I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, ⁴ and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.  ~2 Timothy 4:1-5

Happy Lord’s Day, friends!  Perhaps you have spent part of this day as I have, being well fed from the Word of God.  I count myself especially blessed to attend a church that is faithful to preach the Word, and I hope you are equally blessed.

The apostle Paul warned Timothy in 2 Timothy 4 that a time will come when tickling ears (teaching what others want to hear) would replace sound doctrine, that teachers would teach in accordance to desires, and ears would turn from the truth.  It was apparently an issue even in Paul’s day, but is increasing in today’s age of “feel good religion.”

Recently, the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) voted to allow same-sex marriage and permit its ministers to preside over those marriage ceremonies.  To be clear, there are solid, Bible-teaching ministers within the PCUSA.   However, as a denomination, they have demonstrated the apostasy that Paul warned of.

Additionally, the PCUSA has turned its back on Israel by declaring that Israel is “occupying” territory that (according to PCUSA) does not belong to them.  Thus, they have voted to divest from companies that operate in Israel.  For additional details, click here.

Indeed, in end times apostasy will come, and ultimately Israel will stand alone.  In His teaching to disciples in Matthew 24, Jesus gave us this exhortation:

At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.¹² Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.  ~Matthew 24:10-13

Friends, the Presbyterian church is simply a microcosm of what we see in our world today.  Rather than knock them for their apostasy, I urge us all to see it as a warning.  God is trying to get our attention.  The alarm is going off!  That is why I encourage you to join Anne Graham Lotz and other faithful leaders for 777 – A Call to Prayer.

 

By the way, will you forward this Urgent Call to Prayer to others?  Let’s spread the word, and let’s join forces and respond to the call!

Shalom friends!