2 Timothy 3:1–5 these are perilous times

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

These are perilous times. We need wisdom to see the wiles of the serpent while remaining as  gentle as the Lamb!! The doctrine of man will never save you. Only Jesus Christ can do that!!

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 

Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance

The earthly tabernacle was made with natural things the spiritual not of this creation, not made with human hands. Jesus is the price of redemption. Christ  entered into the holiest of holies,  and offered His blood for the salvation of mankind. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice without spot. Purged from our sins we can now stand before our Holy God. 

John 20:8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead..

Those closest to Jesus had no concept that He would offer His life in exchange for theirs and be raised from the dead. Mary magdalene ran to tell the apostles that His tomb was empty. Peter entered into the tomb and saw the linens wrapped together by themselves. 

They saw and believed. They knew nothing of the resurrection. For as yet they did not understand the scripture that He must rise again from the dead. They left but Mary Magdalene weeping looked into the sepulchre and saw two angels where the body of Jesus would have laid. And then she saw a man (He was so marred) but did not recognize Him until Jesus spoke her name. She answered Master. Jesus said not to touch Him for He had not yet ascended to the Father. She ran to tell the others that Jesus was resurrected. 

Jesus says it is wise to treasure what is eternally worthwhile. Today, as believers, we are gifted with the Holy Spirit to assist us in understanding God's Truth (John 16:13)! So let's ask Him to help us understand this today: Any sacrifice we make to follow Jesus will be well worth it. Scripture is clear that Jesus, as the Son of God, is the only One who is able to pay the price for our salvation (John 3:16-18; ). ( Acts 4:12). It is through Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection that our sin debt is paid (Romans 6:8-11; ). ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). 

We receive the gift of salvation through our faith in Christ alone, not by anything we do or do not do (Ephesians 2:8-9). First5

2 Timothy 3:1–5

3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! The New King James Version

The last days refers to the period of time before Christ returns to establish His kingdom. 

Christians in the new testament period believed they were already living in the last days. The concept of the last days derives from the old testament. The phrase and its variations (“latter days,” “day to come,” “that day”) were used to refer to a period of time in the future, or to a period before the end of history. The last days were characterized by wickedness and unfaithfulness to God, and consequently, judgment however, they were also characterized by restoration. 

The disciples perceived a relationship between the last days and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this reason, they asked Jesus about restoring the kingdom of Israel. 

Having a form of godliness refers to someone who is godly only in outward appearance Such people look righteous but are only religious, not actually living according to God’s standards. They promote foolish controversies and ascetic practices that deny the power of godliness for true transformation. Faithlife Study Bible

The exhortations of chapter 2 to endure hardship, be diligent, rightly divide the Word, and be a vessel fit for the Master’s use are given in the context of difficult, even perilous times. Last days includes the whole time from the writing of this letter until the return of Christ. 

A form of godliness is an outward appearance of reverence for God. Denying its power describes religious activity that is not connected to a living relationship with Jesus Christ. As time progresses, people would begin to participate in religious activities that are empty. Their activities have nothing to do with a true relationship with God or with individual faith in Jesus Christ. This kind of religion provokes God’s anger. 

Turn away is a command for Timothy to avoid the evil persons described. We are not to link up in common cause with them. The NKJV Study Bible

Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Romans 1:30–31 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

1 Timothy 6:4–5 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

Luke 16:14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.

Luke 7:41-50 We love much!!

Those of us who have been forgiven much we love that much more!

Everything in the Old Testament was God ordained as it is in the New Testament in the finished work of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Once a year the priest entered into the holy of holies and offered blood sacrifice for the sins of the people. It was “the day of atonement” and on that day their sins were covered for another year. Before the finished work of the Cross the blood of animals  was unable to save us fully and completely…only Jesus can! 

Hebrews 9:6 6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 

11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, foretold of things to come, that the way to the presence of God was not yet made manifest until the shedding of the perfect, sinless blood of Jesus Christ, all God and all man. All things before Him were just a template of the things to come. God in His sovereignty kept temple sacrifice until after the resurrection of Jesus and only then the temple (70AD) and the law could be destroyed and replaced with a new and better covenant. through faith in the grace He gifted to mankind in the birth, death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ mankind could be saved.

