"IT’S A SCARY TIME"
Luke 21:26-28
Luke 21:26-28 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. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
We live in a scary time. People are worried about Terrorism. People are worried about the weather. They are worried about natural disasters. People are worried about their jobs. People are worried about the government. Folks are worried about escalating prices. There are people who are afraid to go outside their home after dark. Our schools are armed camps. You can’t go to city hall without being checked for weapons. You have to take you shoes off before you fly. People are shooting people on the freeways today. and so on.
Certainly we can say that the powers of the heaven are being shaken today.
The Apostle Paul spoke well of the morals of our day:
2Ti 3:1-5 {The message} Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.
Most of the things we as American’s a few years ago thought would always remain steadfast – all of a sudden we realize that we can’t depend on any of these things. We live in radically CHANGING TIME.
What we need today is some things we can really depend on.
T/S Let me share with you 6 things that we can COUNT ON. (I am sure there are many, many more . . .
I. THE NATURE OF GOD WILL ALWAYS BE UNCHANGABLE.
God is unchangeable in His glory everlasting to everlasting thou are God. (Psa. 90:2)
Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
You cannot get a vision of God and it not change you.
God is unchangeable in His purpose. It is to bring all things under the control of his son.
Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
He told one of his friends – Funny you should mention that -– the same
Then went to the Rabbi - Funny you should mention that -– the same
They prayed to God – a thundering voice said, "Funny you should mention that.
God plan and purpose is to bring all things to the feet of Jesus.
that in all things he might have the preeminence. Every knee will bow.
II. DEATH WILL STILL BE INESCAPABLE.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Death and taxes.
However, there is an escape clause for the child of God.
1 Co 15:51-55 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
III. THE PLAN OF GOD WILL STILL BE WRITTEN INDELIBLY.
A. Salvation will still be by grace.
B. Repentance and faith will still be necessary for salvation.
C. Conforming us to the image of His Son will still be the work of the Holy Spirit.
D. Bringing honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ will still be my primary purpose in life.
E. Baptism will still be the first act of obedience.
F. The church will still be the bride of Christ.
G. Trusting and obeying the Word of God will still be the way to living a faithful life.
IV. THE BIBLE WILL STILL BE GOD’S TRUTH ABSOLUTELY.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Psa 119:89 Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
It is not going to change.
V. SIN WILL STILL BE THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE FORCE ON EARTH.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
VI. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST WILL STILL BE THE INEVITABLE CONCLUSION OF THIS AGE.
Heb 10: 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
VII. THE CHURC WILL STIL BE THE MEANS GOD WILL USE TO SHARE THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF SALVATION
Shandra Pierce little girl.
CONCLUSTION:
Psa 119:165 {AMP.} Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble. [Prov. 3:2; Isa. 32:17.]
Isa 32:17-18 (AMP) And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings
