HOW DO WE EBB THE FLOW?
Text: Revelation 2:2-7
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:2-7
INTRODUCTION
1. The Old Testament is full of warnings about corrupt governments and the potential danger for God's people
a. Rom. 13:1 "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God."
b. God is in control of governments, they are under His rule
2. What is taking place in our country has been compared to a tsunami in effect, tough times are upon us and we are struggling as a nation
3. How can we ebb the flow of this tsunami? Who do we stop the effects of a tidal wave of economic and moral crises?
4. I have a fool-proof answer that will help each of us, I do not know what God will decide about the nation, but we can assure ourselves of success if we do three simple things:
a. Relearn work ethic
b. Reduce greed
c. Remember God
5. This simple model will help you no matter what might come our way
TRANSITION: First of all we must:
I. Relearn our work ethic
A. We knew how to work before
1. Great forests became log homes, mercantile stores, cities, towns, and farms
2. Meals were killed, cleaned, and cooked each and every day
a. And families ate at the table together
b. It was not a fast-food and convenience society when our predecessors came over to build this country
c. Families worked together
3. The nations was forged out of the wilderness without cordless drills, table saws, pneumatic hammers ant the like
4. Blood, sweat, and tears shed daily as families started a new nation here
B. Such was the case when Israel came out of bondage
1. The people worked with a tool in one hand and a sword in the other
2. For the nation to be rebuilt the people "had a mind to work" (Nehemiah 4:6)
3. God has never excused His people from hard work
C. I am afraid we are getting "At ease in Zion"
1. Amos 6:1, "Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, and trust in Mount Samaria, Notable persons in the chief nation, to whom the house of Israel comes!"
2. Like the cows of Bashan in Amos 4
a. They wanted to survive
b. But they did not want to work
c. They wanted to live off the sweat and labor of others
3. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 God answers this mentality, "Even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat"
a. Adam was told he would eat by the sweat of his brow
b. God never removed that criterion from us
D. Consider the virtuous woman
1. She rises early to feed her family
2. She works hard all day long, clothing her family
3. Because it is her responsibility so she works to get the job done
4. No matter the country of government, God's people must be hard working
TRANSITION: We work hard to get what we have so we better:
II. Reduce greed
A. Greed is a killer
1. Proverbs 1:19, "So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners"
2. Proverbs 15:27, "He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house"
a. You do not move in a positive direction by being greedy
b. You make trouble and work yourself to death to gain things that you leave behind when you die
c. And you sacrifice things you need to get you into heaven
3. 1 Timothy 3:10-11, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness"
B. You are not entitled; you are obligated
1. Obligated to love the Lord and His people (Luke 10:27)
2. Obligated to obey God (John 3:36)
3. You owe God more than you can ever repay so do not go forward with an empty handout to receive but a full hand out to give
4. Ask not what God can do for you, but ask what you can do for your God
5. Wherever you live and whatever you do, remove greed from your life and learn that you must be giving not receiving in order to please God
TRANSITION: Finally, to ebb the flow we must:
III. Remember God
A. God was at the center of establishing the US, like it or not
1. The Campbells, John Smith, Tolbert Fanning, all these men could study freely and find the truth because of the laws this government set in place
2. Founders of this nation called on the name of God often when writing letters and documents related to the government
B. Some have forgotten this truth
1. A man was asked when God allowed a school shooting that took place several years ago. The man answered, "Because they don't let God in the schools anymore."
2. When we leave God out, His guiding principles are left out too
3. Matthew 23:37, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!"
4. 1 Samuel 12:9, "And when they forgot the LORD their God, He sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab"
5. Judges 3:7-8, "So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs. 8 Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim eight years"
6. If you have forgotten God it does not matter what nation or government you live in, the result is the same, God's anger and rejection = your destruction
C. To ebb the flow we must remember Him
1. Revelation 2:5, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp -stand from its place--unless you repent."
2. The only way back for any of us, our nation, His church, or you as an individual, is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
3. Won't you remember Him this day?
CONCLUSION
1. Listen, I do not know about this country, it's in God's hands. Will it stand or fall? I do not know
2. I do know that to ebb the flow of the tsunami that is attacking us we must take personal responsibility of our own lives
3. Relearn how to work hard, it will not kill you and just might save you
4. Reduce your greed, learn to get by on less, to be satisfied, no one owes you anything
5. Remember God, He must be the center of your life
6. Regardless of how the nation goes, we can be OK if we learn and practice these three simple suggestions
