A Brief Assessment of Where We Are, Part 2

[0:00] Last Wednesday evening, in connection with our prayer meeting, a suggestion was made that is what I think one of the most advantageous and beneficial things that I've heard of for a long time.

[0:15] And it has to do with preparing to launch a kind of John 3.16 campaign in connection with the month upcoming, which will be March, right after February.

[0:35] March and the date will be 16. Calendar-wise, if you use just the numbers, it is 3-16.

[0:47] And the suggestion was made, and it was brought up from Marvis, I think it was, got it on her cell phone. Somebody had started this or a suggestion. I don't know to what extent it has taken off, but I think it has great potential.

[1:03] And the idea is to simply saturate our nation with an inquisitive kind of look into John 3.16.

[1:18] Actually, it might be an idea whose time has come. And I want you to really think about that and pray about it seriously, because you would be surprised how many people who aren't even believers are familiar with John 3.16.

[1:37] If for no other reason they've seen somebody holding it up at a football game. And they wonder, what in the world is that all about? It's not the third quarter, and I don't know what they're talking about.

[1:48] But if we could capitalize on that, if enough Christians are recruited throughout the country and pick up on this and start a kind of nationwide campaign for our countrymen to simply examine, to look at, to listen to John 3.16.

[2:11] Who knows where something like that could lead? And I'll tell you what, this country is in a shape right now that something of that magnitude is definitely needed.

[2:26] I don't know to what extent this could be done. I don't know what extent or what it would actually accomplish, but I know this. It is certainly worth the effort.

[2:37] So I'm suggesting for us that we just start talking it up a little bit. If you're meeting with other believers, perhaps not from grace throughout the week, mention it to them, talk to them, ask them if they've heard anything about it.

[2:52] Meanwhile, we might consider providing some kind of a publication, a printout, some kind of artwork or something that would draw people's attention to it.

[3:03] Maybe we could devise something that would even be suitable for blitzing the whole neighborhood and leaving these on people's doorknobs or whatever as March 16 nears.

[3:15] And we just may be able to stimulate some curiosity. And if this thing catches on, it could permeate throughout the entire nation. And I can't think of a better way for it to catch on than through the network of Christians and churches all throughout the land.

[3:31] So we'll keep you posted as to what kind of development or progress there may be. But I'm simply saying this has real merit. And I think we ought to give it serious and prayerful consideration.

[3:44] In light of that, let's pray about it right now. Our Father, we don't know to what extent this plan that has been devised and thought up by someone.

[3:55] We trust someone to whom you revealed it. But we know that our country is in a desperate strait right now. For a number of reasons, our nation has morphed into something entirely different from anything we have known in the past.

[4:12] And in so many instances, it is negative and grievous and threatening to the sustaining of the nation that we have all come to know and love.

[4:25] All we know is that we want to be a part of whatever it is you want to establish and whatever it is that you want to make available. We want to make ourselves as individuals and as a congregation available to you for use in any way that you see fit.

[4:43] And in regard to this proposed plan of permeating the area with John 3.16 and explaining what is involved and perhaps involving people who perhaps have never heard of it before, never considered it before, never been exposed to the gospel before.

[5:02] This might be a real turning point for our nation. And Father, you know how desperately we need it. So we ask for wisdom on the part of any and all who may be involved in this in connection with publications that may come from it, artwork that may be developed by it.

[5:22] All kinds of possibilities exist. And we just ask that you will enable believers to exercise the creativity that you've given them to make the most of what seems to have great potential.

[5:36] Thank you for being the God you are. Thank you for your presence with us this morning. And with other congregations like ours throughout the land who are meeting for the sole purpose of exalting and glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ.

[5:49] That's why we're here. It's the only reason we have. It's the only reason we need. We thank you for it in Christ's name. Amen. There is a notice on the bulletin board about Operation Rebirth.

[6:05] Most of you are familiar with it. But this is a group home for boys that has been, actually it was started by Jim Bryan many years ago.

