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Be Courageous


Verde Valley Christian Church
May 22, 2022

Series: Fan Into Flame
Title: "Be Courageous"
Speaker: Jim Hammond

BE COURAGEOUS:

1. There will be TERRIBLE TIMES ahead

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

2 Timothy 3:13
while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:6-9
They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

BE COURAGEOUS:

2. Faithful followers will be PERSECUTED

2 Timothy 3:10-13
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

BE COURAGEOUS:

3. Become thoroughly EQUIPPED

2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(for further study and conversation)

SMALL TALK

1. In what ways does the world and culture in which we live deceive people and encourage evil desires?

VIEWPOINT

2. READ 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Given the list of vices, what "form of godliness" (v. 5) could these people possibly exhibit?

3. READ 2 Timothy 3:6-17. What were some other characteristics Paul told Timothy to watch out for? What helps us recognize "evildoers and imposters" (v. 13) in our midst?

4. Should a truly godly person expect persecution (v. 12)? Why or why not?

GETTING PERSONAL

5. When are you most tempted to put on an external show of religion that hides the true condition of your heart?

6. Does v. 5 (with the rest of this passage) urge you to think about disassociating yourself from any particular person?

7. What specific sinful attitude or behavior do you need to ask God to help you overcome this week?

MAKING PROGRESS (THIS WEEK)

8. Paul's list describes "lovers of themselves" (v. 2) "rather than lovers of God" (v. 5) and the kind of problems caused by this basic sin problem. What can you do this week to get a firm grip on VVCC's 5 core statements listed below, especially the first core statement which makes all of them work.

1. Love God Wholeheartedly
2. Do First Things First
3. Don't Do Life Alone
4. Saved People Serve People
5. Followers Say, Follow Me!

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