Handle With Care

Handle With Care By Gerald Van Horn

Introduction: You have heard the saying “Like a bull in a china shop.” It’s a humorous way of saying be careful with delicate items. Our text is to be handled with utmost care. Why should we be so cautious? The more valuable and item the more it must be protected. The irreplaceable painting of a master painted must be guarded from careless touch of the curious.

1. That which is valuable is most easily hurt. The eye cannot stand the same pressure of the foot. Paul underwrites such an axiom I Cor. 12:22-23. “Nay much more than these members of the body, which seem to be more feeble are necessary; And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon those we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.”

2. Prophecy is important to every Christian. Prophecy provides a strong motivation to serve the Lord. It is a target for the enemy also. It appears to the casual reader to be ridiculous. Yes, prophecy is hard to understand but it is profitable. We cannot afford to put prophecy on the self and hope that it will go away. We can sum it up in one statement, “The time is at hand.” It is a watch word. It has a sense of urgency.

3. The study of eschatology- the doctrine of the future-has produced much and varied opinions. The counter attack is summed up many times in Chrystal balls, astrology, tarot cards, palm reading, and phrenology. Some times some one gets a vision or two not corroborated by Scripture but it’s proclaimed as gospel. Books have been written and thesis papers have written and no one can agree. It often cause confusion and misunderstanding. None of these meet the standard of the true interpretation. The only rule that we need is that the best interpretation is that the Bible must be held as the final test.

4. Prophecy still remains glorious and grandeur. It sparks like a diamond. The human minds needs to know. Prophecy is profitable. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things written therein: for the time is at hand.“ If these Scriptures were significant for previous generations it is absolutely vital for today. Jesus was very blunt when he said, “And when these things come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” We do not know the day or the hour that the Lord may come. “Knowing the time,” it is high time to awake out of sleep.” Romans 13:11. “But ye brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief.”

Conclusion: “The time is at hand.” The message is urgent. “Watch therfor: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:42. Even so come Lord Jesus.