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Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Perilous Times

Dr. John Wiers · November 4, 2023

2 Timothy 3:1-9

sharonrpc.org/sermons/perilous-times

Summary

  • The 'last days' are the whole period between Christ's first and second comings, so the church should expect difficult and threatening seasons throughout this age.
  • Paul's catalogue of vice describes false teachers within the church, not merely immoral society outside it; they retain an appearance of godliness while denying its transforming power.
  • The list grows from distorted self-love: loving money and pleasure rather than God produces pride, ingratitude, cruelty, slander, lack of self-control, and treachery.
  • External rules and religious appearance cannot change the heart and may become legalism when human requirements replace gospel transformation.
  • False teachers target vulnerable people and often spread through trusted relationships and small groups, requiring watchful elder oversight and careful evaluation of study materials.
  • The church need not despair: error will be exposed, Christ preserves his church, and the gospel remakes self-centered people into those who love God and neighbor.

Reflection and discussion

  • Do I recognize that false teaching can arise inside the visible church?
  • Which traits in Paul's list expose distorted self-love in my own heart?
  • Is my godliness chiefly external, or is the gospel transforming my loves and conduct?
  • Have I treated extra-biblical rules as guarantees of spiritual success?
  • Are the books and teaching used in church groups being evaluated responsibly?
  • Do perilous times drive me to despair or to confidence in Christ's preservation of his church?

Key terms

Last days
The era inaugurated by Christ's first coming and continuing until his return.
Perilous times
Threatening seasons in which destructive character and false teaching press upon the church.
Distorted self-love
The fallen orientation that loves and serves the creature above the Creator and produces the passage's many vices.
Form of godliness
External religious appearance without the inward, transforming power of the gospel.
Legalism
Treating human or external rule-keeping as the basis or guarantee of spiritual standing while the heart remains unchanged.
Watchfulness
Careful doctrinal and pastoral attention that recognizes how error enters and protects the church from it.

Notes and prayer