What would Jesus find if He returned to Earth today? Luke 18:1-8
Jesus Christ instructed His disciples in the school of prayer. He taught that a believer must have a persistent enduring faith we he or she prays. He gave the example of a widow’s persistent faith in coming before an unjust judge until she finds justice. How much more should we persevere before the Righteous Judge of the universe. He concludes this portion of the lesson on prayer with a question. Will the Son of man find on earth a persistence in faith answering to the widow's? In reflecting on that question I began ask, “What would Jesus find if He returned to Earth for His bride today?”
I. Christians wearing soiled garments – no holiness
A. Christ’s purpose for the church is seen in Ephesians 4:25b – 27, “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
B. Holiness is no longer a popular thing to teach or preach. Many feel that the grace of God covers everything, no matter what we do. Holiness is seen as old-fashioned and a turn-off.
C. 2 Timothy 3:1-6 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
D. The Body of Christ has become so identified with the world that it is nearly impossible to identify the church from the world. You cannot tell the difference between the tares and the wheat. There was a time when that meant that you could not tell the difference between a religious or moral person and a true Christian in that many unsaved act like saved individuals. Today, unfortunately, the reverse is true the church has started acting so much like the world that you can’t tell the difference.
E. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
F. Conformed = copying the behavior and customs of this world
G. Too many Christians have compromised themselves with the world. Someone has said that compromise is simply changing the question to fit the answer.
H. Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
I. James 4:4 “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
J. Part of the problem is that according to a Barna poll; just half of all Protestant Senior Pastors (51%) meet the criteria for having a biblical worldview. The criteria are believing that God is the all-knowing and all-powerful creator of the universe who still rules it today; that Jesus Christ never sinned; that Satan is real; that salvation is received through faith in Christ, not by good deeds; that every follower of Christ has a responsibility to share their faith with non-believers; that the Bible is accurate in all that it teaches; that absolute moral truth exists; and that absolute moral truth is described in the Bible. - The Barna Group of Ventura, California, www.barna.org
K. The modern church is quickly becoming a church that proclaims "a God without wrath, who brings men without sin, into a kingdom without judgment, through a Christ without a cross.” – Brian D Vos, The Church in the Midst of the World: Called Back to Christ
L. Realize that there is no forgiveness without repentance, no discipleship without obedience, no salvation without surrender, or true confession without consecration.
M. Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age”
II. Christians that have silent tongues – no evangelism
A. Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
B. Matthew 4:19 “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
C. Few Christians today share their faith with unsaved family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors. Statistically only five percent of born-again Christians ever lead a person to Christ. The majority do not witness out of fear; fear of rejection or ridicule.
D. Mark 8:38 “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
E. Many do not witness due to a lack of concern or compassion for the lost.
1. Vladimir Nabokov, a Russian-born novelist achieved popular success in the 1950’s – 60’s. He was also a collector of butterflies. One evening at dusk he returned from his days excursion in hot pursuit of a butterfly. He heard someone groaning most pitifully down by a stream. He was asked "Did you stop?" He replied "No, I had to get the butterfly." The next day the corpse of an aged prospector was discovered. – copied
2. Psalms 142:4 “I looked on my right hand, and beheld , but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.”
F. Interesting facts about evangelism:
1. Only 7% of those are likely to embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior do so in direct response to the outreach efforts of a minister, whether it be through preaching, teaching, or a more personal form of interaction.
2. Two-thirds of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before they reach the age of 18.
3. People who accept Christ as their savior when they are adults are less likely to embrace biblical theology than are those who accept Christ when they are children.
4. The numbers of men who are unchurched is rising, while the numbers of men who are "deeply spiritual" and those who possess an active faith (attend church, pray and read the Bible during the week) is declining.
5. Only one out of every ten believers who makes a decision to follow Christ does so in a church setting or service. - The Barna Group of Ventura, California, www.barna.org
G. Inviting people to church is not evangelism. It can be ground work for evangelism.
H. Dr. Greg Tyree, pastor of GracePointe Church in Madison, Virginia gives five reasons why should you invite people to church:
1. They will hear the gospel at church; some may even get saved at church
2. They will connect with Christians at church
3. Felt and real needs may be met at church
4. Your church will grow by you inviting others
5. People are more likely to come to church when invited by an individual
III. Christians that have stone hearts – no compassion or communion
A. Revelation 2:4 “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
B. Revelation 3:15-16 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
C. In the last days before Jesus Christ returns for His bride, like Ephesus many believers will become cold and indifferent having lost their first-love, and like Laodicea hold to a sick, lukewarm Christianity.
D. Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
E. When love for Christ wanes, love for brothers and sisters in Christ fades. Church loses its appeal. Concern for those who are lost is nonexistent. Sin is overlooked. Christ is not confessed before men. The heart of Christ aches.
F. We turn cold when we fail to maintain our relationship with Christ.
G. Jesus Christ does not force His way into our lives. Christ remains on the throne of our lives only a as long as we want and allow Him to be there.
H. Christians do not suddenly fall into sin, or fall away from God. Backsliding is a process.
I. The progression of Backsliding is seen in Psalm 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.”
1. Walking with the world and not with God
• 1 John 1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie , and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another , and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin
2. Loitering in the face of temptation
• 2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
3. Becoming Comfortable with sin
• Job 11:14 “If iniquity is in your hand, (I)put it far away, and do not let wickedness dwell in your tents”
J. A backslider is a person who has accepted Jesus as Lord, who knows the joy, peace, and excitement of walking with the Savior, but for whatever reason or excuse has left the arms of our Lord and is dancing to Satan's tune. – Zig Ziglar
K. Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”
L. Are you backslidden now? I'm going to help you answer that question. A backslidden Christian is any Christian who is not as close to Jesus as he use to be. Was there ever a time in your life when you were more consecrated to the Lord than you are now? Was there ever a period in your life when you felt the presence of God more than you feel it now? Was there a moment in your life when your love for Jesus Christ was more real than it is this minute? If so you need a revival! – Jerry Vines
Conclusion: If Jesus Christ were to return to earth today for you, what would He find?
