A World of Empty Religion
The Bible tells us that we’re living in the last days. The last days is the period between when Jesus rose into heaven and will last until He comes again. In his letter to Timothy, Paul warns that in these last days we will experience difficulty. Paul goes on to explain the state of the Church during these times. As we examine the scripture for this week, we can see some of the challenges Paul was warning about, 2,000 years ago! Do they sound familiar to you?
In these difficult end times, we can learn from Christs’ teachings. The main method to overcome the challenges explained by Paul is to place our love in God first, then everything else. When we place our love in God above all else, He directs our lives. He directs our love. As we continue into the difficult unknown, we need to continuously seek a closer relationship with God.
Scripture
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. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
Bible Study
In his letter, Paul is warning Timothy about the difficulties the Church will face in the last days. What do we need to know about the end of days? (Matthew 24:36, 2 Peter 3:10, Luke 21:36)
Jesus never promised us that a saved life would be an easy life. What does the Bible teach us about dealing with difficulty? (Romans 8:18-21, James 1:2-4).
What themes can you identify from the difficulties explained? (2 Timothy 3:2-4, Proverbs 29:23, Luke 12:15, Proverbs 21:17)
Paul speaks about weak women who are led astray by ungodly men having the appearance of godliness but denying its power. How did Jesus deal with such men? (Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:38-40)
Who was Jesus speaking to when speaking about the Pharisees in Mark 12:38-40? How can we learn from these verses?
Why does God tell us to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind? (Matthew 22:37-38)
The church today, and society, in general, are at risk of falling prey to the various “truth’s” we are faced with in the world today. How does Jesus teach us to deal with these false truths? (Mark 1:35, Joshua 1:8)
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Though we are living in difficult times, we take this time to thank you that you are always there for us, to support and guide us. Though we don’t understand why we’re facing these difficulties, we praise the fact that you know what you are doing and will use these difficulties to bring glory to your name. Please silence the plethora of voices in the world today that constantly try to lead us astray. Help us to focus on your son, Jesus, as the source of all truth for our lives today. As we discover the truth, please give us the courage and strength to share the truth with those around us. In the name of your courageous son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Worship
In our hearts Lord in this nation awakening
Holy Spirit we desire awakening
For You and You alone awake my soul
Awake my soul and sing
For the world You love Your will be done
Let Your will be done in me
In Your presence in Your power awakening
For this moment in this hour awakening
Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my awakening
Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul awake my soul and sing
From the darkness comes a light
Awake my soul awake my soul and sing
Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul awake my soul and sing
Only You can raise a life
Awake my soul awake my soul and sing
In our hearts Lord
In the nations awakening
Service
Reading this scripture and heeding the warning for the Church, the greatest lesson we can take out of it is to build a relationship with God. That should be all of our first priorities in life. But as we develop our relationship with God, the greatest service we can do is to help others (who do not know God and His mission for us) to enter into a relationship with God. No matter the current level of your relationship with God, ask Him to guide you to speak to those in your life about your journey and the importance of knowing God. Listen to people, share your testimony, be there for them and ask the big questions.