WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.259 Alright, so we are continuing on in 2 Timothy, and if you have your Bible, please open it up to 2 Timothy chapter 3. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:28.580 2 Timothy chapter 3, and we'll be looking at the first nine verses this morning. 00:00:28.579 --> 00:00:45.500 And as we come to this part of the letter, up till this point we've been hearing the Apostle Paul giving encouragement and instruction to the younger Timothy about how he should live and about how he should lead in the church there in Ephesus. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:57.439 And last Sunday we heard Paul calling Timothy to live a holy life, to be set apart for honorable purposes, for the approval and the pleasure of Jesus Christ. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:06.879 And we saw the contrast that Paul drew there between Timothy and Hymenaeus and Philetus, these false teachers who were causing trouble. 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:22.159 And the last thing that we heard Paul say in chapter 2, just in the last couple verses there, was that Timothy is to instruct these opponents gently in the hope that God will grant them repentance and a knowledge of the truth. 00:01:22.539 --> 00:01:26.899 And in the hope that they would come to their senses and realize how the devil's been using them. 00:01:26.900 --> 00:01:29.640 That's pretty sobering stuff. 00:01:30.240 --> 00:01:34.200 But then as we come into chapter 3, it gets even a little bit more sobering. 00:01:35.100 --> 00:01:37.840 Let me read what Paul wrote here in chapter 3. 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:40.480 Paul writes, 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:45.380 But mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:02:06.240 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving. 00:02:06.239 --> 00:02:20.840 Slanderous, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited. 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:24.900 Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 00:02:25.859 --> 00:02:29.419 Having a form of godliness but denying its power. 00:02:29.419 --> 00:02:32.339 Have nothing to do with such people. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:42.899 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:47.099 Always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:53.379 Just as Janus and Jambres oppose Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:59.840 They are men of depraved minds who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 00:03:00.840 --> 00:03:08.379 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:11.939 Let's start at the top here. 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:13.780 Paul says, 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:15.599 Mark this, quite literally, 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:17.199 Know this. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:22.579 That in the last days there will be terrible times. 00:03:24.079 --> 00:03:31.379 That word terrible, the word used there means troublesome or hard or difficult. 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:35.819 So in the last days there will be difficult times. 00:03:37.079 --> 00:03:42.560 And then what follows is this lengthy description of the behaviors of people. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:48.740 All of what makes these times difficult has to do with the behaviors of people, or at least some of it. 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:55.640 And before we get to looking at all of these different behaviors that are listed, let's just ask the question, 00:03:56.099 --> 00:03:58.259 What does Paul mean when he says, 00:03:58.460 --> 00:03:59.420 In the last days? 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:02.580 When are the last days? 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:06.500 And there's really two main views among Christians about this. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:15.280 View number one is that the last days refers to the period of time between Jesus' first coming and Jesus' second coming. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:20.120 View number one would say that we are in the last days right now, 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:24.500 and have been since Jesus first came 2,000 years ago. 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:31.920 Now, before you dismiss this view altogether, consider the following scriptures which refer to the last days. 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:35.759 Think of Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:41.180 There he stood in Jerusalem, and the Spirit was poured out on the apostles, 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:45.420 and some of the people thought that the apostles were drunk, 00:04:45.520 --> 00:04:47.319 because they were speaking in other languages. 00:04:48.280 --> 00:04:52.960 And Paul stands up in the midst of this gathering, and he says this, 00:04:52.960 --> 00:04:56.939 Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you. 00:04:57.500 --> 00:04:58.939 Listen carefully to what I say. 00:04:59.580 --> 00:05:01.540 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. 00:05:02.460 --> 00:05:03.540 It's only nine in the morning. 00:05:04.300 --> 00:05:07.780 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:10.480 And then he quotes the prophet Joel. 00:05:10.580 --> 00:05:12.100 In the last days, God says, 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:14.200 I will pour out my Spirit on all people. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:16.700 Your sons and daughters will prophesy. 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:18.740 Your young men will see visions. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:20.840 Your old men will dream dreams. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:23.600 Even on my servants, both men and women, 00:05:23.700 --> 00:05:26.439 I will pour out my Spirit in those days, 00:05:26.900 --> 00:05:28.220 and they will prophesy. 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:34.900 So what's Peter saying to the crowd that day of Pentecost, almost 2,000 years ago? 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:39.319 He's saying that the prophecy that was made by Joel hundreds of years earlier 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:42.419 was being fulfilled right now, that day. 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:47.339 In other words, in some sense, they were in the last days now. 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:53.579 And there are a few other scriptures we might look to here. 00:05:53.679 --> 00:05:54.839 Hebrews chapter 1. 00:05:55.359 --> 00:05:56.239 The writer there says, 00:05:56.299 --> 00:05:59.620 In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets, 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:01.800 at many times and in various ways. 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:06.600 But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:10.220 And then another one in James chapter 5, verse 3. 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:15.000 James, the brother of Jesus, writing, addressing the rich people, says, 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:20.139 You rich people, your wealth has rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:21.879 Your gold and silver are corroded. 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:25.579 Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:27.920 You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:32.140 And if you just look at the verb tense there in the context, 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:35.500 it's James' writing as if the last days have already begun. 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:36.199 We're in it. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:41.580 And so when we come to 2 Timothy chapter 3, 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:45.639 it could be that Paul's not so specifically referring only to those things 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:49.480 that happen at the very, very end when Jesus returns 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:51.259 or near to when Jesus returns, 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:55.819 but that these are the kinds of things that will happen even in Timothy's lifetime, 00:06:55.819 --> 00:06:59.740 that this whole period is the last days that we're in, 00:07:00.099 --> 00:07:02.959 the last part of the great story of God. 00:07:04.219 --> 00:07:09.699 View number two, of course, is that the last days refers only to the very distant future, 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:14.800 to those very few days leading right up to the return of Jesus. 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:18.959 And I'm not going to get into all the different views of the tribulation and the rapture here, 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:25.479 but the gist of this view is that the last days is just that period right before Jesus comes. 00:07:26.799 --> 00:07:31.819 And most of those, most people who hold to this view would also say 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:34.519 that we're right now living in the last days, 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:36.719 that that time is very near, 00:07:37.179 --> 00:07:41.899 and probably would point to this passage in 2 Timothy as the evidence. 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:45.239 And before we dismiss that view altogether, 00:07:45.239 --> 00:07:46.959 depending on how you read this, 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:49.799 we could read the rest of the prophecy of Joel 00:07:49.799 --> 00:07:54.919 that Peter cited in Acts chapter 2 on the day of Pentecost. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:57.939 And we notice there that there's actually more to what Joel said. 00:07:58.359 --> 00:08:00.620 Not only will I pour out my spirit in the last days, 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:02.819 but I will show wonders in the heavens above 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:04.799 and signs on the earth below, 00:08:05.419 --> 00:08:08.120 blood and fire and billows of smoke. 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:10.299 The sun will be turned to darkness 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:14.879 and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:19.060 So there's, excuse me, 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:21.240 there's this great sign in the heavens 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:24.379 which marks the beginning of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 00:08:24.780 --> 00:08:28.360 And that sign in the heavens didn't happen on the day of Pentecost. 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:31.860 It was also spoken of by Jesus, 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:34.700 this sign in the heavens in his sermon 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:38.680 or his discourse in Matthew chapter 24. 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:42.879 It's also referred to in Revelation chapter 6, 00:08:42.979 --> 00:08:44.399 this great sign in the heavens 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:47.879 in connection with the final events of our world. 00:08:48.239 --> 00:08:50.500 So there's this element to Joel's prophecy. 00:08:51.439 --> 00:08:53.399 He spoke of something happening in the last days. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:56.479 There's a sense in which it began then, 00:08:56.699 --> 00:08:57.979 the outpouring of the Spirit, 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:00.359 but it also speaks to the very end 00:09:00.359 --> 00:09:04.439 when Jesus comes in that great day of the Lord. 00:09:04.440 --> 00:09:08.340 I think both of these views can kind of live together. 00:09:08.540 --> 00:09:10.500 They both have good biblical support 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:13.640 and both seem to have some truth to them. 00:09:13.820 --> 00:09:15.620 The last days seem to have begun 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:17.780 with the coming of the last king, 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:18.900 Jesus, 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:21.200 who will be king of the last kingdom. 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:23.660 And then the last days 00:09:23.660 --> 00:09:26.200 certainly seem to climax or culminate 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:28.540 with his return 00:09:28.540 --> 00:09:31.400 and the troublesome times that lead up to that. 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:34.819 And even as we look at this passage in 2 Timothy, 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:37.379 there's another one in Peter. 00:09:37.559 --> 00:09:38.600 We'll skip over that one. