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How to live in the Last Days… (3 points)
- 1st – The Example… vs. 10-11
- The answer to the LAST DAYS…
- Knowing where the world is headed – what men will be like in the LAST DAYS…
- The question we MUST ask is – how we are to LIVE our lives…
- Paul gives the answer in three ways – the EXAMPLE / EXPECTIAION / and SOLUTION
- 1st – Timothy had carefully followed Paul… vs. 10
- CAREFULLY FOLLOWED (perfect) – 4x in NT – to always be beside someone
- I Corinthians 16:10 – “Timothy…does the work of the Lord, just like I do.”
- Timothy had been with Paul / watched Paul – and learned the ministry from Paul…
- Never underestimate the power of EXAMPLE – we are constantly being influenced!
- Why do we think one style of clothing is better than another…
- Why were bell bottom jeans in style – out of style – perhaps in style again…
- There is GREAT power in EXAMPLE – it molds and shapes how we view the world!
- The EXAMPLE of the people we choose to surround ourselves with influence us!
- They will by their example either stir us up to give ourselves to the Lord…
- Or they can be a distraction – keep us from following after the Lord!
- I Corinthians 15:33 – “…bad company corrupts good character.”
- CAREFULLY FOLLOWED (perfect) – 4x in NT – to always be beside someone
- 2nd – The example of Paul was seen in 9 NOUNS… vs. 10-11
- 1 – DOCTRINE – we would say teaching – Timothy knew what Paul taught…
- 2 – MANNER OF LIFE – only here NT – how Paul discipled / lead others…
- 3 – PURPOSE – to place something in open view for all to see (shewbread) …
- Paul did not live his life in secret – his was an OPEN BOOK for all to see…
- Because we do not learn how to follow Jesus by being TOLD what to do…
- We learn best by being SHOWN how to live our lives – grasp our PURPOSE!
- 4 – FAITH – pistis – 244x in NT – belief with the idea of TRUST or CONFIDENCE…
- It goes with saying that Paul was an EXAMPLE to Timothy in his FAITH…
- We know the JUST shall live by faith – Habakkuk 2:4 / Romans 1:17 / Galatians 3:11
- It often feels like we are walking through life blind – no idea where we are going…
- The reason is because we are trusting in what we can see – but we cannot see far…
- If only we could see tomorrow – we might make very different decisions…
- Making decisions by what we can see – is in truth walking around blind…
- But Jesus sees it all – and if are willing to trust Him – we will always know where to go…
- Trusting in the Lord who sees all – that is walking by true sight – II Corinthians 5:7
- 5 – LONG SUFFERING – compound word – meaning to endure hardships for a LONG time!
- 6 – LOVE – agape – 116x in NT (important) – PERFECT love…
- I Corinthians 13:2 – “Though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
- If I had the faith to say to a mountain – be cast into the sea – Matthew 17:20…
- But my motive was not love – then I am nothing – all my faith is useless!
- When I was a child – I used to like to help people – not because I wanted to do good…
- But because I liked to receive their praise – what a good boy you are…
- I knew my motivation was wrong – I was doing the right thing for the wrong reasons!
- Without love to guide the gifts – without love as the glue to hold the body together…
- We are destined to be torn apart by our selfishness – seeking our own glory…
- It is all about Love – if we do not have love our gifts are irritating / worthless / empty!
- The answer to the LAST DAYS…
- 7 – PATIENCE – hypomonē – compound word – hupo and meno…
- John 15:4 – we are told that apart from Jesus we can do nothing!
- We must abide – meno – in Him in order for us to be able to have ANY fruit!
- Abide is one of those funny Biblical words – we never use it in our daily speech…
- It would be better interpreted endure / or stubbornly refuse to let go!
- Because we cannot make ourselves be Godly – only Jesus can!
- 8 – PERSECUTIONS – diōgmos – hardships from other people attacking our FAITH…
- 9 – SUFFERINGS – pathēma – hardships from circumstances that challenge our FAITH…
- I Peter 4:12-13 – “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you… but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings [same word].”
- Job was a VERY good man – but lost everything – his wealth / his family / his health…
- One might question why God would let such hardships come on someone He loves…
- Job 42:5 – “I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”
- We often assume bad things only happen to bad people – you get what you deserve…
- But the truth is God lets bad things happen to good people – those whom He LOVES…
- Because it is in the hard times of life we cry out to and draw close to God!
- Hebrews 12:6 – “Whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives…”
- 3rd – What persecutions I ENDURED… vs. 11
- Timothy had seen the ministry of Paul in Galatia (Antioch / Iconium / Lystra) …
- Timothy was from the city of LYSTRA – Acts 16:1
- Paul had established churches in these cities on the first missionary journey…
- When Paul preached the Gospel in Antioch – the Jews chased him out of town – Acts 13:50
- When they arrived in Iconium – they tried to stone Paul to death – Acts 14:5
- When they share Jesus at Lystra – the people did STONE Paul to death – Acts 14:19
- This was the FIRST missionary journey – the START of the ministry of Paul!