[6:17] And Roger Phipps can tell you anything you want to know about that because he was the principal teacher there for a number of years before he retired from that ministry.

[6:30] And as per the notice that is on the bulletin board, they are in need of house parents. And this is a very extraordinary kind of job that needs to be carried out by a dedicated Christian couple.

[6:47] And I don't know if there's any possibility here or not or if that's something that the Lord may lay on your heart and mind. But it's something to think about. If you want any details, you can see more on the bulletin board.

[6:58] And there's a phone number in case you'd like to contact someone. It would involve a live-in kind of situation. And you would be literal house parents to these boys.

[7:09] And like I said, if you have any questions, you can talk to Roger Phipps about it because he's very familiar with the ministry, its origin, its purposes, and its joys, its successes, and everything else that goes with it.

[7:23] So are there any other announcements that you might have that's not in the bulletin? Anyone? Yes. How many boys do you have a population?

[7:36] Dan, I don't know. Do you know what the population is at OR right now? Not up today. Okay. That is somewhere around eight. Somewhere around eight. Okay.

[7:46] And these are boys that range in ages from? About the youngest I've ever seen is 10, but usually around 15, 12 to 15.

[8:01] Usually boys that are 12 to 16, 17 years of age. And they are there because of difficulty in functioning at home for different reasons.

[8:13] Some of them come from very dysfunctional type families. Some of them have special kinds of problems. No question it would be a real challenge. But over the years there have been numerous extraordinary successes in changing young men's lives and turning them around, as is evidenced many years later when you hear from the testimony of some of them.

[8:33] So it could be a very, very fruitful ministry, and it has been in the past for a number. So, again, I'm sure that Roger would be happy to answer any questions that you may have, although he's been removed from the situation by way of retirement for a number of years, and he is not as conversant with what's going on there as he was, of course, when he was a part of it.

[8:52] So anything else anybody has? Yes, Chris? Okay, that's Thursday upcoming.

[9:03] And the breakfast is at 9 o'clock, and the study will follow at 9.30. Reservations are not required. If you'd like to join us, you would be more than welcome.

[9:15] It's a very relaxed morning. We just enjoy and appreciate the fellowship and a wonderful breakfast that's always provided. The study to follow at 9.30, and we're usually dismissed by 10.30, quarter of 11, something like that.

[9:28] So it's a time that everybody really benefits, and we've been kind of skimpy on those because of the COVID and everything. We've missed the number of meetings, so we're going to try to resume that if we can.

[9:40] All right, would you open your Bibles, please, to 1 Timothy, chapter 2. We are continuing, in at least some vein, a message of where we were last week and a brief assessment of where we are.

[9:54] And as the bulletin states, it is for certain that we have never before faced the issues that are before us. Confusion reigns supreme.

[10:09] An attempt will be made to try and connect some dots. You can voice your perceptions as well. Hopefully, we can do more than merely pool our ignorance. This is intended to be a one-time message, but your interest and input will determine that.

[10:24] As you can see, the above one-time message has become a two-time message. Your input will be welcome. And what prompted me to extend this to another session that we'll be having today has to do with folks who approached me and the comments that were made after the message last week.

[10:42] So that's why we are going to revisit it. And all I would like to do is point out to you what the Apostle Paul has recommended through the inspiration of the Spirit of God of what is supposed to be our response to the different day and age in which we're living.

[11:02] And he addresses this to his young protege in a couple of different letters. We might even have time to look a little bit at Titus. But Paul was giving Timothy the kind of advice that he needed to function in the world in which he lived 2,000 years ago.

[11:23] In many respects, matter of fact, in most respects, nothing has changed. But it has intensified. It has become more and more like that.

[11:37] I want you to keep in mind also that the Spirit of God used Paul to write these letters as probably his last two correspondences to anyone.

[11:52] We know when he wrote 2 Timothy, he talks about the time of his departure being near. And we are convinced that it was shortly after he wrote that second letter that the time of his departure had come.

