 Love Your Neighbor: Freedom to Love3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 A little over a month ago I was asked to lead the Council of Presidents in a study of 2 Timothy 4 so the words above are still fresh in my mind. In addition, we are coming up on the end of the church year which always directs our thoughts toward the end times. Please allow me to share some thoughts on the above passages to lead us into this time of the church year. Both 3:1 and 4:3 reference a “time” that is coming that will be marked by difficulty and the opposition to God’s Word. We know this as the “end times” or the time that will precede the 2nd Coming of our Lord. It is hard to summarize the difficulty of the end times described in 3:2-5. The list is sprawling, wide-ranged, and inclusive of all sorts of sinful behavior. While “selfish” and “lack of fear of God” might begin to summarize the list it in no way does justice to the utter disregard for the love of God and his commands. The end times will be seriously opposed to God and his ways. Paul writes this message to Timothy, pastors of the future, and us, the church, not to scare us but to assure us when we see it happening that God is still in control. These behaviors and events are not outside of his omniscience or omnipotence. Instead, God calls Timothy and us to be faithful and steadfast in the face of such godlessness. He desires to use us to bring the saving message of Jesus Christ to a confused world. So, in chapter 4 Paul charges Timothy and the church to preach the Word! Timothy and pastors to follow are to do this proclamation from the Office of the Public Ministry (as pastors) and we from our position in the priesthood of all believers. It is quite clear that there will be opposition to the Word as it is delivered. People will not endure hearing it, will turn away from it, will have itching ears for the latest novelties, will seek out teachers who will tell them what they want to hear, and will wander into myths (false theories and explanations) Yet God calls us to be faithful and preach the Word. Why? Because as 3: 15-16 teaches us …the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Why? Because
Are we in the end times? The answer is yes because the Scriptures teach us that the end times began at the 1st coming of Christ and will continue until he comes again. Are we in the end times as described in 2 Timothy and close to the 2nd coming of Christ? We can’t say for sure but it certainly seems so. We see many of the characteristics mentioned displayed in our world today. The answer to that question is not all that important. What is important is that we heed the message of 2 Timothy to
The end times are coming Paul warned. But so has the grace of God in the salvation of Jesus Christ and his powerful Word. And so will Christ’s eternal kingdom. Stand fast therefore and be faithful. District Update Congregational News
The NJ Rally and March for Life Twelve members of NJ and English District congregations gathered at the NJ State House for the annual Life Rally. Afterwards there was a short march through Trenton and past the government buildings. This annual event is again scheduled for September of 2026. We welcome additional marchers.  NJ and English District Participants  Participants marching down State Street, Trenton
In late August five members of NJD congregations traveled to St. Louis for orientation to the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) training. They are Vicars Ranjan George (Holy Trinity, Somerset and NJD Campus Ministry), Cliff Powers (Zion, Maywood), and Brandon Chornobroff (Prince of Peace, Howell). This marked the beginning of their SMP studies. Each of the three were then installed into Vicarages in September and early October. We are thankful for the gift of these men to the Holy Ministry, our congregations, and District. Pray for these men as they embark on four years of study and service to the church.  SMP Vicars Ranjan George, Cliff Powers, and Brandon Chornobroff  The five-person NJD contingent at the SMP Orientation in St. Louis. Accompanying the three Vicars are their mentors Rev. Chris Schonberg and Rev. Greg Jans. Upcoming SCC and NJDU Events Four additional congregations have indicated their desire to participate in Small Church Clarity (SCC). Participations will assist these congregations in ministry planning and prepare them for future Advanced Studies events and training. Our next event will be the first session of the new cohort for Small Church Clarity. Please call the District Office if you are interested in participating but have not yet signed up.
Fall Pastor Conference The NJD Fall Pastor Conference will be a one-day event held on Tuesday October 28th. Registration will begin at 8:00 am at St. Paul, Flemington. At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus commissions His church to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching – gathering the scattered and shepherding the gathered. It sounds simple, but real life is often complicated. We wish more people would worship each week. We want our Bible studies to be better attended. And we want to make a bigger impact on our community! Join Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe, LCMS Director of Discipleship Ministry, for a discussion about witness, discipleship, and the many offerings available from the Office of National Mission. We will also take time to workshop outreach ideas pertinent to our communities. Heath will draw from his own doctoral work, well over a decade of implementation in the parish, and best practices from around the nation to facilitate the topic in a practical and applicable format. Synodical Convention 2026 The 2026 Synodical Convention will be held in Phoenix, AZ on July 18-23rd.
Conclusion
Although the times may be difficult and many are turning away from the Word of God, none-the-less God has called us to be his church and to deliver the message of salvation. May God bless you and your congregation as together you remember these things at the end of the church year and live for him. The Lord be with you, President/Bishop Gewecke |
