READY OR NOT – The Second Coming of Christ

Matthew 24:4-14

INTRODUCTION:
A young lady busied herself getting ready for a blind date. This was not just dinner and a movie; her date had planned dinner at an exclusive downtown restaurant with live music and dancing. Wanting to make a good first impression she had taken the day off work. She cleaned her apartment; she went out that afternoon to have her hair done and get a manicure. When she got home she did her makeup, put on her best dress and was ready for her date’s arrival. His expected arrival came and went, but she continued to wait patiently. Finally after waiting over an hour she decided she had been stood up, so she took off her dress, let down her hair put on her pajamas, gathered all her favorite junk food and sat down to watch TV with her dog. Sometime later there was a knock at the door; it was her date. He looked at her surprised and said, “What I gave you an extra two hours and you’re still not ready to go!”
Jesus is coming again. Will you be ready for His return, or will He catch you unprepared?
When we talk about Jesus’ Second Coming there is a tension between two extremes. Scripture shows us Christ’s return is
IMMINENT ______________ and _____________ DELAYED.
The belief that Christ’s return is imminent is not new. Jesus’ followers have been looking for His return right from the beginning. The disciples and the early church believed that they were living in the last days and that Christ could come at any time
• 1 John 2:18 (NIV)
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
ILLUSTRATION: Among the believers there was even a rumor that the Apostle John would not die before Christ would come again. They had heard what Jesus had told Peter. Jesus told Peter that as a young man he had dressed himself, but the day would come when as an old man he would stretch out his hands to be dressed by others and they would lead him where he did not want to go. Peter immediately asked what would happen to John and Jesus answered, “If I want Him to remain alive until I return what is that to you?” Folks missed the “if” believing when John was an old man that Jesus could return at any moment. (See: John 21:18-23)
Christ’s return is imminent; it could happen at any moment. Yet Christ’s return is also delayed. Nearly 2,000 years have come and gone and we are still waiting for Jesus to return.
• 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The tension between these extremes is broken by a third reality of Jesus’ Second Coming: Christ’s return will be sudden. Just like children playing hide-n-seek, Jesus will one day say, “Ready or not here I come!”
• Matthew 24:44 (NIV)
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Jesus began His public ministry with the simple message, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near.” In the days preceding His crucifixion Jesus spoke with His disciples about the kingdom of God. These men struggled to understand all that Jesus was telling them. What did Jesus mean when He talked about laying down His life? Why was Jesus teaching them about the least and the greatest?
With questions filling their minds, the disciples looked to Jesus for answers—answers they could understand. If the coming kingdom is near, then when will it arrive and how will they recognize it? So they went to Jesus on the Mount of Olives and asked Him plainly, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3 NIV)?
Jesus answer was probably not what they were expecting. I’m sure they were thinking Jesus would gather them all in a huddle and say, “Okay, here’s the plan for setting up the new age. God’s kingdom will be established in so many days and this is what to look for. . .” How many of you are just like the disciples and would have liked for Jesus to have just spelled out the end time plan like that?
While Jesus didn’t give us an answer we can put into our calendars with a big red circle, the Olivet Discourse recorded in Matthew 24 and 25 is Jesus’ direct response to the disciples question, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Here Jesus gives one of the clearest explanations of the end time events recorded anywhere in the Bible. The disciples asked what to look for and Jesus told them. Within the 11 verses of Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus reveals seven signs pointing to His coming at the end of the time. These signs are:
1. deception,
2. worldwide birth pains,
3. persecution,
4. falling away,
5. false prophets,
6. wickedness,
7. worldwide evangelism.
1. DECEPTION
• Matthew 24:4-5 (NIV)
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in my name, claiming, ’I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
The first and most important sign pointing to Christ’s coming is deception. As we move closer and closer to the end religious deception will be widespread affecting people everywhere. People will be out of control spiritually chasing whatever makes them feel good.
Jesus was so concerned that His followers be prepared for the spiritual deception to come upon the world that He repeats this warning two more times. In verse 11 He says, “Many false prophets will appear AND DECEIVE MANY PEOPLE.” Later in verse 24 He warns, “False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles TO DECEIVE EVEN THE ELECT—if that were possible.”
Let me ask a simple question: IS RELIGIOUS DECEPTION ON THE INCREASE IN OUR WORLD TODAY? Absolutely it is! If you have not noticed an increase in deception and false teaching, then pull your head out of the sand and wake up lest you too be deceived!
• Romans 13:11 (NIV)
The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
• 2 Timothy 3:13 (MsgB)
Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.
ILLUSTRATION: The George Barna Group has uncovered some of the ways people in America are being deceived today.
ð 59% do not believe in Satan
ð 51% believe praying to dead saints is beneficial
ð 35% believe you can communicate with the dead
ð 50% believe salvation is earned and not a gift (so much for grace)
ð 75% believe people are born neither good nor evil—they make a choice between the two as they mature
ð 44% believe the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same truth
ð 54% believe truth can only be discovered through logic, human reasoning and personal experience