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:42.539 We see that there's both future and present. 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:43.879 But mark this, 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:46.480 there will be terrible times 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:48.199 or difficult times in the last days. 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:49.340 So that's future language. 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:52.319 People will be lovers of themselves, 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.279 lovers of money, 00:09:53.379 --> 00:09:54.439 and so on and so forth. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:55.779 Down to verse 9. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:58.079 But they will not get very far. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:00.740 Their folly will be clear to everyone. 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:03.320 So this is kind of the language of future. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:05.879 But then we also see, 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:07.259 very clearly here, 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:08.779 the language of the present. 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:11.480 After listing out all the things 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:12.379 that they will be, 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:14.600 Paul says to Timothy, 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:16.879 have nothing to do with such people. 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:18.960 Which sort of implies 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:20.259 that some of these people 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:22.320 may begin to arise and appear 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:24.659 even right now in Timothy's day. 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:33.019 Now why make such a big deal over this? 00:10:33.579 --> 00:10:34.639 The last days. 00:10:35.459 --> 00:10:37.500 There are many eager to teach and preach 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.399 on end times 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:40.459 and future Bible prophecies 00:10:40.459 --> 00:10:44.299 who come to these words 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:48.759 and they see only one main point. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:55.799 And the main point is usually 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:59.059 that we are in the last days right now. 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:00.879 The end is quite imminent, 00:11:01.079 --> 00:11:02.319 like any moment now. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.319 And how do we know? 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:05.740 Because this is what Paul said 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:07.799 things would be like in the last days. 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:09.679 And look at the world that we live in today. 00:11:09.819 --> 00:11:11.500 People are like this today, are they not? 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.860 Therefore we're here. 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:15.120 We're at the brink of the very end right now. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:19.399 But I wonder if there isn't reason to pause here. 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:22.059 Look at this list. 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:23.740 These descriptions 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:26.639 of how people will be in the last days. 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:30.039 Is this how people have been only 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:31.940 in the last few hundred years? 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:35.820 Or are these things describing 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:38.200 how people have been since Timothy's day? 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:41.800 Let's look through this list just a little bit. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:42.580 Skim through it. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.900 It says people will be lovers of themselves. 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:48.860 Hasn't that been true for the past 2,000 years? 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:52.660 Selfishness and self-centeredness. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:55.080 People will be lovers of money. 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:58.780 Is greed only a sin mainly of the 21st century? 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:02.180 People will be boastful and proud. 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:05.339 Is that something that we haven't really seen 00:12:05.339 --> 00:12:08.620 that much before the last couple hundred years? 00:12:09.219 --> 00:12:10.759 Has there been treachery on earth 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:12.979 in the past 2,000 years all the way through? 00:12:13.859 --> 00:12:14.319 Yes. 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:15.859 How about brutality? 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:17.519 Absolutely. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:21.599 Has there been all these things on earth 00:12:21.599 --> 00:12:23.759 as the norm, as par for the course 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:25.599 for the past 2,000 years? 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:29.580 I mean, I think it just takes a quick skim through 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:31.759 a one-volume history of the world 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:33.500 from the time Jesus came till now 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:35.000 to see that the answer is yes. 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:38.519 What about verse 5? 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:41.840 Have there been people having a form of godliness 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:43.639 but denying its power? 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:48.019 Having an outward appearance of religion and piety 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:50.220 yet no real devotion to God? 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:54.560 Well, the past 2,000 years have been full of that. 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.840 We could point to the corruption 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:58.180 of the Roman Catholic Church 00:12:58.180 --> 00:13:01.379 or the Inquisitions or the Crusades 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:03.180 or the great schisms and kings 00:13:03.180 --> 00:13:05.440 declaring themselves head of the church 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:07.820 so they could authorize their own immoral marriages 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:09.519 and all kinds of things. 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:12.639 And so actually this passage, 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.720 at least in my opinion, 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.899 isn't all that helpful in telling us 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:20.160 precisely where we are on God's timeline 00:13:20.160 --> 00:13:22.500 or just how last are the days 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:24.100 that we're in right now. 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:25.980 Now, this warning probably rung 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:28.740 just as true to Timothy in his day 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:30.960 as it does to us in ours. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:34.759 Paul and other Christians 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:36.420 were treated brutally. 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:40.620 Paul was executed not long after this 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.740 even though he was innocent 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:44.800 along with most of the rest of the apostles. 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:48.779 Nero, the emperor, rose to power 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.960 right around this time 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:52.879 and he persecuted the followers of Jesus brutally. 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:56.340 We heard about Hymenaeus and Alexander 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:57.440 and Philetus 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:59.120 and we're going to hear about Demas, 00:13:59.660 --> 00:14:01.500 men who claim the name of Jesus 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:03.620 and yet are proving to be 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:05.220 like the description 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:07.280 in these verses as well. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.700 My point here is that 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.960 I'm not convinced that these are behaviors 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:13.360 that specially mark 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:15.539 only those days immediately 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.600 before Christ returns. 00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:20.580 I think from this description of behaviors 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.480 that we've been living in the last days 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:24.000 since Christ came. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:27.180 And the purpose of this, I think then, 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:29.159 is not to help us see and know 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:30.560 that Christ's coming is just 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:32.960 right about to happen, 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:34.879 but rather to help Timothy know 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.740 that these kinds of behaviors, 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:38.759 even by self-professing believers, 00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:39.960 are to be expected 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:41.440 in the days ahead 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.780 right up till that final day. 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:46.200 Just to say it a little more clearly, 00:14:47.040 --> 00:14:49.460 I do think that teachers and preachers 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:51.800 should stop using this passage to say, 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.460 Jesus is almost here 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:55.840 because the world has never been 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.840 as full of this stuff 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.639 as it is today. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.600 Now some might say, 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:03.680 well, isn't it reasonable to expect 00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:05.600 that the closer we get to the end, 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:08.860 the more like this people will be? 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:10.700 And I think that is reasonable. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:12.200 That's what some of the other passages 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.580 that talk about the end 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:15.879 seem to indicate. 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:18.800 But now that still doesn't help us 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:21.139 know exactly how close we are. 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:26.039 Is the world very much more like this today 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:28.600 than it was 500 years ago? 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:32.980 Or are we just more aware 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:35.200 of the evil going on 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.240 in many different places 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.960 because of the information 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:39.259 that's available to us 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.419 through online news 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:41.299 and social media? 