Spiritual Eye and Strengths in the End times [2 Timothy 3-4]

1. 3 types of people who cannot understand the word:
     - not able to receive God’s word after reading them = cannot receive Lord’s heart, i.e. identity of child of God
     - after reading the word, still cannot completely face God due to own motives
     - after reading the word, do not live by testing and approving God’s perfect will 

we are living in the end times where godlessness prevails [2 Ti 3:1-7] 

What can we fall back/ rely to push through this end times? = Spiritual eye and strength Paul had, which all people would yearn to have in this end times

2. Spiritual eye and strength in the end times
  1. Word of God 
    • 2 Ti 3:14 
    • spiritual power comes not from one’s determination but the truth he knows, confirmed and inscribed in his heart 
    • Word = 2 simple yet core truths
      • Children = identity
      • Blessings of all nation = Promise
    • Connect everything in our lives with these 2 truths 
  2. Train ourselves to be godly
    • 1 Ti 4:7-8
    • inner life of following God - godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and life to come
    • meaning = not acting by convenience, or be motivated by needs => always seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit 
    • man intrinsically will not pursue godliness => thus God allows problems, trials and sufferings => to create a pure and devoted heart in following him 
    • components of godliness = pure heart, good conscience, sincere faith 
    • ending point of godliness = love God and man, not the world 
    • this is the greatest protection in the end times
    • love is born, not trained => born from the heart of greatly loved by God 
  3. Prayers that give us a sensitive spirit 
    • see Emmanuel first, then pray 
    • Lord’s prayer
      • relationship 
      • purpose
      • rely on HS to drive out demons => when light comes, darkness leaves 
      • discover His meticulous leading -> do them joyfully
      • timely wisdom, courage
      • constantly cleanse -> pray deeply, see God’s persevering love and therefore, you too can patiently wait for others [intercession]
      • victory before Satan 
    • through repetition, fixed time prayers => restore authority
    • only then we will have a sensitive spirit and able to detect the devil’s scheme in our spirit 24 hours
  4. Preaching in all seasons
    • not only in good season
    • all the more in bad seasons => focus on God not self/ problems => this is healing, and restoration of truth in the end times 
3. See God’s favour in you [ 2 Ti 4:6-7, 16-18]
  1. God stood by you 
    • Lord stood at my side and gave me all strength that is ever needed => by remembering His words
    • testify all the more in trying moments
  2. Receive compliment from God alone 
    • God’s desire = my desire
  3. Sorrowful yet always rejoicing 
    • despite outer conditions, draw closer to God and have hope in Him. 
    • the temporal things [light and transient] => gives sorrows => but seeing the eternity and God’s persevering love gives unspeakable joy 
    • resulting in = consistent character, advancement of gospel
    •  2 Co 4:17; 1 Co 2:9