TEXT: 2 Timothy 3:1-17
READING: Psalm 115:1-18
SUBJ: The realization that perilous times are upon us and have been since the fall of man, and the fact that things, especially evil men will wax worse and worse. But we have an infallible resource.
AIM: That we avail ourselves of that promised us in continuance in the Word of God.
INTR: As we look about us and compare how things were in our past lives and at other seasons in history, we only witness a worsening situation.
1. Paul, writing from prison would have Timothy equipped with what is needed to minister to the Lord’s people in a way that would enable them to combat the wickedness in this present world.
2. He would point out the nature of the enemies of the cross of Christ as something that his charges needed to know and so be warned of their devices.
3. We are thankful to know that such are in the world and are to be avoided, but we would be made aware of the subtleness of deception. We must not be taken in by such terms as political correctness and other popular catchphrases.
THESIS: The Word of God is so accredited to us to inspire confidence, enable proper assessment of things about us, and to direct us in the way of righteousness in the face of all opposition.
I. The Character of the Last Days (vv. 1-9)
1. The characterization as “perilous” warns us that the times are fraught with danger and that regarding things most precious to believers – faith, hope, love.
2. The pride of men rising to the full potential leads to the things enumerated in verse 2 which are in direct contempt for the righteousness of God.
3. Their nature is exposed in v. 3. Their word is useless, they are liars, they are without self-control, the very opposite of the fruit of the Spirit is in evidence.
4. In verse 4 and 5 we see the root causes:
1) Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God and
2) Having a form of Godliness but acting in opposition to the power of God.
3) They are constantly learning new things with which to deceive but never come to the knowledge of truth.
5. Moses was withstood by the magicians in Egypt, and like them these are reprobate as to faith.
6. They have gone as far as they can go!
II. The personal example of Paul (vv. 10-13) (The first “but”)
1. Paul had personally known the assaults of these same types of whom he spoke.
2. He reminds Timothy at this point that he had been with Paul in many of these things:
1) He knew of Paul’s teaching, his conduct, his aims (purpose) and had seen
2) The manifestation of faith, longsuffering, charity, and patience
3. His practice continued in the face of extreme persecution – Antioch, Derbe, Iconium, Lystra
4. But the Lord delivered him from all.
5. Understanding the context of an oft quoted passage – All who will live Godly…
6. But they will continue and will just get worse.
III. The Need to Continue (vv. 14-17) (The second “but”)
1. But Paul’s counsel is to continue in the things which he had learned being
1) Things he has been assured of as a matter of personal experience
2) Knowing of whom he had learned them (Lois, Eunice, Paul?) but especially as to that which was to follow.
2. The blessing of childhood knowledge and a sense of their sacredness.
1) The sense that there were life and death issues therein
2) Able to make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ our Lord.
3. The Scriptures are “God Breathed” – God speaking to us
1) He spoke worlds into existence’
2) The thundering voice from Mt. Sinai
3) The word of the Psalmist, The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. (Psalms 29:3-4)
4) The ministry of Jesus was verbal – He preached and taught and yet His word was like no other.
4. As we looked back to the manner of Paul’s life, we understand the function of the Word and its profitability – see the list in v. 16.
5. His word was alive then and it is alive in His people even now as God works in us the things of Christ and brings our faith to fruition as we sense that He works in us.
6. Christ is the living Word and
7. God’s purpose is realized: The man of God is thoroughly furnished unto all that is needed -- All that pertains to life and Godliness.
