INTRODUCTION

1. The Proper Regard for the Scriptures

a) Exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ

i) “It is written” Matthew 4:4

ii) “To fulfil the law” Matthew 5:17

b) Expounded by the Apostles

i) They cite the Scriptures

ii) They explain the Scriptures

2. The Problems of the Church

a) False teachers

b) False teachings

c) False brethren

 

A STRONG WORD OF WARNING

1But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

6 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,

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;

9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. 2 Timothy 3:1-9

1. Perilous times

a) This was Timothy’s Future

b) This is our Present

2. Portrait of dangerous people

a) A sobering description

i) For men will be lovers of themselves

ii) Lovers of money

iii) Boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

iv) Unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

v) Traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

vi) Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

vii) Always learning but not able to grasp the truth

viii) They will make no further progress

ix) Their folly will be made manifest

 

A FAITHFUL FOLLOWER

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,

11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium,

at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 2 Timothy 3:10-11

1. Timothy was proven to be faithful and loyal to Paul

2. His life and ministry deepened because he was faithful

 

UNFAITHFUL AND DISLOYAL

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

1. The godly in the Lord Jesus will suffer persecution

2. The ungodly

a) Evil

b) Impostors

c) They will grow worse and worse

d) They will deceive others for they have been deceived

 

THE CHALLENGE TO CONTINUE

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

1. To continue in the things

a) Learned and assured of

b) Appreciating the teachers who have taught faithfully

2. The place of the Scriptures

a) It is able to make one wise

b) It is able to give faith that leads to salvation

 

THE CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCRIPTURES

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

1. All Scriptures

a) Given by inspiration of God

b) Profitable for:

i) Doctrine

ii) For reproof

iii) For correction

iv) For instruction in righteousness

2. The Results

a) The man of God becomes “complete” (fully mature spiritually)

b) Thoroughly equipped for every good work

 

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To have a sound understanding of Bibliology

2. To have a strong commitment to practise what we read in the Lord’s Word