Looking for things to get better (3:1-13) Presented by Steven Schiller

INTRODUCTION

Paul often warned his brethren of difficult days ahead...

He foretold of a coming apostasy - Ac 20:29-30; 2Th 2:1-3

Likewise he told Timothy of such things - 1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 3:1

Paul's words to Timothy in 2Ti 3:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12-13 are especially helpful...

They describe the "perilous times" that are to come

They warn of the "perilous men" that we are to avoid during such times

[Lest we think that Paul's words are only for those living just before Christ returns, let's take a close look at what is revealed about the...]

PERILOUS TIMES TO COME

THE COMING OF PERILOUS TIMES...

It will be "in the last days" - 2Ti 3:1

This phrase often used to describe the gospel dispensation or Christian age

Used by Joel, and applied by Peter - Ac 2:16-17; cf. 2 Pe 3:3

Used by the writer to the Hebrews - He 1:1-2

Similar phrases are also used to describe the times in which we live

"the ends of the ages" - 1Co 10:11

"the latter times" - 1Ti 4:1

"the last hour" - 1Jn 2:18

-- Since the cross of Christ we have been living "in the last days"; therefore we should therefore expect to experience the "perilous times" of which Paul wrote

THE NATURE OF PERILOUS TIMES...

As described in our text - 2Ti 3:2,3,4-5

People will be lovers of themselves and money

They will be boastful, proud, and blasphemers

They will be disobedient to parents

They will be unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving

They will be slanderers, without self-control, brutal

They will be despisers of good, traitors, headstrong and haughty

They will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

They will have a form of godliness, but denying its power

Compare with those in Paul's day - Ro 1:28-32

People were filled with all unrighteousness and sexual immorality

They were filled with wickedness, covetousness and maliciousness

They were full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and evil-mindedness

They were whisperers, backbiters, haters of God and violent

They were proud, boasters, inventors of evil things and disobedient to parents

They were undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving and unmerciful

They approved of those who practice things deserving of death

-- What Paul said would occur "in the last days" already existed in his day!

[Note well: It is the conduct of people that creates "perilous times", and we are certainly living in such times today! What then should be our concern for living "in the last days"? According to our text, there are...]

PERILOUS MEN TO AVOID

MEN LIKE JANNES AND JAMBRES...

Who will lead gullible families and women astray - 2Ti 3:6-7

Through trickery and deceit ("creeping into households")

Through appealing to the lusts of their victims - cf. 2 Pe 2:3,18

While their victims are ever learning, they never come to the knowledge of the truth - cf. 2Ti 4:3-4

Who themselves resist the truth like Jannes and Jambres - 2 Ti 3:8-9

Though not mentioned by name, it is thought these two men were among the magicians and sorcerers who resisted Moses and Aaron - cf. Exo 7:11,22; 8:7,18

Those who resist the truth are of corrupt minds, rejected in regard to the faith - cf. 1Ti 1:19-20; 4:1-2

Whose folly will eventually become evident to all, as happened to Egyptian magicians - cf. Exo 7:12; 8:18; 9:11

Such men will grow worse, deceiving and being deceived - 2 Ti 3:13

Their profane and idle babblings will lead to more ungodliness - cf. 2Ti 2:16

Their messages will spread like cancer - cf. 2Ti 2:17

-- This sounds like many TV evangelists, liberal theologians, college professors

MEN UNLIKE THE APOSTLE PAUL...

A man whose doctrine and manner of life is easily followed - 2Ti 3:10

As the Corinthians were encouraged to do - 1Co 4:17; 11:1

As the Philippians were encouraged to do - Php 3:17

Whose purpose, faith, longsuffering, love and perseverance is well documented - 2Ti 3:10

As he reminded the Philippians - Php 3:8-14

As he reminded the Corinthians - 2Co 11:23,24,25,26,27-28

Who endured persecution and affliction, as would others living godly lives in Christ Jesus - 2Ti 3:11-12

Paul was awaiting his death by Nero in writing these words - cf. 2Ti 4:6

Peter also knew that he would face an unnatural death for his faith - cf. 2Pe 1:14

-- What a contrast between the apostles like Paul, and many false teachers today!

CONCLUSION

It is evident that we are living "in the last days"...

Many people are certainly just like those described by Paul

False teachers abound just as Jesus, Paul, and others warned

-- We truly live in "perilous times", with an abundance of "perilous men"

How will we survive living "in the last days"...?

By avoiding those who reject the truth and lead astray by appealing to our fleshly desires

By carefully following the doctrine and manner of life of men like the apostle Paul

-- It may mean persecution, but the Lord will deliver His faithful disciples!

What kind of "men" are we following in these "times" in which we live...?

HEAR

BELIEVE

REPENT

CONFESS

BE BAPTIZED

LIVE FAITHFULLY