Category Archives: Sermon Notes & Announcements

Nov 6, 2022. II Timothy 3:1-9

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VILE ENDING. II Timothy 3:1-9. 11/6/2022. #9.

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

1. The downward slide

                a. Even though evil has always been prevalent in this fallen world, there are times it is more pervasive

                                a1. Genesis 6 in the days of Noah

                                a2. 1 Kings 19 during the days of Elijah

                b. Though evil has been pervasive in America, up until the last couple of generations, society generally agreed that Judeo-Christian principles were right

                c. Romans 1:18-32 rebellion against God not only entails turning away from God, but defying him

                                a1. Evil is intentional and not accidental

                                a2. Total depravity lurks in the heart of men

                d. As we approach the time of the Lord’s return, men will become increasingly worse

                                a1. They will not repent, heading for judgment

                                a2. Paul lists 18 characteristics of men in the end times

                e. The end times will be perilous (hard, grievous, stressful, difficult)

                                a1. Hard not only for believers, but everyone

                                a2. Murders, attacks, thefts, and vileness abound

2. Corruption of man

                a. Four major categories of sin: lovers of evil, prideful, rebellious, and cruelty

                b. Lovers of self, money, and pleasure

                                a1. Solomon pursued this same course

                                a2. Those who love and exalt self, do not care about others and despise those in their way

                                a3. A great increase of self-centered discourteous unfeeling people around us

                c. Lovers of evil: promoters of promiscuity, perversion, fraud, deception, and hatred of all that is pure

                                a1. Laws are being passed to make it illegal to oppose the perverse agenda of ruling hedonistic elitists

                                a2. Debauchery is codified as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)

                d. Arrogance is rampant

                                a1. There is no fear of God

                                a2. Men promote their own will and desires

                                a3. Men dare anyone to challenge them

                e. The measure of cruelty, brutality, and callousness is rapidly increasing

                                a1. Murders in cities, lack of prosecutions, gangs, drug lords, vilification of police, kidnappings, and brutal crimes on the rise

                                a2. Vilification of standards of decency, Christian values, and honesty abound

3. Paul gives a few examples

                a. These wicked people pretend to be decent people

                                a1. Many are religious (a form of godliness)

                                a2. Their religion is false (no power)

                b. There are politicians who are “for the children”, but promote abortion, encourage drug dealers to cross our borders, groom children to be perverted, teach children to hate their parents, and encourage destructive ideas and behavior (critical race theory, the Lincoln Project, Marxism, voyeurism, and even pedophilia])

                c. Gullible women sucked into lustful evils

                d. They increase learning, but know no truth (Daniel 12)

                e. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses and the truth, wicked people will seek to destroy witnesses of faith

                f. Their folly will come to an abrupt end (Psalm 54:7)

Key Verse:  Romans 1:18-3218 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Oct 30, 2022. II Timothy 2:23-26

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CORRECTION and NOT QUARRELSOME. II Timothy 2:23-26. #8, Oct 30, 2022.

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

1. Avoiding futile arguments

                a. Paul warns Timothy to avoid (turn away from) vain and ill-informed disputes

                                a1. Not to be sucked into useless discussions

                                a2. There is a difference in dialoguing with a seeker versus a scorner

                b. Can only witness to those open to hearing truth

                                a1. The disputer and mocker is not ready to listen to gospel (I Corinthians 14:38)

                                a2. Argumentation doesn’t lead people to Lord

                c. Paul labels disputers as foolish and ignorant

                                a1. Foolish = the English word “morons” (those who promote folly over wisdom)

                                a2. Ignorant = literally, peculiar to oneself (English words idiot, idiosyncrasies, idiocy)

                d. Often it is hard to avoid the disputer, but you can avoid disputing with the foolish (Proverbs 26:1-12)

                e. Several types of foolish and ignorant people:

                                a1. PRIDEFUL – believes he knows all things and possesses all wisdom

                                a2. SPECULATOR – one who expresses opinions without facts and makes assertions

                                      without evidence

                                a3. TOPPER – tries to demonstrate that he has superior knowledge, experience, and wisdom

                                a4. DOMINATOR – shouts down opposition and talks over others, not allowing discussion

                                a5. SCORNER – seeks to mock, tear down, and disparage any witness presented them

                f. Disengage from scorners, the prideful, and disputer

2. The gentle witness

                a. Believers are not to be quarrelsome or combative

                                a1. Our witness needs to be gentle, kind, patient, instructive, and humble

                                a2. We discuss and not argue; teach and not berate; testify and not badger

                b. Persuasiveness is not confrontational

                                a1. We lead people to Christ, not drive them to Christ (testifying, not arguing)

                                a2. The Spirit, not our arguments bring people to the Lord

                c. A combative witness is counterproductive

                                a1. People are not brow-beaten into the kingdom or shamed into it

                                a2. An aggressive witness turns more people away than draws them (boldness is not the same as aggression)

3. God grants repentance

                a. Timothy was not likely to be aggressive

                                a1. He was likely to be reluctant

                                a2. Timothy had to teach those who were more direct than him how to witness winsomely

                b. Paul describes unbelievers as the opposition

                                a1. Until we come to Christ, we oppose God

                                a2. Some who learn the truth are led by God to repent and come to the truth

                c. Some will “come to their senses” (recognize truth that is both rational and reasonable)

