THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS

Sunday Morning:  September 17, 2000

Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4

3.  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

THAT MAN OF SIN

2 Thessalonians 2:3  "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that [the] man of [the] sin [lawlessness, NASB] be revealed, the son of perdition;"

THE SIN

1 John 3:4  "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

(1 John 3:4  "Everyone who practices [the] sin also practices [the] lawlessness; and [the] sin is [the] lawlessness." NASB)

DISOBEDIENT

Matthew 24:12  "And because iniquity [lawlessness] shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

John 14:15  "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

THE LORD HATES LAWLESSNESS

Hebrews 1:9  "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity [lawlessness]; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."

THE LAW IS GOOD

1 Timothy 1:8-10  "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

9. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous [just] man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers [smiters] of fathers and murderers [smiters] of mothers, for manslayers [murderers],

10. For whoremongers (immoral), for them (homosexuals) that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers (lording over others, enslaving), for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;"

THE LAWLESS OPPOSE AND EXALT

2 Thessalonians 2:4  "Who opposeth [present middle participle] and exalteth [present middle participle] himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; . . . "

NOT EVERY ONE WILL ENTER

Matthew 7:21-23  "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

WHY CALL ME LORD?

Luke 6:46  "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

1 Corinthians 12:3  "Wherefore I give you to understand, . . . no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."

THEY DENIED HIM HIS WILL

22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful [miracles] works?

DIVIDED KINGDOM

Matthew 12:25-26  ". . . Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?"

SIGN GIFTS WILL STOP

1 Corinthians 12:29-31  "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30. Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31. But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way."

1 Corinthians 13:8  "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."

1 Corinthians 13:9-10  "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Hebrews 1:1  "God, who at sundry times [many parts] and in divers manners [many ways] spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,"

 10. But when that which is perfect [complete] is come, then that (prophesy) which is in part shall be done away."

Galatians 4:6  "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."

Mark 14:36  "And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."

THEY ARE DENIED

23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work [practice] iniquity [lawlessness]."

IF WE DENY HIM

2 Timothy 2:12-13  "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13. If we believe [present active] not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."

BLESSED ARE THEY

Romans 4:7  "Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities [lawlessness] are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."