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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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]
- 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
- Receive compliment from God alone
- 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