Lord’s Day Message
Bible Verses: 2 Tim. 2:14-26 (NLT)
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra– but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. 14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Outlines
I. The corrupted humanity in the last days (1~9)
- Paul describes the difficult times on the last days in this section. He does not refer to natural disasters but focuses on the corrupted human nature which is against God.
- It is worth noting that in these descriptions he mentioned love of oneself, love of money, love of pleasure, as well as not loving what is good and not loving God. Actually the love in our heart decides the relationship between us and God and also decides the fate of our life.
- “Reject the power of godliness.” The true godliness is not to gain the praises from man but to change ourselves.
II. The keys to overcoming the difficult situation in the last days (10~17)
- The pattern and experience of apostle Paul (10-14)
- After instructing to follow his teaching, Paul mentions also to follow his living and the experiences of persecutions. What he wants to emphasis is our human being. His pattern is really our support.
- “To know (NLT)” is better to be translated as to follow. We not only need the pattern, but also to walk on the way which the Lord delights.
- The Scripture inspired by God (God-breathed) (15-17)
The purpose of the Bible is to give us wisdom to receive the salvation. This is also our support. God’s word is not just doctrines for us to talk about, but a two-edged sword for teaching, reproof, correction, and training for righteousness that we may be complete to do the good work.
Next Topics: 2 Tim. 4
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Home Meeting: 31/3 Mon. 7:30pm, Richard & Flora’s
Young Professionals Meeting: 1/4 Tue. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall
Sister meeting: 2/4 Wed. 10:00am, Anne’s
Prayer Meeting: 2/4 Wed. 7:30pm，Meeting Hall
Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：5/4 Sat. 7:30pm, Bill & Christine’s
Announcements:
- We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today and hope you can leave your information for us to contact you in the future.
- This afternoon after lunch we will have fellowship regarding the Collaroy conference. The new believers lesson will be delayed to next week.
- On April 18~21 (Friday night to Monday noon) the church plans to have a conference for both young people and adults at Collaroy. We hope many brothers and sisters can separate the time and participate together. We also encourage the young people to invite their friends to join. For details including the cost, please contact Brother Richard and Sister Lamee.
- The day time saving will end on next Lord’s Day. The time will be adjust backward for one hour.
<Reminder>
- If the brothers and sisters see something need to be fixed in the meeting hall, please report to brothers Michael Lin or Richard Chen. If anyone has questions or suggestions for the cleaning service, please fellowship with brothers Richard Cui or Patrick Li.
- When you prepare the love feast for Lord’s Day lunch, please do not prepare any food containing nuts that someone may have food allergy.
Intercession:
- Pray for the Collaroy conference that the Lord can have His way on us to enlighten, nourish and lead us to treasure the life growth He has prepared for us.
- Please pray for the gospel friends among us, especially our family members, so that our Lord can open their hearts to see God’s salvation and be willing to receive the Lord and become the member in God’s family.
- Pray for the health of each family (especial for the older ones). Pray especially for the mother of Brother Jason Wang and Sister Da-Nan Lu who just came back from China. May the Lord care her spirit, soul, and body.
Comments are closed