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Aug 11, 2015

“What in the World?:  A World Gone Mad”

1 Chronicles 12:32; 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 12-13

 

“ . . . the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do . . .” 1 Chronicles 12:32

 

·         How I view the world is critical to understanding what is going on in the world. 

o   Another way of saying that is my position affects my perspective, and perspective shapes understanding

 

How We Often View the World . . .

 

·         Looking through the lens of Scripture is not just a good idea when it comes to understanding what’s going on in the world; it’s imperative.

“The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”  Psalm 119:130

“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  Proverbs 2:6

 

·         If I want to see the world properly, I must study the word diligently.

o   It’s not about being a scholar of the word, but being a student of the word. (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:14-17)

 

What’s Really Going on in the World?

 

·         What is going on in the world is everything the Bible claims will happen in the world.

o   Eventually this world, this age, will come to an end.

§  Jesus validated it. (Matthew 24)

§  Scripture prophesies it.

·         “And it will come about in the last days . . .” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah)

·         “Now the Spirit expressly says that in the later times . . .” (1 Timothy 4:1)

·         “But understand this, that in the last days . . .” (2 Timothy 3:1)

o   In the last days there will come times of difficulty. (2 Timothy 3:1)

§  19 Characteristics of the last days that Paul mentions in 2 Timothy 3:2-5

 

·         The world scene will get worse, before it gets better.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”  2 Timothy 3:12-13

 

But It’s Not The End of the Story . . .

 

The glorious hope we have is found when we look through the lens of Scripture.