[12:09] And Paul the Apostle was executed by the Roman sword. So as he wrote these last two letters to young Timothy, you may be sure that in addition to what the Spirit of God has inspired Paul to write, that he was also writing from a human standpoint that simply was aware of the times and the seasons in which they were functioning.

[12:34] And he wanted to give young Timothy the kind of information that was absolutely essential for functioning and for being the man of God that God had called him to be in that day and time.

[12:51] And do you know? The advice really hasn't changed. So what we're going to look at is in connection with how we are supposed to be functioning as believers in light of the world that we're living in today.

[13:06] And the great emphasis is, of course, as we shall see this develop, the great emphasis kind of piggybacks on that ancient hymn that we already expounded on in 1 Timothy 3, near the end of the chapter, when he listed all of those things that involve the making of human beings in a state of godliness.

[13:30] And there we discovered the lengths to which God had to go in order to make a godly lifestyle and eternal life available to you and to me.

[13:42] We will not visit that again, but, well, we will. Let's just look at it for a moment. I just want to read it. It's in 1 Timothy 3, and verse 16.

[13:54] By common confession, great is the mystery or the secret of godliness, and that is not God's godliness. God is godly simply because he is God.

[14:06] This is your godliness he's talking about. This is our godliness. What did it take? What was involved in order to make you and me godly individuals?

[14:19] And by godly, it simply means possessors of God, who, because we possess him, have the ability for him to live his life out through us.

[14:33] And to the extent that we do that, we are manifesting godliness or godly behavior. That's the behavior that is to characterize us and set us apart from the world.

[14:47] So he says, what it took was, God revealed in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, beheld by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up into glory.

[14:59] Now, having just gotten that out of the way, let's go back to 1 Timothy 2 and verse 1. First of all, then, and that's an interesting phrase.

[15:10] It is the idea that before you consider anything else, this needs to be taken into consideration. I urge that in treaties and prayers, petitions, thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil, that's like a peaceable, and quiet life in what?

[15:46] There's our word, in all godliness and dignity. It simply means, as a believer in Jesus Christ, you and I have the potential of reflecting the character and nature of God before others in our attitude and in our actions.

[16:08] Question is, will we? And by the way, as Nathan was pointing out in the passage that we were dealing with this morning at the 9 o'clock hour, the difference between the flesh and the spirit, this godly lifestyle is a result of walking and functioning in the spirit as opposed to the flesh.

[16:29] So really, manifesting godliness in our life and walking in the spirit are synonymous. They're one and the same. And when he continues, he says, this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

[16:46] So leading a tranquil, quiet life in all godliness and dignity. And then in chapter 4 and verse 1. 1 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 1.

[17:03] But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith. Paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.

[17:29] This, of course, is related to a point that has been made repeatedly, how that truth and the expression of it and the embracing of it is in short supply today.

[17:51] Truth has fallen on hard times. Truth has been replaced in so many ways in so many places with lies.

[18:02] And this is exactly what he's talking about here. Means of the hypocrisy of liars. This means intentional liars. We've made a distinction before, and I think it's a very valid distinction because one is innocent and one is guilty.

[18:16] And that is this. It is entirely possible for someone to lead people astray unintentionally. We're all capable of doing that.

[18:28] I shudder to think the number of times that I have stepped up to this pulpit and have actually led people astray by something that I have said, an impression that I have given, that perhaps later in rethinking I would have changed my position.

[18:45] In fact, I did that with a couple of things. And I don't mind telling you, humble pie tastes lousy. Eating crow is lousy. But it needs to be done if you recognize that you have taught something or led people to believe something that wasn't true.

[19:02] You later come to find that out. Then you have an obligation to reveal that. And we did that a couple of times. And I don't mind telling you it wasn't easy. But it's necessary.

[19:13] And God honors that. And why is that? It's simply because truth is entitled to prevail simply because it is true.

