Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Perilous Times

Intro.

1. Throughout history, choosing wickedness has led mankind on a downward path to decadence and destruction (Rom. 1:20-32).

a. Days of Noah (Luke 17:26-27).

b. Days of Jerusalem’s demise (Matt. 24:9-12; Luke 21:24).

2. Perilous times (occasions, events, seasons): Troublesome, difficult, dangerous, furious, fierce (Matt. 8:28); “times of stress.”

3. During perilous seasons the proliferation of man’s wickedness and defiance against God demand the godly be strong in faith by being strong in following the inspired Scriptures (God’s truth).

I. A PROPHETIC PICTURE OF PERILOUS TIMES, 2 Tim. 3:1-9 (1 Tim. 4:1-3).

A. God and His Truth are Rejected While Self is Exalted, 3:1-4.

1. Affection (fondness):

a. Lovers of self (2): Boasters, proud, headstrong, disobedient to parents.

b. Lovers of money (2).

c. Lovers of pleasure (4): No self-control.

2. Unloving: God (blasphemers); Others (unforgiving, slanderers, brutal, no love of good, traitors/no loyalty).

B. Godliness is for Show, but is Powerless in the Pretenders, 3:5-9.

1. False worship, 3:5; Matt. 15:7-9 (James 1:26-27).

2. Take advantage of gullible (3:6-7; 2 Cor. 4:2), unstable souls who never come to know the truth (2 Pet. 2:14).

C. Truth is Resisted and Condemned by the Faith (truth), 3:8-9.

-Futile and fatal effort, Acts 5:38-39.

II. THE PERSECUTION DURING PERILOUS TIMES, 2 Tim. 3:10-13.

A. The Godly Will Suffer Persecution, 3:10-12 (Matt. 5:10-12).

1. Why? Because they follow apostolic doctrine, 3:10 (Acts 5:41).

-Carefully follow the apostolic traditions, 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:4.

2. Delivered by the Lord, 3:11; 2 Tim. 4:17.

3. Do not love life more than death, Rev. 2:10; 12:11 (not lovers of self, 2 Tim. 3:2).

B. Evil People and Imposters Will Increase, 3:13.

1. The godless will be deceivers, 3:13a; 2 Thess. 2:10.

2. The godless will be deceived, 3:13b; 2 Thess. 2:11-12.

III. THE PREPARATION FOR PERILOUS TIMES, 2 Tim. 3:14-17.

-What are you preparing for? How are you preparing yourself?

-cf. LDS who prepare food for a year; Preppers, etc.

-Paul was preparing and fortifying Timothy for perilous times.

A. Prepare by Receiving and Continuing in the Scriptures, 3:14-15.

1. Scripture teaches us how to be wise and how to be saved in Christ, Rom. 10:17.

2. Provide assurance in unstable, troublesome times, 3:14.

3. Even in perilous times, Scriptures save those who have faith in Christ Jesus, 3:15.

B. Prepare by Applying God’s Inspired Word of Truth, 3:16-17.

1. Truth is given for the saint’s profit, 3:16 (cf. 3:2).
2. Truth is given for the saint’s perfection (completion), 3:17 (2 Pet. 1:3).

Conclusion
1. We can be prepared to face troublesome times…

a. By identifying patterns of evil conduct and rejecting its allurements.

b. By carefully following the apostolic gospel.

c. By accepting the persecutions with patient endurance and assurance of God’s promises.

d. By equipping ourselves with the Scriptures and doing the good works of God.

2. Gospel invitation: Love God, not self, and not this present evil age (Gal. 1:4).

By: Joe R. Price

Posted January 24, 2022