Archive for April, 2022

How Many Contented People Do You Know? Are You One? Part Three

 I Timothy 6: 6 – 11

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Thus, He asserted the reasons He left the glories of Heaven to come to earth. Each of them were with you in mind.

To aid our understanding He uses an analogy of sheep and notes His sheep “find pasture.” This is a reference to provisions. He is going to provide for you. “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.” Do you really believe that? If so, you are a contented person. Are you?

Then Christ asserted He came to earth that His people, like the sheep of a shepherd, might have two things.

One, that you might have life. This is a reference to protection.

The other had to do with this quality of life which He called abundant life. It is a reference to life with super additives.  This is a reference to profusion. 

To achieve these blessings for us He said, “I lay down my life for my sheep.” (John 10: 15)

After providing us new life, He then desires to enable us to have a contented life. Yet, there are so few people who give any appearance of contentment.

Put the zoom lens of your mind on I Timothy 6: 6. Now bring it into focus the word “contentment.”  It translates the Greek word “autarkeia” meaning “carrying the secret of happiness in itself, completely independent of outward things.” It means to have inner resources that enable you to be unflappable in the face of external circumstances. 

When this secret is discovered and applied, you break free of the bondage to things. You are set free of servitude to things.

However, the devil has set a very appealing snare called materialism.  “The love of money is the root of all evil.”  (I Timothy 6:10)

Money as used here refers to all things material. The desire for material  things is a desire for security that can never be obtained by them. Our society suffers from a “more syndrome.” More is always better, but more is never good enough.  The satisfaction coming from more is short lived at best.

Contentment is basic according to verse 8. The Greek word “autarkeia” translated content has further meaning “to possess unfailing strength that can ward off anxiety and worry.”

Back to the basic premise that  “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.”  Jesus  also taught that the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of riches tend to choke God’s Word and keep people from contentment (Matt 13:22). Daily choices enable contentment. You choose. 

What Is “Yourself” Worth? 5/23/99

II Timothy 3:1-5

Jesus Christ was asked what is the first and greatest commandment. He answered: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22: 37 – 39).

With incredible agility we have managed to hurdle the first two commandments and make a third to which our generation is inclined to give full devotion. It is the “as yourself” part where we pause and express devotion.

Self-esteem is the issue of the hour. It is the latest educational fad sweeping the country. This movement, which professes to help students make better grades and people in the work force be more productive, began in California. Because of the notoriety given the program, the state of California commissioned a study entitled, “The Social Importance of Self-Esteem.” In part, the critical study revealed “One of the disappointing aspects…is how low the associations between self- esteem and its consequences are in research data.” NO connection was found between promoting self- esteem and enhanced educational performance. The study did expose a false assumption and showed there is no consistent link between low self-esteem and other factors commonly thought to be associated with poor academic achievement, such as child abuse, teen pregnancy, crime, welfare dependency, and substance abuse.” (Marietta Daily Journal 2/27/91, as reported from the “Providence Journal”).

No persons in our society have a greater reason to enjoy a good healthy self-image than Christians. Knowing we human beings are the object of God’s uninhibited love should give dignity and a sense of self-worth like nothing else can.

One of the most thrilling thoughts to course across my mind is, “I am loved — by Almighty God.” W-O-W!

Self-esteem is based on how we perform and what people think of us. It is performance based.

With the rash of violence sweeping our nation answers are being sought. Even some national news casts have made positive reference to the need for a return to moral values. Comments have been made regarding the removal of prayer and the Bible from schools. The removal of virtually any acknowledgment of God and Biblical moral values coupled with the self-esteem indoctrination has left many frustrated.

In the history of the English language the term self-esteem didn’t emerge until early in the 1970’s.

The removal of a Biblical world view has deprived youth of the concept of self-worth. It is needed because none of us can look, perform, and speak sufficiently to gain the approval of the majority. That being true it is inevitable that sooner or later some persons are going to lack self- esteem. At this point they look for some way of gaining popularity.

They confuse being popular with gaining attention. They think that by getting attention they will have good self-worth. Let me illustrate in an absurd way the difference. If I were to have come out on this platform wearing nothing but my yellow polka dotted bikini, I would have gotten your attention. That would not have necessarily made me popular.

