Leading In Light Of Perilous Times
Part of Sermon 2021 - Non-series message
June 20, 2021

LEADING IN LIGHT OF PERILOUS TIMES

Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

1 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.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Intro:

  • The men of Issachar had an
    of the times to know what their nation should do, and to know what they should do individually and for the good of their families. (cf. 1 Chron. 12:32)
  • Hey men! Do we have an understanding of the times? On a larger biblical world view scale? Do we know what our nation should do? Do we know what we should do individually and for the good of our families?

  • Three things for fathers to do in order to lead in light of the perilous.

1. Steer Clear Of The False (vv. 1-9)

  • v. 5 - “from such turn away” – Steer clear of these characteristics and individuals that make the times in which we live perilous.

    1) Issues of the heart (vv. 2, 4)

    • Selfishness, covetousness, hedonism, and idolatry are each a problem of the heart.
    • A self-willed and self centered man builds the world around himself. That makes for a very small world, and a very small purpose in life.

    2) Issues of the

    3) Issues of the head (attitude)

    4) Issues of

2. Stick Close To The Model Of The Faithful (vv. 10-12; cf. Heb. 12:1)

  • What does it mean to follow the model of the faithful?
  • Charles Swindoll:
    “It means we watch their lives. It means we learn from their example. It means we listen to their instruction. We emulate their virtues. We admire their character. We remember what they endured, and in light of that it helps our endurance. There’s something wonderful about having faithful mentors and faithful heroes in the annuls of history.”

  • Follow the faithful because they live lives of

    , are faithful to God’s , and live with a purpose to bring to God.

3. Stay Committed To The Word (vv. 13-17)

1) How to continue in the Scriptures (v. 14)

1] Learn the Scriptures

2] Be assured of the Scriptures

  • The ultimate validity to the assurance of the Scripture is the application of the Scriptures to life.

3] Know your

4] Abide in the Scriptures

  • The word continue literally means to abide in, to dwell, to remain, to stay in. We need to abide in the Word, which actually translates into living the Word.

2) Why is the Word of God so important? Why should we stay committed to the Word?

1] The Scriptures are

(v. 15)

2] The Scriptures lead to salvation (v. 15)

3] The Scriptures are

(v. 16)

4] The Scriptures are profitable (v. 16)

5] The Scriptures equip (v. 17)

  • Warren Wiersbe:
    “The purpose of bible study is not just to understand doctrines or be able to defend the faith, as important as these things are. The ultimate purpose is the equipping of the believers who read it. It is the Word God that equips God’s people to do the work of God.”
  • The Word of God furnishes and equips a believer so that he can live a life that pleases God and do the work God wants him to do. The we know the Word, the we are able to live and work for God.

Bottom line: your family in light of perilous times with the “but yous.”