Stay in the Book
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves… (NIV)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self… (RSV)
2 Timothy 3:1-2a
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
2 Timothy 3:2-5
Time of Stress
Caused by human selfishness
But also by the enemy.
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace… Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:22-24
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of.
2 Timothy 3:10-14
But as for you…
Step 1: Surprise!: What? Did you just say that? You?
Step 2: Judgement: Do you really believe that? How can you believe that? Aren’t you a Christian?
Step 3: Defense/Anger/Fear: But what about where Jesus says this? Or what about this famous Christian person who says this? You need to set yourself straight or you are going to miss out on God!
Step 4: Disconnection/Resignation. You stop calling them. Stop sharing your life. You choose other people to spend time with over that person, often people who agree with you more. “Well, I guess that’s just what the world is now. There goes another friend/family member I can’t do life with anymore.
Step 5: Grief
Because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Keep learning and living in God’s word.
