"In Times Like These"

IN TIMES LIKE THESE

Text-Matthew 5:13-16

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have

lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it

is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set

on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a

bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may

see your good works, and glorify your Father which

is in heaven."

Introduction-

How are we to respond to the times in which

we live?

-in times like these, when every day we wonder if

there is going to be another terrorist attack or

not

-in times like these, when our culture is becoming

more and more anti-Christian

-in times like these, when there are school shoot-

ings, and violence mentioned on the news almost

every day

-in times like these, when if you are married to

one person, and live with your first mate and

and are faithful, and your children are not in

trouble you are an oddity

-in times like these, when our economy seems to be

collapsing, and fear of a major depression looms

on the horizon of economic uncertainty

I. First of all, WE CAN SHARE OUR FAITH WITH A PER-

PLEXED WORLD.

Many people do not seem to understand how all this

could have happened to America. As more and more

violence occurs, and our confidence is shaken, we

will see more Americans than ever despairing and

afraid. As believers in Jesus Christ, we know

who is in control. We know that we live in peri-

lous times, but we also know that whatever occurs,

Jesus is with us. If He chooses to do so, He can

deliver us from all harm. If He does not, He can

grant us the grace and courage we need to face

whatever may occur.

You can bank on it that there will be more terror-

ist attacks, and wars and rumors of wars, but do

you know what Jesus told His disciples? He said-

"And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see

that ye be not troubled: for all these things

must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For

nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom

against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and

pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Vs. 8-All these are the beginning of sorrows...

(Matthew 24:6-7) The stage is being set for the

coming of the Anti-Christ, and the Great Tribu-

lation. Be ready, and escape it. Trust in Christ.

We can be what God intended us to be-the light of

the world, and the salt of the earth. Many people

may wonder into our chuches seeking comfort and

answers to the perplexities of our times.

II.Secondly, WE CAN BRING HOPE TO A BEWILDERED WORLD.

Christ is our Hope, and in Him, we have peace. We

need to tell the world that there is security in

a relationship with Christ, and nowhere else. All

else may crumble and fall, but He will be faithful.

In the tragedy of September the 11th, many of our

country’s citizens were placed in dire circum-

stances. Familys grieved over the loss of loved

ones. Financial adversity fell upon many. Fear

and anger gripped many hearts.

The Psalmist said in Ps. 81:2 & 7

"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my

fortress; my God; in him will I trust. A thou-

sand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at

thy right hand; but it shall not come neigh thee."

III.Thirdly, WE CAN SHARE LOVE WITH A LONELY WORLD.

What a golden opportune time for us to be the

people we ought to be. Let’s not fail the world,

or our Lord. Let’s be the light and the salt

of our society.

There are many in our nation who I’m afraid have

never really been loved. They haven’t been en-

couraged, or hugged, or given a chance. We need

to reach out to them in the name of Christ.

Haven’t you noticed, that most of the kids that

get involved in violence and other anti-cultural

rebellion come from broken homes, where they

never were really loved, where the ways of God

were not taught?

IV. Fourthly, WE CAN SHARE GOD’S TRUTH WITH A WORLD

THAT IS BEING FED A PACK OF LIES.

God’s Word is true, and it will stand the test

of time, and overcome all it’s opponants.

Our kids are being taught in some places that

they are only the product of evolutionary chance.