A good, wholesome self-image is crucial to mental and social stability. Two extremes afford snares that entrap us and rob us of a balanced self- image. One is egotism; an inflated opinion of self. The other is self-effacement; an inability to accept self. Both are brutal and unforgiving attitudes.

A low self-image is common. Many modern influences dehumanize human beings and make people feel worthless.

Sooner or later self-esteem breaks down.

There is a self-image that gives stability at all times. It is called self-worth. Recently on national TV a golfer leading the field approached the final hole and was spoken to by the commentator. Hear this well. It is what is meant by self-worth. The commentator said the change in his game occurred in 1985 after a dismal round. At that point he and his wife sat in their old car and he changed his spiritual values. He noted the golfer said he had always thought of himself as a golfer and gained his self- esteem from that. When he changed his spiritual values he began to think of himself as something more than a golfer.

What the commentator was saying in closely guarded terms was He became a Christian and as a result came to see himself as being of infinite worth in the eyes of God and that gave him a sense of self-worth. You —- every person —- is of great enough value to God that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. That means a golfer who plays good or bad has a stable sense of self-worth.

Until that moment of transformation the golfer’s self-esteem rose and sank depending upon his golf score.

Evolutionists’ thought that we consequented from some green slime in a primordial swamp gives no dignity to our origin. The idea you are created in the image of a loving God is lofty and refreshing.

Ethologist (one who treats origins and relationships of human beings) Desmond Morris tells us we are nothing but animals. The Bible tells us we are to have dominion over them.

Behaviorist B. F. Skinner says we are only machines programmed to make automatic responses to external stimuli. The Bible says we are created by God and have a free will.

I cannot assert strongly enough my support for a good self-image. However, self-esteem suggests narcissism. That is, an inordinate love of self. In some instances, it may be just a matter of semantics, but often it is much more.

NARCISSISM is a colorful synonym for egotism. The word was coined for a fictional person who had an inordinate love for his own beauty. Before the advent of mirrors he would frequent a bridge over a pool. Leaning over, he would admire himself in the reflective pool. One day he became so enthralled with his beautiful image, he lost his balance and fell in and drowned in his own image. There is a little limerick which states:
“There once was a nymph named Narcissus,
Who thought himself very delicious;
So he stared like a fool
At his face in a pool,
And his folly today is still with us.”

There is even a manner of speaking today called “selfist jargon.” It involves terms that express preoccupation with “Me-ism.” Paul Vitz, in his book “The Cult of Self-Worship,” cites the following as a summary statement of this cult: “I love me. I am not conceited. I’m just a good friend of myself. And I like to do whatever makes me feel good….”

The two commandments given by Christ need to be considered:

Grammatically. Jesus did not say “the second and third commandments are that we are to love our neighbor and our self,” but that the second commandment is to love our neighbor as our self. This marks self-love as a fact to be accepted, but not a virtue to be accented.

Linguistically. AGAPE love means self- sacrifice in the service of another considered precious. Therefore, it cannot be self-directed.

Theologically. Self-love is Biblically considered sin. Our text speaks of persons who have inordinate concepts displeasing to the Lord and one is that they are “lovers of self” instead of “lovers of God” (II Tim. 3: 2a & 4b).

The Bible speaks on several occasions about esteeming others but has nothing to say about self- esteem. It is a worthy manual on Self-worth.

Having reservations about the term “self- esteem” because of some of the ways it is being used today by New Age advocates, I want to talk about the vitality and virtue of self-worth and a good wholesome self-image. Strange as it may sound, aids are:

I. SELF-DENIAL
In an era when there is a mindset expecting life to serve our every self-centered emotional need or whim, self-denial is unpopular. Self-absorption defines the climate of our culture. Narcissism has become one of the central themes of autobiographies.

Self-denial is ridiculed by advocates of the “me” and “now” orientation as is the loss of concern for others and the future.

Self-fulfillment, not self-denial, is the message of the hour.

The more we focus on self, the less we are available to God.

Jesus said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Matt. 16:24).

This verse suggests three steps in self-denial:

1. Making up your mind = “IF any man will…”

2. Giving up your autonomy = “let him deny himself”

3. Taking up Christ identity = “take up his cross”

Get yourself off your mind and your mind off yourself.

Jesus said, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me, will save it” (Luke 9:24).

Self-denial is a synonym for self-discipline. One of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:23 is “self-control,” that is, self-discipline.

