WHAT TIME IS IT?
Mt. 13:35-36; 2 Tim. 4:3
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. A certain pastor claimed that his church people would be the first to go up into the clouds to meet the Lord Jesus in the Rapture.
2. Another minister said, “And on what basis do you make this remarkable assumption? “The pastor replied, “Because the Bible states that, “The dead in Christ will rise first!”
B. TEXTS
Mark 13:35-36, “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back....If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” Romans 13:11, “Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” 2 Tim. 4:3, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
C. THE N.T. TELLS US WHAT TIME IT IS:
1. Peter says we’re living in the last days, because God is pouring out His Spirit on all people, Acts 2:17.
2. John says, “Dear children, this is the last hour” 1 John 2:18.
3. Peter says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray” (1 Pet. 4:7).
4. Paul writes, “Brothers...the time is short” (1 Cor. 7:29). Philippians 4:5, “The Lord is near.” Romans 13:12, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
5. Jesus himself says, “I will come again” John 14:3. 6X in the Book of Revelation He said, “I am coming quickly!” Rev. 2:5,16; 3:11; 22:7,12,20. He is coming soon. Every day brings us closer to His coming
D. ILLUS.: KNOWING THE TIME
1. Blake Inscore & his wife Lenea were flying from Sacramento, CA to Chicago, but hey had a layover in Salt Lake City. The pilot came on the intercom and told them the local time (it was one hour ahead of CA).
2. Blake thought to himself—“change your watch,” but he didn’t. Big mistake! They got off the plane, figured out where the gate was for their connecting flight to Chicago, and then went to get something to eat and did a little shopping.
3. They started toward their gate when it hit Blake – “It’s not 3:55 its 4:55! And we’re going to miss our plane!” They ran for the gate and found it empty. The lady at the counter said, “Are you the Inscore’s?” “Yes.” “You’re one minute from missing your flight!” They hurried on. Blake said, “None of that would have happened if I’d known what the real time was!”
E. THESIS
1. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? We’re living in a critical moment in history – between the Cross and the 2nd Coming of Jesus! Between our REDEMPTION and the RAPTURE! Between TIME & ETERNITY! And what the church needs today is urgency!
2. God’s prophetic clock approaching the closing moments of human history; it ought to make us wake up, examine our lives for needed change, and help us throw ourselves into a last-ditch effort to turn people from Hell to Heaven.
3. The title of this message is “What Time Is It?” I want to expand on 4 things it’s high time we do:
I. IT’S TIME TO BE ALERT To the dangers of our time
A. ILLUS.: “ALWAYS ON DUTY.”
1. A soldier on duty always has to be vigilant during wartime. In case you didn’t know it -- we’re in a war between the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of Light! And we’re soldiers of the Lord is this conflict.
2. The Duke of Wellington (a General) asked an officer in uniform, “Why do you stand there so slouchy, in non-military posture?”
3. The officer responded, “Sir, I’m off-duty.” Wellington replied, “A British officer is never off-duty. Always maintain your military bearing.”
4. Someone might respond, “Well, don’t I have the right to live like I want to?” The answer is, NOT if you’ve died with Christ and risen again! Dead men don’t have any rights or want any. MY question is, are you crucified with Christ? Or is your old life still in charge?
B. VIGILANT TO ACT AS A CHRISTIAN
1. Paul told Timothy, “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but SET AN EXAMPLE for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” 1 Tim. 4:12.
2. If what we have is real, it ought to show. The world is crying to see reality (John 12:21). You’re probably the only Jesus/Bible those around you will ever see! “We are epistles, known and read of all men” 2 Cor. 3:2. We can’t lay it off on someone else to be a Christian; the responsibility falls on us.
3. It’s a terrible thought, but people will judge Christ by us. If we sin, if we compromise – it will demonstrate to those around us that Christ isn’t real or worth serving! The owner of a hotel chain regularly tells her employees, “Remember, my reputation is in your hands!”
C. ALERT, WATCHING FOR JESUS’ RETURN
1. Many of Jesus’ parables depict Christians NOT being ready for His coming (Matt. 7:22-23; 24:42-51 (the “Faithful & Evil Servant”); 25:1-10 (10 Virgins); 25:14-30 (Parable of the Tenants), Mark 13:33-37 (Parable of the House Broken into), Doorman Watching for Master’s Return (Luke 12:37-39), etc.
2. Typical Warning: “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It [Christ’s departure] is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” Mark 13:33-37
3. JESUS SAID IT WAS THE SERVANT WHO QUIT LOOKING FOR HIS MASTER’S RETURN WHO FELL INTO SIN (Luke 12:45-46). Might that be you?
II. IT’S TIME TO BE ACTIVE
A. WE ALL HAVE A PART IN THE WORK
1. At 12 years old Jesus said, “Don’t you know I must be about my Father’s business?” Lk. 2:49. Later, “Jesus [told] them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I too am working’” John 5:17.
2. Jesus told us, “You also go and work in my vineyard” Mt. 20:7. He didn’t say “Go SIT in church” or “Go VACATION...” or “Go RELAX...” NO, He said, GO work in My Vineyard.”
B. GOD EXPECTS OUR GIFTS TO BE USED IN SERVICE TO OTHERS
1. God has made you a part of the Body of Christ; Are you functioning? Fulfilling your purpose? “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” I Peter 4:10.
