Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the urgency of the message in 2 Timothy, addressing the challenges faced by young Timothy amidst impending persecution. He warns of the perilous times characterized by self-love and rebellion, urging Timothy to remain steadfast in preaching the Word of God with authority and conviction. Paul encourages Timothy to be fearless and to fill his heart and mind with Scripture, as true Christianity is a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of life. The preacher calls for a return to the Word of God as the only remedy for the moral decline and deception in the last days, highlighting the transformative power of Scripture when combined with the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy is a reflection of a man of God's heart in light of his coming death for the Lord Jesus Christ. He has incredible things here. He has strong warnings. He has encouragement. He is speaking to a young pastor, a young pastor who was anointed by God, who was given by God a ministry, but who was in light of the persecution, in light of the coming great affliction that was coming upon the church, and that was to come upon the church. He had tendencies to draw back, young Timothy. He had tendencies to be timid. He had tendencies to question God, and he also, at times, had tendencies of being intimidated by people. This is why Paul said, let no man despise thy youth, but rebuke and teach with all authority. Sometimes I believe young Timothy was intimidated by people, but Paul, as a father to his own son, encouraged and commissioned young Timothy to be fearless in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to, by the power of God's Spirit, go forward and teach the Word of God. Tell the church like it is. Don't put up with foolishness. Be gentle, be loving, but be firm and concise, and this is what we need. Now, this is what the Apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy chapter 3. We're going to begin by mentioning 2 Timothy chapter 3 in order to get the setting of the last days, and I trust that this will impact you in so much that you will see the urgency of the hour, and in light of these scriptures that I'm about to read, I believe you'll see the reason why there's such a need for us to come back to the Word of God as the church, and as Jesus said, live by the Word of God. So fill our minds with the Word of God. So fill our hearts with the Word of God. Paul said, let the Word of God dwell in you richly. Psalm 1, blessed is the man that doesn't walk in the ways of the world. A little paraphrase. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, the Word of God, and in the law he meditates day and night. Ah, my Lord, we've been called as soldiers. How many here recognize themselves as soldiers called into an army that is to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ? This is the mentality that God wants to restore back to the church. Christianity is not an alternative lifestyle for the Christian, but it is our very life. Christianity is not something we do on Sunday and Wednesday, but Christianity is something we breathe. It's something we live. We wake up with Christianity. We sit down and eat with Christianity. We go to the mall with Christianity. We buy our gas, and we're Christians. Christianity is a part of us. It's a lifestyle. Jesus is what Christianity is all about. Now watch this, 2 Timothy chapter 3. Here the apostle Paul begins to speak to Timothy, and he begins to tell him just like it's at. Just like it's at. This know also. In other words, Paul's saying, don't be ignorant, young Timothy. Don't be naive, Timothy. Don't underestimate the condition of the world in the last days, Paul is saying. Don't minimize, don't take lightly what is coming upon the world. But Paul says, know this also, Timothy. Be aware. Be informed. Be consciously equipped with this knowledge that in the last days. Now the last days began at the inception of the church. When Peter preached his sermon, he quoted a scripture from the book of Joel regarding the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and he said, this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel, saying, in the last days I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. That prophecy is found in Joel chapter 3. So Peter, 1900 years ago, said that at that time, that scripture was being fulfilled, and that scripture referred to an outpouring of God's spirit which would occur in the last days. So therefore, we have been in the last days for 1900 years. We have been in the last days. These days that we're living in right now, 1990, 1980, these are not explicitly the last days in that we've been in the last days. Now these could be the last of the last days. You see, if the last days equals a time clock, let's just put it on the board like this. If this equals the last days, the inception of the church, and they end at the coming of Jesus, this was the beginning of the last days. Know this also, that in the last days, Peter said, this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel, that in the last days. So Peter suggested that at that very moment, the last days were upon the whole world. So let's say that this was when Peter spoke that sermon. Okay, and this was, let's just say this was 40, well, let's make it 33 AD. Okay, now we come to here, and we're at 1990. Now this whole period was and is the last days according to the Apostle Peter. It began at the inception of the church when the Holy Ghost fell upon those who were in the upper room, the 120. So we could say this is the beginning of the last days, and now the closer we get to the end of this age, the coming of the Lord, the closer we get brings us more and more into what we call the end of the last days. So consequently, the last days were upon us from the very inception of the early church according to Peter. And of course, I would rather go with Peter than what we're being told. The last days began at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when Pentecost was experienced. Now we're living possibly in the end of the last days, in the 1990s. So it's the last days, and it's coming to an end. So therefore, Paul says, know this also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. And now Paul begins to describe some of the characteristics of these perilous times. For men shall be lovers of their own selves. Now we cannot go into a specific definition and explanation of each one of these words. However, it would be good for us to just consider what Paul is saying and see how it's being fulfilled all over. Men shall be lovers of their own selves. There is a preoccupation in the world today with self, me, my interests, what matters for me. There is a preoccupation with fulfilling our own desires, even at the expense and cost of others. Now as Christians, we must be sure that we ask the Lord to help us guard against these characteristics so that these characteristics don't control our personal lives, don't control our homes, don't control our fellowship, don't control the way that we think. Lovers