DON’T WORRY!
There are a great many things to worry about in today’s world. Our unstable economy, tightening finances, child abductions, and the war on terrorism are all things that jump out at us from the headlines.
Fear and depression are widespread. Make no mistake, we live in a troubled, shaken world.
In view of these things, what should the believer’s posture be?
These things are to be expected.
Paul warned in 2 Timothy 3:1,
"There will be terrible times in the last days."
He went on to describe how the last days will be marked by ever-increasing wickedness in the world.
It is time our nation openly admit and confess to it’s wrongdoings, and pray for forgiveness. There is not an easy way to say all that needs to be said. It often makes people upset to have to hear the truth. But that is all we need to declare.
Allow me to read to you a prayer that was given by a minister recently at the opening session this year.
INSERT “OPENING PRAYER”
(See me after the service if you would like a copy of this.)
Our General Superintendent, Bro. Thomas Trask, recently made this comment:
There is certain to be a continuing collapse of moral standards, and the multiplying of numbers in the false religions of this world.
Text: Matthew 24:4 thru 13
This passage of scripture reads like a news report. It is relevant today because Jesus is the One Who said it.
These frightening things are happening today. We can no longer try to dismiss these reports as being
“…just the way things are…”
Do you ever think/say to yourself,
“…what can I do to make a difference?”
Jesus concluded by saying,
"But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved."
What does that mean? Will it only be the Christians who are tough enough that will survive? If that’s the case, some of us are going to loose out. There are some who are not doing anything to prepare themselves for (what the Bible calls) the “last days”.
Some have used the most common excuse not doing anything by saying,
“Oh well…we will just have to let the Lord have His way…”
In some cases, Christianity has become stagnant because too many Christians are not willing to be a part of the solution God has planned for this life.
When it comes to being all that Christ wants us to be, there are some who would rather be left alone way up in the balcony section. I don’t think that is what Christ has planned for your life.
Jesus concluded all of the bad news about the “last days” by saying,
"But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved."
Let me clarify what that means…
We are to live by example in these last days. Faking a walk with Christ simply will not cut the mustard.
We may be living righteous and holy lives, but that does not excuse us from accepting the tremendous responsibility with what is going on in the world.
The Church is needed more than ever before. Some believe that since the Bible talks about so much going wrong in the last days, we should just let it happen.
That’s not God’s plan for His Church at all!
Instead, we are to be salt and light.
Salt was used in ancient times as a preservative. The presence of the church in the world has that same effect on society. Whether we realize it or not, we can change things for the better.
Remember, we are the light of the world. What that means is the Church/believers have what it takes to dispel darkness. Light always conquers darkness, never the other way around.
When we display the light of God’s truth, others can find the way to Him.
You do have an influence on other people even when you least expect it. When the world panics, only those who are worldly panic.
We have no reason to panic. Only to say, “Even so, Lord, come quickly.”
There will be some who will remain indifferent to these troubling times.
· They hide their fear better than others do.
· They do not have confidence in any means of saving the world.
· They are determined to “…eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we all may die…”
· They want to appear as being carefree, but in reality they are “care-less”.
· They could care less about anyone but themselves.
· They are careless about the well being of their soul.
This is what sin and disbelief will do to those without Christ. But we do have the responsibility of being the “light of the world…salt of the earth”.
Christ has appointed you to give hope to a lost and dieing world.
As believers, we are citizens of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. While the kingdoms of this world may tremble, God’s kingdom will never be moved.
We can take comfort in the Psalmist’s declaration:
Read Psalms 91:1 thru 11
I. Where do we dwell? Psalm 91:1The Psalmist declares that his dwelling is in the secret place, under the shadow of the Almighty. Later in verse 9, he declares that the Lord is his refuge and for those who have made Him their refuge, we have nothing to fear!Romans 8:37-39 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. II. What will we say? Psalm 91:2The writer tells us his faith confession, “I will say of the Lord…”Hebrews 13:5-6So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"The writer here says that he will confess what God says about him. God has said it, and we will say in agreement (confession, affirmation).Psalm 107:2“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!!” What we need to say is: (Isaiah 43:1) WE ARE THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD WHOM SHALL WE FEAR! (Psalm 107:2b) WE ARE REDEEMED FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY. III. Who will we call upon for help? Psalm 91:15It is in a time of great tragedy or conflict that we begin to decide within us who or what have we placed our trust in.God promises that if we call upon Him, that He will answer and He will deliver.Romans 10:13For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."Conclusion: How do you answer these questions? Hopefully, with a great hope through Christ.