[19:24] That's all it needs for insistence, for dissemination, for embracing just its inherent truthfulness. So anytime we discover that we have been in error and we fail to correct the error, we simply compound it and add to it.

[19:41] So it is possible to unintentionally mislead people by something that you say because you really believe it. And you communicate it. And then later you find out, oh boy.

[19:57] I have repented of that. Which means I changed my mind. I no longer believe that. And that's where the rubber meets the road.

[20:08] So you have to offer a correction. We're all capable of that. Every preacher is capable of that. Every politician is capable of that.

[20:20] Because it's just part of the human condition. But what is really unconscionable is a deliberate, outright lie that you know has no truth to it at all.

[20:38] But you say it because of the effect it will have and the number of people that you can get to believe it. This, this very thing is one of the most dastardly things that is taking place in the Congress of the United States right now.

[21:00] Any time a politician, I'm not going to name any names, I don't need to, but you can find them out if you want. Any time a politician will go before a committee where he is sworn to tell the truth, otherwise he could be charged with lying to the committee, lying to Congress, and he tells them one story, one way, and it is the truth.

[21:31] Then he comes out and addresses the public before the cameras, and he absolutely, totally, completely lies through his teeth.

[21:42] Why would anyone do that? When he's just gone on record for telling one thing to the committee, and he tells something else publicly. How could he do that?

[21:52] Why would he do that? The answer is simple. There are things that you say under oath to protect yourself from prosecution, and then there are things that you say for the effect that you know it will have on the public.

[22:10] There's one message for under oath and another message for the public. That, in my estimation, would make anyone worthy for being put out of Congress.

[22:24] That is unconscionable. It goes on. It went on just recently. Some of you know what I'm talking about. That is a deliberate lie. And the whole reason for it is the effect it will have upon the constituency that is following that person, the political party or position or whatever.

[22:46] You cannot get a lower life than that. That's the ultimate. And that's what we're dealing with. And it isn't only in Washington.

[22:57] It goes on in government halls all over the place. It's simply little regard, little honor, little value is placed on truth as opposed to the way it used to be.

[23:15] And our forefathers knew something about that. And they were men of integrity and truth, and some of them told the truth to the extent that it cost them their lives. But this is what we're dealing with.

[23:28] Verse 1. Some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, and by means of the hypocrisy of liars.

[23:43] Hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron. And as I related to you last week, regarding these people, whomever they may be, all you have to do to understand where they're coming from, examine their worldview.

[24:09] It's sticking out all over them. Examine their worldview. You will see why they are able to tell a flat-out lie anytime they think it will benefit their cause.

[24:21] Because the mantra of those with that worldview is simple. The end justifies the means. If you have to lie to get to where you want to go, so lie.

[24:36] So what? Everybody does it. What's the difference? The other side does it too. And that's part of the rationale that is used for it. This is what we're dealing with now.

[24:49] That coupled with the fact that there is a public that is out there that is so gullible, they don't research or investigate anything, they just make themselves available to the fake news, and they gobble the stuff up, and then they go to the polls, and they vote, and you get what we've got.

[25:09] Voila. Voila. Voila. Men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods. Well, I don't know that we have any who are forbidding marriage now.

[25:20] We have some who are eschewing it and avoiding it, and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in those who believe and know the truth.

[25:31] For everything that is created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude. For it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

[25:42] In pointing out these things to the brethren. Now, Paul is telling Timothy to do this. He's telling them, when you have a congregation in front of you, Timothy, this is what you're to tell them.

[25:55] In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following, but have nothing to do with worldly fables, fit only for old women.

[26:10] These are old women. How are we going to characterize these old women? We don't have any old women, by the way, in this congregation.

[26:23] We have some mature chicks, but we don't have any old women. Okay. So the old women are excused. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of, now look at that word again, godliness.

[26:41] For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things. This is the flesh and the body versus the spirit.

