HEAR THE CRY FOR PEACE AND SAFETY? INVITATIONS?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is more than one part lesson.
The Bible is a BOOK OF INVITATIONS from man to man and from God to man. May we make it an invitation of man to God. Jesus desires to WELCOME all people to KNOW HIM and to COME INTO A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.
CAN WE HEAR THE CRY?
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NLT) When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 (MSG) About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other—"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"—suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
SEEMS THE PRESSURES WE FACE ON EVERY SIDE ARE VOID OF COPING SKILLS… OR CREATIVE USE OF CONFLICT.
SEEMS WE ARE IN A TERRIBLE BATTLE WITH MENTAL AND NERVOUS CONDITIONS… FUTURE SHOCK IS A HEAVY SOCIETY THAT CAN NOT SEE SPIRITUAL ISSUES CAN BE BEHIND THE PHYSICAL PROBLEMS WE ARE FACING….
LIFE AT BEST IS A SERIES OF DRAINING FAILURES. I WANT TO DO THIS? I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS AND IT SEEMS I DO WHAT I DON’T WANT TO DO… THE VERY BATTLE OF LIFE IS EXHAUSTING….(ROMANS)
WANT TO DISCUSS A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE… We walk in a day of RESTLESSNESS.
* Opioid, alcohol and drug abuse… not just street drugs but prescription drug abuse. Drug abuse has become a public enemy?
* How about D-I-V-O-R-C-E breaking our families? Very honestly, Divorce can come because of poor DATING and SEXUAL SIN?
* Talk about TIRED AND DRAINED? Look to WASHINGTON, D.C. Our political leaders cannot agree on anything. Division is destroying our democracy.
* We have a BROKEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. I recently heard an insurance deny medicine to a person that was 62, the company said we only pay for that if you are under 55. Pestilence, a disease that causes death, epidemics, destructive… Cancer is our enemy? Diabetes does terrible damage? New diseases and new infections resistant to antibiotics.
* Want to discuss a broken system: LOOK AT OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS from the ground up. Bullying, children that cannot read, leaving cursive writing, broken math procedures… INSTEAD OF FIXING THE EDUCATION PROCESS we think we NEED TO DUMP MORE MONEY, MORE MONEY.
* How about our WELFARE SYSTEM… we have more people drawing checks than we have working. The government’s answer to print more money, borrow… debt, rent a centers, make no payments for 6 months.
* Think about what is going on in EUROPE… terrorism is dominating many areas. Islam, Moslems, Sunnis, Shiites, and radical groups scream DEAD TO AMERICA. Their cry is ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU IS THE GREATEST.
* Between 1970 and 2014 44.5 million legal abortions. There are no records of the illegal abortions. Society accepts abortion as birth control. A woman’s rights? How abortion the baby’s right.
* In the USA we are accepting many ALTERNATIVE LIFE STYLES AS ACCEPTABLE. Homosexuality, Transvestites, bi-sexual, multiple partners.
* The system is broken when it comes to SEXUAL PERVERSION, things that are not natural. PORNOGRAPHY… the average age of introduction of porno is 12 years old. The average introductory place is in the home. TEEN PREGNANCY is a special problem in our school systems. I read the average teen pregnancy occurs between the time the child gets home from school until the parents get home. Many schools dispense birth control without parental permission. Some states the social worker can get an abortion performed without parental permission.
* Every major store is in a losing battle with SHOP LIFTING. Most Walmarts face a million dollar lose in 6 months. Who pays for this.
* I heard on the radio yesterday that ATHEISM, PAGANISM, HEATHERNISM, CULTS AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES THAT BYPASS THE BIBLE ARE GROWING AT RECORD PACES. THE CHURCH IN THE USA IS IN A DECLINE. Many churches are closing and selling their properties. THERE IS A CRY FOR PEACE AND SAFETY. 65% of people that claim to be Christian will not be in church on Sunday morning. 85% of people claiming to be Christians will not be in church on Sunday night. If Christian refuse to go to church where are the sinners? Bars and Liquor stores are on every corner. Look at the church, sexual law suits, minister resigning at the rate of 500 a week.
* Pestilence, a disease that causes death, epidemics, destructive. Cancer is our enemy? Diabetes does terrible damage? New diseases and new infections resistant to antibiotics. There is a health problem that preachers are afraid to address, OBESITY … morbid obesity. STD’s (sexually transmitted --- where did aids go to? Panic?)
REMEMBER THE ANIMATED SUPER HERO MIGHTY MOUSE:
WE’RE NOT WORRYING AT ALL, WE’RE JUST LISTENING FOR HIS CALL, “ HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY!”
MIGHTY MOUSE IS ON THE WAY! HERE HE COMES TO SAVE THE DAY AND HE WILL PROVE THAT CRIME DOES NOT PAY, FOR MIGHTY MOUSE IS ON THE WAY.
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:26 (MSG) in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.
IT IS TIME TO LIFT YOUR HEAD AND KNOW WE SERVE A MIGHTY GOD…
Someday God will say: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH… come out of that lions den.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21:28 (MSG) When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!"
The Bible is a BOOK OF INVITATIONS from man to man and from God to man. Jesus desires to WELCOME all people to KNOW HIM and to COME INTO A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with the Son of God. Most invitations require you to come to a certain place or at least nearer. To accept the invitation requires effort and a change of plans.
INVITATION: to ask or request, to offer an incentive,
COME: TO MOVE TOWARDS, TO BE ON A JOURNEY, TO MEET, a written or spoken request for one to go somewhere or to do something, encouraged to make something happen,
JESUS KNOWS ABOUT ALL THESE WOES. JESUS HAS A PLAN. WITHIN HIS PLAN JESUS HAS SEVERAL INVITATIONS FOR US. JESUS INVITES US TO COME TO REST… JESUS KNOWS WE MUST HAVE REST….
REST: freedom from activities, peace of mind and spirit, a support system, to become strong again, to be free from worry and fear,
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This invitation is for THE WEARY and the BURDENED…
Jesus says he will share our HEAVINESS and help us. JESUS INVITES YOU TO COME…
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
This invitation is conditional, YOU MUST COME ON YOUR OWN FREE WILL.
JESUS INVITES US TO SOME REAL FACE TIME: COME AND SEE… COME AND WALK WITH ME, TALK WITH ME, SEE MY HEART --- MY FRIEND IF WE WOULD COME AND SPEND TIME WITH JESUS WE WILL KNOW AND TRUST EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK.
John 1:39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
If I really want to KNOW MORE ABOUT JESUS, I need to spend time with him. Daily time with Jesus makes life worth living.
WOW, THERE IS A SPECIAL INVITATION FROM JESUS TO COME AND DRINK, TO BE REFRESHED, TO REACH BEYOND OUR DRY SEASONS…
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
I am so thankful Jesus knows me and still loves me. Jesus knows my human needs and understands my frail form…
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
MAYBE I NEED MORE THAN COOL, CLEAR WATER… I NEED NOURISHMENT AND SUSTENANCE… TO SUPPORT AND HELP ME… JESUS HAS THAT INVITATION…
John 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
The disciples were tired and hungry. Jesus helps us with more than just spiritual issues. Jesus ministered to the body.
Also note: THERE IS SOMETHING WONDERFUL HAPPENS WHEN WE SIT DOWN AT A TABLE AND EAT TOGETHER.
THIS WORLD IS A TERRIBLE MESS… JESUS EXTENDS THE INVITATION THAT IS NOT AS HARD AS THE MIND MIGHT THINK IT IS… THERE IS A GOOD YOUNG MAN THAT HAD GREAT POTENTIAL… BUT HIS LIFE FOCUS HAD BEEN ON THINGS… SUCCESS CHASES RAINBOWS.
Jesus knew the ego of success is never satisfied.
Life can teach that more is never enough, joy comes in giving and sharing. Often one invitation will open the doors to another invitation.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
MATERIALISM AND PLEASURE BECOME POOR GODS…
Good life cost and the seed we sow bear fruit.
SON YOU ARE SO CLOSE YET SO FAR…
JESUS KNEW LIFE WAS DRAINING AND WE CANNOT RUN ON EMPTY. BURNOUT IS REAL. WE GROW TIRED IN WELL DOING. JESUS INVITES US TO COME APART OR WE WILL COME APART…
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
JESUS INVITES US TO COME AND BE BLESSED…
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
HOW WILL I PERSONALLY REPOND IN THIS TROUBLED WORLD … THE BIBLE CLOSES WITH TWO WONDERFUL INVITATIONS…
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
CONCLUSION: WE ARE A SUM TOTAL OF OUR DAILY FOCUS AND CHOICES. Sure this world is a mess and there may be more questions than answers, but one thing we know JESUS IS INVITING US CLOSER TO HIS HEART. Will we accept these invitations or just slowly drift where ever the current takes us. God has a plan for you. Hear his invitations and come closer.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I do this lesson in several parts.
I ask you for a favor, please help me… tell others of my work. If each one told one my hands reach would be doubled.
