Navigating Life's Challenges with Hope and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Realistic Expectations in a Fallen World

In 2 Timothy 3, Paul provides a sobering yet realistic worldview, acknowledging the pervasive sinfulness of humanity and the inevitable difficulties that come with living in a fallen world. He prepares Timothy for these challenges, emphasizing that everyone, Christian or not, will face hardships such as financial, health, and relational issues. Paul underscores the importance of having realistic expectations about life in a broken world while maintaining hope in the ultimate return of Christ, who will make all things new. This balanced perspective helps us navigate life's hardships with wisdom and faith. [07:19]

"For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are currently facing hardship? How can you adjust your expectations to align with the reality of living in a fallen world while holding on to the hope of Christ's return?

Day 2: Characteristics of People in the Last Days

Paul describes people in the last days as lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than lovers of God. These traits lead to a host of negative behaviors, making life difficult for those around them. Understanding these characteristics helps us to be vigilant and avoid being influenced by such ungodly behaviors. Paul advises Timothy to avoid such people and instead follow godly examples, highlighting the importance of discipleship and mentorship in the Christian journey. [13:34]

"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, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." (2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify any influences in your life that exhibit these negative traits? What steps can you take to distance yourself from these influences and seek out godly examples instead?

Day 3: The Inevitability of Persecution

All who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will face persecution. This opposition can come in various forms, but it is a part of the Christian journey. Embracing this reality helps us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our ultimate reward is in heaven. Paul encourages Timothy to persevere in the faith, reminding him of the power and sufficiency of Scripture, which is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. [24:15]

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it." (2 Timothy 3:12-14, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced opposition or persecution for your faith. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to help you stand firm in future challenges?

Day 4: The Power of Godly Examples

Discipleship and mentorship are crucial in the Christian life. Paul urges Timothy to follow his example and the teachings he has received from godly mentors. This highlights the importance of surrounding ourselves with godly influences who can guide us in our spiritual journey. By following godly examples, we can grow in our faith and become better equipped to navigate the challenges of life. [37:48]

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the godly mentors and examples in your life? How can you intentionally spend more time learning from them and applying their teachings to your own spiritual journey?

Day 5: The Sufficiency of Scripture

Paul emphasizes that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. The Word of God equips us for every good work and helps us to persevere in the faith, providing the wisdom and guidance we need to navigate life's challenges. By grounding ourselves in the truth of God's Word, we can be prepared for difficult times and avoid being conformed to the world's values. [43:03]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more time in God's Word into your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to ensure that Scripture is guiding your decisions and actions?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In 2 Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul provides a sobering yet realistic worldview, acknowledging the pervasive sinfulness of humanity and the inevitable difficulties that come with living in a fallen world. Paul prepares Timothy for these challenges, emphasizing that everyone, Christian or not, will face hardships such as financial, health, and relational issues. He underscores the importance of having realistic expectations about life in a broken world while maintaining hope in the ultimate return of Christ, who will make all things new.

Paul warns Timothy about the characteristics of people in the last days, describing them as lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than lovers of God. These individuals will exhibit traits like arrogance, abusiveness, and a lack of self-control, making life difficult for those around them. Paul advises Timothy to avoid such people and instead follow godly examples, highlighting the importance of discipleship and mentorship in the Christian journey.

Paul also prepares Timothy for persecution, stating that all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will face opposition. This persecution can take various forms, from slander to imprisonment, but it is a part of the Christian experience. Paul encourages Timothy to persevere in the faith, reminding him of the power and sufficiency of Scripture, which is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

Ultimately, Paul calls for a balanced approach: being realistic about the world's brokenness while holding on to the hope and transformative power of the gospel. He urges believers to avoid being conformed to the world's values and to be prepared for difficult times by grounding themselves in the truth of God's Word.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Genesis 3 world is fraught with challenges and difficulties. As Christians, we are called to have a balanced perspective, acknowledging the brokenness around us while holding on to the hope of Christ's return. This realistic worldview helps us navigate life's hardships with wisdom and faith. [07:19]
2. Characteristics of People in the Last Days: Paul describes people in the last days as lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than lovers of God. These traits lead to a host of negative behaviors, making life difficult for those around them. Understanding these characteristics helps us to be vigilant and avoid being influenced by such ungodly behaviors.

