19] For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. [20] And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. [21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: [22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
1 John 2:21-26 KJV
[21] I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. [22] Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. [23] Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. [24] Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. [25] And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. [26] These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
[1Jo 4:3 KJV] 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Continue
Continue
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Paul teaches Timothy the only way to be prepared for the evil men and seducers is to stay faithful in scripture. Only Scripture can make one wise to salvation!
[Luk 4:4 KJV] 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
[Luk 8:5-15 KJV] 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.
[Jhn 2:22 KJV] 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
[Jhn 7:38 KJV] 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[Rom 1:16 KJV] 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[Rom 10:11 KJV] 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
[Rom 10:17 KJV] 17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
[Eph 1:13 KJV] 13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
When we make the Word of God a priority we are less inclined to follow every false teacher/movement.
The Profitability of Scripture
The Profitability of Scripture
Doctrine: Teaching- we will teach proper things if our doctrine is based upon Scripture.
Reproof: Blame- we will properly recognize error if our focus is on Scripture.
Correction: Change- we will change course rightly if our life is grounded in Scripture.
Instruction in Righteousness: Direction- we will guide/follow properly if our compass is Scripture
These things are profitable for the purpose of perfecting and furnishing the man of God to all good works, but who is the man of God?
Timothy is the direct context of this book. Who would fall into the category of man of God today? From Scripture Moses, David, various prophets and judges, Christ and Timothy are all called men of God. A brief study of each of these occurrences leads one to conclude that a man of God is someone that speaks and act on behalf of God.
[2Co 5:20-21 KJV] 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.