Overcoming the Church in the Last Days
Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-17; 4:1-8; Revelation 3:15-19
TEXT:
2 Timothy 3:1-17, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 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! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-- what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
INTRODUCTION:
Our text this morning is part of a second letter that Paul wrote to Timothy a second letter. In Chapter 3, he is warning Timothy about what is going to happen to people in the last days, just before Christ’s return.
TRANSISTION: So, as we begin: Just sit back, fasten your seatbelt, make sure your trays are in their upright position, turn off all electronic equipment (including cell phones), and let’s put this message to flight!
Did you know that we are overcomers? More that conquerors? Listen to what Romans 8:37 says, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Next in I John 5:4 is says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.” Being that we are more than conquerors and overcomers, let’s go back and break apart our text this morning.
ILLUSTRATION: Dr. George Sweeting once estimated that "more than a fourth of the Bible is predictive prophecy...Both the Old and New Testaments are full of promises about the return of Jesus Christ. Over 1800 references appear in the O.T., and seventeen O.T. books give prominence to this theme. Of the 260 chapters in the N.T., there are more than 300 references to the Lord’s return--one out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 N.T. books refer to this great event...For every prophecy on the first coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ’s second coming."
The title of my message today is, Overcoming the Church in the Last Days. I’m going to, Lord willing, unveil what I’m talking over the next several minutes. Let’s pray (Prayer).
ILLUSTRATION: At an intersection, the green light changes to yellow;
At the theater the house lights flash;
In the Battalion Tactical Operations Center a Warning Order comes down from Brigade;
At the airport terminal the boarding call comes over the intercom;
At a railroad crossing the lights begin to flash;
In a small Midwestern town the tornado siren screams;
On the football field the two minute warning sounds;
In the cargo bay of a C-140 a red-light comes on;
In the Desert of Judea, a voice of one calling in the wilderness is heard declaring, "Prepare the way of the Lord."
What do each of these have in common? They are signs or warnings that we need to prepare ourselves for what is about to happen.
I.IN 2ND TIMOTHY 3:1-9; 13, WE HAVE WARNING SIGNS OF THINGS TO COME. (read vss. 1-9; 14).
A. Look at what Paul is saying here in verse 1 (read it again).
B. The NKJV says, “But know this. Look at how other versions say it.
1. But understand this (ESV); You should know this (NIV); Remember (TEV); You may as well know this too (TLB); and finally, Don’t be naïve (TMSG)
C. I don’t know about you but I think it’s very, very, very important to understand the times we are living in. Don’t you?
D. Next, in our text, Paul says, “ . . .that in the last days perilous times will come.”
1. Perilous Times: chalepos- 1) hard to take, to approach 2) hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce, savage.
TRANSITION: Okay. We’re supposed to be aware of the times we are living in. And, according to Paul, we will be able to recognize when those “times are upon us. How?
II. HE SAID IN OUR TEXT WE’D KNOW IT BY MAN’S BEHAVIOR.
A. vss. 2-4; 6-8 says, For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;”
1. Listen how the Message Bible says it: “2As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, 3dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, 4 treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God.”
Verses 6-8 says, 6These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” 7They get exploited every time and never really learn. 8These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres, who challenged Moses. They were rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, defying truth itself.
B. Notice also, that Paul brings up Jannes and Jambres. Who were these guys anyway?
1. These were the two of the Egyptian magicians who attempted by their enchantments to counteract the influence on Pharaoh's mind of the miracles done by God through Moses according to Exodus 7-8.
C. So, what is Paul saying here concerning these last days?
1. He said perilous times would come. We’re there.
2. He told us how man would be living at this time and from that, we would know that Christ’s coming was soon – even at the very door!
3. Next, he compares these people in the last days, to Jannes and Jambres – who opposed Moses, God’s will, and the Jews – God’s chosen people!
D. Then, without hesitation, Paul tells identifies who these people are. Would you like to know who they are?
III. THESE PEOPLE, IN THE LAST DAYS, THE ONES WHO ARE DOING EVERYTHING COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE TO GOD’S WILL ARE NONE OTHER THAN . . . . ARE YOU READY? THE CHURCH!