3. The Inevitability of Persecution: All who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will face persecution. This opposition can come in various forms, but it is a part of the Christian journey. Embracing this reality helps us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our ultimate reward is in heaven.

4. The Power of Godly Examples: Discipleship and mentorship are crucial in the Christian life. Paul urges Timothy to follow his example and the teachings he has received from godly mentors. This highlights the importance of surrounding ourselves with godly influences who can guide us in our spiritual journey.

5. The Sufficiency of Scripture: Paul emphasizes that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. The Word of God equips us for every good work and helps us to persevere in the faith, providing the wisdom and guidance we need to navigate life's challenges.

### [07:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:07] - Preparing for Difficult Times
[03:07] - Realistic Expectations in a Fallen World
[04:14] - Biblical Realism and Hope
[05:19] - Characteristics of People in the Last Days
[07:19] - Avoiding Ungodly Influences
[08:38] - The Already and Not Yet of the Kingdom
[09:29] - Facing Life's Challenges
[10:25] - The Meaning of Difficult Times
[11:19] - Living in the Last Days
[12:29] - Expecting Tribulation
[13:34] - Difficult People in Difficult Times
[14:58] - The Dangers of Narcissism
[16:04] - The Importance of Humility
[17:07] - Misplaced Loves
[18:48] - The Dangers of Materialism
[20:29] - Joyful Generosity
[21:45] - Eugene Peterson's Paraphrase
[23:05] - Expecting Persecution
[24:15] - The Promise of Persecution
[25:37] - Christianity and Suffering
[27:00] - The World Hates You
[27:41] - Avoiding Religious Pretenders
[28:20] - Living on Mission
[29:11] - Jesus, Friend of Sinners
[30:10] - Avoiding Hypocrisy
[31:30] - The Power of Genuine Faith
[32:10] - The Transformative Power of the Gospel
[33:13] - The Danger of Formalism
[34:01] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[34:56] - The Creeps Among Us
[36:08] - A Genuine Relationship with Jesus
[36:57] - Following Godly Examples
[37:48] - The Importance of Discipleship
[38:30] - Imitate Me as I Imitate Christ
[39:36] - Two Paths to Follow
[40:52] - Persevering in the Faith
[41:50] - Are You Free?
[43:03] - The Role of Scripture
[44:41] - The Power of God's Word
[45:51] - Confidence in God's Rescue
[47:57] - Final Applications

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What characteristics does Paul describe about people in the last days in 2 Timothy 3:1-5?
According to 2 Timothy 3:12, what can all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus expect to face?
How does Paul describe the role and sufficiency of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17?
What does Jesus say about tribulation in John 16:33, and how does He encourage His followers?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize having realistic expectations about living in a fallen world? How does this perspective help Christians navigate life's challenges? [07:19]
How can understanding the characteristics of people in the last days help Christians avoid being influenced by ungodly behaviors? [13:34]
What does Paul mean when he says that all Scripture is "God-breathed" and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness? How does this shape our view of the Bible? [43:03]
How does the promise of persecution for those who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus impact the way Christians should approach their faith and witness? [24:15]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent hardship you faced. How did having realistic expectations about living in a fallen world help you navigate that situation? If it didn’t, how might it have helped? [07:19]
Identify a specific trait from the list in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 that you see in the world around you. How can you guard yourself against being influenced by this trait? [13:34]
Think about a time when you faced opposition or persecution for your faith. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you prepare yourself for future instances of persecution? [24:15]
Who are the godly examples in your life that you can look up to and learn from? How can you intentionally spend more time with them or learn from their experiences? [37:48]
Reflect on your current engagement with Scripture. How can you deepen your study and application of the Bible to better equip yourself for every good work? [43:03]
In what ways can you be a godly example to others in your community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to mentor or disciple someone else. [37:48]
How can you cultivate a balanced approach of being realistic about the world's brokenness while holding on to the hope and transformative power of the gospel in your daily life? [07:19]

Sermon Clips

1. "Just living in the world, you're going to experience difficult times. Life is hard and there are all kinds of challenges whether you're a Christian or not, you're going to face challenges. Financial challenges, health challenges, relational challenges, all kinds of challenges. You're going to face just because we live in a post-Genesis 3 world. A world that has been marred and corrupted by the sin of humanity. And so that has permeated all of creation. People have been impacted by that." [01:00] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus calls his people to be salt and to be light. And so, Paul was preparing his spiritual son, Timothy. For those difficult times. I have titled this message, Where to Turn in Hard Times. Where to Turn in Hard Times. We are living in difficult times. We are living in the last days that the Apostle Paul writes about. And so, we're going to look at, from this passage, Where to Turn in Hard Times." [03:07] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God wants us to have realistic expectations about living in a fallen, broken world. Now, as Christians, we are called to be optimistic about the future. We are called to be marked by hope because we have something we're looking forward to, but we don't want to have an over-realized hope or what theologians call over-realized eschatology. Okay, there is an already of the kingdom that has come. Jesus has brought the kingdom and he has rescued and saved lives, but we are in between this already. Not yet." [07:19] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Paul wants Timothy not to be naive. He wants him to understand this. He wants him to know. This that difficult times will come. You see many young people have this, this, this, this, this view of what life is going to be like. That is totally as often this tap not not attached to reality. Right? We we in those of us who are adults, we know we know we've experienced this like we have this mindset. This is what it's going to be like. Maybe it's marriage. Maybe it's a job. Maybe it's sports or something. Something that you pursued in life and you realize this is what it's going to be like. And then there's this reality that there's some challenges that are involved with this." [08:38] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Life is difficult when we are self-absorbed self-focused. Because. Because God's designed us to be God-centered to love him and to love people and life just flows a lot better when we're loving him. And when we're living according to his good design for us and life becomes more and more difficult. My wife and I when we have counseled coached couples going into marriage. We have we have told them that you're going to have to die to yourself. If this marriage is going to work at this. Relationship is going to work. You're going to have to die to yourself." [15:34] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We live in a culture that is very materialistic. We live in a culture. That is preoccupied with shopping preoccupied with stuff stuff stuff that much stuff that we don't even need. And it's a distraction. Jesus warned his people not to be distracted. He said that he can't love God and love money or men. And so may we be a people who counter the love of money. With Joyful generosity. May we not let the love of money have grip on our hearts." [20:29] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Paul told believers Paul and Barnabas told believers in Acts 14 as they were preaching to them and making disciples encourage them to continue in the faith saying that through many tribulations. We must enter the kingdom of God. Jesus when he preached his famous sermon on the mountain he described the blessed life and one of the ways that he described the blessed life was was. The blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom blessed are you and others revile you to revile is to use abusive language." [25:37] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Christians do not fulfill their purpose unless they are connected to the one true God. That's what true Christians are. They know him. They know Jesus and they're from knowing Jesus. There is a power. There is life. There is substance that flows into our being and flows out of us. There's love. There's life. There's truth. Jesus said in John 7 that he who believes in me out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. Still song. I got a river of life flowing out of me." [31:30] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We here at City Church. Don't want to be a people with just the form. Formal Christians formalism. We want to be those who have the substance of a genuine relationship with Jesus. We're abiding in Jesus were the he's the vine and we're the branches and we have the sap of his grace flowing into our life. And so fruit lots of good fruit fruit of the Holy Spirit. It's coming out sweet fruit that those around us enjoy being around us because we got lots of good. Fruit for them to enjoy. Love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." [33:13] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Paul tells Timothy to remember that. Or know from whom you learned it and how from childhood. He points them both back to his example of Paul pouring into Timothy. And then also from childhood when mom and grandma just saturated him with scripture, with the word of God, which Paul says is able to make you wise for salvation. Through faith in Jesus Christ. I know children, I know sometimes memorizing the Bible and hearing the Bible from mom and dad can feel maybe boring to you and not as exciting. You'd rather play a video game or watch a movie." [44:41] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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