Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #29 - Pastor in the Midst of Perilous Times!

Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #29
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.

Pastor in the Midst of Perilous Times! (II Timothy 3)
II Timothy 3:1-8, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

I. The Signs (II Timothy 3:1-9)
Paul lists 20 types of evil conduct that will be prominent during these "perilous times" which comes in the "last days" prior to the return of Christ. The list truly describes our times which exhibits these evils in a very intense way.

1. ​"lovers of their own selves" (II Timothy 3:2). This speaks of someone who loves himself rather than Christ. This is a person who is self-centered and self-serving. The lover of self, lives to please himself instead of God. Self is the supreme object of his love.
2. ​"covetous" (II Timothy 3:2). Lovers of money. This speaks of those who are never satisfied with what they have. They always want more.
   
   
3. "boasters" (II Timothy 3:2). Much boasting is done today. Politicians, businessmen, educators and athletes all boast of their greatness. Here is a man who by his words seeks to call attention to himself. He wants to elevate himself above others. He draws attention to himself by bragging about his accomplishments. May we be like the Psalmist who said, “My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad” (Psalm 34:2).
   
   
4. "proud" (II Timothy 3:2). The word here means haughty. It is the attitude of a person who thinks they are better than others. This speaks of one who has tragically overestimated his worth (Proverbs 8:13; 16:5; I Peter 5:5).
   
   
5. "blasphemers" (II Timothy 3:2). To ‘speak evil of’ or ‘slander another.’ It is using crude, abusive, and slanderous language against a person. It describes one who speaks evil of others. It is normally used of those who speak evil against God, but it also involves speaking evil against anyone. This is someone who goes out of his way to make himself look good by making others look bad.
   
   
6. "disobedient to parents" (II Timothy 3:2). Juvenile delinquency is nearly a government mandated program today with all the government restrictions on disciplining children. This is largely due to the failure of father’s being fathers and the neglect of mother’s within the home. Young people who rebel against their parents will have no reservations about rebelling against all other forms of authority. If the children today will not respect us, can we expect them to care for us tomorrow?
   
   
7. "unthankful" (II Timothy 3:2). These are those who do not appreciate what they have. They always want more and they even have the idea that it is owed to them. A lack of thanksgiving towards God is especially prominent in our day.
   
   
8. "unholy" (II Timothy 3:2). To be holy is to be separated unto God. To be unholy is to be separated from God. These are people who have no relationship with God.
   
   
9. "without natural affection" (II Timothy 3:3). Having no kindness or concern for another. This phrase carries the idea of being "heartless and void of affection toward those we should naturally love.”
   
   
10. "trucebreakers" (II Timothy 3:3). The word means irreconcilable. This refers to those who do not keep their promises. These are people who have no intention of keeping their word. This condition prompts many divorces.
    
    
11. "false accusers" (II Timothy 3:3). The word "accuser" is the same word used for Devil in the New Testament. The name Devil means "slanderer or accuser" and it is also used over fifty times in the Word of God. A false accuser is one who attempts to hurt others by way of gossip, rumors, and insinuations. The Bible says such a one is doing the Devil's work. Perjury in the courts; slander outside of the courts. This speaks of all the lying that goes on during these perilous seasons.
    
    
12. "incontinent" (II Timothy 3:3). This speaks of a person who has a lack of control of their physical appetites by individuals. This word means "to be undisciplined and uncontrolled." It describes one who has no self-control. It speaks of an uncontrollable desire that enslaves a person which is prominent in our day.
    
    
13. "fierce" (II Timothy 3:3). This word carries the idea of being "savage and brutal." It implies an inability to be tamed. We live in a day of unparalleled wickedness. You can hardly turn the news on without hearing of savage murders and attacks.
    
    
14. "despisers of those that are good" (II Timothy 3:3). The liberal news media seems to oppose anyone and anything that is wholesome. Government legislates to protect wicked policies, but arrests the good people who protest it. Not only will men hate what is right and good, they will also hate those that do good.
    
    
15. "traitors" (II Timothy 3:4). These folk are untrustworthy. And there are many of this kind in our day. Men in these days are marked by a lack of loyalty. Very few are truly loyal to God in these last days.
    
    
16. "heady" (II Timothy 3:4). This is the head-strong person who will not listen to wise counsel. This speaks of being "rash; hasty headstrong and reckless." It carries the idea of being inclined to rush forward with little or no thought of the consequences. It describes someone who thinks he knows best and rejects the wisdom of others.
    
    
17. "highminded" (II Timothy 3:4). This conduct is arrogant, insolent, and proud. This speaks of someone who is puffed up with a false estimate of his own importance and worth.
    
    
18. "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (II Timothy 3:4). The popularity of sports on Sunday while church attendance declines on Sunday confirms that this problem is certainly with us today. Perverse men are so filled with the pleasures of the world that they don't need God.
    
    
19. "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (II Timothy 3:5). This is form without substance. It is like window displays being most attractive but the store being empty of products. Churches which emphasize banners, slogans, robes and form often lack true spirituality. Folding your hands in prayer may look holy but it is the heart not the hands that is deficient in this evil.
    
    
20. ​“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (II Timothy 3:7). The world is always promoting education, yet never will acknowledge the truth of God. Moreover, they hide their immoral activities behind the facade of being educated.

II. The Suffering, (II Timothy 3:10-13
1. Paul’s Example (II Timothy 3:10-11)
2. Paul’s Exhortation (II Timothy 3:12)
3. Paul’s Expectation (II Timothy 3:13)

III. The Scriptures, Vs 14-17
1. The Scriptures Establishes us (II Timothy 3:14)
2. The Scriptures Enlightens us (II Timothy 3:15)
3. The Scriptures Equips us (II Timothy 3:16-17)

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