CHRISTIAN PREPARATION

December 8, 2020

 

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

 

  1. Praying from: 2 Timothy 3

 

Marks of the Latter Days

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2     For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3     Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4     Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5     Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6     For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7     Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8     Now as Jan’nes and Jam’-bres withstood Mo’ses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9     But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Paul’s Example and Experiences

10     But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11     Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at An’ti-och, at I-co’ni-um, at Lys’tra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12     Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13     But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14     But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Value of Scriptures

15     And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

 

 

Marks of the Latter Days

  1. THE SIN—vv. 1–9
  2. Problems—v. 1. Awful times will come.
  3. Proud—v. 2. One of the worst sins is pride.
  4. People—v. 3. A long list of sinful characteristics.
  5. Pleasure—v. 4. Lovers of pleasures more than God.
  6. Powerless—v. 5. Having a form, but no power.
  7. Plight—vv. 6–7. Learning, but not accepting the truth of God’s Word.
  8. Peril—vv. 8–9. These fought against Moses.

 

Paul’s Example and Experiences

  1. THE SUFFERING—vv. 10–12
  2. Patience—v. 10. Paul’s patience was a real example of Christianity.
  3. Problems—v. 11. Paul faced many problems.
  4. Persecution—v. 12. All who live a godly life will suffer persecution.

III. THE SEDUCERS—v. 13

  1. Deceive by counterfeit. For everything real of God, Satan has a counterfeit.
  2. Deceive by confusion. Satan will confuse people, and they will not know truth from error.

 

Value of Scriptures

  1. THE STABILITY—vv. 14–15
  2. Faithfulness—v. 14. Keep believing what is true.
  3. Faith—v. 15. We have salvation through Christ. Not by good works, or what we have done.
  4. THE SCRIPTURES—vv. 16–17
  5. Inspiration—v. 16. The entire Bible was given by inspiration. It was given to man by God.
  6. Instruction—v. 17. The Scriptures prepare us to live better Christian lives. If we obey the teachings of God’s Word, we will not fail.

 

  1. THE AMEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20         “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

16:24         “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

16:27         “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”