AM Sermon preached at Syria Christian Church January 16, 2005
The Last Days: Be Devoted to One Another Various scriptures...
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Imagine---it’s New Year’s Eve and your standing with thousands of others at Times Square. It’s one minute to the New Year. 30 seconds... The ball begins to drop and the crowd shouts----10-9-8-7
Wait--- let’s change that----let’s say you’re standing on a beach in Florida---you’re as close as the public is allowed to get to a Nasa Launch pad. You’ve been waiting a few hours. But now it’s only moments away from a blast off----you see the smoke and steam rise from the base of the rocket. You hear computerized warnings sounding the countdown "8-7-6-5"
No---hold it, imagine instead you’re among the lucky ones to be in the March Madness crowd at the NCAA championship game. You’re team’s ahead by 7 points. You shout with the crowd as the final seconds tick off the clock "5-4-3"
It seems to me that we when we first realize we’re facing a countdown, when we know there’s only so much time on the clock before some event’s going to take place we start off with great excitement and enthusiasm---we’re like the team that enters the field or comes running onto the court crashing through a large hoop held by some cheerleaders---we’re gun ho and ready to go---and the crowd’s with us whooping and hollering at the start of the game-----but then about the middle of the second quarter the crowd begins to mellow out and the team seems to lose some of its intensity---nevertheless the clock moves on---soon it’s the final minutes of the last quarter and the energy begins to resurge through the players and spectators---adrenaline begins to build, hearts beat faster and much greater effort is put forth because the awareness that time’s running out is so clear to everyone.
I’ve kind of felt that something like that has been happening in my own heart and life these last few weeks. The announcement was made that Lori and I would be moving. It was an intensely emotional time for us. We had given a little more than 60 days notice. That first week was kind of crazy. Then things kind of settled down and we entered into something of a lull. Now I’m again beginning to feel the squeeze as my awareness that I have only two weeks remaining has set in. But God has been using even this to speak to my heart about my personal ministry and the ministry of His people. I feel as if God’s been saying to me---that intensity you had at the first about your moving which dwindled down but has now returned---is the kind of intensity I want from you and my people all the time. Church, ministry, evangelism these things are not games----they are matters of life and death, matters which require on going intensity. We’re not talking trophies, we’re talking eternities.
And so this morning like a coach who’s very clock conscious and who’s trying to get his team to step it up a notch so victory can be theirs I want to remind you all----keep your head in the game and stay focused because we’ve living in the last days. The clock on this world is running out.
The Bible makes this clear. The last period buzzer was sounded with the first appearance of Jesus Christ. [SCRIPTURE SLIDE] Hebrews 9:26 says that Jesus "appeared at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself." [BLANK SLIDE] This fact we’re in the last days of the earth was announced by Peter on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples in Jerusalem. Remember reading what happened that day. There was the sound of a mighty wind. Something appearing to be tongues of fire settled over the disciples. Suddenly the disciples were speaking in all different types of foreign languages. Scoffers and skeptics tried to write the miracle off saying the disciples were drunk but Peter stood up and testified.... [SCRIPTURE SLIDE] Acts 2 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 "’In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people...." [BLANK SLIDE]
We’re in the last days people---sometimes we forget or grow complacent and all the while the clock is still winding down. I wonder how many of you know that the spread of evolutionary teaching was not only predicted by the Apostle Peter but is also a sign that the end of all things is near? In 2 Peter 3 beginning at verse 3 we read.... [SCRIPTURE SLIDES] 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this ’coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed..." [BLANK SLIDE] Tell me what are the teachings of evolution if they’re not a deliberate forgetting or laying aside of the fact God is the creator? And folks even the tragedy which came upon Tsunami has the markings of an end time event. In Luke 21 there’s recorded for us a conversation between Jesus and his closest followers about Jesus’ second coming and the end of the world. Here’s some of that conversation... [SCRIPTURE SLIDES] 8 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ’I am he,’ and, ’The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." 10 Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." [BLANK SLIDE] I can’t tell you all the reasons God allowed that terrible earthquake that took so many lives. But I will say I’m convinced that God took no pleasure in letting it happen. God took no pleasure in allowing the flood waters to sweep away those people in Tsunami who refused to believe in Him in life only to stand before Him in death. And know this---God took no pleasure in watching the deaths of innocent children. [SCRIPTURE SLIDE] In Ezekiel 18:32 God exclaims "I take no pleasure in the death of anyone..." [BLANK SLIDE] One more thing about that earthquake---I believe God wants the church to see it as a wake up call. Through it He’s saying "Hey church have you forgotten you’re living in the last days? Look at the clock!"
