(1 John 2:18) "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."

Introduction:     The only thing Scripture says that is restraining the emergence of antichrist is the Rapture of the Church (text). The signs of the last days are all around us. Outside The Church (I) Our Finances Are Failing (II) Our Flag Is Being Folded (III) Our Families Are Fracturing. However, the most startling evidence is Inside The Church.

I.          FAITHFULNESS IS FALLING (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

            A.        Disturbing Deeds

1. Lovers of Self – Selfish, intent on one's on interests – Phil 2:3.

Nothing is more important to some people than themselves. These people feel as if the world revolves around them and them alone. When love for self is elevated, love for God and all other things are lowered! The trend in the modern church is toward self-esteem, self-worth and a positive self-image. All concepts borrowed from modern, secular psychology! Every one of these characteristics Paul names is a result of being a “lover of self”.

2. Covetous – Lovers of money – Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim. 6:10 ( Ill. 1 John 2:15)

God's plan is that we worship God, love other people and use things. When our priorities become skewed, we start to worship ourselves, ignore God, love things and use other people. This is the formula for defeat in life.

3. Boasters – Empty pretenders Ill. Windbags! Brag about what they have and have done! Set themselves up as the be all and end all of other people's lives!

4. Proud – An over estimate of one's worth – Pro. 16:18. (Illus: Nothing but sinners saved by pure grace! We would do well to remember the counsel of Romans 12:3, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." ( Ill. We are nothing without Him - John 15:5.)

5. Blasphemers – Given to defiant and bitter words. These are they who speak evil of God, His children and His work! Have you considered the rise in cursing in our day? Why is this true? Because men have lost all respect for God, themselves and their fellow man. They think nothing of using their tongues to speak evil against everyone and everything.

6. Disobedient To Parents – This rejection of Christian values reaches into the home. Discipline has gone out the window! If children will not respect and obey their parents, who will they respect? If there is no obedience, respect and loyalty in the home, why should we expect to find it in society?

7. Unthankful – No sense of gratitude for anything they possess whether it comes from man or God. Our society is marked by this kind of unsettled, unthankfulness. People complain about everything and everyone. Yet, God's Word teaches us that we should be a thankful people, Col. 3:15.

8. Unholy – Wicked – this word means profane. This is the state of heart when men lose all regard for decency and shame. People are governed by their passions and they are blind to modesty, decency, purity and righteousness! Think of the flaunting of wickedness and evil that is so rampant in our society. Men will increase in wickedness as the end approaches. This trend is becoming more and more evident! The bottom line is that men will hold nothing as being sacred anymore! Are we there yet?

9. Without Natural Affection – Describes a breakdown of the family. There is a loss of love for those we ought to love the dearest. (Ill. Abandonment, abuse, abortion, infidelity, etc.) All natural loves will be lost in the desire to fulfill the basest and most perverted of human excesses.

10. Trucebreakers – This refers to those who will not keep their promises. A man's word is no longer his bond! It also speaks to people who will not try to agree. This is a picture of those who are unyielding and must, at all costs, have their own way. (Illus: Very prevalent in the church!)

11. False Accusers – Slanderers. This word is the same word from which we get the word "devil". In other words, the devil is a slanderer, and those who engage in destroying the good name of another person are guilty of engaging the devil's work!

12. Incontinent – Without self-control or the ability to discipline one's life. "If it feels good, do it! Why should I deny myself the little pleasures of life?" Such is the motto and mission of modern society! However, the Word of God teaches 1 Cor. 6:12, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."

13. Fierce – untamed, savage, brutal – People will be controlled by their baser instincts. We are seeing a trend in this direction in our society. Men are literally living like wild animals!

14. Despisers Of Those That Are Good – In a world where good is evil and evil is good, those who stand for right are a slap in the face of the evil doer. Therefore, those who take a stand along Biblical lines are apt to be persecuted and hated. Why do you think the worldly crowd wants the 10 Commandments taken down from court room and school house walls? Why do you think they don't want prayer at school functions? Why do you think that the world is so against the Word of God being preached in a public forum?

15. Traitors – People who betray others and break friendship just to get their way. These people will lie, cheat, steal and crush anyone who dares get in their way. Basically, people will possess no loyalty except to themselves!

16. Heady – Reckless, rash, acting without reasonable thought. This is a lifestyle that does as it pleases without regard for the consequences it speaks of those involved in activities of a foolish nature.

17. High-minded – Those who are puffed up with a false sense of their own self-importance. People who think they are better than what they are. These people feel that they have no need for God or others. They are all they need!

18. Lovers Of Pleasure More Than Lovers Of God – Those who love the pleasures of the world more than God.

B.                 Dangerous Deception 

The last days will be characterized by wickedness and evil, but they will be a religious people! We are seeing this trend today. While morality continues to decline, 94% of Americans claim to believe in God. Over 70% claim that they have had a "born again" experience. There is a glut of churches in our society. One doesn't have to travel very far to find a church that embraces any doctrinal slant you want to believe. We are running over with religion in America !

Paul says that these people will have a "form of godliness"(.v5). The word "form" means a "semblance." in other words, they will claim to be good and decent people, but their claim is false! Their problem is the fact that they have a desperately wicked heart. The way they live proves that their claim of faith is false.

II.         COMMITMENT IS COLLAPSING (1 Peter 4:1-3; 7)

The Christian life is not just simply a life of convince…it is a life of commitment! The emblem of Christianity is not a couch to lay on…it is a cross to die on! (Mat 16:24) "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." A truly committed Christian 

            A.        Remembers The Commitment Of Christ (VV.1-2)

How can I be uncommitted when I think about how committed Jesus was? He suffered for us. (Illus: when trouble comes…take a long look at the cross! The only way to receive a crown is to bear a cross!)

            B.         Avoids The Control Of Sin (V.3; 7)

The time spent in sin in the past is enough time spent in sin. Too many professing Christians today are controlled by sin. They’re living as though they were the person they were before they were saved (if they are saved) and not taking their Christianity seriously. For the committed Christian, sin is in the past!

·        Lasciviousness = indecency. A person that has no moral guilt or shame. (Illus: this preaching makes me feel bad…)

·        Lust = desire; by context evil sexual desire.

·        Excess of wine / revellings = the overflow of wine. A party of drunken revelers running wild weary eyed through the streets; crazed with liquor.

·        Banquetings = carousing; a drinking bout or binge.

·        Abominable idolatries = anything or anyone put before the Lord.

Conclusion:       Is the world ready for antichrist? Well, all the signs seem to indicate that we are. If that is the case, then what do we need to do? First, as individuals we need to get every nook and cranny of our lives cleaned up and separated unto the Lord. Secondly, as a church, we need to be sure that we get totally separated from every worldly influence and that we stay separated unto the Lord. We are in the last days, and if we are not careful, we will be sucked into the mentality that dominates our society. If that happens, we will lose our power and we can count on God writing "Ichabod" across our door!