Three Things To Expect

THREE THINGS TO

EXPECT IN 2010

NBCOG 01/03/2010 AM

TEXT

MATTHEW 16:1-3

INTRODUCTION

*DISCERNING THE TIMES HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CRUCIAL PART OF CHRISTIANITY.

*MANY HAVE WENT TO THE EXTREME AND IN ERROR HAVE SET DATES

AND EVEN TIMES FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST TO TAKE THE CHURCH HOME.

*THAT EVENT IS KNOWN AS THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH.

*NOW, I WANT TO LAY THE FOUNDATION HERE.

*DON’T CONFUSE THE RAPTURE WITH THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.

*THEY ARE 2 SEPARATE, DISTINCT EVENTS.

*THE RAPTURE TAKES PLACE FIRST.

*THAT’S THE CHURCH, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST BEING TAKEN OUT OF THE WORLD BEFORE THE TRIBULATION BEGINS.

*THEN AFTER THE 7 YEARS OF TRIBULATION, JESUS WILL RETURN AND DESTROY THE ARMIES THAT ARE GATHERED FOR THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON.

*AND THEN SET UP HIS MILLENNIAL REIGN.

*THAT IS THE SECOND COMING.

*IF WE TAKE A SURVEY OF THE LAST DECADE WE SEE WHERE WE ARE HEADED FOR THE FUTURE.

*PARTICULARLY IN AMERICA.

*THERE ARE THREE THINGS THE LORD HAS LAID ON MY HEART FOR US TO EXPECT FOR 2010.

TEXT

MATTHEW 16:1-3

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

I. THE FIRST THING WE CAN EXPECT IN 2010 IS TROUBLE.

1. WE JUST FINISHED AND WON A BATTLE ON MANY FRONTS CONCERNING WHETHER WE SHOULD CALL CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS

OR A HOLIDAY.

2. IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE HATED.

3. JESUS WARNED US THAT THE WORLD HATED HIM

AND THE WORLD WOULD HATE US.

4. IN FACT THERE ARE PROPOSALS FOR LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN

AND WILL BE WRITTEN TO TRY TO DISBAND AND DESTROY CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA.

5. BUT, JESUS SAID, “THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST THE CHURCH.”

6. I THINK THAT IT SPEAKS VOLUMES IN

AND OF ITSELF,

IN FACT IT’S A TALE TALE SIGN,

WHEN LIBERAL POLITICIANS AND JUDGES HAVE NO PROBLEMS OR QUARRELS WITH THE RELIGIONS OF:

ISLAM

BUDDHISM

HINDUISM

SCIENTOLOGY

SHINTOISM

CONFUCIANISM

WICCA OR SATANISTS.

7. YET, THEY UTTERLY DESPISE CHRISTIANS AND JEWS.

8. THEIR PLANS ARE TO FORCE US TO CHANGE;

TO RENOUNCE JESUS;

OR TO DIE FOR OUR BELIEFS.

9. YET, THE OTHER RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD ARE TOLERATED AND LEFT ALONE.

10. IT IS THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH THAT IS BEING BLAMED FOR MANY OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN AMERICA AND THE WORLD.

11. BUT, UNDERSTAND THE CHURCH HAS AN ENEMY.

A REAL ENEMY.

NOT A CARTOON CHARACTER OR A MAKE BELIEVE CHARACTER.

12. THAT ENEMY HAS WANTED TO BE GOD. 13. BUT, SINCE HE CAN’T BE GOD, HE WANTS TO DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT IS LIKE GOD.

14. AND EVERYONE THAT IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD.

15. AND IT’S NOT THAT WE FIGHT AND WAGE WAR AGAINST PEOPLE.

16. BUT, IT IS A SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST, A SPIRIT OF HATRED THAT IS IN THEM THAT WE FIGHT AGAINST.

17. IT IS A SPIRITUAL,

NOT A POLITICAL BATTLE THAT WE’RE IN.

EPHESIANS 6:12 READS, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

18. YOU CAN EXPECT THE WORLD TO HATE US MORE AND MORE.

YOU CAN EXPECT TO HAVE TO SIGN MORE PETITIONS TO PROTECT OUR RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS.

AND TO WRITE MORE LETTERS TO YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN.

19. BUT, IN THE MIDST OF IT YOU CAN EXPECT GOD TO PROVE HIS LOVE FOR US TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

20. PERSECUTIONS ARE HERE

AND ARE GOING TO COME.

21. WHY ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

WHY DO YOU READ AND BELIEVE THAT OUTDATED BOOK.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BELIEVE THAT LIE?

WE’RE ALL GOOD PEOPLE.

WE’RE ALL GOING TO HEAVEN.

22. THAT IS A REAL PUSH IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW.

23. THEY WANT TO RATIONALIZE EVERYTHING

AND PUSH GOD OUT OF THE EQUATION.

24. TEENAGERS, YOU CAN EXPECT MORE PEER PRESSURE TO SLEEP AROUND,

TO GET HIGH,

TO GET DRUNK,

TO CHEAT ON TESTS,

TO LIE AND STEAL SO THAT YOU CAN MAINTAIN YOUR SO CALLED FRIENDS.

25. BUT, IN THE MIDST OF THE STRUGGLE GOD HAS A PROMISE FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRUE TO HIM.

ISAIAH 43:1-4

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.