NOW
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Pastor Ken Crow
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
According to my source of word lookup, the word now is used 1,321 times in the Word of God.
As we see in verse two of our text the word “now” refers to a time.
We have a tendency to defer “now” to a better time..
Hard decisions, work that we need to do , things that are not comfortable.
Someday we will do all the things we have always intended to do.
Someday we will become more dedicated.
Someday we will commit ourselves to the work of the Gospel.
Someday when conditions are more favorable we will give to the church, help the poor , witness to the lost or visit the sick.
Personally in my life I have learned painful lessons on putting things off.
The fact is the perfect time will never come. Proverbs 20:4 (King James Version)
4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (King James Version)
4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
1. THE TIME OF SALVATION IS NOW.
Acts 24:24-26 (King James Version)
24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
At that moment Felix was being dealt with by the Spirit of the Lord.
The scripture states that he was trembling. Felix was at that moment about to make the most important decision he would ever make. His eternal destiny hung in the balance. We must realize that when we feel the pull of the Spirit it is at that moment we must act.
Maybe , just maybe Felix felt like it just was not timely for him after all in the following scripture it says he was more concerned with money than his own soul.
Maybe just maybe Felix felt like he had years and years and one day before he died when it was convenient he would call Paul and accept this Jesus that Paul was telling him about.
Felix was sure Paul was right I have no doubt about that because he could feel that of which he had never felt before but perhaps Felix thought this thing I feel will be here when I am ready.
I don’t know how many times I have heard that from people since I been involved in ministry.
I have seen people cry at gravesides and say I am just not ready. I have seen people in crisis trembling and praying for God to intervene, yet say I am just not ready.
In the name of Jesus this morning that decision for the Lord is now.
Look what happens to Felix.
Acts 24:27 (King James Version)
27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Two years go by and Felix heart just seems to grow colder.
After that no more mention of Felix. He is called by name eight times here in the scripture. Each time with God trying to reach him through Paul but then no more.
God’s mercy is ever reaching. God’s grace is deeper than anything we can understand. But why take a chance.
Felix very well could have got another chance but every time we fail to heed the call of God we grow just a little colder.
Now is the time!
Now is the time for your ministry!
Now is the time for us to serve the Lord
We have now. We have this opportunity!
We may not have next year. We may not have the next decade! In fact we may not have next week! We need to worship, we need to pray , we need to have church like we may not have another Sunday! Oh my goodness I feel the Lord . If there is something Jesus through the Holy Spirit is telling you to do get up and do it!
Let’s stop saying how it is going be someday and start saying NOW!
Let us see people lay hands on the sick and see them recover, NOW!
Let us tread on serpents and scorpions Now!
If we think boy someday I am going to jump up and praise my Jesus and I am not going to care what anybody says or thinks then let us shout Now!
Say to yourself or someone there by you “I am not a Felix!”
One more place this morning before we close.
Luke 18:18-23 (King James Version)
18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
Like Felix we see no more the mention of this young man later on in the scriptures.
Jesus called him and he rejected the call because of worldly concerns.
Oh we look at him and say “ if he just would have turned his money over to Jesus.”
It does not have to be money.
Anything we are putting ahead of following Jesus will have the same effect on our life too.
The rich young ruler , like Felix may have thought someday I will do what Jesus ask me to do.
At this point I want to ask something very personal. Answer only in your heart and to the Lord.
Could it be that we are saying , even as Christians , “ Jesus someday I will do what you are asking me to do in this Gospel. But not right now. The time is just not right. I know that someday when everything is perfect and I am ready I will do it. But just not Now.”
This morning I want to pray that if anyone is putting off some kind of ministry that they will heed to that call right Now.
This morning we may be putting something off in our personal life that we know we need to do. My prayer is that we will take that step as the Holy Ghost is leading us right Now.
Someone may be putting off allowing Jesus into their life as Lord and Savior.
My prayer for you is that you allow him in right NOW.
My friend , as we said earlier and in our opening scripture as we close where we started.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Amen
