Help believers understand the warnings of the last days, grow in their knowledge of God, and learn the importance of dying to self.
Good morning, family. I hope this week has been full of blessings and lessons for each one of you. Today, we're going to dive deep into a topic that is crucial for every believer, a topic that speaks to the very core of our faith and the way we live our lives. It's about understanding the warnings of the last days, growing in the knowledge of God, and the importance of dying to self.
As A.W. Tozer once said, "The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One." Let that sink in as we delve into today's sermon.
It's crucial to understand the context and significance of the warnings of the last days as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-2. The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, warns of the perilous times that will come in the last days. These warnings are not meant to instill fear, but rather to prepare us, to equip us with the knowledge and understanding of what is to come, and to guide us in living our lives in a manner pleasing to God.
The last days: The days leading up to the second coming of Christ. It's a period marked by a significant increase in wickedness and a departure from godly living. Paul paints a vivid picture of what society will look like during these times. He mentions that men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. These characteristics are not unfamiliar to us, as we can see them manifesting in our society today.
The love of self: A profound and dangerous form of narcissism that places self-interest above all else, even at the expense of others. It's a distortion of the biblical command to love your neighbor as yourself. This self-love leads to a love of money, a relentless pursuit of wealth and material possessions, often leading to greed and corruption. Boasting and pride are also indicative of an inflated sense of self-worth and a disregard for others.
Blasphemy: Speaking evil of God or denying Him. It's a direct rebellion against God's authority and a rejection of His love and grace. Disobedience to parents is a reflection of the breakdown of respect and honor within the family unit, which is a cornerstone of society. The unthankfulness and unholy behaviors are indicative of a lack of gratitude for God's blessings and a departure from living a life that honors Him.
Recognizing the signs of the times and examining our own lives: Are we falling into these patterns of behavior? Are we being swept up in the tide of societal norms that are contrary to God's Word? This introspection is crucial as it helps us realign our lives with God's will and purpose.
A call to action for believers: We are called to be the salt and light of the world, to live out our faith in a way that reflects Christ's love and grace. We are called to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of increasing wickedness and opposition. We are called to share the gospel, to reach out to those who are lost and bring them into the saving knowledge of Christ.
Growing in the knowledge of God is a process that begins the moment we accept Christ as our Savior and continues until we meet Him face-to-face ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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