1 Cor 15:52 “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…”
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Feedback Question: “Tell me of a miracle product (you once purchased) that promised to do something quickly, but really didn’t work.” (e.g., products that claim to help you quickly lose weight, build muscle, restore hair, brighten teeth, make you money, sweep floors)
B. Lots Of Products & Promises Out There
C. But The Bible Speaks Of Certain Things That Are Lickety-Split (Quick)… and True!
II. SEVEN (7) THINGS BIBLE SAYS HAPPEN LICKETY-SPLIT
A. Lickety-Split, God Created The Universe
1. Gen 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.”
2. Science finally catching up to the Bible
3. USA Today Headline 3-16-2006 - “Big Bang Unfolded In The Blink Of An Eye”
“The universe expanded rapidly — growing from the size of a marble to billions of light years across — within the first trillionth of a second after its cataclysmic birth, astrophysicists reported Thursday.”
4. Pure Science Cannot Contradict The Bible
a. science, by definition, can only measure that which is visible and seen, touchable and measurable
b. science, born by early Christians, believed universe created by God – predictable, organized, laws & theories
5. More than just intelligent design – it is God’s designs – creator’s design
a. no embarrassment / no apology
b. perfectly sensible / perfectly scientific!
B. Lickety-Split – Sin Fascinates
1. Job 20:5 “…the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment”
2. The first sin recorded = Adam & Eve’s - no doubt, for just a moment, they experienced some joy & euphoria
a. if didn’t look good, feel good, etc. – you won’t give in
b. it wouldn’t be called temptation – cause wouldn’t be tempted
3. Lickety-Split -- Sin fascinates … but then…
C. Lickety-Split – Sin Assassinates
Ps 73:19 “Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment”
D. Lickety-Split – God Propitiates
1. (1 Jn 2:2) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
2. Propitiation - punishment falling on a substitute (Jesus)
3. When’s the last time you cried for what our Lord did for you?
a. not everything joyful – not God’s job to make you happy
b. we’re a “happy bunch” but sometimes – time to cry for our sins
c. OT lamb sacrifice – solemn, not flippant or jovial
d. sin is serious business
4. (Ps 30:5) “For His anger is but for a moment. His favor is for life;”
5. (Isa 54:7-8) "’For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment ; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,’ says the LORD, your Redeemer.”
6. (2 Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack [or slow] concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
a. God is not out to destroy you, but to discipline you
b. God came not to destroy the world, but to save the world
c. Sooner repent, make amends, learn from mistakes – quicker joy returns
E. Lickety-Split – God Wants To Re-Create
1. (2 Cor 5:17) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2. God creates, then re-creates (born, re-born)
3. Process (takes time) of restoring wholeness
4. Process can begin immediately – don’t have to wait to take class, join
5. Ethiopian Eunuch said to Philip – “What’s stopping me from getting baptized – let’s do it now!”
F. Lickety-Split – God’s Eyes Penetrate (seeing everything everywhere)
1. (Luke 4:5-6) “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.”
2. Saw all these at once – in a moment of time
3. Speaks to our Lord’s Omniscience & Omnipresence
4. In trouble – lickety-split, God sees it
5. Genesis 16 – Hagar on the run in the wilderness – “Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me?’”
6. Lickety-Split – God knows and sees your need!
G. Lickety-Split – What Aggravates Will Someday Terminate
1. (Ps 90:4) “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past…”
2. (2 Peter 3:8-9) “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years , and a thousand years as one day.”
3. (2 Cor 4:17) “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…”
4. I think about heaven – will I have memory of problems in this life?
5. I could – but no time in heaven – eternity – passes in an instant
6. Such than when someone dies – next to die – just an instant back
7. Our troubles here just a blink of an eye in eternity
8. Measure from the beginning of this sermon – your 34th eye blink – what were you thinking? Or your 57th? Don’t remember?
9. Neither in eternity – just a distant memory
10. Suppose if you tried hard enough you could remember -- but Rom 8:18 reminds us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”
11. Christ our Lord will return – Lickety-Split – (1 Cor 15:52) “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
III. CONCLUSION & INVITATION – The Same For The Seeker & One Who’s Been On The Path
A. For The Seeker
1. God’s love – it’s there lickety-split
2. God’s forgiveness – it’s there lickety-split
3. Christ will come again – lickety-split – be ready
B. For The One That’s Been On The Path – really same message
1. God’s love – it’s there lickety-split
2. God’s forgiveness – it’s there lickety-split
3. Christ will come again – lickety-split – be ready
