Living Faithfully in the Last Days
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the significance of living in the last days as described in 2 Timothy 3:1-4. We began by discussing the importance of water baptism as a public declaration of faith and the symbolic act of dying to our old selves and rising anew in Christ. We then transitioned into the topic of faithfulness in giving, emphasizing that our trust in God should extend to our finances. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us not to be anxious but to present our needs to God, who will provide peace that surpasses all understanding.
We delved into the characteristics of the last days, focusing on the self-centeredness and love of money that will dominate society. The Greek word "eschatos" signifies the very end of the age, and we are witnessing the fulfillment of these prophetic signs today. The Apostle Paul’s description of people being "lovers of themselves" and "lovers of money" serves as a spiritual road sign, indicating that we have arrived at the last of the last days.
We discussed how self-love and selfishness are contrary to the teachings of Christ, who calls us to live for Him and serve others. Philippians 2:3-4 urges us to consider others better than ourselves and to look out for their interests. This is in stark contrast to the self-absorption prevalent in today's society. We also examined the Greek word "philautos," which uniquely describes an unnatural love for oneself, highlighting the extreme self-focus that characterizes these times.
Furthermore, we touched on the love of money, another sign of the last days. People will be money-hungry, spending lavishly on themselves while neglecting the needs of others. This attitude is condemned in Scripture, which calls us to use our resources to establish God's covenant on earth and help those in need.
In conclusion, we are called to be different from the world, to live selflessly, and to be generous. We must continually ask the Holy Spirit to help us guard our hearts against the traps of self-centeredness and materialism. By doing so, we can be a light in these dark times, drawing others to Christ through our actions and attitudes.
### Key Takeaways
1. Water Baptism as a Public Declaration: Baptism is not about salvation but a public declaration of dying to our old selves and rising anew in Christ. It symbolizes our commitment to a personal relationship with Jesus and serves as a testimony to others. This act of obedience is a powerful statement of faith and transformation. [01:28]
2. Faithfulness in Giving: Trusting God with our finances is an essential aspect of our faith. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to present our financial concerns to God through prayer and thanksgiving, promising that His peace will guard our hearts and minds. Faithful giving aligns us with God's principles and opens the door for His blessings in our lives. [02:09]
3. Signs of the Last Days: The characteristics of the last days, as described in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, serve as spiritual road signs indicating that we are living in the final days. Self-love, selfishness, and a love of money are prevalent, highlighting the need for Christians to live differently and be a light in the darkness. [07:11]
4. Living Selflessly: Philippians 2:3-4 calls us to consider others better than ourselves and to look out for their interests. This selfless attitude is in stark contrast to the self-absorption and materialism of today's society. By living according to these principles, we reflect Christ's love and draw others to Him. [19:08]
5. Guarding Against Materialism: The love of money is a significant sign of the last days. People will be money-hungry, spending lavishly on themselves while neglecting the needs of others. Scripture calls us to use our resources to establish God's covenant on earth and help those in need, ensuring that our wealth does not become the center of our lives. [26:25]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Importance of Water Baptism
[02:09] - Faithfulness in Giving
[05:11] - Introduction to the Last Days Series
[07:11] - Signs of the Last Days
[10:15] - Surge of Evil and Outpouring of God's Spirit
[12:03] - Road Signs of the Last Days
[14:55] - Self-Love and Selfishness
[19:08] - Living Selflessly
[26:25] - Love of Money
[31:52] - Using Wealth to Establish God's Covenant
[37:16] - Avoiding the Trap of Self-Centeredness
[41:58] - Prayer for Society and Individuals
[46:01] - Prayer of Salvation and Rededication
[48:04] - Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (NASB): "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."
2. Philippians 2:3-4 (AMP): "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
3. Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB): "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Timothy 3:1-4 describe as the characteristics of people in the last days?
2. According to Philippians 2:3-4, how should we regard others in comparison to ourselves?
3. What does Philippians 4:6-7 instruct us to do with our anxieties and concerns, and what is promised in return? [02:09]
4. In the sermon, what is the significance of water baptism as described by the pastor? [01:28]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How do the characteristics listed in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 reflect the current state of society? [07:11]
2. Why is it important to consider others better than ourselves, as stated in Philippians 2:3-4, especially in the context of today's self-centered culture? [19:08]
3. How does trusting God with our finances, as mentioned in Philippians 4:6-7, demonstrate our faith and reliance on Him? [02:09]
4. What does the Greek word "philautos" reveal about the nature of self-love in the last days, and why is it considered unnatural? [20:50]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you see self-centeredness or a love of money creeping in? How can you guard against these tendencies? [38:43]
2. How can you practice considering others better than yourself in your daily interactions? Can you think of a specific situation where you can apply this principle this week? [19:08]
3. When was the last time you felt anxious about your finances? How did you handle it, and how can you apply Philippians 4:6-7 to find peace in similar situations in the future? [02:09]
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of water baptism as a public declaration of faith. Have you been baptized, and if not, what is holding you back? If you have, how did it impact your faith journey? [01:28]
5. In what ways can you use your resources to help others and establish God's covenant on earth, as opposed to spending lavishly on yourself? [31:52]
6. How can you be a light in these dark times by living selflessly and generously? Identify one specific action you can take this week to serve someone else. [38:43]
7. The pastor emphasized the need to continually ask the Holy Spirit to help guard our hearts. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily prayer life? [39:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Public Declaration of Faith
Water baptism is a profound act of obedience and public declaration of faith. It symbolizes the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through baptism, we publicly declare that we have died to our old selves and have risen anew in Christ. This act is not about achieving salvation but about demonstrating our commitment to a personal relationship with Jesus. It serves as a powerful testimony to others, showcasing the transformative power of faith in Christ. Baptism is a significant step in the believer's journey, marking a clear and visible commitment to follow Jesus.