The significance of our living in the last days cannot be understated. Living in the last days means that Jesus Christ could return at any moment. It means that we must be ready for that return. It means that we must take seriously our responsibility to help others to be ready for that return. Because the Bible says in Matthew 25 [SCRIPTURE SLIDES] 31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." [BLANK SLIDE] That separation Matthew is talking about is the final judgment when Jesus determines who will live with Him in the kingdom of heaven forever and who will be swept away into the lake of fire for eternity.
And that’s why friends in these last messages with you I am wanting to reemphasize the importance of the relationships you have in this world. At the heart of all of them is my desire that we all be ready to stand before God. Two weeks ago we looked at how the Bible teaches we’re to give our relationship with God priority over all of our other relationships. We saw last week that after we’ve come clean before God, God wants us to first respond by reaching out to the members of our own home. Today I want us to look at some of the things the Bible says about how we are to relate to one another in the church...
One of the first things that needs to be understood [SLIDE WITH 1ST SERMON POINT] is that in the life of a Christian---becoming actively involved in a local church congregation and building strong loving relationships with other believers isn’t optional, it’s required. We must get it into our hearts and minds and keep it there---that we cannot isolate ourselves from other believers and live out our faith the way Christ wants us to live it out. We cannot in solitude obey the many one another commands given in the New Testament. And that person who thinks he or she can live a life that is pleasing to God while ignoring the church is wrong.
Christ-followers, friends, are commanded to build strong. loving relationships with other believers This is made clear to us in 1 Corinthians 12 [SCRIPTURE SLIDES] where Paul writes 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don’t need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don’t need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [BLANK SLIDE]
Romans 12 is another passage which speaks directly to our need to build strong loving relationships with other Christians. There we read...[SCRIPTURE SLIDES]
12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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There’s no denying it--- becoming actively involved in a local church congregation and building strong loving relationships with other believers isn’t optional, it’s required. [SLIDE WITH SECOND SERMON POINT] Secondly we need to see that we have God-given directions as to how we’re to go about building these relationships. I remember years ago trying to put together this jigsaw puzzle that had about 1000 pieces. I began the way I usually do. I pulled out from among the others all the pieces that had a straight edge on them and began working with them trying to put the outside border together. As the outside pieces slowly came together I kept comparing them with the picture on the front of the box. It wasn’t long though before I figured out the puzzle I was trying to put together didn’t match the picture on the front of the box. I did eventually get the border completed but I never finished the puzzle because I grew discouraged because it was so hard without a picture to go by. Thankfully friends as we try to join our lives with others in the church we’re not left in the dark as to how to get the job done. God’s given us many word pictures in the Bible to go by. We’ve already read two of them. The first was from 1 Corinthians 12 and the second from Romans 12. Here’s yet another from 1 Peter 4...there we read.... [SCRIPTURE SLIDES]
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
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Early Friday evening as I was sitting down to supper this show came on television called "What Not To Wear." Basically the shows about how two fashion experts try to help people who are clueless about fashion or who have a tendency not to care about what they wear --to buy a new wardrobe of fashionable and flattering outfits. The fashion experts are constantly saying things like "that doesn’t work" "don’t go there" "you’ve got to be kidding" and "let us show you how to do it" I take it that the experts are often pretty abrasive in their put downs of another person’s fashion choice---because on Friday’s show the guy expert told the person in need of advice that the outfit she had picked to wear looked like something someone puked up at a party.
