LOVERS OF PLEASURES

2 Timothy 3: 1: 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.

In these last days, which have been since our Lord ascended, the perilous times involve religion. A man can be a lover of self and be religious, most are. Coveting the glory of God, boasting of our so-called works of sanctification, proud of our many wonderful works in the name of Jesus, is all just so much blasphemy against God. Each of these characteristics begin in the sinners thoughts toward God and continue in his thoughts toward others. He may be religious outwardly but the man who will not obey his heavenly Father will not obey his earthly father and so on.

Throughout this passage we see that these perilous times will not be a day of immorality and debauchery but a day of religious moral reform. The folks in the days of these perilous times will have a form of godliness, but deny the power of God. These perilous times will be full of religious folks who go from house to house, leading silly women captive, not into outward immorality but by leading them into the pew to believe a lie. Perilous times are not times full of ignorant, uneducated professors but highly educated impressive professors who are simply never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Satan and his soldiers always betray with a kiss.

The God they serve is self. They are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Yet, their pleasures are not so much sports and activities in the world but their pleasures are their observance of religious days and ceremonies. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours (Isaiah 58:3.)

The Holy Spirit is clear--from such turn away. Turn away from them to the Lord of glory. Seek a place where the motive of the message is not to whip you or bind you with the law, but to continually lead you above to view Christ our King seated at God's right hand. Find a safe haven where the message of ruined by the fall, redemption by Christ the Lord and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is preached continually. Flee to the oasis where you can feed upon the feast of fat things, where you can be comforted knowing that the Lord has accomplished your warfare and rewarded you with double grace instead of your sins. Stop waiting for some obvious opposition of right and wrong to arise in the earth to mark the perilous times, look around and behold. We live in an age where everyone is religious and yet so exactly fitting of the description of perilous times. Are men taking pleasure in their religious activities or is God the delight of souls? May he make himself our delight and turn us away from all else.

http://www.sovereign-grace.us/

SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Of Princeton, New Jersey

LOCATION & TELEPHONE
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553
Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10 AM Bible Class
11 AM Morning Worship
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service
(The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)