2. ILLUS.: NOT WANTING TO BE ACTIVE
a. man visited a church to inquire about membership in the church. He stated that he would not be able to get involved or do anything, but he felt it was important to have a religious membership.
b. The pastor advised this man that his church might not be the best fit for him, but he knew of a place where he would fit in quite nicely. The man asked for the phone number, but the pastor only gave him an address.
c. On Sunday morning, the gentlemen followed the directions and pulled up into the yard of a dilapidated church building. The roof was falling in, the doors were locked, and vines were growing across the windows.
d. The man called the pastor and told him that he’d given him the wrong directions. "Oh no," the pastor replied. "That’s the place. That church has a membership roll filled with people who didn’t want to get involved or be committed. That’s what happens to a church whose members don’t care about its success."
C. ILLUS. ARE YOU READY FOR HIS COMING?
1. Lord Shackleton went to search for the South Pole. His ship was caught & crushed in the ice & he & his men used an open boat in freezing weather to get to a remote island – Elephant Island.
2. Shackleton left the men there, saying, “I will come back for you with help!” He got into the open boat and crossed the Atlantic to South Georgia – an inhabited island. He secured another ship and supplies; and went back to get his men, but Elephant Island was so locked in ice, he failed time after time to get through to them.
3. One day an open place appeared in the ice. Quickly he paddled his small boat through the opening. On the shore he found his men all waiting to step aboard. He immediately launched and was beyond the ice crush within half an hour.
4. Once the excitement of the rescue was passed, Shackleton asked them, “How was it that you were all packed and ready for my coming?” The men replied, “Sir, you said that you’d be coming back for us and we never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was partly clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and packed our things, saying, ‘Maybe Shackleton will come today.’ We were always ready for your coming.”
5. Church, Jesus said He’s coming back. Are YOU ready every day, looking for His return, ready to be removed from this world at any moment? That’s how we’re supposed to be ready!
III. IT’S TIME TO PRAY
A. GREATEST POWER IN THE UNIVERSE
1. CHURCH – WE’RE NOT ON A CRUISE SHIP, WE’RE ON A BATTLESHIP! We’re in the midst of a cosmic struggle between Heaven & Hell. Now is the time we should be praying without ceasing.
2. The battle will not be won by human effort, but by God’s intervention in answer to earnest prayer. Someone said, “God doesn’t answer prayer – He answers DESPERATE PRAYER!
3. James said that if we want to receive, we must ask. Whatever you need, ask! BIG PRAYERS TURN YOUR BIG PROBLEMS, INTO BIG MIRACLES!
4. The devil is unmoved by our singing, sermons, Sunday school classes, banquets – but when he hears groaning and pleading prayers – he becomes afraid and he knows his days are numbered!
5. God’s looking for individuals who will wrestle, agonize, fast and mourn. Prayer is a weapon – between heaven/hell, darkness/ light, the Lamb & the dragon.
6. Prayer is the only power in the universe to which our great God yields. Prayer is the most potent power on planet earth. Prayer goes through stone walls and crosses into forbidden countries. It enters hardened hearts and changes them into hearts of flesh!
B. THE POWER OF AN INTERCESSOR
1. Ezek. 22 tells us that just one intercessor can save an entire country! Hudson Taylor told how, when he approached China’s shores, he prayed for every variety of need the Chinese might have, and prayed expectantly that God would honor the name of the Lord Jesus as each emergency required. His prayers shook that region, broke the barriers, and thousands came to Christ.
2. You too can change your family, your state, the lost around you, and your circumstances through prayer! Will you make a commitment to stop praying “gimme’ prayers” and start being an intercessor, praying for others?
IV. IT’S TIME TO WIN SOULS
A. A BURDEN FOR LOST SOULS
1. WITNESSING is the soul & spirit of the Church. Wherever the church has failed to win souls, it has died. We are FOUND to FIND others; We are TOLD to TELL others; we been WON to WIN others; we’re SAVED to SAVE others.
2. Are you holding onto God with a desperate grip for a lost soul? It’s impossible to win someone to Christ with a cold heart and dry eyes! Are we just sounding brass and tinkling symbols?
3. John Wesley said, “I plant one foot in Hell, the other in eternity, and snatch as many brands from the burning as possible!” Souls are plunging into Hell. We are playing for keeps.
4. “Lord, let me stand in the path of someone on the road to Hell.” A silent faith robs God of His glory!
B. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
1. QUESTION — “If you knew that your life was almost over, and you only had the time to tell one person one thing that you haven’t taken the time to tell them, who would it be, and what would you say?” Now here’s the real kicker—“What have you been waiting for?”
2. How many more opportunities are you going to let pass before you start doing what the Lord is telling you in your heart? Trust and obey!
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: THE LAST CALL
1. A student at Times Square Church’s Bible school in New York City told the story of her conversion. As a 24 year-old woman she’d been running from God for years. She was living with a same-sex partner.
2. She had a severe car wreck and her car was totaled. To the amazement of all the bystanders, she was able to walk away from it. It was miraculous.
3. But as she walked away, she heard the voice of God saying, “Michelle, this is the last time I will call you.” Evidently God had called her before but she hadn’t responded. This was her last chance; if she didn’t respond now, God would never draw her to follow Christ again.
4. She was so frightened she went out and bought a Bible. Then she surrendered her life to Christ and got baptized. Lastly, she went to Bible college and turned her life around. [Tim Dilena]
B. NONE OF US KNOWS WHEN OUR LAST DAY WILL BE
1. Today, 117 people (in the US) will die in a car wreck. None of those people thought they would die; they thought they had another 20 years to get ready to die. But today will be their last day.
2. What about you? Has God been calling you over & over? Today may be YOUR LAST CHANCE to choose Jesus as your Savior.
3. With heads bowed & eyes closed, how many of you want to say “yes” to God? You want to say, “God, I’m ready to surrender my life to You and let Jesus Christ be the Lord of my life from now on.”
4. Prayer for salvation and recommittal.