Who needs the Bible? Not only do a majority of Americans not accept God’s Word as the authority on truth, increasingly more and more have beliefs that directly contradict what scripture says. And here is the real problem—MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN OUR CHURCHES AND SAY THEY ARE CHRISTIANS!
DON’T BE DECEIVED! Time is running short; the end is near.
2. WORLDWIDE BIRTHPAINS
• Matthew 24:6-8 (NIV)
[6] You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [7] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Jesus points to a sign of worldwide tragedies and disasters; these are the “beginning of birth pains.” Ladies many of you could tell us guys a thing or two about the pain of labor. Bill Cosby said his wife told him to grab his lower lip and then pull it over his head; yea I think that would hurt! Here’s the point; the pain of giving birth is great, but the joy that follow birth is equally great. The worldwide birth pains that lead up to the return of Christ is far greater than natural birth; however, the joy for us who are expecting Christ will likewise be far greater than the joy parents share at the birth of a child.
The news media has a simple strategy for deciding what news to cover: IF IT BLEEDS IT LEADS. The greater the tragedy, the bigger the sorrow and pain that can be shown, the greater the coverage a new story will get. Regardless of what news program you may watch you are seeing the birth pains leading up to Christ’s return. Events taking place around the world don’t just happen by accident. God is showing us everyday that the time of Christ’s return is getting closer day by day.
Don’t think that the day of Christ’s return will tarry; don’t think that God is just putting it off until latter. While we sense the delay of His return GOD HAS SET A DAY; HE HAS SET THE TIME. God has circled that day on His divine calendar and He will not miss it. Jesus will come SUDDENLY.
• 1 Corinthians 15:52 (MsgB)
You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (MsgB)
The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast!
Don’t’ be deceived! Worldwide birth pains are taking place with increased regularity. The Day of Christ’s return is at hand.
3. PERSECUTION
• Matthew 24:9 (NIV)
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
Jesus told His disciples plainly, “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, THE WORLD IS GOING TO HATE YOU” (John 15:18-19 MsgB).
ILLUSTRATION: I remember a dream I had many years ago as a young man. This was no ordinary dream; it was a dream from the Lord. I dreamed that my family and I had all been arrested (this was before I was married so it was not my wife and children, but my parents with my brother and sister). We were arrested because of our faith in Christ. I remember being singled out and told to deny my faith in Christ or my family would all be killed. We all stood crying, fearful of what may happen next. By the grace of God I said, “I love my family, but I cannot deny my Lord.” I woke up as my family was being taken away. But there is one more thing I remember. Through the tears I saw the smile on my dad’s face.
While this dream may never come true in the sense that my family will be put to death if I don’t deny Christ, I believe this dream is fulfilled as I daily choose to serve God. The world wants to manipulate me to deny Christ, but my Heavenly Father is pleased when I acknowledge Him as Lord.
Persecution is real. It’s not just a dream. People are being put to death for their faith in Christ; it’s a sign that the end is coming.
The important thing for all of us to remember is that whether we face death or simply being made fun of, God will give us the grace we need to stand up and endure persecution.
• Matthew 24:13 (NIV)
But he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
God will keep you if you stand firm. You can be certain that you will never face persecution alone. God will be with you giving you the grace you need to overcome; even if that means laying down your life. By the grace of God Jesus endured the cross, and by His Spirit He will empower you if the time ever came to face death because of your faith in Him. He will save those who stand firm to the end.
Here’s the problem. When we hear about people dying for their faith in Christ we think, “Oh God, I could never do that.” I could never have someone hold a gun to my head or watch my children be abused and taken away to be killed. It’s just not humanly possible. We must depend upon God and His grace to overcome persecution. God will keep us.
• 2 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)
And that is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
Paul knew God held His life in His hand, and Paul wanted Timothy to know that God would likewise protect him. Paul knew that when believers saw others being persecuted for their faith Christ that some would not trust God to keep them; some believers would throw in the towel.
Some will be deceived; when they see persecution they will think they must stand in their own strength. Because they know they can’t do it, they will forsake Christ. That is the fourth sign of His coming.
4. FALLING AWAY
• Matthew 24:10 (NIV)
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.
ILLUSTRATION: I sat with a young man and talked with him about his personal relationship with Christ. He knew he had backslidden and was not serving God like he should be. When he talked about the time he had served Christ he said, “It was the best years of my life; nothing is better than that.” He said that he would talk with God and sometimes it was just like God was sitting in the seat next to him. His relationship with God was real. He knew that God had not caused the things to happen in his life as they had; he knew that God still loved him and had not forsaken him. Yet when this young man was asked if he wanted to return to Christ and again enjoy a personal relationship with God, he said, “I’m not ready.” He was afraid to take that step.
When I thought about his silence when I asked him if he wanted to pray and reflected about his personal experience with Christ and yet his unwillingness to respond, I realized it was a sign of Christ’s coming. I’m not saying it’s too late for this young man; I pray he makes the decision to return to Christ before it is too late. However, he is an example of those who Jesus said would turn away from the faith.
• Luke 18:8 (NIV)
When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
Fortunately while many may turn away from Christ, God has promised there would always be a remnant who would believe. I want to be a part of that number who remains faithful. I don’t want you to be deceived by the things you see happening in the world; I want you to remain as a part of God’s remnant of faith.
• Zechariah 13:8-9 (NLT)
[8] Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die, says the Lord. But a third will be left in the land. [9] I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ’These are my people,’ and they will say, ’The Lord is our God.’ "
We may have to go through the fire, but God will refine the faithful like pure gold and silver. We who remain in Him will be purified to be like Christ; He will call us “His children” and we will say “He is our God.”
Jesus has given us signs to point to His coming. DECEPTION, WORLDWIDE BIRTH PAINS, PERSECUTION, FALLING AWAY, and
5. FALSE PROPHETS
• Matthew 24:11 (NIV)
And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Jesus again point out that people will be deceived through false prophets. Let me tell it like it is: YOU CAN’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR PREACHED IN THE NAME OF CHRIST ON THE TV OR RADIO. Be careful because some of these so called preachers are false prophets teaching false doctrine that will lead you astray. (How do I know? Not because I have watched them all and can name names; I know because the Bible tells me that false prophets and teachers will rise up to lead people astray.)
We live in a unique day. The media and internet have made things possible that were unimaginable years ago. What might have made its way into the Bible if the apostle Paul had to compete with TV preachers?
• 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)
[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. [2] Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)
[3] For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The gospel was never intended to be preached with in a void of relationships between the preacher and the listener. When you are in an ongoing relationship with people they will know if you practice what you preach. IT IS EASIER TO PREACH WHAT YOU PRACTICE THAN TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. The gospel flows out of your lifestyle, or the way you life validates what you say.
Now whose life can you witness better, mine or a TV or radio preacher? Again I’m not saying that TV, radio or the internet can’t be used as a platform to preach the gospel. (This message will be available on-line for the next two weeks, but it isn’t to build a big audience in cyberspace. The reason it is put there is for you to use.) The point is we are all less likely to be deceived when we are in a relationship together with Christ and one another.
Jesus has given us signs to point to His coming. DECEPTION, WORLDWIDE BIRTH PAINS, PERSECUTION, FALLING AWAY, FALSE PROPHETS and
6. WICKEDNESS
• Matthew 24:12 (NIV)
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
Violence, crime and a disregard for God’s law will increase as we continue to get closer to the Day of Christ’s return. Things we see happening right within our own community is a sign that the end of the age is near.
• 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (MsgB)
[1] Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. [2] As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, [3] dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, [4] treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. [5] They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.
Yes, things can and will go from bad to worse, but don’t be discouraged. It is a sing pointing to Christ’s return.
7. WORLDWIDE EVANGELISM
• Matthew 24:14 (NIV)
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
I will leave this verse to a missionary to preach. I’ll just tell you that it is happening; the gospel is being preached all over the world. I’ll let one of them tell you how God’s word is being preach in places that it has never gone before; they can tell you how God continues to open doors of ministry for the gospel to be preached.
I just want you to understand one thing: Jesus taught His disciples that everything he had shown them as signs could take place within their lifetime, but He did not just want them to sit and wait for His coming. Jesus wanted them to preach the gospel until He comes.
We too live with the tension between the imminent return of Christ and the delay of His coming; that tension will be broken by the suddenness of His return. UNTIL THAT DAY AND AS LONG AS WE HAVE BREATH LET’S PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERYONE EVERYWHERE!
CONCLUSION:
Jesus has given us signs to point to His coming: DECEPTION, WORLDWIDE BIRTH PAINS, PERSECUTION, FALLING AWAY, FALSE PROPHETS, WICKEDNESS and WORLDWIDE EVANGELISM.
Do not be deceived CHRIST IS COMING, and HE IS COMING SOON.