Our text notes those who are lovers of self are without self-control (3:3).

Through the course of history, a few people have forgotten themselves into immortality. Those who forgot themselves are the ones we remember.

We love the music while often failing to apply the lines by Francis of Assisi:
“It is in giving we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

Many egotists have a poor self-image because they know their gluttony, greed, selfishness, and covetousness isn’t right, and that produces guilt.

Self-denial doesn’t simply mean not permitting our self to have a few luxuries or some favorite wholesome activity; it means denying we own ourselves and admitting we are bought with a price. It is simply a personal acknowledgment that we belong to our loving Christ and our fulfillment is found in pleasing Him.

There is a difference in denying self a few things and denying self.

To truly deny self is to disown, that is, crucify everything within our self that is incompatible with Jesus Christ. Nail it to the cross. True self-denial is the denial of our fallen or false self. This does not mean to deny the reality. It means to disallow the control of it over your life. This isn’t the road to self-destruction, but the road to self-discovery.

II. SELF-AWARENESS
No person who has objectively read the Gospels could conclude Jesus had a negative opinion of people or ever encouraged a negative opinion. Consider:

A. HIS TEACHINGS. He talked about our value. He said we are “much more valuable” than birds or beasts (Matt 6:26 and 12:12).

He taught that you are worth more than the universe when He said, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

In 1975 a delightful little book came out entitled, “The Christian Looks at Himself.” The author, Anthony Hoekema, tells of a young man, who in his fight against inferiority, put a banner on his wall reading: “I’m me and I’m good, ’cause God don’t make no junk.”

B. HIS ATTITUDE. He loved everybody. His love cut across races and ages. He loved the sick, the prostitute, the thief, the religious bigot, the leper, the poor, the hungry, the rich and society’s outcasts. He accepted those the world rejected. He accepts you also. As a child you may have been rejected by a parent, you may have been an outcast in your social order, or you may have been spurned by your peers, B-U-T Jesus loves you. That should do something for your self-image.

C. HIS MISSION. He came to serve and to save (Mark 10:45).

Your worth should be based on what you are worth to God, and that is a remarkably great deal because Jesus died for you.

III. SELF-FULFILLMENT
Christian psychologist, Lawrence J. Crabb, Jr., describes our need in this manner: “The basic personal need of each person is to regard himself as a worthwhile human being.”

Knowing that not all of us will win an Olympic gold medal or have our name entered in the Guinness Book of World Records, how can we be enabled to feel fulfilled?

Sculpture these three concepts on a granite wall in the corridors of your memory:
1. It is not important that you be the best at anything, but that you be your best at everything.
2. Avoid comparisons. You can always find someone you are better than and get an ego buzz. You will always find someone better than you and that leads to depression.
3. God does not call on us to be successful, only faithful.

If our happiness hinges on “doing,” we will inevitably be miserable. Biblically, it is contingent on “being.” It is found in being all that God wants you to be. These are internal traits.

If you have the capacity of being a “C” student, be the best “C” student you can be. If you have the ability to be an “A” student, be the best “A” student you can be.

If you are an hourly laborer, be the best hourly laborer you can be.

If you are a corporate executive, be the best corporate executive you can be.

The only standard against which you should be measured is the “you” God made you to be.

Christ said He came that we might have abundant life (John l0:l0). The secret to that abundant life is not your ability, but your response to God’s ability.

Resolve: “God I want to be all you want me to be. I want to become all you saved me to become.”

Your self-worth is closely tied to your awareness of your worth to God.

Our worth lies in the fact that our sins were paid for by Christ’s blood; therefore, you can be reconciled to God — accepted by Him. We are accepted by Him on this basis alone.

If God will accept us, if in His sight we are of infinite worth, surely, we can accept our self.

God rejoices when we accept His acceptance. Then we can accept our self.

The Cultivation of Contentment: Part Two

I Timothy 6: 6 – 12

Our text emphasizes there is nothing bad about being rich. It can be, and often is, very good. It is our attitude toward material goods that is at question.

Verse 9 opens the door for consideration to be given some unreasonable ways of seeking to gain wealth.

There is the snare of borrowing your way to wealth. Avoid the bondage of debt. The Bible does not prohibit borrowing. However, in borrowing we must make certain in advance resources will be incoming that can retire the loan on time. When the time passes without the note being paid, the person is in bondage.