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:44.240 Or another question 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.240 that we might ask, 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:47.299 as bad as things seem today, 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.759 we don't like this thought, 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.039 but is it possible 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.060 that things may get 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:55.419 even 10 times worse 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:58.799 or 10 times more like this 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.240 in the decades 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:02.379 or even centuries ahead? 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:06.500 And so I will not preach 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.179 from this passage 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.600 that we're right on the brink 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.519 of the end. 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.179 I think sometimes 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.840 in our eagerness 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.759 to know the future 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.139 and in our anticipation 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.379 for the Lord's return, 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.659 which we should be anticipating, 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:18.179 we get caught up 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:18.759 in imagining 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.200 what the future will be like 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:22.299 and whether we're almost there 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:24.159 and we can easily miss 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:26.840 what this passage is saying. 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.299 What was Timothy 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:29.340 meant to understand 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.679 from this? 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:32.679 What benefit do these words 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:34.839 have to him in his day? 00:16:35.859 --> 00:16:37.000 Is there more here 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.179 than just a dark picture 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:40.319 of the world at the end? 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.359 And I think to see that, 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.879 we maybe have to take 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.959 our end times glasses 00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:45.979 off a little bit 00:16:45.979 --> 00:16:48.000 and really seek to see, 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:49.620 what were you trying to say, 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:50.819 Paul, to Timothy? 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.819 What is there for him? 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.039 And as we do that, 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:55.719 I think that there's 00:16:55.719 --> 00:16:56.679 at least one key 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:58.199 to really understanding 00:16:58.199 --> 00:16:59.939 this passage well. 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:01.580 we could start 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.340 with this question. 00:17:03.400 --> 00:17:04.920 Is this a general description 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:07.880 of how the world will be, 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.320 the people of the world will be? 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.840 Or does Paul have 00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:13.700 a specific group of people 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:15.120 in mind here? 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.640 We're going to look 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:18.539 at some of these qualities 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.259 in a moment, 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:20.299 but let's not miss, 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:20.720 I think, 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.720 the key qualities 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.360 which identify these people 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:24.580 more precisely, 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:26.000 which narrow it down for us. 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.340 These people will be 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.279 all of these things, 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.660 and you can see the list 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.460 on the screen there. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.660 And it probably doesn't mean 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:33.720 that every individual 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.940 will have every single 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.899 one of these things, 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.660 but that people will have 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.500 some or multiple 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.480 of these behaviors. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.879 But then there's verse 5, 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:43.579 which seems to stand apart 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.160 as a truth 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.480 that's representative 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:48.079 for the whole lot of them. 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.920 Whoever these people are, 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:53.240 they seem to have this in common. 00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:56.660 Having a form of godliness, 00:17:57.300 --> 00:17:59.660 but denying its power. 00:18:01.800 --> 00:18:03.900 They have a form of godliness, 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:06.500 but it's just a form. 00:18:07.300 --> 00:18:08.820 It's an outward appearance, 00:18:09.860 --> 00:18:10.460 a facade. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:13.300 And this, I think, 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.600 really brings into focus 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.700 who these people are 00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:17.060 that Paul is warning 00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:17.860 Timothy about. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:20.500 This is not about 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.479 the world in general 00:18:21.479 --> 00:18:22.740 or about unbelievers 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.439 in general. 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:25.000 This is not about how, 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.519 you know, 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.279 so many people 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.079 in our day-to-day 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.639 are greedy 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.819 or loveless. 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:30.779 This is very specifically 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.979 people who have 00:18:31.979 --> 00:18:33.539 a form of godliness, 00:18:34.199 --> 00:18:36.500 who claim to be religious 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:38.859 or even confess 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:40.179 the name of Jesus, 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.779 yet who deep down inside 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:45.159 do not love God 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:48.019 and lack the characteristics 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.840 of holiness 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:50.580 that God's people 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:52.680 are continually striving for. 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.940 Now, is there any confirmation 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.840 that this is 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:57.440 what Paul has in mind? 00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:58.920 Well, we could look at 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.820 what his instruction 00:18:59.820 --> 00:19:01.120 is to do with these people. 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.680 He says, 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:03.500 have nothing to do 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.279 with such people. 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.320 So are we to ignore 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:07.420 everybody in the world 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.740 because this characterizes 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.279 our world, 00:19:09.340 --> 00:19:09.840 does it not? 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:11.400 I don't think so. 00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:13.300 I think that's a little bit 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:14.279 of the pointer 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.440 that this is specifically 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.599 those who claim 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:17.759 to know Jesus, 00:19:17.919 --> 00:19:18.960 claim to know God, 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.539 have a form of godliness, 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:23.159 but it's not genuine. 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:25.079 We could look to the second half 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.299 of this passage as well. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.659 Paul says, 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.659 have nothing to do 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.460 with such people. 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.919 And then he goes on. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.200 He says, 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.879 they're the kind 00:19:31.879 --> 00:19:33.299 who worm their way 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.000 into homes 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:35.419 and gain control 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:36.379 over gullible women 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.879 who are loaded down 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:38.440 with sins 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.159 and are swayed 00:19:39.159 --> 00:19:39.759 by all kinds 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.639 of evil desires. 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:42.640 They're the kind 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.900 who are always learning 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:45.460 but never able 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:46.460 to come to a knowledge 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.100 of the truth. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.300 Just as Janus 00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:49.900 and Jambres 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.800 oppose Moses, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:52.400 so also these teachers 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.820 oppose the truth. 00:19:54.800 --> 00:19:55.259 They are men 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.460 of depraved minds 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.860 who as far as 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.820 the faith is concerned 00:19:58.820 --> 00:20:00.680 are rejected. 00:20:02.060 --> 00:20:03.040 So the people 00:20:03.040 --> 00:20:03.600 whom Timothy 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.259 is to avoid 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.100 are these kind 00:20:05.100 --> 00:20:05.520 of men, 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:06.280 the kind 00:20:06.280 --> 00:20:07.380 who weasel 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:07.840 their way 00:20:07.840 --> 00:20:08.940 into the homes 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.540 of women 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:11.799 who are weak 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.700 to their wiles. 