[26:57] Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of the people who spent the time that they do on the exercise machines and the Pelotons and all of that, if they spent an equal amount of time in spiritual pursuit, I wonder how that would fly.

[27:13] Like reading the scriptures or a good devotional book or something of that nature. Bodily exercise profits little. That's one reason why I'm not a great partaker of that now.

[27:25] I remember, I think it was Lou Holtz, legendary coach one day, who was asked if he ever went jogging. And Lou said, no, I want to be sick when I die.

[27:40] Well, that's kind of sentiments that I have too. So I'm not into jogging too much now. Exercise, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.

[27:53] Bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things. What is it? How do you define that? It's nothing more than exhibiting the spirit.

[28:06] It is nothing more than inculcating the standards and the principles of scripture into your life so that they are lived out in your actions and in your attitude. This is what constitutes godliness.

[28:18] This is growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. And it is profitable for everything. Now he's not bad-mouthing physical conditioning.

[28:30] He's not bad-mouthing exercising. He's just saying that it's profitable for just a little, but not for the long haul and for what really matters. Godliness is profitable for all things since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

[28:47] In other words, he's contrasting the body and the spirit. And he's saying, whatever you do for the conditioning and training of the body and preparing of the body and the building of the body and everything, that's all going to come to an end.

[29:03] Because when you die, that's all over. And your body in a casket won't be any more fit than somebody who's never had a Peloton machine. But there are spiritual values that extend on beyond the grave.

[29:18] And that's why they are beneficial for everything. It's a matter of ratio. It's a matter of ratio. Doesn't mean that you don't do the physical things, that you don't condition your body, that you don't take care of, that you don't have the right diet.

[29:30] No, no, it isn't saying that. Those things are all good. But you need to know that when you die, they're all gone. It's all over. It's temporal. Make your major investment in that which has the major payoff.

[29:47] Got that? That's not rocket science. That's just good investments. Put your time and effort and toil and labor in that which will produce on beyond the grave.

[30:05] That's the difference. And it's monumental. And it's all about godliness. And it's interesting because Paul knows his time is running short.

[30:18] And what am I going to say to young Timothy? How am I going to encourage him? What am I going to pass on to him? Well, I'll say one thing. This is no time for trivia.

[30:32] Now is the time to get to the stuff that really matters. reinforce those things that count forever.

[30:43] Put your emphasis on that. Live your life in such a way that the dividends and the payoff will extend even your life beyond the grave.

[30:55] And that, of course, is in part what we can build into our children. Godliness is profitable for all things since it's told promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

[31:07] It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance for it is for this we labor and strive because we have fixed our hope on the living God who is the Savior of all men especially of believers.

[31:26] believers. What does that mean? Savior of all men especially of believers. Well, there's a two-fold thing here and we've touched on it in the past and it simply means that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all men in that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself and he provided the path of salvation for every living human being.

[31:50] but he is the Savior of those who believe in a special way because they have appropriated what Christ did for them and the difference is day and night between unbelievers and believers but even those who do not believe are people for whom Christ died.

[32:10] that's the point that's being made here especially for believers. Until I come verse 12 verse 11 I'm sorry prescribe and teach these things.

[32:30] Prescribe. New American Standard translates it prescribe and I think that's a good rendering. Prescribe means to write beforehand.

[32:41] It's the word from which we get the word prescription and when you go to get a prescription filled it's the prescription that a doctor has written out for your health care and he prescribes he writes before what it is that you are supposed to get and you take that to the druggist and then the druggist fills it.

[33:02] So Paul is saying that he is like that Timothy and every pastor really every pastor is a prescriber. Maybe we're not writing it out formally and signing our name usually ineligible so that you can't read it like most of the doctors do but nonetheless it's a prescription.

[33:24] It's a reference to something that needs to be done or needs to be taken in. Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness and that could have been in his day and age a distraction.

[33:42] Well he's just a young man what does he know? There are some who feel that way about youth but Timothy obviously was one who was well taught by Paul.