- Following Jesus is NOT a guarantee we will not go through SUFFERING in this life…
- It turns out to be just the OPPOSITE – Jesus guarantees SUFFERING – John 16:3
- But it turns out – they are just little problems – in the light of eternity!
- II Corinthians 4:17 – “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
- Paul would constantly trouble because of the Gospel – II Corinthians 11:24
- He was thrown in prison AT LEAST five different times…
- 5 times Paul was scourged with 39 lashes / 3 times Paul was beaten with Rods!
- The way to find out how valuable something is – how much would you pay for it…
- Paul was willing to go to prison – scourged and beaten – even stoned for Jesus!
- It is easy to receive praises for serving the Lord – that costs us nothing…
- But how many people are willing to go to prison in order to serve the Lord…
- How valuable is the Lord to us – what are we willing to give up for Jesus!
- Timothy had seen the ministry of Paul in Galatia (Antioch / Iconium / Lystra) …
- 4th – But out of them all the Lord DELIVERED me… vs. 11
- Everywhere Paul went he would end up in prison / or a riot / or running for his life…
- Yet in spite of his constant danger – the Lord was always with him!
- Often people turn back from sharing Jesus just because of little incontinences…
- It is raining – I did not get enough sleep – there is a basketball game on TV!
- People need to hear the Gospel – even if they do NOT think they want Jesus…
- If they do not believe – the other option is hell – so we need to tell them!
- The worst men can do is kill us – then we go to heaven (not a bad thing) …
- In most cases the worst thing that happens if we preach Jesus – made fun of…
- But keeping people from Hell is worth a little ridicule – worth being made fun of…
- We are talking about their eternal destination – people are worth suffering for!
- And when we stand up for Jesus – we are guaranteed He is there with us!
- Hebrews 13:5 – “He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you…”
- 2nd – The expectation… vs. 12-13
- 1st – Those who DESIRE to live GODLY… vs. 12
- We can EXPECT – if our DESIRE (present) is to LIVE (present) for God…
- Then as a direct RESULT – we will SUFFER persecution (future / passive)!
- This is not one of those PROMISES we want to hand on our wall – life will be hard!
- But the question we need to answer is – WHY do we SUFFER if we LIVE for God!
- If we were friends with the world – the world would love us…
- If we did the things the world does – they would embrace us…
- If we laughed at the dirty jokes / If we passed on the latest gossip…
- The world would embrace us – BECAUSE we are joining in with them – justifying them!
- John 15:19 – “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
- The challenge is to be a light to the world – rather than blending into it…
- James 4:4 – “Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
- If we are not SUFFERING – it likely means we are NOT living GODLY!
- Because it is far easier to blend into the world – than to stand for Jesus…
- And if we seek to please the world – follow the crowd – go with the flow…
- We are choosing this world rather than Jesus – it means we reject Jesus!
- Friendship with God – means we are the enemy of the world…
- We work for Jesus – so because the world hates Jesus – they also hate us!
- When people make fun of us – attack you with cutting words – because of Jesus…
- Because we want to go to Bible studies – because we do not want to live in sin…
- Because we do not do the things the world does – convicting the world of their sin!
- Do not take it personally – and do not be angry with the people in the world…
- It is not us they have a problem with – they do not like who we stand for…
- If they hated and crucified Jesus – they will not treat us much better!
- We can EXPECT – if our DESIRE (present) is to LIVE (present) for God…
- 2nd – EVIL men and IMPOSTERS will grow worse and worse… vs. 13
- We can EXPECT – the world around us to get WORSE and WORSE…
- EVIL MEN – ponēros – those who openly practice EVIL …
- IMPOSTERS – only here NT – those who PRETEND to be good – but as also EVIL…
- Will GROW (future / indicative) to become WORSE and WORSE…
- WORSE and WORSE – epi cheirōn – to become completely WORSE – EVIL!
- As we stand DESIRE to LIVE for Jesus – the world around us is going to get WORSE…
- What was unmentionable 20 years ago – homosexuals on TV – is common today!
- We need to be careful whom we choose to compare ourselves to…
- We might compare ourselves to the world around us – and think we are ok…
- The problem is the world is getting WORSE and WORSE every day…
- Meaning if we are comparing ourselves to them – we are also getting WORSE!
- We can EXPECT – the world around us to get WORSE and WORSE…
- 3rd – DECEIVING and being DECEIVED… vs. 13
- DECEIVING (present / active) – planao – where we get the word planet – the world…
- And being DECEIVED (present / passive) – they fall into the same trap they set for others!
- Proverbs 26:27 – “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.”
- We have to be so careful WHAT influences we allow into our lives…
- If we are constantly pumping social media / Hollywood / advertising into our heads…
- Is it no wonder that we are being deceived by this world!
- Instead of being filled with the wisdom of the world – we need to be filled with the Word!
- Matthew 22: 29 – “Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken [planao], not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
- 1st – Those who DESIRE to live GODLY… vs. 12
As well as being EQUIPPED to be complete to till the DAY when we see Jesus!
