II Timothy Chapter 3

II Timothy 3:1-5 ~ The Characteristics of People in the Last Days Part 1

"So in II Timothy chapter 1, Paul addressed the fact that Timothy was starting to withdraw from the ministry because of the difficulty.  In chapter 2, Paul told Timothy to be empowered in the grace of Christ.  Serve as a soldier, function as an athlete, labor as a farmer knowing you will reap the fruits.  But now we are in chapter 3.  And Paul is warning Timothy, 'Do not think that there is going to be revival.'

"The Bible says in the last days there is going to be apostasy, heresy, not revival.  That is what it says.  This is not just difficult.  This is fierce times, harsh times.  As a matter of fact the only other time that this word is found in the Bible is in Matthew chapter 8 verse 28 where it describes the two demonics that came out of the cave, describing them as very ferocious.  In the last days there will be dangerous times, no revival.  There will be tremendous amounts of demonic activity that is going to affect the personality, the mind, and the emotions of people.  Know this, that in the last days dangerous times will be present."

II Timothy 3:6-9 ~ The Characteristics of People in the Last Days Part 2

We have totally taken away the whole purpose of Christ dying on the cross, the whole purpose of the function of life. Do you know why we should serve the Lord? Do you know why we should lay down our life for Him and submit our life to Him? It is because He is worthy. That is it.

I read a testimony of a man who was a missionary that went out and learned this very important lesson: that everything that we do is in response to the worthiness of Christ. He came to a point where he read the Scripture that says, "Even though He slay me yet I will serve Him." That is ridiculous. Wait a minute, there is no human benefit here.

Today we are appealing to the human benefit. You want to go to heaven? Receive Jesus. Now, that is true but receiving Jesus is not a ticket; receiving Jesus is the laying down of your life. Your life is over. Because sin, as it is described in the Bible, is people going their own way. But it is interesting that this missionary came to a point where he said in his heart to God, "Even if you were to send me to hell, I would have to serve You because You are worthy." Think about that. Our surrender to Christ is because He is worthy, not because of what benefit we are going to get out of it.