A. Look at the first part of verse 5. It says, “having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
1. This is how the Message Bible says it: “5They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals.”
2. Living Bible, “They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear.”
3. Good News Translation: “they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power.”
4. New Living Translation: “5They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.”
B. Still don’t believe me when I say this is the Last Days Church that Paul is talking about? Look at Revelation, chapter 3:15-19. It says, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—18 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” (NKJ)
C. This is the Church my friends that Paul is talking about in 2 Timothy chapter 3! And, it’s the same church that John is talking about in the book of Revelation, chapter 3!
D. We have forgotten our first love! What did Jesus say in John chapter 21? “Feed My Sheep.”
E. These people have a “form” (appearance – semblance) of godliness!
1. “form” – the outward shape without the reality.
2. “godliness” – The People’s New Testament describes: This implies that the persons described professed to be religious, worshipers of God in outward form. A godless church is described here.
a. Adam Clark Commentary - signifies a draught, sketch, or summary, and will apply well to those who have all their religion in their creed, confession of faith, catechism, bodies of divinity, etc., while destitute of the life of God in their souls;
TRANSITION: WOW! This is the Church in the last days? Right before Jesus returns for His bride? WOW! What’s going on here? How can this be? How can the Church of Jesus Christ, in these last days, be in so much trouble? And . . . what can we do to get out of this mess we’re in?
IV. LOOK WHAT PAUL SAYS IN THE LAST PART OF VERSE 5.
A. Paul says to turn away (stay clear – don’t be taken in) from people like that. In other words Paul is saying to the REAL CHURCH to stand up and OVERCOME THE CHURCH (the worldly Church) IN THESE LAST DAYS! (expound).
B. In 2 Timothy 4:1-2; 5, he tells us how to do it. 2 Timothy 4:1-8, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
C. Paul says to “preach (to publish; to proclaim: something which has been done) the word.”
1. Convince (convict) , rebuke (tell them what is wrong with their lives without Christ), exhort (to call to one's side, to call for, to summon; to beg, to encourage and strengthen to comfort, to teach).
a. “with ALL longsuffering (patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance). and teaching”.
D. Paul is telling us that in these last days, we MUST be about our Father’s business; that NOTHING else matters! Why? Because there is a time coming, according to Paul’s writings, that he says in verses 3-4), 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
1. Consequently, soul-winning needs to the only thing on our minds!
F. To be watchful in all things! He’s telling us to endure afflictions (hardships and sufferings)!
1. Do the work of an evangelist! (yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace'); 1) a bringer of Salvation. In the New Testament is was the name given to those who were witnesses for Jesus but not apostles.
2. Fulfill your ministry.
a. Fulfill - play-rof-or-eh'-o); to carry through to the end, to accomplish completely.
b. Ministry - (dee-ak-on-ee'-ah); service, ministering, used of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men. It is also used of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders, etc.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion: At The Dome of the Capitol in Washington D.C. has this cription: "One God, one law, one element; And one far off, divine event to which the whole creation moves."
Listen friends. Time is running out! The Apostate Church is taking over this world! They are abandoning the call of Jesus Himself to go into all the world and preach the gospel with signs following. We need to FLEE from the apostate Church of this world or we will become that church! How can you tell if you are an apostate?
You might be an apostate if you:
Value your possessions more than soul-winning,
Put your job/career/college ahead of soul-winning,
Put your needs and wants above others,
Put your money (paycheck, savings, retirement, etc.) ahead of soul-winning,
Do not love your neighbor as yourself,
Forgive those who have offended you – for whatever reason’s,
If you are not DAILY spending time ALONE with God and will not pray and seek His face and His plan in your life,
If you are not actively WAITING on the Lord during your prayer time,
If you are not constantly recharging the Holy Spirit in you,
If you will not obey the Word of God to preach the gospel,
If you will not praise and worship the Lord with all of your heart – every chance you get,
If you will not read God’s Word consistently and spend time in prayer
If you are not committed to your local church – (i.e. actively involved in your home church ministry, etc.)
If your neighbors, family, friends, or anyone you have regular contact with have never heard the Good News because no one, including you, have never told them,
If you are not sold out and radical – welcome troubles and persecution,
If you are not starving and praying for revival along with a supernatural manifestation of God in your life and this church,
Then you are either an apostate or on your way to becoming one. This isn’t popular preaching and I will probably suffer some persecution for it. But, I have to preach what God tells me to preach! You decide whether or not to receive it. You decide what you will do with it. (expound, pray, altar call, close).