3rd – The solution… vs. 14-16
1st – CONTINUE in the Word… vs. 14
CONTINUE (present / imperative) – menō – to ABIDE or to remain…
In the things which you have LEARNED – and been ASSURED (pistoō) of…
KNOWING (perfect) – eidō – to know by seeing – WHO taught you (Paul)!
We spend a LOT of time teaching the Bible…
The same messages taught in many ways – it is ALL about Jesus…
The reason is because the world is getting WORSE and WORSE…
And we need Jesus more than ever / so we repeat it as many times as needed!
2nd – Learn the Word from CHILDHOOD… vs. 15
That from CHILDHOOD – Timothy had KNOWN (perfect) the Holy Scriptures…
Which are ABLE (dynamai) – the have the POWER…
To make you WISE unto SALVATION through FAITH in Christ Jesus!
Timothy was raised in a Christian home…
The GENUINE FAITH of Timothy – dwelt first of Lois and Eunice – II Timothy 1:5
Paul first met Timothy in the city of Lystra on his second missionary journey – Acts 16:1
Timothy had a good reputation among all the believers in Lystra and Iconium…
The reason was he had been brought up in a very Godly home…
Although his Father was not a believer (Gentile) his mother and grandmother were!
It is the responsibility of the Dad to teach the kids about Jesus – Ephesians 6:4
I fear too often Rather than learning the truth of Jesus from their parents – the Word…
Children are left to learn their values from TV / school / other kids!
Satan would love nothing more than to get our kids…
Children do not know – they need someone to show them – teach them…
If we do not make KNOWN the Holy Scriptures to our kids – so they are WISE…
Then the word will come in and DECEIVE them instead!
3rd – The Word is INSPIRED by God… vs. 16
INSPIRED by God – theopneustos – only here NT – God Breathed…
The Bible is the record of God Breathed words recorded by the inspiration of the Spirit!
1 – How do we know that the Bible is from God – Prophecy!
God uses prophecy to show us He – and He alone – is God almighty
The only one who sees the end from the beginning – Isaiah 46:9
Prophecy is how He validates His Word – it is His thumbprint on the Scriptures!
II Peter 1:21 – “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
2 – The power of the Word to transform – Hebrews 4:12
The lives of people are transformed through the power of the Word of God…
No book has been more attacked – and stood the test of time…
No book has been translated into more languages (1000+ languages)
No book has been more published – over 6 billion copies!
3 – Unity of the Bible – 66 books / written over 1500 years / 40 authors / 3 Languages…
Although there are hundreds of topics – it is all about Jesus…
One problem – Sin / One Solution – the Savior (from Genesis to Revelation)!
4 – Archeology – no archeological discovery has ever contradicted a biblical reference…
Scores of archeological findings have been made which confirm the Bible…
History book are constantly changing / science books get revised every year!
Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass dies, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
4th – The Word is PROIFABLE (useful) … vs. 16-17
1 – DOCTINE – the Word of God is what give us DOCTRINE – or we would say TRUTH…
The only way to know the truth is by being men and women of the Word…
Jesus Word is the only Truth – it is how we know a lie from the Truth!
John 17:17 – “[Jesus said to the Father] Your word is truth.”
2 – REPROOF – to bring CONVICTION into the life of a believer…
Conviction is good – the work of the Spirit telling us not to sin – but repent!
Condemnation is bad – focusing on our failures – dwelling on our mistakes…
When we are focused on our mistakes – we are not looking to Jesus…
We are condemning ourselves – even though God says we are NOT guilty…
We just need to get our eyes off ourselves – and put them back onto Jesus!
Romans 8:1 – “There is… no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
3 – CORRECTION – only here NT – to improve the life of character of someone…
Recent scientific studies have shown that without landmarks – we walk in circles…
The only way we can be sure we are headed in a straight line – a compass!
In the same way without a moral compass – we tend to wander aimlessly in life…
We try and do our BEST to figure out which way to go – but we end up LOST…
The only way to be certain in life – is to follow Jesus Christ – He CORRECTS us…
When we refuse to make Jesus Lord of our lives – chaos is sure to follow!
4 – INSTRUCTION in righteousness – paideia – meaning to instruct through discipline…
Hebrews 12:5 – “Whom the LORD loves He chastens [same word] …”
God loves us too much to let us get away with our sin – so He INSTRUCTS us…
Not because He is angry – or mad at us – but because of His great love for us!
God desires to teach us – His kids – how to live a RIGHTEOUS and holy life
Like any child – we have a hard time believing it is for our own good…
But when we are punished by the Lord – is proves we are His kids!
If the child of a stranger sins – you do not punish them – not your kid…
But if your son does something wrong – because you love him – you correct him!
5th – The Word COMPLETES us… vs. 17
COMPLETE (adjective) – only here NT – to be complete in the moment…
THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED – (perfect / passive) – 2x in NT – to be completely finished…
With every GOOD (agathos) work!
It is by studying the Word – that we are made complete TODAY…
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