The-Rock-Talk #17
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Our State in America
The rise of false teachers and the increase in moral decay that comes with them is a fact of the Christian era. The Christian leader should expect these things and deal decisively with them.
I Timothy 3:1-9:
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
The last days: The Christian era from Christ's death until His Second Coming. Perilous times: difficult and grievous for all Christians but especially for church leaders.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Self-centeredness heads the list of the evil attitudes. Abusive and irreverent without respect either for God or people in violation of God's command. God desires the exact opposites.
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
A lack of natural affection, as for parents toward children, unwilling to come to terms with other persons, contrasts with the fruit of the Spirit.
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Puffed-up: indulgent pursuit of self-satisfaction becomes their god.
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Such despicable persons may even put on the appearance of being religious but this is merely a sham. Their attitudes and behaviors indicate that they have not experienced the transforming power of God in their lives. DO NOT support them not let them influence the church.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
As by deceit, pretending honorable purposes, not only the women but entire families were destroyed, loaded down with the guilt of sins, the victims were easy prey. Their quest of the false teachers was for sensational ideas rather than for serious truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Jannes and Jambres appear in Jewish tradition as two of Pharaoh's magicians who resisted Moses. Ungodly thoughts and motives disapproved by God and the church progress no further. When their folly becomes as evident as the failure of Pharaoh's magicians, ultimately GOD'S JUDGMENT will be revealed and the TRUTH will prevail.
This message was brought to you by a messenger. IT'S THE TRUTH.
---by Keith R. Vaughan