A Form Of Godliness
2 Timothy 3:1-6; 1 Kings18:21
God’s Word is clear - in the end times man will fall away from His Word and law
We are told in 2 Timothy and again in Revelation 3
In 1 Kings we also see the indecision of the Israelites
Elijah was prophesying and may not have even been aware
Gods Word is clear that we must choose who we are going to serve
As they met on Mt Carmel we could say many will be “Carmel coated Christians”
Looks and sounds good but with no power
The Bible is clear, if you have God and His Spirit – you have power
Satan has confused and deceived many
Eyes are so callused they couldn’t see the truth if it was handed to them
Quote: They’ve seen enough weak-kneed, empty-headed, two-faced, finger-pointin’, big talkin’, no walkin’, wimpy actin’, church-playin’, Godless-livin’, non-givin’, doubt’n, pout’n, gossip-spoutin’, 3 strikes and you’re out’n, “I got problems big as a mountain”, cussin’ on Friday but Sunday morning shoutin’, Christians!
Elijah says Carmel coated Christianity won’t cut it
How can you light anyone’s fire with watered down Gospel
If your fire isn’t burning, you will never “cook” the devil
If your not real you will be exposed as a fraud
A strong, “on fire” Christian is quite the opposite
Lives are encouraged – whether you see it or not
People notice the empowerment of Jesus Christ
Your life will make an impact on people, noticed or not
BUT if your not, people will never want what you have!
How much more does God have to say about the end times?
He is not looking for religion
He is looking for people who love Him and His laws
Many want His love but no part of His laws
Much Christianity is in the church and not in the heart
What we need to know is God will judge the “heart” NOT the “Head”
Examine your heart and be honest – God will be VERY HONEST
The rapture is so close and many are not ready for it
If Christians were ready for it we would see more power
1. God Says Perilous Times Will Come
Perilous - through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:
There will be a reduction in strength
Because we have left Jesus Christ outside
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Church services go on without the Lord with them
People see the gifts working NOT knowing it is not of God
We need the power of God working in our lives and churches
There will be dangerous times ahead and are here now
Without strength the times are very dangerous
Satan loves Christians with no power of God in them
He sits back and laughs at us as we play “Religion”
We must realize how dangerous Satan is without God on our side
The bible says we are lovers of ourselves and our lifestyle
Read V2-5 again
Elijah saw the Israelites were lovers of whatever “FELT GOOD”
God says we will be the same loving our lifestyles more than Him
He names many of the wicked ways of mankind as example
Without God times will be perilous and dangerous
Satan will have and has a playground to wreak havoc in
Times don’t have to be dangerous and perilous
BUT we need to allow God to intervene
We need to follow His ways and laws
2. Elijah and Paul Saw the Wicked Ways of Mankind
God sees us worshipping anything but Him as wicked
Israelites tried to “ride the fence”
2004 Christians are no different – DON’T condemn them
Many are happy to attend church and live like the devil
Talk in tongues on ‘Sunday and talk like the devil other days
People today put many things before God
He condemns this and WILL send people to Hell
People today don’t really believe they can go to Hell
Gods Word again is clear, He must come first
Notice Elijah gave the warning and the people said nothing
God didn’t tell us to change anyone JUST to proclaim
He told us to GO and Tell NOT to BRING and Tell
Everyone we witness to will not become saved
But call sin a sin and don’t water it down
3. They Had and Have a Form of Religion
God says to make up your mind
Be “cold” or “hot”
Never lukewarm as Israel was and Christians are
They deny the power thereof
We need the power so much why would we deny it?
This verse verifies God wants to give it and it is available
But we must have Jesus as the center of our religion first
Notice also the warning to not associate with such people
“from such turn away”
Christians are to associate with Christians
Share the Word but if they don’t accept, “brush off the dust”
Conclusion
I am not judging today but only proclaiming Gods Word
He says things will be this way
Christians need to “wake up”
Search for Gods power and forgiveness
He wants to and is ready to empower you today
Will you let Him in?