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.319 These men 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.279 are infiltrators. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.759 They're pretenders. 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:20.139 Perhaps in a manner 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:20.700 of speaking, 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:22.259 sneaking into the church 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.279 through the back door 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.460 by charming 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.279 some of the women. 00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.859 But are they really 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.599 believing brothers? 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.859 It seems like 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.440 they might be. 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.619 They're always learning. 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.279 You can imagine 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.859 them sitting there 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.619 in Sunday school 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.960 enjoying the conversation, 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:37.740 the discussion, 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.819 eager to hear, 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.679 eager to discuss, 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.700 but at the end 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.099 of the day 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:43.059 never fully arriving 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:43.659 at a knowledge 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.339 of the truth. 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.639 Just like 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.639 Jonas and Jambres 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:51.839 oppose Moses, 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.519 so they are men 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.319 who oppose 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.220 or resist 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:56.000 or set against 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.519 the truth. 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.460 There is a resistance 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:59.019 to just fully 00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:00.339 embracing it. 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.339 God's people 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:03.099 and this description 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.480 I think 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.240 seems to confirm 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.179 what we saw earlier. 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.819 They are people 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.639 who have a form 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.319 of godliness 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:09.759 but it's only a form. 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.379 It's an outward appearance. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:12.259 It's a performance 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.779 that they're putting on. 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:15.619 Now who were 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:16.480 Jonas and Jambres? 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.379 What's the story 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:18.799 with them? 00:21:18.919 --> 00:21:19.039 Well, 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.259 Jonas and Jambres 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.179 were never mentioned 00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:22.279 in the Old Testament 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.899 by name. 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:26.300 It's possible 00:21:26.300 --> 00:21:26.980 that they were 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.860 among some 00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:28.500 of the leaders 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.480 of the Israelites 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.680 and that they were 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.400 some of the men 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.780 who opposed Moses 00:21:32.780 --> 00:21:34.220 but again, 00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:34.880 they're not mentioned 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.400 by name 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.180 so we don't know. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.300 There was that little 00:21:37.300 --> 00:21:38.280 dispute with Moses. 00:21:38.560 --> 00:21:39.680 Does God only speak 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.220 through you 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:41.120 or does he not 00:21:41.120 --> 00:21:42.180 speak through us also? 00:21:42.280 --> 00:21:42.759 There were some 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.480 different names 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.560 mentioned in that account. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:47.200 perhaps these were 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:48.159 who these men are. 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:51.259 Many scholars suggest 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.279 based on the names 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:52.779 themselves 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.859 that perhaps 00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:54.639 these were the 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.940 Egyptian magicians 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:58.519 who opposed Moses 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.319 when Moses went 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:00.179 to ask Pharaoh 00:22:00.179 --> 00:22:01.299 to set the people free. 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:05.379 They were able 00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:06.399 to do some 00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:07.619 of the same signs 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.119 it says 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:09.500 in Exodus chapter 7 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.059 verse 3 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:13.500 and they opposed Moses. 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.139 In other words, 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.419 is God really 00:22:15.419 --> 00:22:16.000 speaking through 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.539 this man? 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.679 No, look, 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.139 we can do 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.980 these things too. 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.359 In either case, 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.059 I think you see 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.839 there's that element 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:23.000 of religious devotion 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:26.039 and also that element 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.200 of crafty deception 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:29.019 and opposing the one 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.299 who God is really 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.039 speaking through. 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.519 So this I think 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.099 is the key 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:35.419 throughout this whole passage. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.940 It's not just 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.039 about people in general 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.839 or unbelievers 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.460 in general. 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.319 It seems to be 00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:41.279 very specifically 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.639 about people 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.500 having a form 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.119 of religion 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.639 having an appearance 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:46.339 of devotion 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:48.299 and yet it's false. 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.419 If they claim 00:22:50.419 --> 00:22:51.219 the name of God 00:22:51.219 --> 00:22:51.759 or Jesus, 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.019 they're imposters. 00:22:53.719 --> 00:22:54.819 If they advocate 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:56.079 for some other cult 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.319 or form of religion, 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.799 they're false teachers. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.779 And it really fits 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.579 well with what 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:03.379 Paul has been saying 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:04.659 just a minute ago 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.219 to Timothy, 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.739 doesn't it? 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.439 What was the problem 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.219 with Hymenaeus 00:23:08.219 --> 00:23:08.839 and Philetus 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.919 back in chapter 2 00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:11.099 verses 17 and 18? 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:13.099 It wasn't that 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.759 they were full-blown 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.379 atheists. 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.519 It was that 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.099 they were claiming 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:18.019 Jesus plus this 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:19.599 other special revelation 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:21.079 that we've received. 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.240 We know that the 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.240 resurrection has 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.799 already taken place. 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.359 We know that 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.059 eternal life 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:29.099 in its final form 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.859 is attainable 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:31.179 right now. 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:33.019 And they were 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.059 leading people astray. 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:37.000 And so I think 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.799 what Paul is saying 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.359 here is that 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.099 even though Timothy 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.940 is to be able 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.519 to teach, 00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.480 even though he's 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.579 to gently instruct 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:44.539 his opponents 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.240 in the hope 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.139 that they will repent 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:48.019 and come to 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.839 their senses 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.559 and come to 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.559 a knowledge of the truth, 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.579 I think what he's 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.139 saying is, 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:52.899 Timothy, 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.659 know this. 