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PERILOUS TIMES

Text: Text:2 Tim. 3:1-9 
16 October 2005

(I) A WARNING CONCERNING THE PERILOUS TIMES

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:…” 2 Tim. 3:1

1. It is a most dangerous time set in the last days

2. It is a time of apostasy

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith” 1 Tim. 4:1

3. It is a time set within the context of the Church

4. It is a time that has become a reality today.

(II) RECOGNISING THE KIND OF PERILS OF THESE TIMES

1. Recognising the early signs of spiritual apostasy

a. Sinful Characteristics of loving self, not God

“For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,…” 2 Tim. 3:2-3

b. Only a semblance of godliness

“Having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2 Tim. 3:5

c. Spiritual blindness

“Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim. 3:7

2. Recognising the deadliness of apostates

a. Taking captives of gullible women

“For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,…” 2 Tim. 3:6

b. Resistance to spiritual leadership and truth

“Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth:” 2 Tim. 3:8

(III) THE RESULTS THAT BEFALL APOSTATES IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES

1. Corruption

“Men of corrupt minds,…” 2 Tim. 3:8

2. Rejected in the faith

“Disapproved concerning the faith;…” 2 Tim. 3:8

3. No progress

“But they will progress no further,…” 2 Tim. 3:9

4. Folly

“For their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.” 2 Tim. 3:9

(IV) OUR APPROPRIATE RESPONSES IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES

1. Be aware that we are in perilous times

“But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come:…” 2 Tim. 3:1

2. Watch out for apostates

“For their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.” 2 Tim. 3:5

3. Seek to correct them. 2 Tim. 2:24

4. If no response, do not associate with such people

“And from such people turn away!” 2 Tim. 3:5