Perilous Times

2 Timothy 3:1-9

Introduction: How do I know we are living in perilous times? Just look around, read the newspaper, watch TV, listen to the radio, just pay attention. The Bible has much to tell us about the days leading up to the rapture and tonight we are going to begin a study into these days and events.

I. People without Character (2Tim. 3:2-3)

It has been said that reputation is what people make of you and that character is what God knows of you. Before the rapture of the church Paul has warned us that people will have no character, God will see…

A. Their supreme concern

Is A…

1. Love for self

Our society has institutionalized love for self, children must not be punished they may become inhibited. If they are failing in school we must adjust the grading system otherwise we may harm them psychologically. Criminals must have rights even though they have disregarded the rights of others. We have allowed society to create a love for self and to be honest we love it.

2. Lust for wealth

We live for a dollar. Whether its cash or credit we want what we want and we don’t care how we get it. Benjamin Franklin said “It is better to go to bed supperless that to run into debt.” Our craving for the good life has lured many people into hopeless debt. Too often we are a people addicted to living above our means. I am not talking about money well earned through hard work or intelligent investing. I am talking about a desire that is so strong only lust can describe it and so powerful people will do anything to satisfy it.

B. Their scornful contempt (boastful, haughty, abusive)

Our generation is one of contempt, a contempt that is illustrated through music, art and culture. Today we glorify sin and rebellion, we scream in the face of God.

C. Their sinful conduct

Will be directed…

1. Toward Parents (disobedient, unthankful)

There is an attack on the family. Personal desire and sin have gotten in the way of the best interest of the family. Parent murder their children and children turn to the legal system for vengeance against parents with morals and biblical standards. Children today claim rights at the expense of respect.

2. Toward People (3:2-3)

When you account for the poor character of people and add to it a progressive movement within our society and teach this to young people through our schools while reinforcing it through music and entertainment we find a sinful conduct that is directed at society in general. A conduct toward people that Paul say’s will indicate the perilous times just before the rapture. This conduct toward people will be evident by…

a) No reverence (unholy or profane)

The things that made us great are being used to destroy us.

b) No regard (without natural affection, truce breakers)

People who will make no truce, in other words Paul saw a people who would be callous and without heart or principle.

c) No restraint (slanderers, incontinent, fierce)

Paul is talking about a slanderer or an adversary. This very Greek word is used in the Bible to describe the devil (diabolos). Simply put evil will mark our world and people will do very gross and disgusting things to each other, without remorse.

II. People without conviction (2Tim. 3:3-5)

A. Their false principles

Will be…

1. Ruled by wickedness (despisers of those that are good)

Those who preach or teach the truth will be despised, the truth will be turned into evil and evil into good.

2. Ruled by wiles (traitors)

There will be a group of people who will preach/teach the truth of Gods word while planning to use it as a means to do evil.

3. Ruled by willfulness (heady, high-minded)

People will do what they want even when they know the consequences and they will have no consideration for the outcome.

These principles will also be…

B. Their foremost passion (lovers of pleasure)

The primary concern will be what is in it for me.

These principles will lead to..

C. Their false profession (having a form of godliness)

Everything that will be done will be done in the name of religion, without the name of Jesus.

Not only will their character and conviction be flawed these will be a …

III. People without a conscience (2Tim. 3:6-9)

A conscience is the internal self-knowledge, or judgment of right and wrong; or the faculty, power or principle within us, which decides on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of our own actions and affections, and instantly approves or condemns them. The lack of conscience is seen in…

A. Their vileness

How sickening their behavior is.

B. Their victims

How age makes no difference.

C. Their values

How limits are removed from their lives.

D. Their vanity

How deserving they feel they are.

Conclusion: We truly do live in perilous times and they are only going to get worse that is the ugly truth about the situation. However there is peace to be found, peace that comes through knowing Jesus and Lord and savior. Peace that will give us strength to wade through these difficult days and peace to carry us into glory when the Lord returns to claim His church.