Our drive to get ahead often gets us farther behind.

Neither security nor comfort is wrong. Both are admirable, but neither is obtainable apart from godliness. Some have become so driven by material ambition that they have “strayed from the faith in their greediness” (Vs. 10b).  Avoid people who think gain is godliness. (Vs.  5) Some persons, especially preachers, have used false godliness as a means of gain. They have prostituted the gospel, commercialized Christ, and merchandized false doctrine for personal gain. From such “withdraw yourself.” A strategic withdrawal is expedient.

If you desire contentment, don’t try to use godliness as a means to an end, but as an end in itself.

Accept a primary axiom.  (Vs. 7) “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”  That closely parallels Job 1: 21, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return.”

There is an old expression: “There are no pockets in a shroud.”

A wealthy person died and someone asked, “How much did he leave?” Someone answered, “Everything.”

It is said that the casket of Alexander the Great, conqueror of the known world, had holes in each side with his open hands protruding through them to indicate he, too, died empty-handed.

Avow God is the giver of every enjoyable thing. (Vs. 17c)

This verse addresses those who have already obtained wealth and offers three warnings:

Don’t be haughty, don’t trust in your wealth, and do trust in God.

“God gives us richly all things to enjoy” and that includes wealth.  It is enjoyed when there is a proper attitude toward it and a generous spirit related to it.

The ultimate delight, which far exceeds earthly and material blessings, is “eternal life.” (Verse 19c)

Verse 12 appeals to us to “Fight the good fight of faith.” This indicates the Christian experience is a perpetual challenge. This is an appeal for discipline and determination.

Verse 19c challenges us to “lay hold on eternal life.” The Greek term describes a completed reality, a single happening. Thereafter it affords contentment.

The Cultivation of Contentment: Part One

I Timothy 6: 6 – 12

Jesus said, “Foxes have their holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8: 20). He who said that was the world’s most contented person. In doing so, He established that contentment is not contingent on “things.”

We have developed an adrenal thirst for material possessions. As a result, if we have those we want, we are content. If we don’t have them we are discontent. 

There are things that aid contentment that money can’t buy. Money can buy. 

A bed, but not sleep. Books, but not brains. A house, but not a home.

Medicine, but not health. Food, but not an appetite. 

Amusement, but not happiness. A crucifix, but not a Savior.

In her book entitled: “Living on Less and Enjoying It More,” Maxine Hancock said of contentment: “It is similar to happiness, that greatly sought-after but always elusive goal of society.  However, it is deeper and more fulfilling than happiness.  It is a quiet plateau that can be reached internally even when there seems little external reason for it.” 

Our text teaches that “quiet plateau” is reachable by means of “godliness with contentment.”

There is a difference in seeking godliness as an end in itself and as a means to material gain. To desire to be godly is simply to aspire to be more like Christ.

Godliness and contentment are Siamese twins joined at the cerebral cortex. That is, they are inseparable. Yet, many people still seek contentment by ungodly means. That’s like trying to find a black palomino. There is no such thing. If it’s black, it isn’t a palomino. If it is a palomino, it isn’t black. 

If there is godliness, there is contentment. If there is contentment, it is because there is godliness.

“Contentment” is used as a noun here and in only one other place in the New Testament. The Greek word is “autarkeia”, meaning self-sufficiency, carrying the secret of fulfillment in yourself, completely independent of outward things. 

It comes from a personal relationship with the Father through the Son. We escape servitude to things when we learn this basic lesson.

The godly person possesses inner resources which furnish riches far beyond that which earth can offer.

Democritus reputedly used the word “avarice” as a summary for improper love of money and said, “Expel avarice, the mother of all wickedness, who, always thirsty for more, opens wide her jaws of gold.”

“Always thirsty for more” describes our era. Epicurus, building on the philosophy of Democritus said, “To whom little is not enough, nothing is enough.” 

That is because no quantity of things brings contentment. Only Christ does.

Have you noticed this principle in your life? Christ alone is the source of contentment, not things. Therefore, invest in Him for dividends of contentment.

Pardon Me, May I Tell You the Time? 1/10/99

Matthew 24:42-44
Page 1450, Come Alive Bible

Jesus Christ said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24: 35).

Thus, what He said you can rely upon. He said, “I will come again.”

