Signs Of The Times

Chico Alliance Church

“Signs of the Times”

INTRODUCTION

We live in a world full of signs that warn of danger, point us in a specific direction or tell us what to do. Some provide instructions that assume we are complete idiots. How about the waring not to put a plastic bag over your head? Some of you thought this sermon might be about the signs of the end times. Not where I am going.

I have wanted to preach a message on the numerous Biblical instructions that remind me of traffic signs. Out of numerous possibilities, I chose to settle on seven. That’s a good number. It is sometimes considered the number of completeness in the Bible.

1. One Way

I start with one of the most important signs. Jesus himself made a bold declaration found in John 14.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

He again proclaimed…

Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:7-10

Scripture reinforces this truth through over and over.

Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:17-18

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36

salvation, restored relationship with the father, eternal life, abundant life are only found a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the only way! He is the one way! Contrary to this world’s current teaching, there are not many paths to God. There may be many paths to Jesus Christ but He is the only authorized path to God.

2. Yield

We are all familiar with this sign. It instructs us to yield our movement to other traffic. Scripture commands submission in other areas, but submission to Him is foremost. God expects and deserves complete yielding of ourselves to God.

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit (yield) yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. James 4:6-8

Peter issued the same instruction.

Be humbled therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

Paul instructed the Romans to yield themselves and their “members” for God’s use. I believe this dealt with more than a specific body part of limb but the referred to vast capabilities possible through the creative application of the mind/body connection.

Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present (yield) your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present (yield) yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. Romans 6:11-13

The term “instrument” described a useful tool, especially an offensive weapon against the enemy. Paul first reminded them that Christ brought them new life capable of freedom from sin and Satan. Considering that fact, he urged them to stop allowing sin to continue its rule over their physiological aspects. I.e. Physical capacities, urges, appetites, mental and emotional patterns programed contrary to God’s ways. He told them to stop consciously yielding their “members” to sin as a weapon for the opposing army. In contrast, they were to consciously yield themselves (their core being) to God, given that God brought them out of death to life, and then yield up their members and all their capacity as tools for righteousness.