Volume No. 2009 Issue No. 9 Date: March 22, 2009
Publication of the BIBLE BAPTIST MINISTRY, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706
Phone: 570.829.5216 pdmikBBM@aol.com pastormiklas@aol.com
In the midst of the last days struggles, here again is what Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth… (8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (10) But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” All of us love the days when all is well and everything runs smoothly. Honestly, we would be pleased if everybody got along and there was never a discouraging word to be heard. But reality challenges our wishes almost daily. In "this present world" (Titus 2:12) and in these "last days" (II Tim. 3:1), we must not be naive and scripturally un- informed. The norm for such days is "perilous times" (vs. 1), sinful men going hog-wild (verses. 2-4), "a form of godliness” (verse 5), lustfulness (verse 6), learning without truth (verse 7) and corruption to the point of reprobation (verse. 8). Add to that "persecutions [and] afflictions" (verses 11, 12) and whole-sale deception (verses 13), and the result is pretty scary.
The rest of that chapter sets forth the other side of the issue. By example (verse 14) and by the instruction of the Word of God (verses 12-17) we are advised to anchor ourselves in the authority of God’s Word, the Scriptures. It (the inspired Scripture, verses 15, 16) is "profitable" (verse 16) for us. If we are going to be the seasoned saints that the Lord intends we be, we must properly furnish ourselves (verse 17). Again the source for our edification is “the holy scriptures" (verse 15). Therein is the wisdom of God! There we discover the message of salvation.
So, dear friends, let’s not despair in the midst of struggle. Conflict causes weariness but by the enabling of Him who comforts, strengthens and supplies all our need, let’s not despair. Read and reread II Timothy 3! The fact is we are neither in Heaven nor the millennial age. This world is a mess, and we should not be surprised that it is.
At the same time we should not grow weary (II Tim. 4:2)! To the contrary, we should “watch…in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" (verse 5). Don’t be deceived. Don’t get sidetracked. Don’t become disillusioned and bitter. Don’t trip over the struggle. Don’t give place to discouragement. Don’t misread the troubling times. Amen! Do stay true. Do stay excited. Do stay on message. Do stay faithful. Do renew yourself daily. Do keep hammering away in preaching and teaching the Grand Old Book. Do keep your eyes peeled on the eastern sky. Amen! Oh, dear servant of Christ, in the midst of struggle press on, press on, press on!
In these days would you help us to “press on? Even though we do not charge for the Weekly SERMONS there are expenses. Your donation will help us to continue to “stand in the gap” in “teaching others also.” After you have given your tithes to your church and taken care of your pastor, would you consider giving either a yearly gift, or a monthly offering? Remember for the purposes of financial accountability, we have placed this ministry under the Green Street Baptist Chapel of Edwardsville, PA Checks made out to Green Street Baptist Chapel, memo to the Bible Baptist ministry and mailed to Bible Baptist Ministry 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706 will be applied to this ministry.
In His Amazing Grace,
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