[33:53] But rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come give attention to the public reading of Scripture to exhortation and teaching.

[34:11] Then in chapter 4 I'm sorry chapter 6 let's go to chapter 6 just over a page verse verse verse 3 if anyone advocates if anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words those of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the doctrine confirming to there's that word again godliness he is conceited and understands nothing but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words out of which arise envy strife abusive language evil suspicions and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth there's that truth again deprived of the truth who suppose that godliness is a means of gain but godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment for nothing into this world so we cannot take anything out of it either and this godliness thing keeps surfacing again and again and verse 11 but flee from these things you man of god don't be taken in by them when you see them turn around and run the other way and pursue righteousness and godliness faith love perseverance and gentleness fight fight fight the good fight of faith take hold of eternal life to which you were called and made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses and notice if you will in 2nd timothy and i think it's really important to note that paul is addressing these farewell letters these are his last final words to this young man who's going to be taking over in his position and paul is trying by the spirit of god to equip him with everything that this young man is going to need to know in order to honor god and here in 2nd timothy chapter 3 well let's begin with verse 1 realize this that in the last days difficult times will come and we've pointed out before that we are living in the last days because many think that the last days means the days immediately before the coming of christ and that includes that but you must understand that when the scriptures talk about the last days and the former days it is always referencing the person of christ on the earth and his work on the cross as that which splits all human time in so far as the scriptures are concerned the former days are all of the days going back to genesis from the cross backwards those are all the former days the latter days are all of the days on this side of the cross that is they began about 2,000 years ago those are the latter days and they've been going on for 2,000 years so in effect the apostle paul himself lived in the former days and the latter days and so did everyone else who was of that generation they lived in a time that actually saw the convergence of the former days and the last days together and they were in that particular

[38:11] generation so paul lived in the former days he lived in the latter days and so did everyone who lived at that time with him and now when he's talking about the latter days he's talking about an intensity in the latter days or the last days difficult times will come means stressful times it means hard to cope times it means confusing times it means chaotic times it means the kind of times where you don't know what to do you don't know what steps to take men will be lovers of self lovers of money boastful arrogant revilers disobedient to parents ungrateful unholy hey wait a minute haven't people always been like this yeah they have been like this from the time of

[39:12] Genesis they were like this so much so at one time that God said all right that's it and he brought the curtain down by way of water and he ended that whole generation now we've got a redo and we're going through this thing again we got a lot further than what the first generations did we don't know how far they got but it probably wasn't much more than a thousand years if it was that long and we have survived a lot longer than they but as the time has gone on the intensity has built and this is the point that's being made now the perilous times are increasing and they are becoming more and more so unloving irreconcilable malicious gossips without self-control brutals haters of good treacherous reckless conceited lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power and avoid such men as these holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power what is the power of godliness well it's the gospel it's the gospel that's the power that's the thing that they're denying

[40:45] Paul said I did not shun to declare unto you the whole counsel of god and in writing to the romans he said I am not ashamed of the gospel I'm not embarrassed by the gospel why not because it the gospel is the power of god through faith unto salvation how in the world could you possibly be embarrassed or ashamed of that that's that's the deciding factor that's the thing that changes everything it's nothing to be ashamed of it's something to be proud of god forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our lord jesus christ that's what he's saying and whatever is espoused by way of religion or beliefs or join this or that or the other that ignores depreciates or avoids the gospel paul says get away from these people flee from them have nothing to do with them this is the thing this is the only thing that changes lives here and now and changes destiny forever that's the gospel boy there's nothing like it timothy is getting an earful isn't he and then well we don't get far chapter three talks about all of the negatives that will be taking place and are taking place ever learning verse seven always learning never able to come to the knowledge of the truth isn't that something people are always learning acquiring great amounts of knowledge about things that don't make any difference that don't change anything eternally that just add to more and more stuff here just more stuff that's ever learning never able to come to the knowledge of the truth verse 10 but you

