February 15th, 2021

Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 13-17 (NASB)
1  But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4  treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5  holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6  For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7  always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 13  But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14  You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15  and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. ​

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Note from RJ: Roy Brewer is going to be with us in a Spiritual Emphasis Week, starting Sunday, February 21st.  That means that the Gospel of Mark Project will be on pause for the week leading up to our time with Roy.  However, I will be writing on the Discipleship Blog with subject matter that is somewhat related to the subject matter that Roy will be teaching. 

As I read through the different "signs" that the Apostle Paul states will be present in the last days, I cannot help but notice that the signs are with us.  Paul tells us that the last days will be "difficult."  This is the general state of the world in the last days.  Specifically, Paul gives us a list of signs that will be occurring.  Look at the signs listed in verses 2-13.  It sounds like the United States in 2021.  The signs are with us.  Times are somewhat bleak and the future may become even darker.  So, what do we do?  What do we turn to?

You already know the answer: We look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  We stop putting our faith in political solutions and we go back to the basic of putting our trust in God.  We need to stop trying to redeem lost people who are living like lost people through political effort; rather, we need to head the advice found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 
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Questions to Consider:

• Is it possible that we are living in the last days before the return of Christ?
• Do you see any of the signs that the Apostle Paul attached to the "last days" happening in our time?
• Would you make any lifestyle changes if you knew that the return of Christ was eminent?