Sermon Notes:

· 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – Know this: in the last days there will be a dangerous season. 2People will self-lovers, lovers of money, braggarts, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, without truth, promoters of quarrels, without self-control, untamed, haters of good, 4traitors, reckless, conceited, pleasure lovers rather than God-lovers. 5They have a form of godliness but the power they deny. Turn away from them! – wcs

· Know this: in the last days there will be a dangerous season.

· When people who do not have the character of Jesus lead the church, do not expect the church to be like Jesus.

· Do you know anyone with these character traits?

· Do you have these character trait?

· 2 People will self-lovers

· lovers of money

· braggarts

· arrogant

· Slanderers

· disobedient to parents

· ungrateful

· unholy

· 3unloving

· without truth

· Do you know anyone with these character traits?

· Do you have these character traits?

· promoters of quarrels

· without self-control

· Untamed

· haters of good

· 4traitors

· Reckless

· Conceited

· pleasure lovers rather than God-lovers

· 5They have a form of godliness but the power they deny.

· Do you know anyone with these character traits?

· Do you have these character traits?

· Turn away from them!

· Examine your character.

· To change your character, change your model.

· Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

· Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

· If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off…

· Turn away from destructive people.

· Go against the flow.

· Broad is way and wide is the gate that leads to destruction…

· Bottom Line: Turn away from the toxic people; follow Jesus.

· Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far; and grace will lead me home.

Life Group Discussion Questions

Starter: Name one toxic person you know. What makes them toxic?

Dig Deeper

1. Read 2 Timothy 3:1

a. Do you think the time we are living is dangerous? Why or why not?

2. Read 2 Timothy 3:2-5

a. This is long list of negative character traits. Which of these character traits do you see most in the toxic people around you?

b. Do you notice any of these traits in people in public life?

c. Which of these traits would you say you struggle against?

d. Paul tells Timothy to “Turn away from these people.” What does that mean to you?

e. Who would you say are positive role models in your life for the character of Christ?