Being aware that normal human curiosity would prompt the question, “When?” He said: “…of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father” (Matthew 24: 36).

Amazingly, date setters are always popular and always wrong.

On an episode of “Candid Camera” there was a segment in which normal things were reversed. A sign posted on a lovely lawn stated, “Please walk on the grass.” Not exactly what one might expect. Another involved a person walking up to people on the street saying, “Pardon me please, may I tell you the time?” Reaction varied. Some looked a their own watch. Some said a skeptical but polite, “Yes.” Some looked quizzically and walked away.

Pardon me, may I tell you the time?

Prophetic time setters have existed all through time. In an attempt to cheat on the future there are those who profess to be seers who know the future. Most of them are willing to tell the future for a fee. People seem to forget Christ said no person knows the time of His second coming.

With the rise of millennial fever and apocalyptic fear prophets of doom can be expected to proliferate as the year 2000 approaches. As Christians we need to be informed and prepared to respond.

False prophets can usually hit on enough things to get a following. Misses are over looked.

Edgar Casey who died in 1945 still has a large following. Now that 1998 has passed it is safe to share his prediction that a large chunk of California would fall into the Pacific between 1958 and 1998.

Nostradamus (1503-1566) correctly predicted King Henry II would die in a jousting accident and he did. This gave him and “in” with the queen and a fortune.

He also predicted the king of France would conquer Turkey, convert the nation to Christianity, and become emperor of the world. That made him the man of the hour in France —- for a short time. Most of his prophecies did not come true but a large contingency of his followers still today are devotees.

In 1956 Jean Dixon predicted that in 1960 a brown haired, blue eyed, democratic president would be elected and die in office. When President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 her popularity sky rocketed and her followers proliferated. It should be noted she also predicted that in 1958 World War III would begin, the Soviets would land the first man on the moon, a comet would strike the earth in the mid 1980’s, and a woman would be elected president in the 1980’s. Not! On all those.

William Miller, a farmer from Vermont, used his Bible to calculate Christ would come in 1843, about 20 years after his prophecy. When pushed to be more specific he said March 21, 1843. When Christ did not Miller recalculated and apologized for his error. He meant October 22, 1844. Over 100,000 Millerites quit their jobs, sold their possessions (what good does that do?) And waited for the end to come.

Edgar Wisenaunt wrote a book entitled “88 Reasons Why the Rapture will be in 1988.” It sold millions and panicked legions.

Even Hal Lindsay noted in his very popular book that 1988 would be the year of our Lord’s return.

Pat Robinson once “guaranteed” a 1992 Tribulation “sparked by a Russian invasion of Israel.”

With the approach of the new millennium prophets are arising as they did in 999.

For the Christian it is vital to ask, “What time is it?” Is 1999 the final year of the count down to Christ’s coming. It may be. It may not be. He may come on the millennium. Not 2000, but 3000.

From the stand point of a minister I only know the day of the week He will come, not the date. It will be on a Monday for the Scripture says He will come on “a day no man thinketh.” That’s got to be a Monday.

I believe with all my heart His coming is imminent, though it may not be immediately. There is a difference in those words. To say it is imminent means it can be at any moment. That includes immediately. To say it is immediate excludes a delay if it pleased Him. It is imminent.

God’s people are not to try to harness the forces of nature, engage in divination, or sorcery, or search out popular prognosticators, but to put their faith in the Word of God.

The important thing is to intrust the future to our trustworthy God. God said of false prophets: “‘I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness;’” (Isaiah 44:24 – 25).

If you hear a date “fixer” you are listening to a person who is by their action saying they know what God said no one knows. Before His ascension Jesus said not even He knew the appointed time.

I don’t look forward to the undertaker, but I do look forward to the upper taker. I don’t look forward to a clef in the ground but I do look forward to a cleavage in the sky.

We should live as though He might come today and plan and work as though He isn’t coming for a hundred years. Rejoice He is coming. In the meantime what are we to do. Three of the things are clearly noted in Scripture.

I. WATCH
There are 1,845 Scriptures attesting to the coming of Christ. It is the main theme of 21 books of the Bible. Every chapter in I and II Thessalonians closes with a reference to his coming. Over half the verses in the New Testament relate to His coming. Read the New Testament and your ears will ring with the footsteps of His glorious coming.