Christ is THE high priest He is the Good News! All the daily working of the Old Testament and the day of atonement was a prelude to the cleansing of all sins permanently in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross.

In Christ earthly ministry certain scribes and Pharisees wanted a sign that He was who He said He was. 

Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and  adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Ephesians 4:8-10 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 

Now that he ascended He also descended into the lower parts of the earth that He would fulfill all things. When Jesus ascended on high He led the captive Old Testament Jews in hades to the presence of God. 

Jesus conquered death the last obstacle to eternal reunification with our holy God.

in preparation of the priest entering the holy of holies the start was the washing of water (baptismo). Jesus washes us as white as snow in the forgiveness and grace of God. Baptism is the outward sign of our inward faith in Jesus who saves.

 Jesus plainly stated "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6a) and "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12a). The Apostle John declared that "in [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). And the Apostle Paul reminded believers that Jesus "became to us wisdom from God" (1 Corinthians 1:30).

As children of God, we have ultimate access to generational wisdom through our relationship with Jesus, God's own Son! Jesus has secured an inheritance for us in God's Kingdom; when we trust in Him for salvation, He brings us into the light of God's presence. When we faithfully walk with Him, our reflection of His light grows progressively brighter as we are transformed increasingly into the likeness of the true Light of the world (2 Corinthians 3:18). First5

 Holy Spirit convicts but never condemns. He wants every one of us to come to faith in Christ  finished work on the Cross.

This was another hard week for me. The news, yes. And many conversations (phone and email) about our world (and our place in it), and how it is easy to feel, or to be, quite literally, lost. And lost is not just a GPS malfunction. Too many know what it means to be disconnected, discounted, diminished, demeaned. Lost.
In the story of the lost sheep the shepherd doesn’t blame the lost one. Or give advice. Or admonish. Because to the shepherd, that sheep is not just a number, but a face, a name and a story.
The shepherd knew that some stories are too heavy to carry alone. That every one of us at some time in our life will need the loving arms of justice, mercy and unmerited grace.
And here’s the deal: some days we are the one lost. And some days, we are the hands and feet of the shepherd.
Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God's help. (The baptismal covenant in the Episcopal Church.)
Because some stories are too heavy to carry alone. Sabbath Moments 

Ed Kilbourne wrote a song called Promised Land.
“There’s a place they call the promised land where people live by grace
The leaders are their servants, the last ones win the race
And those who love are wealthy and those who hate are poor
And honor’s won by making peace, not by making war
And everyone’s invited when the kingdom feast is spread
They remember how they got there in the breaking of the bread
They pass a cup around the room to every tear stained face
And drink a toast to Jesus as they sing Amazing Grace.”

Worry happens when we keep our problems to ourselves or present our problems to the puny deities of money, muscle, or humankind. The act of prayer moves us from a spirit of concern to a spirit of gratitude. Even before our prayers are answered, our hearts begin to change.

Peace happens when we pray. Max Lucaado

Luke 7:41-50

41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” The New King James Version

The denarius was the usual daily wage for a laborer. A debt of 500 denarii was seemingly insurmountable. Rather than making the point Himself, Jesus prompts Simon to give an answer that condemns his own attitude. Jesus uses this same tactic with the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:36–37). The parable reflects the scene. The woman, who appeared to be in great need of forgiveness, expresses her love and appreciation more than the Pharisee, who likely thought that he needed little or no forgiveness. Jesus contrasts the woman’s devotion and care with Simon’s failure to do anything to honor his invited guest. Forgiveness of sins could be granted by God alone. 

Jesus often recognizes faith as the catalyst for healing and salvation. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus often compared sin to a monetary debt. A denarius was a day’s wage for a basic laborer, so five hundred denarii was approximately the wages of one and a half years. Which of them will love him more? Jesus’ point is that the amount of love showered on the Savior will be in direct proportion with one’s sense of the gravity of the sins that the Savior has forgiven. The woman knew she had been forgiven much, and as a result she would love much. Jesus contrasted the actions of the woman with the actions of the Pharisee Simon, implying that the woman knew more about forgiveness than Simon. 

Jesus confirmed that the love of the woman, which was visible in her actions toward Jesus, had come from being forgiven. The grumbling over Jesus’ declaration concerning forgiveness indicates that at least some people in the audience rejected His authority. 

Faith is the human channel for receiving God’s gifts. The NKJV Study Bible

None can truly perceive how precious Christ is, and the glory of the gospel, except the broken-hearted. But while they feel they cannot enough express self-abhorrence on account of sin, and admiration of his mercy, the self-sufficient will be disgusted, because the gospel encourages such repenting sinners. 

The Pharisee, instead of rejoicing in the tokens of the woman’s repentance, confined his thoughts to her former bad character. But without free forgiveness none of us can escape the wrath to come; this our gracious Saviour has purchased with his blood, that he may freely bestow it on every one that believes in him. 

Learn here, that sin is a debt; and all are sinners, are debtors to Almighty God. Some sinners are greater debtors; but whether our debt be more or less, it is more than we are able to pay. God is ready to forgive; and his Son having purchased pardon for those who believe in him, his gospel promises it to them, and his Spirit seals it to repenting sinners, and gives them the comfort. 

Let us keep far from the proud spirit of the Pharisee, simply depending upon and rejoicing in Christ alone, and so be prepared to obey him more zealously, and more strongly to recommend him unto all around us. The more we express our sorrow for sin, and our love to Christ, the clearer evidence we have of the forgiveness of our sins. 

What a wonderful change does grace make upon a sinner’s heart and life, as well as upon his state before God, by the full remission of all his sins through faith in the Lord Jesus! Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 9:2–3 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

Mark 15:38–39 The veil separating us from our Creator was torn top to bottom

The separation of God from sinful mankind was removed in the holy blood of Jesus Christ. It  is finished.

Matthew 27:51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Paul was a minister of the new testament, not of the letter  of the Law but of grace, in the Holy Spirit. The 10 commandments had no power to save mankind it could only make them aware of the sin that kept them captive. For the letter kills but the Spirit gives life but if the administration of death written in stone was glorious how much more the administration of the Spirit. The old has faded away and the newness of eternal life in Christ has replaced it. 

2 Corinthians 3:4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

We are under the administration of life not death. The death of a believer is the beginning of eternal life. 

Storms upend days. And lives.
“The inevitable vicissitudes of life, no matter how well gated our communities, will visit us all. Grief is a part of life, and if you explore its painful precincts, it will make you stronger.” (Thank you, Ken Burns, commencement speech at Brandeis University)
And this week, we remember that sometime in our life, every single one of us needs…a place for sanctuary. A place for restoration. A place for healing. Sabbath Moments

Have you prayed and heard nothing? If so, I beg you, don’t give up. You have been heard in heaven. Angelic armies have been dispatched. Just keep praying. Heaven has helpers for you. Max Lucado

Mark 15:38–39

38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” The New King James Version

The significance of the supernatural tearing of the veil of the temple is that access to God is now open to all. No longer through priests and the blood of bulls and goats do we approach God, but through the torn veil, which also symbolizes Jesus’ broken and torn body (Hebrews 10:20). Top to bottom reminds us that God Himself removed the barrier. 

Only Mark uses the Latin term centurion, a Roman captain in charge of one hundred men. The centurion’s statement that Jesus was the Son of God can be construed as a confession of belief in Jesus’ deity. The NKJV Study Bible

This could refer to the outer curtain, which shielded the entrance to the sanctuary. Heavenly imagery was embroidered on the outer curtain, forming an appropriate parallel to the heavens tearing open at Jesus’ baptism. Alternatively, it could indicate the inner veil, which hid the divine presence in the most holy place (holy of holies); this might parallel the Holy Spirit descending at Jesus’ baptism. 

Jesus’ identity is fully revealed upon His death. At three key events in Mark’s Gospel—Jesus’ baptism, transfiguration, and crucifixion—a voice confirms that Jesus is God’s Son. Here, it is no longer God the Father proclaiming Jesus’ identity, but instead a non-Jewish person—confirming Jesus’ ministry and mission to Gentiles. Faithlife Study Bible

At the same instant that Jesus died, the veil of the temple was rent from the top to the bottom. This spake terror to the unbelieving Jews, and was a sign of the destruction of their church and nation. It speaks comfort to all believing Christians, for it signified the laying open a new and living way into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Exodus 26:31–33 “You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver…

Matthew 27:54–56 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar…

Luke 23:47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

Mark 15:45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.