Perilous Times (2 Timothy 3:1)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
19 October 2025
The apostle Paul writes to prepare young Timothy for perilous times.
Perilous times will be a feature of the final age of this world.
The cause of perilous times is ungodliness. People will love themselves and not God. They shall be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
The signs of ungodliness are evident. Paul lists some of them. People will be proud, unthankful, without self-control, brutal, headstrong. We see these symptoms of ungodliness all around us.
Imagine the Lord Jesus Christ having to live in an ungodly world. Jesus had no personal sin but saw sin everywhere. It grieved his pure heart. The perfect being of Jesus was grieved by the imperfections of human nature. He came to renew that nature.
Paul warns Timothy of people who had a form of godliness but were ungodly. Their facade of piety could not produce godliness. Jesus had to confront the religious Pharisees who were hypocritical. It grieved Jesus to see the religion he gave to the Jews so misrepresented.
The religious people were outwardly pious but their religion had no power to restrain ungodliness. The only power that can deal with ungodliness is the gospel. It is God’s power to save. Hence the importance of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul instructs Timothy to turn away from people who are ungodly. In our situation we may not be able to turn physically away from ungodly people but we can turn away in our minds and be transformed.
As a Church we commemorate the Protestant Reformation. One characteristic of the Reformation was that the Reformers turned away from false doctrine. They and their successors established churches where godliness was practised.
We live in perilous times. Jesus has told us we shall have tribulation in the world but that he has overcome the world.
Christians, in Christ you can live through perilous times. Therefore live triumphantly. Help those who are under stress. Be gentle. Have a word to share with people in these perilous days.
But do you yourself contribute to the stress around you? Are you a contributor or a consoler?
May the Lord Jesus prepare us for perilous times just as he prepared Timothy and not merely prepare us but use us as a balm to stressed and hurting souls.