And Thats A Fact !

Stay Encouraged

March 18, 2018

Title -And that’s a fact

Revelation 22:12 ¬ - And behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be.

Facts these days, are debatable.

illustration - Two men had an argument. To settle the matter, they went to a judge for arbitration. The plaintiff made his case. He was very eloquent and persuasive in his reasoning, When he finished, the judge nodded in approval and said, "That's right, that's right."

On hearing this, the defendant jumped and said, "wait a second Judge, you haven't even heard my side of the case yet. " So the judge told the defendant to state his case. And he, too, was very persuasive and eloquent. When he finished, the Judge said, "That's right, that's right." When the clerk heard this, he jumped up and said, "Judge, they both cant be right !" The Judge looked at the clerk of the court, and said, "That's right, that's right."

- Roger Van Oech

Jesus is coming back, and that’s right. It’s a fact. We don’t need a judge ! For the one true “Judge” has declared the truth !

You will even be debated, on the fact that, Jesus IS COMING BACK ! This fact, needs to be held on to. You will be persuaded otherwise. You will be tempted to believe that which is not true. But in order to keep encouragement in these days, we realize that we must not lose sight of the fact, that He will return.

To stay encouraged, means we need to first, get encouraged.

Before we get into this mornings message, I just want to make a statement. Its ok to be discouraged. But let me place a caveat here. Don’t Stay there.

It can be a devils playground. However, I believe its in these times of discouragement that Jesus draws us up to Him. And, we are more likely to let Him.

Its getting more difficult these days, to find encouragement. But lets put earthly visions aside for right now. Lets just go back to the day you were saved. Remember, when all things became new ? (2 Cor. 5:17). Now, if we could only live in that encouragement and Joy until Christ returns. Oh wait…we can ! But truth be told, we probably wont. We get discouraged. We began to process all the things around us; the uncertainties, loses, problems, news, politics, and everyday responsibilities. Our earthly visions seem to take over.

You think your problems are unique. The disciples faced discouragement, the prophets face discouragement. Jesus faced discouragement. That’s right….Jesus faced discouragement. Look at the Tone of Jesus in John 6:67. When everyone was leaving him. “Will you also go away?” This was not Jesus, being encouraged. He was not being sarcastic. He was hurt, disappointed, and at the very least discouraged.

Matthew 24: 4-12 listen to this encouraging passage. (Read) Sounds encouraging, doesn’t it ! OF course not. Wars, rumors of wars, pestilence, earthquakes, famines…. Not necessarily something to get excited about. But he doesn’t end it there

Matthew 24-13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Notice, there is an end. !! This relates to our text. The reward is coming. And that’s where our encouragement comes from, not from the above mentioned events. !

But lets take this scripture and put it along with Romans 8:35. Who can seperate us from the love of God... (read in its entirety. Basically, Paul is giving us no room for excuses to be out of victory. God is sufficient.

Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of Heaven. This is what our true goal is. Heaven. Paul told us in 1Cor. 15:19 "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men, most miserable." We arent living this life for temporal blessings. Our goal is heaven. Gods goal for us is heaven. "He shall dwell with man..." That was Gods original intention with man. To dwell with him. And if we keep our hearts surrendered to Him, we will be with him in eternity.

Closing prayer -