Well, friends while you won’t find that kind of rudeness thrown at you in the Bible you will find that its pages cry out to us with advice. When it comes to our relationships the Bible does tell us things like "that doesn’t work" "don’t go there" and "let us tell you how to do it." The same Bible that tells us that each of us should "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ tells us to [SLIDE] "Love one another" --John 13:34 [SLIDE] "be devoted to one another " and "honor one another" Romans 12:10 [SLIDE] "Live in harmony with one another." Romans 12:16 [SLIDE] "stop passing judgment on one another." Romans 14:13 [SLIDE] "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7 [SLIDE] "agree with one another" 1 Corinthians 1:10 [SLIDE] "serve one another in love" Galatians 5:13 [SLIDE] "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 [SLIDE] "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21 [BLANK SLIDE]
On and on and on we could go "admonish one another" "encourage one another" "bear with one another" "spur one another on towards love and good deeds" "don’t slander one another" As we read through the many one another commands and think upon how to apply them we find them challenging us to seek first to understand then to be understood. They instruct us to use the gifts and talents God has given us when it is appropriate and benefits the church and not to impose our gifts upon others. They command us to respect and submit to the leadership of the church rather than be critical, subversive or divisive. They direct us to show honor and appreciation. Obviously our situation is not like the predicament I was in when I tried to put a complicated puzzle together without a picture--- we’ve not been left in the dark---we don’t have to guess what kind of picture God has in mind for the body of Christ---we’ve got God’s directions on how we are to relate to one another in the church.
Now, lastly I would add this thought to the mix---[3RD SERMON POINT SLIDE] the Bible shows us that the church’s ability to reach outsiders is directly proportional to her members ability to love insiders. When a church begins to experience a steady decline in the number of first time visitors who return ---there’s a very good possibility that some insiders living in disobedience to Christ have traded their love for venom. Not long ago Phil LaMaster shared with us that the common denominators in growing churches are attitude and atmosphere. When people walk into a church encounter a sense of acceptance and witness love between members they want to go back. But when they walk in and encounter a sense of negativism and see anger between members they don’t want to go back. And so you see friends, God commands us to develop loving relationships with other believers and then directs us on how to go about it not only for our good but also for the good of those outside the church. [BLANK SLIDE] I am fully convinced that God our loving Father in heaven who takes no pleasure in the death of anyone takes no pleasure in sending anyone to hell. Lost people matter to God. He loves them deeply and he wants them to turn back to Him. That’s the message he’s entrusted to the church. And few things will destroy a church’s effectiveness in reaching the lost faster than an angry divided body. Likewise, few things will enhance a church’s evangelistic efforts than a body that is united in love and purpose. [SCRIPTURE SLIDE] "By this," Jesus said, "all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 [BLANK SLIDE]
So I encourage you during the coming time of transition, during the honeymoon period with my successor, throughout the remainder of your lives be devoted to one another in love and practice that love in the ways God tells you to in His word. Open your heart. Practice forgiveness. Seek reconciliation. Confront sin. Nix grumbling. Applaud efforts. Congratulate successes. Honor, love, serve, pray for and encourage one another. Do what you must do to see that God’s love flows between you and others in this body. Do it so the lost will be won to Christ. Do it so you won’t be lost to Christ. Do it so God will receive the glory. [SCRIPTURE SLIDE] As 1 Corinthians 10:31 says "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
As we approach decision time this morning, ask yourself these questions---what would happen to me, what would happen to the members of my family, what would happen to my neighbors---what would happen if we all suddenly died as a result of some natural disaster to strike our area? Ask yourself what would happen if Jesus suddenly returned? [BLANK SLIDE] In these next few moments as we stand and sing our hymn of invitation, _____________________, if God encourages you to accept Jesus as your Savior, please be obedient to the voice of His Spirit. If in your heart you believe God is prodding you concerning your relationship with another believer---or if you find Him nudging you to speak lovingly and boldly to an unbeliever, commit yourself to follow God’s leading. And remember--- we are in the last days. And the clock, friends, is winding down.
[INVITATION SONG SLIDES] NOTE TO THOSE WHO READ AND OR CHOOSE TO MAKE USE OF ANY OR ALL OF THIS SERMON: I am sharing this sermon with the hopes it will be an encouragement to others. I apologize for any blatant typing errors! If you find any I’d appreciate hearing from you so I can correct them. I try to give credit where credit is due, noting writers and or sources to the best of my ability. I have for years been drawing from a wealth of sources including this website. I recognize that my mind and writing processes are fallible. I may occasionally fail to properly identify a source. Please do not take offense if you see anything of this nature. I never intend to plagiarize. Having said that I want you to feel free to draw from my message. When appropriate I hope you will give credit as I do. But most of all I hope Christ will be lifted up and God will receive the glory in all things.
[P.S. This sermon series which I‘ve titled “First Things” was among the last things I said to the members of the congregation I served in Orleans, IN, at the end of a 12 year ministry with them.]