of themselves covetous, oh covetous, coveting, wanting, an insatiable lust for more of what does not satisfy. An insatiable lust for things that don't really satisfy the inner heart. Let me tell you something, you'll never find anything to satisfy the inner needs of your life except Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. He alone is what satisfies. He alone is what meets that deep need. So we find lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, boasters and proud go together. That infers speaking of oneself, exalting oneself, lifting oneself up and you know really what's behind it when you lift yourself up, really what you're doing is you're putting others down. See when a person lifts themselves up, there's an area of control in their life. They want to control, they want to exalt themselves above someone else in order to place them in a posture of being less than they are. That's what's behind boasting and pride. Wanting to be greater than other people. The fact is God says we're all sinful, we're all equal. There's nobody up here, there's nobody down here. We are all most miserable sinners and if it weren't for the grace of God each and every one of us would have our portion in the lake of fire which burns forever and ever if it weren't for the grace of God. Blasphemers, that is mocking God, mocking God, disobedient to parents. Beloved, there is an incredible, incredible rebellion that is occurring in the world today. A rebellion that is being cultivated in the home, a rebellion that is being cultivated in the relationships among mother and child, father and child and it is one of rebellion, it is one of defiance, it is one of disregard for authority, it is one of disrespect and this is running wild in the world today. How many have ever driven down the road and maybe you're in a development and there's a young person maybe riding a bike and they're sort of riding aimlessly and slightly carelessly and you sense the need to beep your horn because you're not sure they know you're coming and all of a sudden this young person turns around and looks at you as if you committed an unpardonable sin by beeping your horn. How many have experienced that or how many have even experienced it a step further where you beeped your horn and drove by and they cursed at you? Like, what's your problem? Do you know what that is? That is open, outright rebellion and defiance. Children these days do not want to be told what to do. They don't want limits set. They don't want to recognize that they are under authority and that their word is not the final word. They don't want to be told that and this is a terrible, terrible leaven that is destroying an entire generation of people. Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. And these things result in having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away. It's very important for us to understand that in chapter 3 verse 5, Paul recognizes that there can be a religion that appears to be serving God, appears to be worshipping God, but at the heart root of the religion, these characteristics prevail. When these things prevail, it doesn't matter what the confession is. It doesn't matter what the religious association is. The Bible says depart. Because true religion is the power of Christ changing a person's life, transforming them from these characteristics into those that reflect Christ. That's true religion. Now, after Paul describes the characteristics that will be prevalent in the last days, let's go to verse number 10, 2 Timothy chapter 3. And in response to these awful perilous days that will be coming and that were at that time present, here's what Paul says to the man of God, to the church, to the minister, to all Christians. But thou has fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, and patience, 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. Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, but evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou has learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom thou has learned them, and that from a child thou has known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Then Paul begins to speak about the Scriptures. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Now, understand what Paul is doing here. He's describing the characteristics of the last days. Then he speaks about what will happen to the true child of God that makes a commitment to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and not allow the world and the devil in the flesh to destroy us. Now that brings us to the fourth chapter of 2 Timothy. In light of all of these things, what is Paul commissioning the church? What is Paul saying to the ministers of God, to all who are dedicated to the Word of God? Here's what Paul is saying. Here's what the Holy Spirit is saying to you and I in this late hour that we're living in right now. May I suggest tonight that this is the only remedy, the only solution, the only answer that is going to be able to properly battle this onslaught of wickedness that we are experiencing in this day that we live in. Verse 4, I charge thee therefore, the word therefore is connecting the previous thought with the present thought. So in other words, because of what I just said, I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. Preach the word. There is a holy commandment given under inspiration of the Holy Spirit not only to the ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but may I suggest that this scripture is fully and entirely applicable to every single true born-again Christian. The Bible says, preach the word. That means, beloved, let the word of God dwell in your hearts richly and let the word of God be that which comes out of your lips when people come to you and ask for answers. When people come to you and say, what should I do? This problem and this problem and this difficulty and that difficulty. I say, preach the word. Now, you understand what I mean. You don't preach at them, but you give them the word of God. Give them the word of God. Give them the word of God. Preach the word. Be instant, in season, out of season. You know what that means? You know what it means to be instant, in season, and out of season? This is what Paul is saying. Be ready to give the word of God when it's convenient and when it is inconvenient. Be ready to give the word of God when it is convenient, when there doesn't appear to be a sacrifice, and when it's inconvenient, when you have to sacrifice. How many have gotten comfortable and ready to do something, and then all of a sudden a need came before you and you knew that something had to be done, and you knew that God may be asking you to possibly help someone or reach out to someone, but yet you had plans to do something else. Be instant, in season, and out of season. Be ready and willing at any moment, as God's minutemen, to share the word of God. At the expense of changing your plans, some people have come to me and have said, you know, Brother Beach, you never really make any definite plans. How come? I ask you to come