Revival of Dead Things

Luke 15:1-10 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

and when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. either what woman having ten peices of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

REVIVAL: THE ACT OF BRINGING BACK TO LIFE, RESTORING

DEAD: VOID, USELESS, FORGOTTEN

It's time for revival! No, not a three night gig where we have a special speaker, evangelist, or gifted man or woman of God come by and fire us up. No, I mean a revival that brings back to life the things that are deep in our spirits that need to come alive. God is hungry for honest people. He wants people in hot pursuit of his presence and when he finds them, he has the avenue through which revival can flourish.

The parable Jesus mentions here has to do with lost things. The first was a smelly sheep. The second was a piece of silver. Both things were valuable to the owner but just as good as dead. Why? Because if you cannot find what is yours, it is like you never had it and its value to you is nothing. That is exactly what we were to ourselves and our family and friends without Jesus. But now we are washed, justified and sanctified in the name of the Lord and by his spirit. There is a revival in dead things.

When you are born of man, you were born in sin and shaped in iniquity. You acted just like the ignorant devil. We were all rebels at heart. Our Dad was the devil. We were doomed for hell. But when Christ came into our heart, we became righteous. The Bible says that righteousness is imputed into the heart of every believer by faith. We are made righteous and made alive in him. Simply put, we are revived.

God loves revivals. He came in the flesh and died on the cross just to hold a revival in our souls. In fact, Jesus loves revivals so much we even went to hell and held a three night revival. Why? It was a revival of dead things.

In the story of the prodigal son, the youngest son asked for something that was already his to begin with. He simply says, to his father, give me what's mine. Notice the father divided to them his living. The boy got exactly what was his and nothing else. It was his inheritance. The son then gathers all his belongings together having no intentions of ever coming home and leaves his family. It didn't take long to lose everything that was given to him and ran right into a famine and became a citizen of another country. He even reached an all time low by feeding pigs.

