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Gods Word for Godless Times

Gods Word for Godless Times

Aug 28, 2016

Passage: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Preacher: Tom Ascol

Category: Sunday Morning

Keywords: authority, scripture, sufficiency, truth

Detail:

Pastor Tom Ascol opens God’s Word at 2 Timothy 3:1-17 in a message entitled “God’s Word for Godless Times.” Rapid social changes are occurring in our nation many of which affect the freedom to practice religion. One need not look far to see instances of religious discrimination, particularly against Christianity. In addition, the evolving laws of the land affect and sometimes attempt to prohibit the practice of Christian beliefs in the everyday lives of Christians. Every day, through the educational system, entertainment media, and government policies, Christian are being discipled, knowingly or not, toward societal conformity. How are Christians to react?

Christians must recommit themselves to the authority and sufficiency of the Bible. Our text assures us difficult times will come for God’s people. Evils in society such as self-centeredness (vv. 2-4) and problems within the church (vv. 5 and 7) all indicate increasing godlessness. In such times believers must continue to hold fast to God’s Word. Paul instructs and encourages Timothy, and us, to continue in the Word (v. 14-15). Read it, pay attention to it, meditate on it, be changed by it. Paul proclaims the Word as “God-breathed,” that is, inspired by God Himself. That inspiration means the Bible is true, the words are authoritative and announce God’s standards. In fact, Paul indicates Scripture is all we need to guide and equip us to live well in godless times since the Bible can make us wise unto salvation, can teach us, can reprove us pointing out what is wrong so it may be rejected, can correct us, to make us act properly, and can train us in righteousness. The importance of believing and acting upon the Bible cannot be exaggerated. J. I. Packer rightly wrote if the Scriptures are not lord of your conscience then Jesus is not Lord of your life.

For the believer, Paul’s words provide comfort and encouragement. Even in godless times, times such as Timothy was apparently to encounter and such as is increasingly evident in our society, Scripture is enough to teach us what we are to believe. Scripture is enough to teach us how to worship. Scripture is enough to show us right from wrong. Scripture is enough to guide single adults in living productive, abundant, God-honoring lives. Scripture is enough to guide husbands and wives in marriage and parents in raising children. Scripture is enough to help us order our financial lives. Truly, Scripture is enough to show us how to live in an increasingly godless culture. In short, a commitment to God’s Word provides a believer with all he or she needs.

Unbelievers, on the other hand, ought to ask themselves what it is God says of their need in His Word. Becoming wise to salvation is a result of the Holy Spirit’s acting upon our heart and mind as we look to God’s Word. Read the Bible, mull over its words, pray that God by His Spirit would convince you of the necessity of Jesus Christ in your life, and then respond, repenting and submitting to Him as Savior and Lord of your life.