Perilous Times & Perilous Men

May 30  Perilous Times & Perilous Men  2 Timothy 3:1-15

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 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,  always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;  but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 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. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 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.”  (2 Timothy 3:1-15)

So, here we are, in the early days of the twenty-first century with amazing advancements in technology and communication and in the way in which we live. We are exposed to so much knowledge, yet, so little exercise of “Common Sense!”  Last Sunday, I was talking to a lady that I respect highly, and she said that it was amazing that good people have lost their basic “Common Sense!”  Quickly, let me point out some examples of the sinful and evil corruption that exists in this present age.  Look at our government and the current policies in place… Rewarding slothfulness, while taxing the work ethic...  Embracing and elevating criminals to “Hero” status, while, at the same time, attacking the individuals that are charged with protecting and serving… Accepting the idea that “Man,” who has never created anything, nor has the power to create anything, can, somehow, destroy the planet… (we are told that earth will cease to exist in 12 years unless we stop using fossil fuels and raising cows and horses and burning wood and continuing to use straws and plastics)… Paul told Timothy that in the last days, man would seek knowledge, just NEVER accept the TRUTH!  Do you think that we are in the midst of the “Last Days?”  Listen, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.”  Sadly, some will interpret this message as political, yet, the message from Paul IS NOT political, it is about RELATIONSHIP!  Friends, we are in the middle of some rough times and the times ARE NOT getting better!  WHAT DO WE DO?  “And from such people turn away! 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,  always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  We have to continue to grow in our relationship with the Savior and we must be prepared for the insanity of evil that exists and will continue to grow.  Please do not despair!  Keep praying; Keep reading God’s Word and Keep Sharing the Good News and KEEP GROWING IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER THROUGH HIS SON AND THE LEADING AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!  As a “Born-Again, Blood Bought Believer,” you will never understand the insanity and craziness of this world!  To this fact, I say AMEN and PRAISE GOD!!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused… REMEMBER: You are the child of the King, who is not moved by this world.  For our God is with you, and HE goes before you, DO NOT FEAR, because you are HIS!  Folks, with the proper relationship with God…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!