Messages

In this teaching, we dive into Paul's sobering warning to Timothy about the rise of false teachers and the dangerous attitudes that will characterize people in the "last days." According to Paul, this era spans from Christ’s ascension to His eventual return—and we are living in it now.

Paul doesn’t hold back. He gives a list of 19 specific actions and attitudes that will become more and more prevalent. These traits weren’t just for some distant future—they were already threatening the church in Ephesus, and they still plague our world today.

One of the most chilling indictments Paul gives is that these people will have a “form of godliness but deny its power.” They may sound spiritual. Look spiritual. Study deeply. But they are not transformed. They are void of the Spirit of God, and their faith is ultimately rejected—not because they rejected faith, but because true Faith rejected them.

In a large house, there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some are for common use. Do you want to be useful to the Master? How are you growing as a disciple?

Paul once again specifically addresses the dangers of quarreling in the church. We all know of people who just like to argue over things that do not promote the work of God, and apparently, this was a significant issue in the church in Ephesus. Yet, while we may find it annoying, Paul declares it to be deadly. He says it spreads like gangrene, leads to ungodliness, to a departure from the truth, and destroys faith.

This passage of scripture opens with the word “remember," and verse 14 commands Timothy to “keep reminding people of these things.” What is it that we are to remember and remind people of? The Gospel: The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and all that we gain from it. It is so glorious that it is worth anything that it costs us… even suffering and death.

Being a Pastor like Timothy comes with wearing many hats. There are lots of things that he is called to do, and much of what Timothy is tasked with has application for all disciples of Jesus.

As Paul launches into the final letter he would write to Timothy, he begins with a word of encouragement. He reminds Timothy of his calling, his giftedness, and lastly, he reminds Timothy of the Spirit that God has given him.

God’s plan from the beginning was that faith was to be passed down from generation to generation. Both Paul and Timothy come from faith-filled families. Paul was a Jewish man whose ancestors served God faithfully. Timothy's faith was passed down to him from his mother and grandmother. His life was changed by their faithfulness.

Paul has one more group of people that he wants to make sure that Timothy addresses specifically. That is the rich. Paul commands Timothy to command the rich to be generous and willing to share.

As Paul wraps up his letter to Timothy, Paul gives him a charge: to flee from the sin that entrap so many pastors, the pursuit of money. He encourages him to instead pursue righteousness, godliness and the like.

It isn’t enough for us to flee something; we also have to pursue something.

Paul implores him to fight the good fight of faith. Keeping faith is a fight. Apparently, Paul doesn’t believe it will just happen, but it is something that must be fought for. He also places the onus on Timothy to “take hold of the eternal life” that comes with the good confession of faith.

It is clear that Paul does not assume one can simply coast to the finish line of faith, but rather that one must persevere to the end.

We have all heard the verse: “for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." However, most don’t know the context of that verse. It is found in the middle of a conversation about those who try to leverage gospel ministry for financial gain. Paul declares that it is godliness with contentment that we should be striving for.