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.500 You can expect 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.240 that many, 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.119 like them, 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.200 in the days ahead 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:59.179 will not. 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.579 They will not 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:01.980 repent. 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:04.360 this will be normal. 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.120 This will be par 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.860 for the course. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.620 There will be 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.579 people out there, 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.319 there will be people 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.240 even in our midst 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.160 who are advocating 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.299 religious ideas 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.839 and claiming 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:15.599 to be devoted 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.220 to God. 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.400 They're having 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.440 a form of religion 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.000 but they're 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.299 not people 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.140 who love God. 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.180 And even though 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.380 they're gently instructed 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.980 and the truth 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.819 is shared with them 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.279 and they love 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.140 to talk about it 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.680 and seem like 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.200 they're learning, 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.200 they will often 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:29.740 oppose, 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:30.799 they will often 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.500 resist it. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.680 They will continue 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.660 teaching falsehood. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.380 They will continue 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.500 living wickedly. 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.360 This is what's 00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:37.799 going to make 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.559 the days ahead 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.440 difficult 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.960 and troublesome. 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.720 One of the things 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.180 I noticed 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.819 in this list 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.019 is just how often 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.180 the word love 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:47.819 appears. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.299 People will be 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.420 lovers of themselves, 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.380 lovers of money. 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.360 They'll be without love, 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:57.900 not lovers of the good. 00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.480 They'll be lovers 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.180 lovers of pleasure 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:02.000 rather than 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.799 lovers of God. 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.420 There's at least 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.299 two problems here 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.279 with these 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.460 religious pretenders. 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:10.140 Love is misdirected 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:11.440 into all these 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.360 various things 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:15.360 and also the problem 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:16.160 that love is just 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.620 lacking. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:20.099 Love is misdirected 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.920 and love is 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.620 lacking. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.779 That's one of the 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.579 markers of these 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.539 religious pretenders. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.220 They're caught up 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.539 in loving the wrong 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.120 things. 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.339 Loving themselves. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.660 This word 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.720 essentially means 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.299 selfish. 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.799 They just care 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.579 mainly about 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.339 themselves and 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.460 prioritize themselves 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.400 above all others. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.420 And they're lovers 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.019 of money. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.860 He says, 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.360 they cherish money 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:48.579 and the things 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:48.980 it buys. 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.940 This is just a 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.860 reference to greed. 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:52.720 In fact, 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.400 this is probably 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.240 one of the easiest 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.460 marks of a false 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:57.380 teacher to identify 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.940 is a love of money. 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.740 The prosperity 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.620 preachers of our 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.559 day do their best 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.299 to hide their 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:03.840 love of money 00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:04.440 but it's just 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.480 obvious to those 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.680 of us who are 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.360 true followers 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.960 of Jesus. 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:09.980 Why is it that 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:11.579 the TV prosperity 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.900 preacher always 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:14.240 ends their episode 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.019 or broadcast 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.000 with a plea 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.259 to support the 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.400 ministry financially 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.539 and a promise 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.259 that God will 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.000 bless you if you 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.200 do and on and 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.680 on and we'll 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.340 throw in a free 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.759 gift. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.680 And if you 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.000 don't give, 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.619 if you don't 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:26.920 tithe, 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.619 God won't 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.379 prosper you. 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.619 Don't expect 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.140 him to heal 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.599 you if you 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.259 don't first 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.180 sow your 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.019 seed of faith 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.599 by writing 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.319 that check. 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.900 They will be 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.379 lovers of 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:38.660 money. 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.000 And love 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.440 is often 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.200 misdirected 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:44.039 towards pleasure. 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.539 These religious 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.400 imposters 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:48.220 will be 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.799 lovers of 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.299 pleasure 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.519 rather than 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.059 lovers of 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.379 God. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.839 Notice the 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.759 contrast here. 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.859 Lovers of 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.319 pleasure 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.779 rather than 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.459 lovers of 00:26:57.459 --> 00:26:57.819 God. 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.659 So it's 00:26:59.659 --> 00:27:00.099 not that 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:00.439 they're, 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.439 you know, 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.319 it's not that 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.059 they're just 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.839 trying to enjoy 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.279 the many 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.879 God-given 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:07.299 pleasures of 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.639 life, 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.099 the good 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.459 ones. 00:27:09.199 --> 00:27:09.480 No, 00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.279 they love 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.759 pleasure 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.899 rather than 00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:12.720 loving God. 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.079 They are 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:14.619 hedonists. 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.259 They're living 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.859 for pleasure. 