                                a1. The gospel is reasonable and demonstrable

                                a2. God opens the eyes of men to truth

                d. Satan attempts to keep people ignorant of truth

                                a1. To enslave them by many untenable lies (evolution, Marxism, hedonism, superstition)

                                a2. The Holy Spirit and not our persuasiveness frees men from Satan and error (John 8:31-36)

                e. Our job is to present the truth that corrects errors taught be godless men

                                a1. The Spirit convicts and draws to Christ

                                a2. The divine partnership wins souls

Key Verse: Proverbs 26:1-12

1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest,

So honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,

So a curse without cause shall not alight.

3 A whip for the horse,

A bridle for the donkey,

And a rod for the fool’s back.

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest you also be like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool

Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp

Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling

Is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard

Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 The great God who formed everything

Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

11 As a dog returns to his own vomit,

So a fool repeats his folly.

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Oct 30, 2022. I Kings 11:41-43

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1 Kings 11:41-43

41 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? 42 And the period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. 43 Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

Oct 23, 2022. II Timothy 2:20-22

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HONORED VESSELS. II Timothy 2:20-22. 10/23/2022. #7.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

1. Vessels in God’s house

                a. II Corinthians 4:7 Paul describes as treasure in earthen vessels (I Corinthians 6:19-20 temples of God)

                b. Paul compares us to vessels again

                                a1. Each house has common vessels (trash cans, soup bowls, mugs…) and honored vessels (fancy vases, heirlooms, art…)

                                a2. In God’s house, there are common vessels (those who did not bear much fruit) and honored vessels (spiritual servants)

                c. Moses, Daniel, Paul, and John are honored vessels

                d. Many of the Cor. believers were common vessels

                e. We choose whether to be an honored vessel or not by our obedience or disobedience to God (I Corinthians 3)

2. The honored vessels

                a. Three qualifications to be an honored vessel:

                                a1. Self-cleaning – repents of sin and follows a moral, obedient, godly life

                                a2. Sanctified life – a life set apart from sin to God and holiness (dedicated to serving God)

                                a3. Useful to God – God can use the sanctified life to accomplish his purposes

                b. God accomplishes his will through us

                                a1. He involves his followers in his work

                                a2. We are rewarded for being his tools

                c. All believers will be with the Lord eternally

                                a1. Some will be more rewarded than others

                                a2. Regrets for not serving the Lord fully

                                a3. Romans 8:18 trials for serving God are worth it

                d. We are prepared by God to do good works (a choice)

3. The third warning

                a. Paul warned Timothy to stay away from three pitfalls:

                                a1. Avoid timidity or cowardice – he had not been given a spirit of fear (reticence), but of love (charity), power (dynamism), and a sound mind (solid reasoning)

                                a2. Avoid error – to guard the truth in yourself and protect the flock against error

                                a3. Avoid immorality – flee youthful lusts

                b. Paul doesn’t say to teach others to flee youthful lusts (a part of it), but tells this to Timothy directly

                                a1. Did Paul know that Tim. struggled with this?

                                a2. Or…is this a universal problem of all men?

                c. There is a particular temptation for church leaders

                                a1. Dealing with women in the church could produce compromising situations

                                a2. We are not told it Tim. was married or not

                                a3. Temptation doesn’t stop for the married man

                                a4. A young single minister (I Timothy 4:12) is particularly vulnerable (older men are not immune to having temptation issues)

                d. Paul has only one solution to enticement: FLEE!

                                a1. Hormonal temptation can’t be reasoned with

                                a2. Genesis 39 Joseph fled from Mrs. Potiphar

                e. Paul gives five traits to guard against temptation

                                a1. Pursue righteousness – must be an intentional focus to seek out Word and godly living

                                a2. Pursue faith – an increasing in knowing and serving God (Romans 10:17; II Peter 3:18)

                                a3. Pursue love – doing what is right by others

                                a4. Pursue peace – lust causes disharmony with others, disrupting the body of Christ

                                a5. Seek a pure heart – must guard our motivations, treating others with respect (1 Tm. 5:2)

                f. Guarding against immorality is full time (II Samuel 11)

                                a1. Staying away from compromising situations

                                a2. Philippians 4:8 guarding one’s thoughts

                                a3. I Corinthians 7 guarding one’s heart

                g. Timothy and all of us must focus on loving and serving Lord

Oct 16, 2022. II Timothy 2:14-19

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BATTLING FALSE TEACHING. 2 Timothy 2:14-19. 10/16/2022. #6.

