Living In A World Gone Mad

2 Timothy 3:10-17;   According to Scripture, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18-19; John 16:1-4; John 17:14; Luke 21:12; John 15:20     <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Evil people will increase.  These are the wicked. (2 Timothy 3:2-4) <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Imposters will increase.  These are the pretenders. (2 Timothy 3:5-8) “ . . . having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”  2 Timothy 3:5   Suffering As A Follower of Christ . . . <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Suffering should not be surprising, but expected. (1 Peter 4:12) <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Suffering happens because of our identity with Christ. (1 Peter 4:13) “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecutedMe, they will also persecute you . . .” John 15:20 <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Suffering will expose the genuineness of your faith or the fakeness of your faith.  (1 Peter 1:7; James 1:2-4; Mark 4:16-17)   How To Live In A World Gone Mad . . . <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Place your life under the authority of the word of God. (2 Timothy 3:14) <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo3">o   Your position affects your perspective, and perspective shapes your understanding. <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Pursue holiness. (1 Peter 1:13-16) <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo3">o   Pursuing holiness is the obedient response of a believer who is allowing the word of God and the Spirit of God to bring about spiritual transformation in his/her life. <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Pray continually. (1 Peter 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Live courageously. (1 Peter 3:14-17) <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Speak truthboldly, yet respectfully. <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Love fervently. (1 Peter 4:8) <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Show generosity. (1 Peter 4:9) <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Serve willingly. (1 Peter 4:10)   <span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol">·         Trust God fully.  (1 Peter 4:19)