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.459 They're just 00:27:16.459 --> 00:27:17.119 living to 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.839 scratch the 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.980 itch of 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.500 the flesh 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:19.839 and its 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.319 desires, 00:27:20.459 --> 00:27:20.939 whatever it 00:27:20.939 --> 00:27:21.359 may be. 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:22.059 It doesn't 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.459 matter if 00:27:22.459 --> 00:27:22.919 the pleasure 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.639 is illicit 00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:24.799 or immoral. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:25.899 They'll go 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:26.279 for that 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:26.859 too because 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.519 they love 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.500 pleasure and 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:28.919 they do 00:27:28.919 --> 00:27:30.059 not love 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.479 God. 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.259 Many of 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.519 us were 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:32.939 shocked to 00:27:32.939 --> 00:27:33.199 hear in 00:27:33.199 --> 00:27:33.539 the past 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.099 few years 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.599 the full 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.619 evidence and 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.759 report of 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.659 Ravi Zacharias. 00:27:38.699 --> 00:27:39.419 Even though 00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:40.199 he was a 00:27:40.199 --> 00:27:41.000 very prominent 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.859 pastor and 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.579 ministry leader, 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.399 it came out, 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.139 came to 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:44.519 light that 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:44.879 he'd been 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.559 concealing a 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.719 long-term 00:27:46.719 --> 00:27:48.659 life of 00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:49.559 sexually immoral 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.119 behavior, 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:51.279 preying 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.899 upon all 00:27:51.899 --> 00:27:52.459 kinds of 00:27:52.459 --> 00:27:52.739 women, 00:27:53.439 --> 00:27:54.000 engaged in 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.379 countless 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:54.919 acts of 00:27:54.919 --> 00:27:55.279 sexual 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.879 immorality. 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:56.819 You can 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.179 read the 00:27:57.179 --> 00:27:57.679 full report 00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.279 on Christianity 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.879 today. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:27:59.819 These were 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.500 not occasional 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.179 falls into 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.779 temptation, 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.139 which he 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:03.739 repented of. 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.119 He was 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:05.019 constantly, 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.759 continually 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.339 through this 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:06.659 period, 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.259 manipulating 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.279 and coercing 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.739 women. 00:28:10.199 --> 00:28:10.399 He was 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.339 making threats 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.979 about what 00:28:11.979 --> 00:28:12.459 would happen 00:28:12.459 --> 00:28:12.779 to them 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.679 spiritually if 00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:14.099 they didn't 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.879 comply with 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:15.219 what he 00:28:15.219 --> 00:28:15.619 wanted. 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.239 It was 00:28:17.239 --> 00:28:17.839 heartbreaking 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.379 to read 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:18.759 this. 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:20.339 Notice in 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:20.920 verse 6, 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.420 they are 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:21.940 the kind 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:23.859 who are 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:25.099 opportunistically 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.599 taking advantage 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.160 of women. 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.400 It's one of 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:28.960 the marks of 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.500 these religious 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.200 pretenders. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.859 So we see 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.960 these variety 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.000 of misdirected 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.339 loves. 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.359 They will be 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:36.879 marked by 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:38.200 these misdirected 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.519 loves. 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.859 And we 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.579 notice also 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:40.960 that they'll 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.299 just be 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:41.779 straight up 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.480 people without 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:42.920 love. 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.740 See that in 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.240 verse 3. 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.299 They will be 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.440 without love. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:47.799 They'll be 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.880 lacking in 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.580 concern for 00:28:49.580 --> 00:28:50.059 others. 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:51.740 Cold, 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.259 hard, 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:53.840 indifferent. 00:28:54.820 --> 00:28:55.380 That's pretty 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.019 obvious in 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.519 the way that 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:56.779 he was 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.380 treating those 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:57.680 women. 00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:59.220 How could 00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.519 you do 00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.799 that? 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.799 Paul says 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.100 they will 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:03.779 not be 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.360 lovers of 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:04.759 the good. 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.440 That's kind 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.920 of a funny 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.640 phrase in 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.360 our language. 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:08.920 It's kind 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.460 of the word 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.180 good-loving, 00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:10.700 but then he 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.559 negates it by 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.120 putting the 00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:13.340 negative particle 00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:13.860 on the front. 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.240 So they're 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.779 like un-good-loving. 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.279 They're not 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:16.880 people who 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.380 love what 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:17.840 is good. 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.020 They're not 00:29:19.020 --> 00:29:19.500 generous. 00:29:19.820 --> 00:29:20.300 They're not 00:29:20.300 --> 00:29:22.020 caring about 00:29:22.020 --> 00:29:22.600 the common 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.000 good or 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.440 the public 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.340 good of 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:24.700 others. 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.420 Again, a 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.880 lack of 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.280 love. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.840 They'll be 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:31.500 unforgiving, 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.060 he says. 00:29:32.580 --> 00:29:33.040 A loving 00:29:33.040 --> 00:29:34.060 person forgives. 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.180 A loving 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.080 person releases 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:37.860 another person 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.260 from the 00:29:38.260 --> 00:29:38.680 debt that 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.780 they owe 00:29:39.780 --> 00:29:40.840 you or the 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:41.340 wrongs they've 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:41.840 done to you, 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:42.500 just as Jesus 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.160 has done for 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:43.460 us. 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:45.200 But a 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.940 person who 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.319 lacks love, 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.039 they hold a 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.940 grudge bitterly. 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.480 They refuse to 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.240 forgive a 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:52.200 wrong despite 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.360 the many 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:53.920 wrongs that 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.440 they've done 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.019 to others. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.120 And ultimately, 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:58.840 I think we see 00:29:58.840 --> 00:29:59.299 here at the 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.400 bottom, the 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:02.019 biggest problem, 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:02.539 the massive 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.380 problem here is 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:03.980 that a love 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.759 for God is 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.480 what is lacking. 