Are We in TERRIBLE TIMES Yet? (2 Timothy 3:1–5)

These words were spoken by Paul in A.D. 66! This was over 1900 years ago. Yet reading these words are like reading the daily newspaper. They show man’s sin and rebellion toward God. Man has always been stubborn and disobedient toward God. We will discuss these Scriptures using the Living Letters version of the Epistles.

THE PERSECUTION—v. 1

“You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian.”

1. These are Difficult times because of temptations every day aren’t they?

James 1:14–15 “14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

1 Corinthians 10:13–14 “13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

2. These are very Difficult times because of Satan’s testings.

Hebrews 12:8–9 “8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”

3. Are Difficult times the same as difficult troubles? Of course they are not!

Hebrews 11:25 “25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,”

II. THE PEOPLE, What have we become? Or did it start 2000 years ago?—v. 2

2 Timothy 3:2 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”

Lovers of themselves. Know anyone like that? Maybe it’s you. I did this, I thought of that, I was in charge of those. ME-ME-ME-

1.Today we are in a time of Personal EVERYTHING........My time, my space, my music, my turn, my feelings......—“For people will love only themselves and their money.” Christ must be first. Let’s take a look at the Wrong way we love money.

1 Timothy 6:9–10 “9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

2. Proud—“They will be proud and boastful.” The Bible says that God is near to the humble.

James 4:6–7 “6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

3. Many are saying it is not necessary to love and serve God today! Know anyone like that?

4. When do these Problems start?—WEll, I say with poor leadership as parents usually don’t they? Are or did we take our kids to church, to Sunday School, to Vacation Bible School?

a. Problems start when it’s OK to be Disobedient to parents.

Scripture tells us POINT BLANK:

Ephesians 6:1–3 “1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

IF THE CHILDREN DO NOT, THIS LEADS TO REBELLION IN THE HOUSEHOLD. DISRESPECT = DISASTER IN FAMILIES.

b. Disrespectful to parents and other authorities. Rebellion.

III. THE PROBLEMS

VERSE 3 FROM TIMOTHY TELLS US:

2 Timothy 3:3 “3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

1. Do we know any Stubborn people? Any stubborn family members? Any stubborn church members? Listen Church,.......“They will be hardhearted and never give in to others.” Stubbornness is the same as idolatry.

Listen what God tells us through Samuel.....

1 Samuel 15:22–23 “22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

2. Sinners—“They will be constant liars and troublemakers.”

a. We Should not fellowship with troublemakers. Now let’s pay close attention here church, NOT FELLOWSHIP IT SAYS. We can work for their salvation but not hang out at the wrong places with them. Paul tells us in:

1 Corinthians 5:10–11 “10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.”

b. Avoid (stay away from) troublemakers.

Romans 16:16–17 “16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

c. Reject TROUBLEMAKERS (or do not be friends with) troublemakers.

Titus 3:10 “10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,.....So we can give them a fair chance can’t we? Maybe they just had a bad day or a bad idea. We can tell fairly quickly can’t we if they are “bad news.”

3. Sensual—“And will think nothing of immorality.” Those guilty of immorality cannot enter heaven, Sarcastic—“They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good.”

IV. THE PLEASURE.

Verse 4-5 tells us:

2 Timothy 3:4–5 “4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

Are you seeing here this morning church that it is everywhere..........sin, selfish..........

1. Sinful personality—“They will betray their friends.” Lie, deceive, manipulate, don’t you just hate that?????????Meaning to be two-faced.

2. Sinful pride—“They will be hot-headed, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times (Friday and Saturday nights) that is MY time!!!!! They forget or put off worshipping God.” Same as in Noah’s day—

We read in Genesis 6:6-8 which was written abut 3400-3500 years ago........

Genesis 6:6–8 “6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” WHAT??????????

How many of us really have No time for God, but plenty of time for self and sin?

iF YOU WANT TO GET AN EXPERT LESSON IN LIFE’S EXCUSES, JUST INVITE SOMEONE TO CHURCH THIS NEXT SUNDAY. AREN’T THE EXCUSES REALLY AMAZING? I HEARD A FEW WEEKS AGO, “I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR CHURCH.”

IT’S MY DAY, DIDN’T SLEEP AT ALL .....

3. Sinful pleasure—“And prefer good times to worshipping God.” Not loving God. Compare with Romans 1:24–32.

1. Do we know any Religious people? Do we know any religious churchgoers?—“They will go to Church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear.” There is a vast difference between being religious and being righteous isn’t there?

What is the answer for these terrible times? God’s Word, the Bible has the answer. Note the three-fold answer:

In Closing today: A starting place for you:

1.We have got to reestablish our Love for God. .

Matthew 22:37–39 “37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’Real love daily for God.”

2.WE really have to start Living for God everyday.

John 14:14–15 “14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” We have to do all He tells us to do. Keep all His commands!

3. We have to be Looking for God in all things, everyday, every situation.

1 John 3:2–3 “2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

This will most certainly purify us each and every day.

AMEN