Sermon Central
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The Fierce Urgency Of Now
Contributed by Rohan Diedrick on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: This sermon was inspired by a speech made by Dr. Martin Luther King in 1967. It deals with the fact that humanity is indeed running out of time when it comes to his eternal security. There is an urgent call for us to awake from our slumber because as Dr
The word "knowing" means to make sure that you know; do not dare miss knowing. The word "time" means the critical period; the strategic or special period of time.
What strategic or critical period of time is meant? What is the period of human history that we must not overlook? The day of "our salvation," the day which is nearer than when we first believed.
The day which is at hand, the day when we shall meet the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. We make it a point to remember special days in our lives, so of which are important, some are not!
But we remember nonetheless!
2. NOW IS THE TIME TO AWAKEN OUT OF SLEEP (V.11-12)
Romans 13:11-12 (NKJV)
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
It is time to awaken out of sleep. Too many believers are slumbering and paying no attention to what is going on in the world; too many are not watching; too many are not observing the signs of the time.
Too many are complacent and slothful, lazily passing through life with little commitment to serving Christ. Too few are meeting the needs of the suffering and dying massses of the world. It is time "to awaken" out of sleep: time to wake up, to be aroused and stirred. It is time to get up and to move and act—now—before it is too late.
There is an urgency at hand, the fierce urgency of NOW! The context of this phrase, to awake, denotes a very strong exhortation! There are two reasons for its forcefulness. One; look at verse 11 again:
Romans 13:11 (NKJV)
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
A. Salvation Is Nearer Than When We Believed
The word "salvation" is being used in a future sense, referring to the glorious day when we shall be fully saved. It is the day when our salvation will be consummated, and we will be delivered from this present evil world and perfected forever to live in the presence of God. The point is very dramatic: (this is one of the reasons for the Fierce Urgency of NOW!) The day is nearer than when we believed. Awaken out of sleep—arouse yourself—get up—pay attention:
1. Look at the world situation
The Iraq war, the strengthening of Iran and groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. It’s all locked in with the scriptures;
Matthew 24:6-8 (KJV)
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
2. Look at the signs
Earthquake in China last week; The Official Death Toll is at 22,069, Could Rise to 50,000
Then there is Cyclone Nargis which pounded Burma, leaving more than 65,000 people dead or missing. Nearly 2 million others were left homeless or in need of food, shelter and medicine.