The son went from a man with a heritage to a living like a pig. He lost it all. It was as though he wwere dead. When we are out of the will of God, famine comes. You lose everything and even feed things you once called sin and you become defiled. You need a revival.

There are dead things in our lives that God wants to bring alive tonight. We are his people and he wants to restore our souls. Thank God for our heritage. The son finally came to himself and realized he was worse off than his father's servants. He made the decision to go back, not for restoration, but for service. You want God to resurrect some dead things in your life? Then be willing to let him do it by making yourself a servant. Remember, servants have no agenda or opinion. They just want to serve by pleasing the master. It is time for a revival of dead things.

The son knew exactly what he was going to say to his father. He was going to admit he had sinned and knew he was unworthy. HE was going to apply for the job of a servant. He was going to spend the rest of his life repaying his father and filled with condemnation. But the father had a better plan for him. Our heavenly father knows us and has seen all our failures. Yet, in spite of it all, he still awaits our return.

There are four things that the father did when he saw his son coming home.

1) He saw him (The eyes of the Lord are upon us.)

2) Had compassion (A passion to help the hurting)

3) He ran (God runs to us, not from us, when trouble comes.)

4) Fell on his neck and kissed him (He covered and anointed him by the avenue of forgiveness.)

When dead things come to life, it can bring out the best and worst in people. That son had a brother. He was a jerk. There are some people who don't want revival. All they want is the status quo. They serve and expect everybody to do it like they do. When something different comes along, all they want to do is talk about the way it used to be or what they would have done different. There are some people in the body of Christ that never worship unless they initiate it. I don't care who starts it and who God uses, I just want revival. I want to see some things that are dead come to life and I want to see a fresh move of the Holy Ghost like I have never seen before. It is time for a revival of dead things.

The father says to the eldest son, "Anytime you wanted to throw a party, I would have thrown one. Anytime you wanted a dance, I would have had one. Anytime you wanted to kill the fatted calf, I would have had it done. All that I have is yours!"

You want a party in this church? Then throw one! Want a dance? Then start dancing! Want to eat the bread of life and rejoice in the truth of the word of God? Then eat, drink and be merry. You have been repented, baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost. It's time to party. It's time to dance. It's time to eat of the word of God and it's time for a revival of dead things!

The son was dead and now he is alive. He was lost but now he is found. Lost anything and want it to be found? Lift your hands and worship God and watch God do his stuff. There is a revival in dead things.

Ezekiel 37 shows us a valley full of dry bones. The valley represents a low place someone's life. It can be a place of restoration as well. The valley was full of dry bones. Not just dry, very dry. All possible chance of revival had gone away. By man's standards, there was no hope.

One question started a revival in the valley. The question was, "Can these bones live?" Lord Thou knowest! (Revival time).

Here is the pattern for Apostolic Revival:

1) Speak to the dead things in your life

2) Let the Holy Ghost (Breath of God) move in your valley

3) Revive the inner man (Speak to the bones).

4) Renew your mind (Restore the flesh to the bones)

5) Let the Holy Ghost breath into your life!

God told Ezekiel, "You prophesy to the wind." Stop asking God to speak, you speak. Open your mouth and pronounce a blessing to your family, friends and church. When we lift up the name of Jesus, the Spirit of God starts to move and anything can happen even a revival of dead things!

Look what the Holy Ghost will do. When breath came on that valley of dry bones, they stood up on their feet and became an exceeding great army. God told Israel that they will come out of their graves and not be cut off. He was going to restore them and put His Spirit inside them. Revival! Revival! Revival! Revival in dead things!

Ps 23:1-6 (A Psalm of David.) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

HE maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Revivals start in odd places. Mangers, caves, deserts, wilderness, valleys or dark prison houses. Revivals can even start in church. However, the best place to start a revival is in the heart. David had a heart for worship and it led him from a shepherd's valley to a king's palace. When you are into reviving dead things in your life, there are two things that will always follow you and that is goodness and mercy.