[43:23] Timothy have followed my teaching conduct purpose faith patience love perseverance persecutions sufferings that almost seems contradictory somebody that has all of this good stuff to proclaim should have to pay the price of suffering in order to do it how does that compute the man has nothing but good message to deliver and for that you pay a price reminded when when Paul was called in chapter nine and the Lord called Ananias to go and lay his hands on him as he may have receive his sight and he said for I will show him what things he must suffer for my name why should anybody have to suffer for proclaiming good news life changing news eternal direction good news why should anybody have to suffer for that well if the clientele to whom you are preaching it are already coming from an opposite point of view what are you going to have conflict conflict we don't want this we will not have this man to reign over us and there is opposition and you can avoid the opposition and you can avoid the conflict and you can avoid the persecution all you have to do just dummy up don't say anything just keep your mouth shut you won't be a problem you won't be persecuted you won't be threatened you won't be isolated and you won't have anything to do with godliness so take your pick all verse 12 all who desire to live godly in Christ

[45:54] Jesus will be persecuted you'll take the heat one way or another but evil men and these evil men are liars who know they are lying and they lie anyway because that's their objective to get what they want to have the effect that they want imposters they will proceed from bad to worse deceiving and being deceived you know that's probably the only consolation that we have regarding people who deceive us that is they themselves are victims of deceit they are deceived as well as deceiving others you however continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of knowing from whom you have learned them and that from childhood Timothy your mother Lois your grandmother Eunice from childhood you have known the sacred writings this is the scriptures of course which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ

[47:06] Jesus all scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching for reproof for correction for training and righteousness that the man of God may be adequate equipped for every good work this is one of my favorite passages I did some work on this probably 30 years ago and have I not taught you over the years that you should always ignore the chapter divisions because many times they distract and they break up the continuity the thought that's being made because when you come to the end of a chapter you just kind of like feel like well that's that's the end of that and I'll start a new chapter and it's something altogether different no it isn't it wasn't written in chapters it was written as one continuous document not chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter 3 and here we've got a perfect example chapter 4 begins I solemnly charge you in the presence of

[48:07] God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead and by his appearing and his kingdom preach the word I want you to make a connection here this is very very important he explains the value of the word and what needs to be done and in verse 16 and 17 he's giving the power of scripture and what it is that it is good for and then when chapter 4 opens it sounds like it's a completely different thought and it's a continuation of it is a therefore it wouldn't hurt if there were a therefore that were actually inserted there it is all scripture is inspired by God profitable for teaching reproof for correction for instruction and righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate equipped for every good word I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ

[49:15] Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead by his appearing and his kingdom preach the word preach the word it's the only thing that will get the job done that's what he's saying matter of fact all of verse one is rather adding to what he has said if you want to get the real impact of this you will go from verse 16 where he is talking about what the scriptures are capable of doing and verse 17 tells us the effect that it will have but if you skip verse 17 and skip verse 1 of chapter 4 because they are simply elaborating on what has been said it isn't adding anything new to it what he's saying is all scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching reproof correction instruction and righteousness therefore preach the word it's the only thing that will do the job it's all that matters that's what he's saying and you may be sure that

[50:16] Timothy's picking up on this so what is our response today to the kind of culture and time in which we're living how are we going to respond to it what can we do only the same that's all we've got nothing new to add we've got no new panacea we've got no new program we've got no new ideas it's just the same old God ordained heaven sent word that works preach the word you've got nothing else to offer and there's nothing else you need just preach the word be instant in season out of season that means when you have a good opportunity to preach the word preach it when you don't have a good opportunity to preach the word preach it anyway reprove rebuke exhort with great patience and instruction instruction because the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine we're there this is it they won't endure sound doctrine they will heap to themselves teachers that means they will recruit and enlist and find the kind of teachers that will tell them what they want to hear it's called tickling the ears this is feel good stuff listen