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.220 Lovers of 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.039 pleasure rather 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:09.000 than lovers 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.539 of God. 00:30:09.620 --> 00:30:10.160 They don't 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.039 love God. 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:13.200 I mean, 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:13.879 that's shocking 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.579 to read right 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.579 beside having 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.139 a form of 00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:16.579 godliness. 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:18.859 Having a 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.240 form of 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.659 godliness, 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.339 but they 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.799 don't love 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.139 God. 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.819 So there's a 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.680 variety of 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.720 bad fruit that 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.319 we see that 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.180 will be normal 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.920 in the lives 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.819 of these people 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.700 who have a 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.159 form of 00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:32.659 godliness, 00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.759 but deny 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.359 its power. 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.680 We see the 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.339 misdirected 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:36.659 loves, 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:37.659 we see the 00:30:37.659 --> 00:30:38.139 lack of 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.579 loves, 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.619 we see in 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:40.159 some cases 00:30:40.159 --> 00:30:40.539 that they'll 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.879 just be 00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:41.319 straight up 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.659 brutal. 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.480 Brutal, 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.819 slanderous, 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:47.000 treacherous, 00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:48.720 disloyal. 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.180 And we 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.639 only need to 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.159 look back in 00:30:53.159 --> 00:30:53.619 history to 00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:54.139 see how this 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.619 has happened 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.399 in the name 00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:56.019 of God, 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.639 in the name 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:58.279 of Jesus. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.379 Things like 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.159 the Crusades. 00:31:03.159 --> 00:31:03.599 Timothy, 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.259 these kinds 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.759 of people, 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:07.259 you need to 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.839 avoid them. 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.940 Have nothing 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.500 to do with 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:10.640 them. 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.180 Turn away 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.539 from them. 00:31:11.600 --> 00:31:11.820 If they 00:31:11.820 --> 00:31:12.500 don't respond 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:12.900 to that 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:13.380 gentle 00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.080 instruction 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:15.680 with repentance, 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.580 if they 00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:17.279 persist in 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.980 living wicked 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.940 lives like 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.160 this, 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:19.799 avoid them. 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.140 They're going 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:20.539 to cause 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.360 hurt and 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:21.840 harm to 00:31:21.840 --> 00:31:22.240 others. 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.460 They oppose 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:23.960 the truth. 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.240 They are 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.559 men of 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.019 depraved 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.480 minds. 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.140 And as 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.640 far as 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:27.380 the faith 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:27.940 is concerned, 00:31:28.120 --> 00:31:28.519 Paul says, 00:31:28.580 --> 00:31:28.759 they're 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.400 rejected by 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:29.720 God. 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:30.740 Turn away 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.140 from them. 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:34.259 I think 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.740 verse 9 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.360 is especially 00:31:35.360 --> 00:31:36.100 helpful for 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:37.300 us knowing 00:31:37.300 --> 00:31:38.220 why Paul is 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:38.700 sharing all 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.060 this with 00:31:39.060 --> 00:31:39.380 Timothy. 00:31:39.520 --> 00:31:40.000 In verse 9 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.340 he says, 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:40.680 but they 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.140 will not 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.620 get very 00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:42.020 far, 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.520 because as 00:31:43.520 --> 00:31:43.780 in the 00:31:43.780 --> 00:31:44.160 case of 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.640 those men, 00:31:45.040 --> 00:31:45.740 their folly 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.340 will be 00:31:46.340 --> 00:31:47.540 clear to 00:31:47.540 --> 00:31:48.000 everyone. 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.860 So in 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.259 the long 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.500 run, 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:51.300 in the 00:31:51.300 --> 00:31:51.940 grand scheme 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.500 of things, 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.660 don't worry 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.220 about these 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.700 kinds of 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.020 people, 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.860 these religious 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.580 pretenders. 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.600 They may 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.200 have some 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.980 momentum at 00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.519 the moment. 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.779 They may 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.299 gain some 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:01.680 following, 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.220 their teaching 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.819 may spread, 00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:03.799 but they 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.259 will not 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.900 get very 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.319 far, 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:06.920 because their 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:08.120 folly will 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:09.180 be clear to 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:09.660 everyone. 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:11.940 This is the 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.559 good news when 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.059 it comes to 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:13.779 false teachers 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:15.019 and religious 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.720 pretenders. 00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.360 Eventually the 00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:17.860 truth comes 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:19.620 out, and 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:20.360 all who belong 00:32:20.360 --> 00:32:20.860 to the Lord 00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.579 truly and 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:21.980 believe in 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.339 his name 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:22.759 will see 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.420 clearly that 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:23.799 religious 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.559 pretenders 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:26.099 and false 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:26.860 teachers are 00:32:26.860 --> 00:32:27.579 not true 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.160 brothers and 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.720 sisters in 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.079 the Lord. 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:31.180 The fruit 00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:31.680 that's being 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.420 produced as 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.000 the norm 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.440 in their 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.640 lives betrays 00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:35.279 their profession. 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.579 And that's 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:37.920 why I think 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:38.440 Paul writes 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.480 all this to 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.200 Timothy. 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.720 It's so that 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:43.180 he and 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:44.299 us might 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.740 know what 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.140 are the 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:46.640 marks of 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:47.039 religious 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.860 pretenders and 00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:48.579 false teachers. 