November 26, 2019
Morning Service

I first of all want to thank Greg, Sam, and Andy for obeying the Lord in their calling.  They have been doing an outstanding job of presenting the Word to us.  I want to thank all who are fulfilling your calling to make us the church that Jesus said he would build.  It takes everyone willing to do what they do best in order for us to be that church.  (I Cor. 12)Thank you.

We have learned that this is the last letter that the Apostle Paul writes.  Paul realizes he doesn’t have much time left, so he gets as much into this letter as he can.  It is a letter of warnings, encouragements, and instructions.  These lessons are just as prevalent today as they were for Timothy.

            Remember this is a letter.  When was the last time that you received a 5 page letter from a loved one, and read two pages then put it down saying I’ll read the rest later?  I would encourage you to try, and get in this habit, of reading the whole letter before you put it down.  Some are easier than others.  But try.  Then go back and dissect the letter reading more slowly, pondering what is being taught.

Let’s begin.

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

·        Certainly could apply to our generation.

2Ti 3:6  For of this sort (men with the above characteristics) are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

·        Another thing to watch out for.    

2Ti 3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

·        These are two of Pharaoh’s magicians that when Moses threw his rod down it became a snake, they threw theirs down, and they became snakes also, but Moses’s swallowed theirs.  

2Ti 3:9  But they (these men that resist the truth, and are corrupt)  shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

·        So important for us to know our Bibles, and to know what to look for, truth, and untruths.

2Ti 3:10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 2Ti 3:11  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.

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

·         You know my witness.  1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

·        It’s only gonna get worse, so you gotta know your Bible.  We’ve seen it happening, taking God out of everything, and then wonder why things are so bad.

2Ti 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 

Christians should believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God.

 

There are certain Scriptures that we refer to quite often.  Such as:

·        Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

·        Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

·        Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

·        2Pe 1:19-21  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  (20)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  (21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

These types of Scriptures build our faith.  We should always be able to explain what we believe by the Scriptures.

Then Paul closes the chapter with this admonition:

2Ti 3:15  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.

·        He is referring to the O.T. Scriptures, the New Testament had not been compiled as of yet.  However, Christians should believe the entirety of our God given Bible.  And of course since God had the Apostle Paul write 2/3 of our N.T.  we read this:

·        1Co 14:36-37  What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  (37)  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

·        2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

All things, our Holy Bible.

 

We Christians have nothing without the Bible.  It is to be read, and cherished, it is the Word of God.  Just remember what John said in his gospel;

Joh 1:1-3  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

And then what Paul said concerning Jesus of Nazareth;

Col 1:14-17  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  (15)  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

We must adhere to the admonition Paul gave Timothy;

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

Almighty God help us to live as if we are living in the last days, give us a greater desire to study Your Word, that we might build, and have unshakeable faith.  In Jesus name.  Amen.