[52:07] I'm all for preaching stuff that will make people feel good and the Bible is loaded with it I mean it is brimming overflowing with all kinds of truth and content that will make people feel good once they understand what's involved but that's not to be the only criteria you preach the word and sometimes sometimes if you can't say amen say oh me but it's still the word and it's the only thing that will get the job done I love the way he closes this out with his final words to Timothy preach the word be sober in all things time will come and he'll not endure sound doctrine preach the word well Titus is just the next chapter over and look at this

[53:10] Titus chapter one Paul bond servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of those chosen of God and the foreknowledge of the truth which is according to well there's our old friend isn't it according to godliness in the hope of which is to be rendered in the absolute confidence of eternal life which God who cannot lie promised long before and then in chapter two same same book Titus instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly righteously and godly in the present age looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great

[54:11] God and Savior Christ Jesus who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for himself a people for his own possession zealous for good deeds these things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority let no one disregard you just hang in there and do it opposition yeah you're going to get opposition because you're preaching to a fallen world and opposition is to be expected but it's still the only thing that will do the job and you got to remember most people are opposed to the truth of the gospel the first time they hear it most people do not readily embrace the gospel upon its initial hearing and the reason is for most of them they think they're better than that they don't need that that this religious stuff this Christianity stuff that they're preaching that's for the drug addicts and the down and outers and the murderers and the thieves and the rapists

[55:34] I don't belong to that crowd I'm better than that I don't need that stuff so I can make it on my own don't get me wrong I'm not claiming to be perfect I know I'm not perfect but I'm as good as everybody else and this is why people automatically almost reject the gospel upon the first hearing and it takes repeated hearings and repeated exposure so what do you do you just keep preaching it until they get it and if they don't get it then they'll throw stones at you and you just move on to a new neighborhood and preach it there until the stones start flying again but you never have cause to back off of your message because it's still the only thing that'll do the job nothing else counts nothing else Timothy Paul would say I don't have any I don't have any quick sure remedies to give you I don't have any way of telling you how you can make this easy because it isn't going to be easy you are going up against the most formidable foe that God has ever had and he is here because God himself created him and gave him a volition and he rebelled against his maker and he's still trying to get at his maker any way he can he can't reach his maker so he tries to go after those whom his maker loves and that's you and that's me so be advised that opposition will come but greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world so you just hang tough

[57:16] Timothy and preach the word and don't let anything or anybody dissuade you from it it's the only thing that'll do the job father we recognize that this truth is as valuable and as precious and as needed today as it was 2000 years ago when Paul gave it to Timothy in some ways it may even be more so because there are so many more people and so many more complexities have been introduced into our present world that people in previous generations never imagined and never had to deal with but regardless of what the society has to throw at us we know that what you've already provided is more than adequate to confront the opposition we have no cause to back away simply because of the strength or the numbers of the opposition because we recognize you have always worked with the minority never have had the majority on your side why should it be that way today but Lord what a privilege it is to be even if we are fewer in number to simply have been redeemed by you and called by you and given this priceless information to disseminate and we know that there's opposition out there but we also know that there is reception that often follows opposition when the proclamation has been faithful and insistent may we as a church and as individuals be committed to this gospel to the extent that if there is a price to pay and there may well be coming down the road we are only too glad to pay it because of the one for whom we will be enduring it and paying it we bless you for having provided for us not only this wonderful soul-saving eternal direction marriage to our

[59:36] Lord Jesus Christ in an eternal way but for giving us the privilege to share it with others and we look back on the time when we too were among those who rejected the message didn't seem needed didn't seem wanted didn't seem modern but the hound of heaven the spirit of God pursued us until we saw that glorious truth breakthrough how that Christ who knew no sin was made to be sin on our behalf so that we might be made the very righteousness of God in him what a glorious truth is ours enable us to proclaim it with all the verve and all of the energy and all of the compassion that we can and we'll thank you for whatever you're willing to provide to make it happen in Christ's name amen