Perilous Times

PERILOUS TIMES

II Timothy 3: 1-7

Uncertainty in the Middle East, morality and decency level at an all time low, New Age movement infiltrating our lives. Definitely living in “perilous times.”

Bible prophesy definitely gives us foresight into these perilous times, but what is bringing them about in our world today?

I. POWER GONE FROM OUR CHURCHES

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

A. Churches not spirit-filled.

B. Church no longer transforms. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

C. Church doesn’t dictate morals anymore- laxed.

D. Church doesn’t hold forth the light. Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

II. EMPTY PRAYER CLOSETS

Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

A. “Me Generation” Self-satisfaction, self-destruction.

Peer pressure great today.

B. Empty prayer closets lead to empty lives.

Hag 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

C. Empty services- too many distractions.

D. Empty pews. Not concerned about the salvation of others.

III. READING OF GOD’S WORD NEGLECTED.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

A. Search the scriptures.

B. Study to show thyself approved.

C. Hide the word in your hearts. Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

IV. INTEREST HAS FALLEN AWAY.

A. In God- just a passing interest. People today have to see to believe. Animate versus inanimate.

B. In Sunday School.

C. In lost souls. Let the preacher take care of it.

V. LOVE HAS GONE COLD.

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

A. For God. He’s blamed for everything.

B. For church. Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

C. For home and family.

D. Among the brethern.

E. For the unsaved. Psa 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

These are Perilous Times but we do have hope, the hope of Jesus Christ.