The two minute warning is something that takes place at the end of certain sporting events. Its an alarm or buzzer that goes off, or a pause in the game to let the participants know that there is only two minutes left in this game.
It tells the opponents one of two things: 1. I’ve either got to score some points to win this game or 2. I’ve got to hold the lead for just two more minutes. It is most times the crucial point of the game. Lots of games are won or lost inside of that two minute mark.
® When the two minute warning sounds things are critical.
® When the two minute warning sounds it is important the way you play the game.
® You can’t afford to be lax during this time.
® You can’t afford to be casual at two minute warning time.
® There is two much at stake.
® There is two much to be won or lost.
When the two minute warning sounds you must be at your best.
I could give you many examples of teams or people who either let down and lost or teams or people who dug in and held on strong and won.
But let me give you an example that happened just recently. About a week ago there was a boxing match between Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. Through the majority of the fight Oscar De La Hoya was winning by a wide margin. He was out boxing his opponent. He was out punching his opponent. He was winning the fight.
But during the last four rounds he decided that he was far enough ahead that he could let up just a little bit. He had the stamina to finish strong but he decided that he could coast to victory. The outcome of the fight was Felix Trinidad beat Oscar De La Hoya because he finished the fight strong.
® During crunch time he came on strong.
® During two minute warning time he gave it his best and won the fight.
In my soul today I feel that it is two minute warning time.
ÿ It’s time that we either give it our best shot or give up altogether.
ÿ It’s time that we live for God with all of our strength or live for the devil.
ÿ It’s time that we draw near to God or draw near to the world.
ÿ It’s time that we live a holy life or just go ahead and look like the world
ÿ It’s time that we live according to the word of God or live according to the morals of this age.
ÿ It’s time that we get ourselves in church, and get ourselves at Bible study, and get ourselves at prayer meeting or just stay at home.
∑ This is not a time for the child of God to get casual.
∑ This is not a time for the child of God to get laxidasical.
∑ This is not a time for the child of God to go easy.
But it’s two minute warning time. It’s two minute warning time. Jesus is coming soon.
More than ever we need to pay attention to:
∑ Our walk with God
∑ Our prayer life
∑ Our heart
∑ Our attitude
∑ The way we think
Why? Because it’s two minute warning time. Jesus is coming soon.
Luke 21:7-11
7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Jesus said all these things must happen but don’t be afraid but rather be encouraged because it’s just my two minute warning.
Luke 21:25-28
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
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.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
The Bible points out the signs or the two minute warning of Jesus’ second return.
Luke says that we should take heed that we are not deceived for many will say that they have found another way than that of the word of God and lead many astray. Don’t go after them but hold on to the word of God during two minute warning time.
We will hear of wars and commotions but don’t be frightened by this because it’s just another sign that Jesus’ coming is soon.
Nation will rise against nation and kingdom will rise against kingdom. It’s not time to get lukewarm in your walk with God but it’s time to get on fire for Jesus.
There will be earthquakes in divers places the Bible says. Just recently there have been great earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan. They have caused much destruction and loss of life.
What is it? It is just another sign. It is just the two minute warning!!! Jesus is soon to return. Jesus is coming and we need to be ready!
There will be famines and pestilence and fearful sights in the land. There will be great signs from the heavens. Signs in the sun and signs in the moon and signs in the stars. The earth will witness distress of nations with perplexity. The sea and the waves will roar. We just witnessed one of the biggest hurricanes to come our way in a long time. What was it? It was God trying to give us a two minute warning!!! He is about to come soon.
Why am I preaching like this today? Because I feel a two minute warning in my soul. God is about to come for his church.
¸ He is coming for a church that has neither spot, wrinkle, blemish or any such thing.
¸ He is coming for a church that has their lamps filled with the Holy Ghost.
¸ He is coming for a church that has been washed in the blood of the lamb.
¸ He is coming for a church that has been baptized into his body.
¸ He is coming for a church that is looking for his return.
¸ He is coming for a church that has their wedding garments on.
¸ He is coming for a church that has his name applied to their lives.
It’s two minute warning time! It’s two minute warning time!! Jesus is about to return.
This is not a scary thing to those who are living for God with all of their strength, but rather it is something that brings great hope to every believer.
How can such terrible things bring hope to anyone? It brings hope because we know:
® It’s almost homecoming time.
® Jesus is about to return for his bride.
® There will be no more sickness
® No more pain
® No more sadness
® No more parting
® No more sorrow
® No more tears
® No more trials
® No more hard times
® No more rough roads
® No more hills to climb
® No more valleys to endure
But forever, forever, forever, FOREVER, we will be in the city where the lamb is the light. We will forever be with our savior Jesus Christ. That’s why we have hope.
Titus 2:13
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
It’s a blessed hope!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
It’s a comforting hope.
1 Peter 1:3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
It’s not a dead hope that died years ago but it is a lively hope.
1 John 3:2-3
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
It’s a purifying hope.
Hebrews 6:18-19
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
It’s an anchoring hope.
v In troubled times I’ve got hope
v In perplexing times I’ve got hope
v In sickness I’ve got hope
v In pain I’ve got hope
v In sorrow I’ve got hope
v In distress I’ve got hope
v In hard times I’ve got hope
v In dark days I’ve got hope
Why? Because it’s two minute warning time and Jesus is soon to return.
v It’s a great hope.
v It’s a blessed hope.
v It’s a comforting hope.
v It’s a lively hope.
v It’s a purifying hope.
v It’s an anchoring hope.
If you’re here today and you want this kind of hope in your life you can have it.
If you’re here today and have had this kind of hope in the past but no longer have it, you can get it back in your life.
What you need to do is what the Bible says in:
2 Peter 1:10
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
That means live in such a way as to be sure you will rise to meet the Lord in the air when he comes. I would hate for it to happen that when the Lord returned he would say you didn’t do everything that you needed to do to be part of the bride of Christ. You let some things creep into your life that didn’t belong there and now it’s too late.
We still have time today though to make our calling and election sure. Why don’t you make it as sure as you can today.
If you’ve never had that hope that we talked about today, you can before you leave.
All it takes is:
v Repentance
v Water Baptism in Jesus name
v Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost
It’s two minute warning time. Jesus is coming soon.