[01:28]
Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: Have you publicly declared your faith through baptism? If not, what is holding you back from taking this step of obedience and testimony?
Day 2: Trusting God with Finances
Faithfulness in giving is an essential aspect of our faith journey. Trusting God with our finances means recognizing that everything we have comes from Him and that He is our ultimate provider. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to present our financial concerns to God through prayer and thanksgiving, promising that His peace will guard our hearts and minds. When we faithfully give, we align ourselves with God's principles and open the door for His blessings in our lives. This act of trust demonstrates our reliance on God and our commitment to His kingdom.
[02:09]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: Are you trusting God with your finances? How can you practice faithful giving this week to align yourself with God's principles and experience His peace?
Day 3: Recognizing the Signs of the Last Days
The characteristics of the last days, as described in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, serve as spiritual road signs indicating that we are living in the final days. Self-love, selfishness, and a love of money are prevalent, highlighting the need for Christians to live differently and be a light in the darkness. The Greek word "eschatos" signifies the very end of the age, and we are witnessing the fulfillment of these prophetic signs today. As believers, we are called to recognize these signs and respond by living according to God's principles, reflecting His love and truth in a world that is increasingly self-centered.
[07:11]
2 Timothy 3:1-4 (ESV): "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."
Reflection: How do you see the signs of the last days manifesting in today's society? What steps can you take to live differently and be a light in the darkness?
Day 4: Embracing Selflessness
Philippians 2:3-4 calls us to consider others better than ourselves and to look out for their interests. This selfless attitude is in stark contrast to the self-absorption and materialism of today's society. By living according to these principles, we reflect Christ's love and draw others to Him. Selflessness involves putting others' needs before our own and serving them with humility and love. It is a powerful way to demonstrate the character of Christ and to make a positive impact in the lives of those around us.
[19:08]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice selflessness in your daily life? How can you prioritize the needs of others and reflect Christ's love through your actions?
Day 5: Guarding Against Materialism
The love of money is a significant sign of the last days. People will be money-hungry, spending lavishly on themselves while neglecting the needs of others. Scripture calls us to use our resources to establish God's covenant on earth and help those in need, ensuring that our wealth does not become the center of our lives. By guarding our hearts against materialism, we can focus on what truly matters—serving God and others. This involves being generous with our resources and using them to further God's kingdom and support those in need.
[26:25]
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV): "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
Reflection: How can you guard your heart against materialism? What steps can you take to use your resources to serve God and help those in need?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "And when I come up out of the water, I'm the new man in Christ. Amen? So I hope you'll do that. Well, I want you to stand. We're going to receive our tithing offering. the Lord encourages us to be faithful in giving. And faithfulness has to do with trusting God. Can you say amen to that? Faithfulness has to do with trusting God." [01:28] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So, two weeks ago, I spoke about this particular passage. And we talked about how our world is changing at a very staggeringly rapid pace. And the pace of our world and our lives coupled with the pressure and strain of our LEDs and⋯ of living in the last days it is it's wearing people down it's wearing people down seems like that our world is in a flux the word flux means continuous change but it doesn't seem to be for the better." [07:11] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So not only is there going to be a surge of evil in the last of the last days, but the Bible says there's going to be a great outpouring of the love of God and the power of God. And that's what we're supposed to operate in. That's what the world is supposed to see out of us. Because they're fretful, they're fearful, they're anxious. We don't have to be. You don't have to be fretful and anxious. You don't have to be fearful." [10:15] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So, the question is, do we see a high level of self-absorption? Do we see a high level of self-absorption? Do we see a high level of selfishness and self-centeredness permeating our society today? The answer is yes. So, we've entered the last of the last days." [24:32] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "See, the Bible says we're in the world, but Jesus has called us to be different from the world. We live in the world, but we're supposed to be different from the world. So we must continually ask the Holy Spirit to help us guard our hearts so we don't fall into the same trap the world has fallen into in the last of the last days of having a, I'll just put it this way, an unnatural love for myself and a consuming love for money." [38:43] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So, today's message comes out again out of 2 Timothy chapter 3, verse 1 and 2. But I realize this, that in the last days, difficult times will come. For men, look what it says, will be lovers of self, lovers of money. In the King James Version, it says covetous. Instead of using lovers of money, it says covetous." [11:00] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So, the word philatos is the picture of complete self-absorption, self-focus, self-preoccupation, and self-love. And so, the message in the last of the last days is that our society will be utterly consumed with itself, itself. So, the question is, do we see a high level of self-absorption? Do we see a high level of self-absorption? Do we see a high level of selfishness and self-centeredness permeating our society today? The answer is yes. So, we've entered the last of the last days." [24:32] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So, if you take the definition of these words and put them back into 2 Timothy, chapter 3, verse 2, it would sound like this. People will be self-consumed, self-absorbed, self-focused, and in love with themselves more than anyone else. As a result of this self-love, they will hoard money for themselves while spending very little or not anything to help others. And this is where I believe that our nation is at." [31:52] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So, let me ask you this question, and I'm going to give you the answer to it. How do you know that you have not fallen into the same trap of self-centeredness that is so prevalent in our world? How do you know that you've not fallen into the same trap of self-centeredness that is so prevalent in our world? Here is the answer. If the Holy Spirit speaks to you, if the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and tells you to give, can you say no to the things that you were planning to buy so you can obey the Holy Spirit's unction instead?" [37:16] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "See, the Bible says we're in the world, but Jesus has called us to be different from the world. We live in the world, but we're supposed to be different from the world. So we must continually ask the Holy Spirit to help us guard our hearts so we don't fall into the same trap the world has fallen into in the last of the last days of having a, I'll just put it this way, an unnatural love for myself and a consuming love for money." [38:43] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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