Title: But Continue Text: 2 Timothy 3:13-15 Announcements: Opening: This morning we come to our theme for this year, But continue In these ever changing and increasingly dangerous times, if we are to survive we must hold tight to God s Word! The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8 And we must continue to stand upon God s Word! 1. Vs. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. a. Verses 1-5 dealt with the pervasiveness of wickedness it would infect our entire society. Verse 13 deals with the intensity of that wickedness it will get worse. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5 b. As Paul writes here in this chapter it is good to remember that Bible prophecy often has a two-fold fulfillment; an initial, partial fulfillment and later, complete fulfillment. c. Things were bad and going to get worse in Paul and Timothy s day. Beginning with Nero and ending with the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, Christianity would be subjected to 10 distinct periods of persecution that lasted for almost 300 years. d. However, we are beginning to see the complete fulfillment of Paul s words right before our very eyes as society becomes ever more wicked. e. Our world is being prepared for the coming Antichrist.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 f. So, what must we, as Christians do? Illustration: 8 chairs, the movement of the World and Christians 2. Vs. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; a. This verse is seen by every camper as they leave The Wilds campsite. It is a reminder to the young people to continue in the things which they have been taught during their week of camp to keep the spiritual decisions that they have made. b. This, though, is also, what we as Christians must do in the face of the fact that evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse! c. We must continue Definition: The word, continue, means to stay; to reside; to keep going i. In the things which thou hast learned - Timothy had placed himself under the tutelage of the Apostle Paul and had learned God s Word. ii. In the things which thou hast been assured of Not only had Timothy learned God s Word, but he had formed a confidence in God s Word. Timothy had convictions! iii. Knowing of whom thou has learned them This hearkens back to verse 9 where Paul says, But thou hast fully known Timothy had learned God s Word; he had developed Biblical convictions; and he had seen God s Word lived out in the life of the Apostle Paul; in his mother s life, and his grandmother s life. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 2 Timothy 1:5
That leads us to vs. 15. However, before we move on, allow me to give you some practical application of the Apostle Paul s instruction to young Timothy. Learn God s Word o Daily spend time in God s Word. Turn to and read Psalm 1:1-3. o Limit your exposure to the World s philosophy. This would include every type of entertainment and amusement that is available to mankind. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 2 Peter 2:8 Application: Allow me to stop here and say that this is normally where Christians have problems. They limit their time with God and daily spend time with the World s philosophy! We ve gotten it backwards! o Be faithful to be in God s House the local church where God s Word is taught and preached. Develop convictions based upon God s Word o A Biblical Principle is a Bible truth that I must live by. o A Conviction is a personal belief based on a principle. o A Standard is a guideline to help me keep my convictions. o As we take in God s truth, we must ask the Holy Spirit to develop within us convictions that are based upon God s Word. Convictions that will guide our steps and will give us discernment to make right choices. I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? Job 31:1 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
Follow the examples of Godly individuals This is one reason why it is important to faithfully be in church. You want to place yourself around others who are also seeking to know God and God s Word. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 Quote: We should make our home in God s Word! 3. Vs. 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. a. There was one constant in Timothy s life God s Word! By the time Paul visited Timothy s boyhood home, Timothy s heart had already been well prepared and it was natural for him to respond to the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. b. Parents, make God s Word a constant in your children s life. Read God s Word with them and to them. Teach them, as they grow older, to read God s Word for themselves and develop a love for God s Word. c. Prepare your children s heart to respond to the message of salvation. d. Prepare you children to continue in this wicked world by cultivating within them a love of and for God s Word. e. Remember, Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) f. If you are ever to receive assurance of eternal life in Heaven it will be because of the truths that are found in this book. Truths that teach us that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Closing: On July 21, a news reporter from Atlanta fell 160 feet to her death at Rainbow Falls, located in Tennessee. U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Cathy Dowd says Terrell was wading in a creek at the top of Rainbow Falls when she lost her footing on rocks covered in algae. She says the swift current swept Terrell over Rainbow Falls. Like this young lady, who was only a day away from celebrating her 25 th birthday, how many Christians are wading in worldliness, are in danger of losing their footing and being swept to their death? How many families are in danger of being swept away by the error and wickedness of this world? We must continue! We must continue in God s Word!