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

1. Worth remembering

                a. This is a summary statement: all that I have just taught, believe, pass on to others, and remind them

                                a1. Not to fear standing for Christ

                                a2. Not to be ashamed of Christ before ridicule

                                a3. Hold onto sound truth

                                a4. Live a stellar life for Christ

                                a5. Trust the Lord for guidance and strength

                                a6. Teach others how to know and stand for him

                b. Diligence in study, faith, and godliness is key to be approved of the Lord

                                a1. Very few believers are diligent students of the Word and can defend their beliefs

                                a2. I Peter 3:13-17 be able to instruct others in the faith

                c. Bible study is not just for preachers and professors

                d. Rightly dividing the Word of truth

                                a1. Knowing what the Bible actually says

                                a2. Understand how the Bible is to be applied

                e. Many ways to err in studying the Bible

                                a1. Superficial context – gaining meaning from a passage without considering its context

                                a2. Proof texting – lifting verses out of context

                                a3. Misapplication – not applying vs. properly

                                a4. Misappropriation – applying passages out of their setting (things that apply to OT Jews versus the church or to apostles and not us)

2. Bible babble

                a. Paul warns not to argue over trivia and speculation

                                a1. Errors occur when we impose our ideas on the Word (how we think truth should be)

                                a2. 3 areas of foolish arguments: (1) philosophical speculation (2) methodology differences  (3) conformity to form and control

                b. Divisions lead to sins of strife and ridicule

                                a1. Fighting in an assembly is a poor testimony

                                a2. Some differences do not matter

3. Damaging discourse

                a. Speculation leads to heresy

                                a1. Asserting unproven or unknown things pulls the church into error

                                a2. Hymenause and Philetus claimed that the rapture had already passed = many followed their error

                b. The weak are subject to being led into error, particularly by forceful men

                                a1. False teaching divides the church and dilutes gospel (truth mixed with error)

                                a2. There is judgment on false teachers and those who lead others to stray

                c. Paul gives three solutions to guard our hearts

                                a1. The Word of God still contains the truth, so study the truth and make it your own

                                a2. Those who are truly in the faith, God keeps and knows (can stand for truth in midst of error and confusion)

                                a3. Depart from sin and error—most false teachers seek a following for themselves as a matter of pride and self-importance, often teaching error to support their own sin

                d. Knowing, believing, following, and teaching truth are key to protecting self and others

                                a1. All spiritual truth can be biblically supported

                                a2. If someone uses confused logic = not true

Key verse:   1 Peter 3:13-17

13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Oct 9, 2022. II Timothy 2:8-13

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FOR THE SAKE OF THE ELECT. II Timothy 2:8-13. 10/09/2022. #5.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

12 If we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him,

He also will deny us.

13 If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.

1. Proclamation and persecution

                a. Paul centers everything on the truth of the gospel

                                a1. Jesus is the promised Messiah

                                a2. He fulfilled all the prophecies

                                a3. Jesus is of the seed of David

                                a4. Jesus’s resurrection = final proof of deity

                b. Since Jesus proved that he was the Son of God

                    who takes way sin, Paul will pay any price to

                    share this news so some may come to faith

                                a1. Evil men reject Christ and Paul’s message

                                a2. Evil men persecute message bearers

                c. One of the unique concepts of the founding of the American republic is freedom of religion

                                a1. Everyone should be allowed to freely worship or not according to choice

                                a2. Men will not tolerate freedom to believe and share the gospel (hatred of God)

                d. Paul suffered trouble (endured hardship) because he shared the gospel with others

2. Worth the cost

                a. The Word of God is not chained, even though Paul was put in chains

                                a1. The gospel spread despite persecution

                                a2. God uses the testimony of the persecuted

                b. Paul states that he suffered for the elects’ sake

                                a1. To bring people to Christ = worth the price

                                a2. Paul expected persecution, considering it a small cost to pay for eternal dividends

                c. The cost does not seem trivial at the time of trials

                                a1. Pain is short-lived compared to eternity

                                a2. Eternal view is important (Romans 8:9-18)

                d. Paul endured (“remained under”) all things so that some would come to Christ

                                a1. A predetermined conviction to pay whatever price was necessary to preach Christ

                                a2. Paul focused on the task and not the cost

                                a3. The joy of spiritual gain swallowed up the suffering of fleshly pain

                e. Paul’s concern for the lost outweighed the concern for his own safety (Christ and other focused)

                f. To be saved is to die with Christ (Romans 6:1-12) and to also live with Christ

                                a1. To endure hardship is to be able to reign with him in his kingdom

                                a2. Matthew 24-25 rewards attend faithful service

3. Denial peril

                a. To deny (renounce, reject, or repudiate) Christ is to make manifest we don’t know him (Matthew 10:32-33)

                                a1. Could be a backslidden state as when Peter denied that he knew Christ (later repented)

                                a2. Could be as a false Christ (I John 2:19) as with Demus, false teachers, or cultists)

                b. Christ will deny (reject, not acknowledge) any who deny him (no secret believers allowed)

                                a1. Even when persecuted saints hide, they do not deny Christ when found out

                                a2. To be embarrassed by Christ and fearful of men is to deny him so that he denies us

                c. Timothy is warned not to deny his Lord

                d. Christ remains faithful, even if we are faithless

                                a1. He forgives the repentant (David, Mark)

                                a2. The pretender is lost with no hope

                e. The test of our faith in witness before scorners

                f. Being hesitant or shy doesn’t mean that you are not saved, but outright denial of Christ does

Key verse: Romans 8:9-189 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.