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.660 Just as 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.059 Paul said 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.480 earlier in 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:51.759 the letter 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.500 after naming 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.940 Hymenaeus and 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.720 Philetus back 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.440 in chapter 2 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.180 verse 19, 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.380 everyone who 00:32:57.380 --> 00:32:58.140 confesses the 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.600 name of the 00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:59.719 Lord must 00:32:59.719 --> 00:33:00.759 turn away 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:02.039 from wickedness. 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.559 Paul's saying, 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.579 Timothy, there's 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:04.879 going to be 00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:06.059 more like 00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.859 Hymenaeus and 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.639 Philetus in 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:08.339 the days ahead. 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:09.059 What you're 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.240 seeing now is 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.740 going to happen 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.219 a lot. 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.359 People will be 00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:12.959 having that 00:33:12.959 --> 00:33:13.859 outward appearance 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:14.519 of godliness, 00:33:14.899 --> 00:33:15.799 but you'll know 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.179 that they're 00:33:16.179 --> 00:33:17.699 imposters and 00:33:17.699 --> 00:33:18.659 pretenders and 00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.559 crafty deceivers 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.439 because they 00:33:20.439 --> 00:33:21.000 will be those 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.899 who confess the 00:33:21.899 --> 00:33:22.359 name of the 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:24.539 Lord, yet do 00:33:24.539 --> 00:33:25.319 not turn away 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:26.659 from wickedness. 00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:28.640 people who 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.120 live in all 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:29.600 manner of 00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:29.860 sin. 00:33:31.320 --> 00:33:33.160 Ultimately, you'll 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:33.840 know that 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.519 they're imposters. 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.279 You'll know that 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.940 they're pretenders 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.560 because you'll see 00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:37.480 the foolish and 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.600 sinful attitudes and 00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:39.640 behaviors that mark 00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:40.200 their ways. 00:33:41.320 --> 00:33:42.420 It'll be obvious. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.920 The truth will 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.400 come out. 00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:46.200 Then when you go 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.840 and bring that 00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:47.980 gentle correction or 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.860 instruction to bear 00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:49.800 on them, they will 00:33:49.800 --> 00:33:50.440 resist it. 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.900 They will oppose 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:52.140 it. 00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:53.120 They won't 00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:53.620 respond. 00:33:53.780 --> 00:33:54.100 They won't 00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:54.620 change. 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:55.980 And so you, for 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:57.140 your part, at that 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:57.940 point, must turn 00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:59.180 away from them and 00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.960 have nothing to do 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.340 with them. 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:02.680 And so I believe 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.480 this passage is 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.900 here not so much 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.860 to help us discern 00:34:05.860 --> 00:34:07.440 the times in which 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:09.019 we live, but to 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.740 help us discern 00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:11.800 the people, the 00:34:11.800 --> 00:34:12.660 teachers, the 00:34:12.660 --> 00:34:13.900 influencers in 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.400 our day. 00:34:15.780 --> 00:34:16.400 Are they 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:18.240 genuine or are 00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:18.980 they imposters? 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:22.619 Finally, these 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.880 words are a good 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.840 reminder of how 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:26.559 we are to be 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:28.980 different as true 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:30.000 followers of Jesus, 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.300 of how we're to be 00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:33.139 set apart and 00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:33.440 holy. 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.059 I mean, look at 00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:35.480 this list, these 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:35.960 descriptions. 00:34:36.340 --> 00:34:36.960 It's an awful 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.900 description, but now 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.880 flip them the other 00:34:38.880 --> 00:34:39.400 way around. 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.320 This is what the 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:41.420 true follower of 00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:43.159 Jesus looks like. 00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:44.760 Not a lover of 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.440 themselves, but 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.380 lover of others. 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.500 Not a lover of 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:48.940 money. 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:50.500 Greedy, but 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:50.980 content. 00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:53.420 Not boastful and 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.639 proud, but humble. 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:58.059 Not ungrateful, but 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.460 grateful. 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:00.480 Obeying their 00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:01.000 parents. 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:03.400 Holy, loving, 00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:04.880 forgiving, speaking 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.719 the truth about 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.139 others. 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.980 Self-controlled, 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.400 gentle, loving 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.139 what is good. 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:14.139 Loyal, and 00:35:14.139 --> 00:35:15.079 ultimately at the 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:16.159 bottom there, loving 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:18.139 God more than 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.900 anything else. 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:21.280 may the Lord work 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.119 powerfully within 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:23.300 us to make this 00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:25.059 so in our lives. 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.579 Let's pray. 00:35:32.260 --> 00:35:33.219 Father, we thank 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:33.780 you for this 00:35:33.780 --> 00:35:34.719 sobering warning, 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.539 and we know that 00:35:36.539 --> 00:35:37.199 you're coming. 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:39.480 We know, Jesus, that 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.500 your return is soon. 00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:42.179 You said so in your 00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:42.480 word. 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:44.219 Lord, we do look 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:44.920 out at our world 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:46.440 with alarm, and 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.199 it is hard to 00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:47.900 live in a world 00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:49.400 that is full of 00:35:49.400 --> 00:35:50.079 these things, and 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:50.599 we know that 00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:51.559 before we came to 00:35:51.559 --> 00:35:52.800 know you and 00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:53.380 believe in your 00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:53.920 name and were 00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:54.659 saved, we 00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:55.420 participated. 00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:58.119 And so we 00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:58.960 thank you for the 00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.860 encouragement and 00:35:59.860 --> 00:36:00.659 assurance you give 00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:00.920 us. 00:36:01.619 --> 00:36:02.679 We thank you that 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:03.420 at the end of 00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:06.179 everything, those 00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:06.699 that you have 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:07.820 called and chosen 00:36:07.820 --> 00:36:08.719 will not be 00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:09.579 ultimately led 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.099 astray and 00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:11.279 deceived and 00:36:11.279 --> 00:36:11.919 missed the way. 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.579 So long as we 00:36:13.579 --> 00:36:14.259 keep our eyes on 00:36:14.259 --> 00:36:15.159 you, Jesus, and 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:15.799 we ask that you'd 00:36:15.799 --> 00:36:16.480 help us to do 00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:18.199 that, to stay 00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:19.279 fixed on you, to 00:36:19.279 --> 00:36:20.179 love you more 00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:21.239 than anything else, 00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:22.419 more than life 00:36:22.419 --> 00:36:22.839 itself. 00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:24.379 Do that in us, 00:36:24.439 --> 00:36:27.419 we pray, and show 00:36:27.419 --> 00:36:29.459 through us your 00:36:29.459 --> 00:36:30.519 goodness and your 00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:31.299 grace to the world. 00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:33.239 In Jesus' name, 00:36:33.759 --> 00:36:34.019 amen.