over, you say, Lord willing, I'll see. How come? You know why I don't make definite plans? Because I'm not controlling my life. I'm the servant of a God who does with me what He wants to do. And I don't have the right to decide what I'm going to be doing and then do it if God should want me to do something else. Everything in our house is, we will do this and we will do that, God willing. My children know that when we set a time aside to possibly have fun or have a family day or go to the mall or something, it's if God is willing. If the phone should ring, if something should happen, if somebody needs help, we may have to put them before our own desires. They're learning at a young age that what they want does not come first, but the will of the Lord comes first. That's what it means to be instant, in season and out of season. But now, see, that requires a death to self, doesn't it? It's very difficult to lay down your plans when you've got them all made and be willing to help someone else at the expense of losing your own plans. Preach the Word, be instant, in season, out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Now, it's important for us to recognize that the reproving, the rebuking, and the exhortation that we are to be bringing to people is the Word of God. Now, see, you are not to rebuke someone apart from giving them the Word of God. In other words, Paul is saying, give them the Word of God and if the Word of God rebukes them, so be it. If the Word of God encourages them, so be it. If the Word of God exhorts them, so be it. In other words, the basis of your authority and my authority is not our own opinion, but it is what is written. Now, verse 3, this is the climax of the whole thought. For the time will come when they... Now, who's he referring to when he says they? Chapter 3, verse 13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. So when Paul speaks of the time will come when they, he's referring to the evil men that he's talking about. So therefore we can say, the time will come when they, these evil men, will not endure sound doctrine. But after their own lusts shall heap or gather to themselves teachers having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables. So here the Apostle Paul describes exactly what's happening in our day. The time has come when men do not want to endure, the word endure there means to put up with. There is a tendency that has come into the religious circle and this tendency causes people to be unwilling to put up with sound, systematic teaching that comes from the word of God. They don't want to put up with the teaching that comes from the word of God. And the reason why is because, but after their own lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers. In other words, people no longer want to hear the word of God because as Colette said this morning, the word of God is a mirror. And the word of God makes us see ourselves just the way we really are, as undone and in need of a savior. So basically what is going to happen and what is happening, and we see it happening in the liberal denominations that are nearly dominating the whole world now. We see people refusing to endure sound doctrine, which is the teaching from the Bible. And instead of that they want to hear that which satisfies their own desires. And they want teachers, they find teachers who are going to teach them what they want to hear. Not what the Bible says, but what they want to hear. Like, everything is okay, praise the Lord. Just do good, love one another. Don't get too radical in your Christianity. Now this thing about sin, hey, that's superstition. We're in the 90s now. Sin is just a concept within our mind. That's what these teachers are telling the people. They're lying, they're deceivers. And the Bible says the only way for us to combat this evil pernicious leaven is to get back to the Word of God. Get back to the Word of God. And that's what we want to do, get back to the Word of God. Verse number 4, They shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables. So, this describes what is happening in our day. And consequently I believe it's God's will for us to gather together under the headship of Jesus Christ with a commitment and a belief in the Word of God that's unshakable and become students of the Word of God. And this is why God has birthed into our hearts not only the desire to see a ministry dedicated to preaching and teaching the Word of God in a church setting, but also to be able to teach the Word of God to all believers that would be interested, and therefore equip them with what they need in order to be faithful in fighting by faith this battle that we're in as Christians. And that's not even what we had planned to speak on. That is why we want to start a school. That's the reason why right there. Because Paul says preach the Word, teach the Word, instruct. And there's a need. Beloved, I don't know how to communicate what I feel. Do you know what happens to your life when you stop thinking the Word of God and you go to bed with the Word of God on your mind? And you wake up with the Word of God on your mind? And you drive the car with the Word of God on your mind? And you eat your meals with the Word of God on your mind? Do you know what happens to your life? Do you know the transformation that begins to occur? Do you know the power that you begin to experience that puts down sin, overcomes your doubts and brings you into a victorious Christian life? Do you know what happens when the Word of God becomes so fixed in your mind and in your soul? Oh my Lord! You begin to live by another man's power. You begin to come out of yourself and out of your struggles. You begin to enter into an ability through Christ to find power over doubts and fears. The Word of God. And then to top it off, you've got the Holy Ghost then. So you've got the Word of God in your mind and in your heart. You've got the Holy Ghost from God, the dynamite from God, quickening the Word of God, empowering the Word of God in your soul, giving you the very power to do what the Word of God says. You combine the Holy Ghost and the Word of God in the church today and you will have a light shining fearing nothing but fear itself. You will have a people who will bring their families into conformity to the Word of God. Marriages will be healed. Relationships will be healed. Sin will be overcome. Sicknesses will be miraculously healed. It will all happen as we come back in a humble, contrite way to the rich Word of God and begin to drink the Word of God and drink the Spirit of God. Do you see the vision? It's before us. The land of Canaan is there. Praise God. The devil will fight it though. The devil will fight it because this is what transforms. It's not entertainment. It's not some crazy preacher up talking about his crazy dreams and visions. No. It's humble people breaking the bread, seeking Jesus Christ, and growing in the knowledge and grace of God. That's it. Anyone have any questions at all? Any thoughts? Yes, Sister Pat? Absolutely. Absolutely. We want to be able to put the entire thing on tape.