Signs

Signs

Selected Scripture

Play a little game this morning. If I put out on the church sign that next Sunday Labron James of Cleveland Cavaliers would be here, would the church be full? If I said Jennifer Aniston or Bradley Cooper or any well known actor or actress, would people come to God’s house?

Yeah, the house of God would probably be full. Why? Because they would be people that people want to meet.

They would believe that what I put on that sign was correct and they would come.

I think that they would want to lynch me up if they got here under false pretenses and I began sharing a message about God’s love. Why, because they came for one thing and I would be giving them another.

They had already in their minds what they are expecting and what they got would not be what they are looking for.

The church sign out front usually has a message and the message is usually inviting or encouraging the people of this community to be drawn to the things of God. When they do choose to come through these doors, we pray that they are met with smiles and we (1) will meet their expectations and (2) give them what they need because they are two different things.

Here lays the problem- Not that what the church offers them is not good, but that what they need is not what they are looking for and what they are looking for will not satisfy their need, but most don’t know it yet.

1000’s of people pass the sign every day. We use it as a tool of evangelism and they use it as a point of reference. (Turn right or left at the church)

Some are amused at what the sign says, some encouraged, but until they come in they cannot be changed and they cannot experience or receive what they need.

If we cannot get some believers where they need to be, how much harder is it to get to the unbelievers?

When believers are not praying. (Had to be here last week to get that one.)

When believers are struggling with priorities and commitments, it is hard for the unbeliever to see the need.

Five Man Electrical Band

In 1971, they wrote this song; Signs

And the sign said "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"

So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why

He said "You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do"

So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that. Huh! Me workin' for you!"

Whoa-oh-oh

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign

Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind

Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

God has signs and He gives us signs

"Beware" signs are set to warn us of danger, to prevent disaster and assure us of safely arriving at our destination. God knows the danger spots in life and has lovingly set up His "beware" signs in His Word.

So when God says the bridge is out, you can be assured that the bridge is out and another way is in your best interest.

The first was in the Garden of Eden, warning Adam and Eve, that eating the fruit of the forbidden tree would mean death (Gen. 3:1-3). They ignored it.

God's Ten Commandments (Ex. 20) are ten important warning signs. They are not set up to keep us from enjoying life, but they are safety guarantees designed to keep us from destruction, to preserve our well being and our fellowship with God.

Most say they live the Ten Commandments, which is impossible, when in reality they cannot even recite the Ten Commandments.

Ignoring any one of them can mean death (Jms.2:10).

God's warnings are not to be received as from a mean bully that does not want anyone to have fun, but rather as the counsel of a loving, gracious Heavenly Father, "not willing that any should perish" (2 Pet.3:9).

He knows there is a vicious predator lurking, and many deadly pitfalls lie ahead in the unknown territory in which we find ourselves. But the Holy Spirit is with us to remind us of our Lord's warnings (Jn.14:26). He will protect and guide us to the right path. Hear David confidently singing: "The Lord is my shepherd...Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me" (Ps.23:4). Our God is a protector, not a destroyer

Few of God's BEWARE signs: there are more but here are a few.

1. Beware of "The devils schemes" (Eph. 6:11,12)

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the ruler, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”