(If you have found this sermon helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info)
There was an item on the news recently about a preacher in one of the American states who was arrested because of bothering people in a public parking lot by asking them if they were saved. His preaching disturbed people. The authorities explained that if the preacher had only applied for a city permit, he would have been allowed to preach in designated areas. I’m not sure why any preacher would find it necessary to apply for a government license to preach, but I suppose the issue was related to the fact that the preacher was “disturbing” the people. It can be dangerous for preachers to disturb people. It certainly was for Jesus and the Apostles and many martyrs. That being said, I’m going to wade in up to my chin and possibly disturb you today by asking if you have really and truly accepted God’s gift of salvation? And if you have accepted His gift, have you given God your total commitment in return? Are you “bearing fruit” befitting a Christian? Are others seeing Christ in you?
As Christians, we are to bear fruit in season and out of season, when it is convenient and when it is not. The Apostle Paul wrote the following words to Timothy: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Be prepared, in season and out, when it is convenient and when it not, to share the Word of God. Perhaps we might learn from the fate of a fig tree which was not prepared to bear fruit because the fruit was no longer in season (see Mark 11:12-14; and Mark 11:20-21). The Lord is not impressed by half-way discipleship. Your discipleship is too important for it to be merely a half-way commitment.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing that He was going to be killed in that place, he stopped for a moment and looked down at the city. Looking down at Jerusalem, Jesus wept. He was not crying because of what was about to happen to Him. There was something else on His mind. Why did Jesus weep? He wept out of sadness for the people of Jerusalem, and prophesied the destruction of that city saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:42-44).
“Because you did not know the time of your visitation”—ponder that statement for a moment. Initially, the prophecy didn’t seem to frighten or otherwise affect the people of Jerusalem. After the crucifixion of Jesus people went about their lives oblivious to the destruction that was approaching. Then in AD 70, horrible, hideous humiliation and complete destruction came upon the people of Jerusalem. It came to pass, according to the Jewish historian Josephus, that, surrounded by their enemies, starving mothers in Jerusalem stole food from their children, and people ate the dead to survive, all because the people of Jerusalem had not known the time of their visitation.
Do you recognize the time of your visitation? Today is the accepted time and the day of your salvation. Even though you may be a sinner rebelling against God, grieving the Holy Spirit, and provoking God to wrath, if you will but turn to God and turn away from your sin, you will be saved. Now is the day of your visitation, the accepted time and the day of your salvation!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:25-26, “Agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.” The law of God is your adversary, separating you from God, for we are by nature corrupted and anything that is corrupt, anyone who has broken God’s law, cannot enter the kingdom of heaven unless first cleansed. Satan is your accuser. Jesus is your advocate. And God, in his tender love, has given you His terms of reconciliation, His plan of salvation. Agree with these terms quickly, before God’s justice has seized you and delivered you to the devil who is pleased to cast you into the prison of hell. You lie there in extreme and intolerable torment until you have paid the last penny.
Today, on this very day, through God’s grace you can be justified by accepting God’s plan of salvation. Even though you are by nature an enemy to God, you can be reborn and reconciled to God, your Creator. If you have not already turned to God in sure knowledge of your sin, if you have not yet begged His forgiveness and accepted His plan of salvation, then you are under the law’s edict of condemnation. You can, however, obtain salvation. Now is the accepted time, the day of your salvation, the time for decision, the day of your visitation. Recognize your sinful nature, beg God’s forgiveness, and accept God’s plan of salvation. The only unpardonable sin is the sin of saying “no” to the Holy Spirit (see Luke 12:8-10). If you are being called by the Holy Spirit to accept God’s plan of salvation, please say “yes”.
The Lord has extended the time of grace for a while. During this time of grace salvation is available to all those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, all those willing to accept God’s terms of salvation, but the offer may not be available to you tomorrow or the day after. The Prophet Isaiah cries out, “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call on him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Sadly, many people do not recognize the day of their visitation nor do they understand the consequences of not seeking the Lord while He may be found. That is why Jesus wept as He looked out upon the city of Jerusalem. He still weeps today, perhaps for you.
(If you found this sermon helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org)
