Dr. Jason Ormiston draws from Paul's final letter to Timothy to address how Christians should respond to the difficult times we live in.
Using the backdrop of civil unrest in Minneapolis and the challenges facing urban ministry, he calls believers to be part of the solution rather than being overwhelmed by the darkness around us.
Scripture Text
2 Timothy 3:1-9
Main Points or Ideas
- Accept the Facts (verse 1) - We're living in difficult times and these are the last days. We live in a sin-cursed world where things will get worse before they get better (verse 13). Rather than being surprised by the world's chaos, we should pray for God to send revival to our cities, as He has done throughout history from Pentecost to the Great Awakenings.
- Practice Discernment (verses 2-5) - Paul provides a list of characteristics of dangerous people and ideas we must avoid. These include lovers of self and money who teach us to prioritize wealth and self-interest, proud and arrogant people who encourage us to disregard others, and those who promote being ungrateful, heartless, slanderous, brutal, treacherous, and lovers of pleasure rather than God. We must exercise discernment like a muscle and avoid such people rather than trying to understand their perspectives.
- Focus on the Family (verses 6-9) - False teachers target families, particularly "creeping into households" and taking advantage of vulnerable women. Using the illustration of evangelist Steve Farrar who sacrificed his successful ministry to focus on his teenage son (who became Dr. James Dobson), Ormiston emphasizes the importance of prioritizing family over career success. He also warns about false teachers in the church family, comparing them to Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses, and calls for church discipline when necessary.
Conclusion
Christians must pray for revival, practice discernment in relationships and church membership, and prioritize both biological and spiritual families. Rather than being overwhelmed by difficult times, believers should roll up their sleeves, get on their knees, and join in reaching people for Jesus.
