Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
5 Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
New International Version (NIV)
3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2 People will be lovers of themselves; lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
Conditions in the world and the church
The last days include the entire church age.
Men (this includes women) shall be lovers of their own selves. They will covet (love money and possessions).
They will boast about themselves. (their accomplishments).
They will gossip. (put others down).
They will disrespect their parents. (lack of respect as they are taught in public schools).
They will not be thankful. (since they haven't had to earn for themselves).
They will not respect the things of God. They are being taught that there is no god. They receive their help from the government.
They won't have natural affection. Won't love their children, or parents. The family unit is being destroyed. People prefer to spend their time and money on themselves than on their children.
Part two
They won't have love in their character.
Without natural affection. (Verse three).
1Corinthians 13:4-7 Living Bible 4 Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful, or proud, 5 never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. 6 It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. 7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.
Characteristics of self-love
They will be controversial, disagree with everyone and everything.
They will lie about others. Believe things they read on their computer and what others e-mail them. They don't research.
They won't have self-control. Be impulsive, overspend etc.
People will become violent.
People will despise righteousness. Dishonest gain is a priority. Just good business.
They can't be trusted. Put everything in writing. Man of his word.
They will act quickly without thinking. Open mouth before thinking.
Having fun is more important to them than loving God. Self-pleasure.
They act religious but won't let God direct their lives.
Self- righteousness
Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Romans 8: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Family structure
The family unit is being destroyed.
Children don't obey their parents.
Parents won't train their children. Most don't know how.
Children listen to other children instead of their parents. Incorrect teacher.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Matthew 6:24-33 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Mammon= wealth.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Be obsessed with Jesus not material things.
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek :) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 16:24-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Perilous times is here because of the way people live their lives.
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