Anticipation of His coming is a marvelous motivation. It is a catalyst to faithfulness.

Christ said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). And again He said, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).

Scripture includes this vital insight: “scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (II Peter 3: 3, 4).

There will be people saying people have long been saying He is coming and He hasn’t. Therefore, I don’t believe He is coming again.”

When you hear a person say that rejoice because that is a sign of His coming.

Anticipation of His coming is a marvelous motivating factor. It prompts diligence.

While in the third grade our teacher told us the superintendent of schools had honored our school by visiting and our class was blessed because he was going to visit in it. Having told us this she said, “Now boys and girls you be very quiet and orderly I am going to the office to get him.”

You have never seen a more orderly group of children as we waited quietly. We were ready.

However, it took Mrs. Potter longer to come back than we anticipated. Soon the class became restless, then noisy, finally boisterous. Just as Mrs. Potter opened the door and the superintendent stepped in Hulet, having his back to the door stood with his lasso rope, swung it around, threw it over the head of Zenell and yelled, “Swing her up to the chandelier, boys.”

There was a breakdown in our watch. We weren’t ready for his coming.

We should live as though Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is coming tomorrow.

Colossians 3: 23 is my life’s theme text: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” That develops diligence.

This theme is further developed: “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (II Peter 3:14).

There are certain signs Christ told us to look for.

Matthew 24: 4 – 8 says in the latter days the abnormal will be considered normal. Listen to any talk show for verification this is now happening.

Isaiah 66:8 said a nation would be born in a day. In AD 135 Roman General Titus and his army returned to the imperial city chanting, “Hierosoluma est perdita” meaning “Jerusalem is destroyed.” The nation of Israel was no more for nearly 1800 years. November 29, 1947 the United Nations established the new nation of Israel and a nation was born in a day.

Luke 24: 21 the time of the Gentiles will have ended in Jerusalem. In June of 1967 a small army of Israel outnumbered 80 to 1 possessed Jerusalem. When on June 7, 1967 Rabbi Goren and his fellow soldiers rushed to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem the time of the Gentile rule over Jerusalem was ended.

I Timothy 4:1 spoke of an increase in demon activity. The New Age movement and Satanism expose a dramatic increase in primitive religions. There are an estimated 250,000 Satanic covens in America.

When a decadent nation turns its back on God it turns back to the gods of decadence

II Timothy 3:13 says philosophical confusion will be common place. In our day street philosophy has taken place of the Scripture. Relativism has replaced absolutes.

If one dares to condemn the conduct to which our president has confessed that person is said to be throwing stones. There is an 11th Commandment in America: “Thou shalt not judge.” When a free people can’t make statements of right and wrong society has moved away from a Biblical conscience. A new relativism has eroded our moral absolutes.

Years ago writing about American democracy Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville spoke of the danger of immorality leading to greatness.

Recently, Washington Post columnist, Mary McGore wrote of President Clinton as “our first president strengthened by charges of immorality.”

God is faithful and patient, but He is not indulgent or permissive.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).

II. WITNESS
Jesus said He would not come until the “gospel of the kingdom” has been preached “in the whole world.”

To accomplish this He has given us a commission: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28: 18 – 20).

Love compels us to want to share the love of Christ with those we love.

III. WORSHIP
“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

What priority do you give public worship?

I mentioned watching for His return motivates diligence and a desire to please Him. Can you imagine being where you should not be at church time and that is the moment He comes. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be engaged in public worship when He comes.

Magnets are common today. During my childhood there wasn’t but one big magnet in my little home
town. My home town was so small it had only one yellow page with two half page ads. That magnet was owned by Mr. Cid who was noted as being very grumpy. He was the town blacksmith. He was very protective of that magnet, but because of his friendship with my dad he would let me come in and play with it occasionally. By the big emery wheel where he sharpened metal objects was a pile of iron filings like those in an etch-a-sketch. I learned that if I were to hold that magnet a certain height over those filings that the force field of the magnet would cause the iron filings to move around. The closer I moved the magnet the more responsive they were to the power of the magnet. When I would get at just the right height the filings would jump up to meet it.

As the coming of our Lord draws near His power should exert more influence on us until that moment we are caught up to meet Him in the air.

When the author walks on the stage the play is over. Are you ready?

Pardon me, may I tell you what time it is? It’s decision time.