Perilous Times I Timothy 3 Embry Hills October

Perilous Times (I Timothy 3) Embry Hills – October 2014 1

Key Characters – II Timothy • Paul – Imprisoned (2 nd time) – Expecting Death Soon – Opposed & Abandoned • Timothy (Paul’s “Son in the Faith” – 1: 2) – Young – Unhealthy – Timid You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (II Tim 2: 1) 2

The ‘Charge’ And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (II Tim 2: 2) Christ Paul (See II Tim 1: 10 -11) Timothy Faithful Men Others (See I Tim 4: 16) 3

God’s Servant (II Timothy 2) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Images • Soldier • Farmer • Athlete • Worker • Vessel • Servant Unashamed Worker (15) Picks Proper Battles (14, 16 -18, 23) Purified (19 -22) Not Quarrelsome [Striving – ASV], Gentle (24) Able to Teach; Correcting (24, 25) Patient [Forbearing – ASV] & Humble (24 -25) 4

2014/15 Theme: Sharing the Hope 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect… (I Peter 3: 14 -15, ESV) 5

Who’s the enemy? Where’s the Battle? And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility Correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (I Tim 2: 24 -26) 6

II Timothy 3 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. 7

When? • “Last days” (1), hemera – Acts 2: 16 -17/Joel 2: 28 “In last days [hemera] …” – Heb 1: 2 – “…last days [hemera]…spoken thru Son…” – I Pet 1: 20 – “last times [chronos]…Jesus manifest” – I John 2: 18 – “last hour” [hora]…antichrists…even now” • “Perilous times” (1) [kairos] = seasons/periods – I Tim 4: 1 – “latter times” [kairos]…some depart…” 8

Perilous Times Perilous People • Character • Tactics • Limits & Progress Protections • Turn away • Follow Paul (& God’s deliverance • Continue in the things learned 9

Character of People in Perilous Times • • • Lovers of themselves Lovers of money Boasters Proud Blasphemers Disobedient to parents Unthankful Unholy Unloving [without natural affection] • Unforgiving [implacable] • • Slanderers [false accusers] Without self-control Brutal [fierce] Despisers [no lovers] of good Traitors [treacherous] Headstrong [reckless] Haughty [swollen w/ conceit] Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God • Having a form of godliness but denying its power 10

Perilous People – Tactics • Have a form of godliness (with no power) (5) • Capture vulnerable (6 -7) – Creep into houses (families) – Capture women • Weak • Loaded with sin • Led by desires • Ever-learning (but not really) • Resist [oppose] the Truth (8) 11

Perilous People – Limits & Progress Limits of their effect • Progress no further (9) • Folly manifested to all (9) Evil men and impostors Progress deceiving and being deceived • Persecution of all (12) • Grow worse and worse (13) • Deceiving and being deceived (13) 12

Protections • Turn away (4) • Follow Paul’s example (10 -12) – Including God’s deliverance (11) • Continue [abide] in the Holy Scriptures (14 -17) – Remember who taught you (14) – [Power] to make wise unto salvation (15) – God-breathed writings (16) – Complete & Equipped for every good work (17) 13