-
Producers Of A Hostile Environment-1 Series
Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 2, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Part 1 of a 7-part sermon. The last days will be characterized by a hostile(antagonistic) environment. But Why? A hostile(antagonistic) environment is produced by, a Distortion of…
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next
PRODUCERS of a HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT-I—2Timothy 3:1-9
Attention:
Pacific Herring live off of coast of US from Baja CA to AK.
They eat Plankton(microscopic drifters).
For various reasons, plankton ‘bloom’, increasing their numbers exponentially.
This feeds the herring, one of the favorite foods of the penguin.
When in great numbers, & when threatened, the school takes on a dense writhing, spherical shape, making them easy prey for predators.
A Herring ‘ball’ can be the size of a football field.
Penguins attack the ball from below & gulls from above.
Whales take mouthfuls of them.
Their own behavior produces a hostile future.
Likewise, man’s behavior(that which lies within every man) guarantees a Hostile Environment.
Need:
We live in a country of great corporate & personal wealth.
?Why do people/things seem to be getting worse with times?
?Why is the world getting worse/colder/violent? I’m gonna fix this.
Self-protection/Isolation/Anonymity/Introversion/Antisocial/Aloof/Perversions/Indulgence/Alignments/Identification/Worldliness/Self-help
A Distortion of relationships at all & various levels
Isolated/Alone/Separated/Useless/Powerless/Fearful/Inept/Depressed/Devil-may-care
The last days will be characterized by a hostile(antagonistic) environment.
The Apostle Paul, revealed to Timothy that a hostile(antagonistic) environment will characterize the last days.
A hostile(antagonistic) environment will characterize the last days.
Why will hostility/antagonism characterize the last days?
Producers of a hostile(antagonistic) environment.
“Perilous/Difficult”—calepov—Hard to do, to take, to approach; Hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous.
1—A hostile(antagonistic) environment is produced by, a Distortion of…
SELF(:2a)
Explanation:(:2a)
:2—“For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”
“Lovers of themselves”—filautov—Loving one’s self; Too intent on one’s interests, selfish.
Hedonism—‘The pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence’ as the goal of life.
Intelligencia—Air of Condescension-Superiority-Patronization
Argumentation:
Eph. 5:28-29—“So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes & cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.”
Rom. 15:1-3—“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, & not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.””
Rom. 12:2-3—“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good & acceptable & perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
Prov. 26:12—“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Eccl. 7:16—“Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?”
Mat. 18:3-6—“& said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted & become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, & he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
2Cor. 12:7-10—“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Php. 2:3-5—“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”
Jas. 4:6-7—“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil & he will flee from you.”
Tit. 2:6-8—“Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”