The entire chapter of Luke 15 deals with restoration and repentance. There is always room for repentance in our lives. God's goodness and mercy cannot be measured. It is renewed every day. The Bible says that the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner that repents. Wonder what angels do when someone receives the Holy Ghost. How about someone who is baptized? Or, how about a church full of people who revive dead things? It is time for the greatest revival man could ever have. It is time for a revival of dead things!

DO YOU HAVE RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP?

2 TIMOTHY 4:3-5

3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4: And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5: But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

These scriptures paint for us what I believe is a very accurate picture of the times that we live in. It gives us an example of what we are seeing everyday around us. Even though Paul here is specifically speaking to Timothy, a preacher. I believe this passage is also a relevant word for the body of Christ as a whole. Even though Paul is trying to tell Timothy about the church of his day, I believe this scenario would fit comfortably right in the middle of some of our congregations today.

Many people in the church:

Live right here in the midst of our text

Are prime examples of what Paul was talking about.

Have the same biographical profile of these people that Paul was trying to warn us about

And as I looked at this text, the Lord began to show me a picture of the church today. As I looked at this, I began to realize that many folks don’t want to hear the Word They just want to be entertained Amused Pacified

They want to shout and cut a step, just for the sake of doing it and then say, “We had church!”

They want to shout and holler for the preacher, and they can’t tell you what he was talking about at the end, but say, “Wow, he preached!”

I’ve discovered that these people have religion, but not relationship! They have gravy, but no meat! The question that I want to ask is, “Have You Got Religion Or Relationship?” It’s an important question, because you need to know the difference between religion and relationship. You see;

Religion is what you do over and over

Religion is what you do continuously

Religion is your rituals, your customs, your habitual activities… (Let me help you) Even the devil is religious!

The Bible says, “He walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8) IOW He’s constantly (religiously) going around looking for you and for me so that he can take us out! (“He’s on the prowl”)Religion is that which you do habitually but relationship is something altogether different

Relationship is a connection, an association between you and something else

Relationship is the kinship that exists between you and someone else

Relationship is the camaraderie/ companionship that exists between you and those that you are close to.

And in order to have relationship, there must first be a fellowship. What I’m trying to say is that you need more than just religion; you need more than just a habit. You need a relationship with God!

Why? Because there are some dangers in just simply having religion and no relationship.You see, when you only have religion and not a relationship, you

Can’t handle storms

Can’t deal with tough times

Won’t be able to persevere in the midst of adversity

Won’t be able to deal with the attacks of the enemy

Your faith will become faulty

Your praise will become passive

Your witness will become weak

Your testimony will become tired

And so Paul paints for us in our text, a picture of what happens to those who only have religion and no relationship He says that the problem with having only religion and no relationship is that

I. THEY REFUSE THE WORD

“The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine”

·Endure: anechomai (an-ekh’-om-ahee); to hold oneself up against, i.e. (figuratively) put up with; tolerate, accept

·Doctrine: didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee’-ah); instruction (the function or the information): learning, teaching, policy

They only want what makes them feel, look, and sound good and instead of learning the Word, they get caught up in meaningless discussions and disputes.

But the Bible says (1 Pet 2:2) that we should be “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” The reason most folks can’t progress in God is because they refuse to learn and live by His Word And many of those that do are satisfied with the ‘milk’ of the Word only. They want to stay on the basics and not delve off deep into the Word.

(Ps 1:1-2) “Relationship involves getting to know the one you have the relationship with…! IOW Relationship requires intimacy (Not always sex, But a time of closeness, familiarity, confidence) And the only way to have a relationship with God, is to KNOW Him and KNOW His Word! (They Refuse The Word)

II. THEY RELISH WHAT IS WRONG

Relish: Enjoy, delight in, savor, and take pleasure in.

The pleasures of this world are like cotton candy: It looks good, tasty, and inviting; but when you bite into it, you discover it’s nothing but air! (Problem) The World Pleases Us Too Easily!

(1 Jn 2:15-17) “Love not the world, nor the things in it. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh. And the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever”

The world pleases us too easily. That’s why we spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need, to impress people we don’t even like. Because THE WORLD PLEASES US TOO EASILY! (Text) “They will have itching ears and heap for themselves teachers”

·They flock to conferences, seminars, and teachings just to “get a word” (Just study your Bible)

·They buy tapes and books to get “knowledge and revelation…” (Just develop a prayer life)

·They are easily impressed by theatrics, showmanship and charisma.

·They want somebody to impress them instead of impart into them.

But God said that He would give us pastors/teachers after His own heart. You need to make sure that you’re at a place where you can receive correct instruction and sound doctrine from the man of God that is teaching sound doctrine according to the Word of God, rightly dividing the Word (The days of just cruising are long gone) There is a danger in having religion but no relationship (They Refuse The Word They Relish What Is Wrong)

III. THEY RUN FROM WISE COUNSEL

“They will turn away from the truth and turn aside to fables”

IOW they will turn to:

They to that which looks and sounds good

They cling to that which is false (fables)

Fables: muthos (moo’-thos); a tale, i.e. fiction ("myth"): it sounds good, has a happy ending and makes you smile

Truth: will hurt sometimes, crush ego, make you reevaluate

Folks who are caught up in religion (and don’t have a relationship) will:

I. Refuse The Word

II. Relish What Is Wrong

III: Run From Wise Counsel

But God is looking for a people who are willing to develop and maintain a meaningful, productive, and fruitful relationship with Him. And if it is your desire to have relationship instead of religion. Paul says that there are few things they you need to do Paul says that you need to (v5)

1. Be watchful in all things: nepho (nay’-fo); of uncertain affinity: to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet: be sober, watch (observant, attentive, on the lookout) in all things

Watch the company you keep.

Watch the things that you say.

Watch the places that you go.

Watch the example that you set.

Paul said; “Whatever things are true noble just pure lovely of good report if there is any virtue if there is anything praiseworthy meditate (think) on these things” (Phil 4:8) (If you’re going to have a relationship you need to Be Watchful)

2. Endure afflictions: kakopatheo (kak-op-ath-eh’-o); stand, to undergo hardship, be afflicted, endure afflictions (hardness), and suffer trouble.

Endure hard times

Endure heartache

Endure heartbreak

Endure persecution

Endure scandal

Endure being misunderstood

Endure being unappreciated

Endure suffering and affliction

(Why?) Because Paul tells us that; “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (1Cor 4:17)

3. Do the work of an evangelist: ergon (er’-gon); work; toil (as an effort or occupation); by an act: deed, doing, or labor. Work involves

Getting active in your local church

Getting active in witnessing to unsaved friends and relatives

Because Jesus said; “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

4. Fulfill your ministry: plerophoreo (play-rof-or-eh’-o); to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish: most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.

Why? Because God has called you to a new leveling Him

A new level of life

A new level of service

A new level of giving

A new level of prayer

A new level of praise

A new level of worship

A new level of stewardship

A new level of commitment

A new level of holiness

A new level of relationship

(Don’t know about you…) But I want a relationship and not just religion. I want to know Him and not just know of Him. And if you’re going to have relationship instead of religion. You’ve got to do what Jesus did.

He Watched- As they turned their backs on Him

He Endured- As they falsely accused Him…

He Did The Work- Even while He hung on the Cross

He Fulfilled His Ministry- By giving His life so that we might live

Let me add in closing of this reply that you cannot have a relationship with Jesus Christ By accepting him as you Lord and saviour or Repeating some kind of “sinners Prayer”

Peter answered the question in what must we do (Acts 2:37) This is God’s plan of salvation as spoken by Jesus in John 3:3-5 (please refer to my discussion on what must I do to be saved in the forum section) John 3:16(confirming what Jesus said in John 3:1-8 )and Romans 10:9-10 (talking about faith and not salvation) are not God’s salvation plan