Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Emphasize the urgency of acting now in unity and faith, especially in challenging times, rather than falling into complacency.
Good morning, Church family. As we gather here today, let's take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians.
"For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
In these uncertain times, it's easy to push things off until tomorrow. However, today's sermon will remind us of the urgency of now, the power of unity, and the perils of our times.
In the words of A.W. Tozer, "The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions." Let's not be lulled into complacency but be aware of the urgency to act now, to unite as one body of Christ, and to navigate wisely through these challenging times.
Let's bow our heads in prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today, united in spirit and purpose. We ask for your guidance as we delve into your Word. Help us, Lord, to not be complacent, but instead, spurred into action, to serve you better each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now, let's dive into God's word together.
The urgency of now is the idea that we should not delay in responding to God's call, in living out our faith, and in sharing the Good News with others.
"Now is the favorable time; now is the day of salvation:" This is a powerful reminder that we should not delay in responding to God's call. Each day is a gift from God, and each moment presents us with an opportunity to serve Him. There is an urgency to act now because we are not guaranteed a tomorrow. This is not to instill fear, but to remind us of the preciousness of time and the importance of making the most of the time we have been given.
The way we live out our faith: The Christian life is not one of passivity, but of active engagement. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This requires action and effort on our part. We cannot simply wait for a more convenient time to live out our faith. The time to act is now.
Our responsibility to share the Good News with others: We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, to share His love and grace with the world. This is not a task that we can put off until a more convenient time. People need to hear the Good News now. They need to know about God's love and grace, about the salvation that is available through faith in Jesus Christ. The time to share this message is now.
Not a call to frantic activity, but to purposeful action: It is a reminder that each moment is a gift from God, an opportunity to serve Him and to share His love with others. It is a call to live out our faith with intentionality and purpose, to make the most of the time we have been given.
A call to prayer: We are reminded in Scripture to "pray without ceasing." This is not a call to spend every moment in formal prayer, but rather to live in a constant state of communion with God, to be continually aware of His presence and to seek His guidance in all we do. The time to pray is now.
A practical principle that can guide our daily lives: It can shape the way we spend our time, the way we interact with others, and the way we approach our relationship with God. It is a principle that can bring clarity, purpose, and urgency to our lives.
The power of unity speaks to the strength and resilience that comes when believers come together in one accord, united by their faith and love for God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO