3/4/23 Sign Of The Times

Preparation for what is to come is important wouldn't you say?

INTRO.- ILL.- It was autumn, and the Indians on the remote reservation asked their new Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was a new Indian Chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets, and when he looked at the sky, he couldn’t tell what the weather was going to be. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect wood to be prepared. But also being a practical leader, after several days he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is the coming winter going to be cold?" "It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed," the meteorologist at the weather service responded.

So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared. A week later he called the National Weather Service again.

"Is it going to be a very cold winter?" "Yes," the man at National Weather Service again replied, "it’s going to be a very cold winter."

The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of wood they could find. Two weeks later he called the National Weather Service again.

"Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?" "Absolutely," the man replied. "It’s going to be one of the coldest winters ever." "How can you be so sure?" the Chief asked. The weatherman replied, "Because the Indians are collecting wood like crazy!"

We may NOT be blind when it comes to the weather, AND WE MUST NOT BE BLIND WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD!

Tonight Let’s think about what Jesus said in regard to protecting ourselves spiritually in this world.

1. WE MUST INTERPRET THE TIMES, NOT JUST THE SEASONS

Matt. 16:1“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ’It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’

3 and in the morning, ’Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”

I think we need to have our eyes on the world and our hearts and minds in the Word of God if we are going to be able to protect ourselves in this unstable and unspiritual world.

I John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

2. WE MUST BE AWARE OF THE YEAST, NOT JUST THE BREAD

No one can be saved by their good works. NO ONE. Not Billy Graham and not Mother Teresa. Only Through Christ

I do believe that Christians hurt themselves and others by not being faithful at the fellowship of the church. It doesn’t mean, however, that God is going to keep them out of heaven.

Matt. 16:6 Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

TO BE AWARE US TO BE ALIVE. We must be AWARE JESUS SAYS SO!! He clarifies our misunderstandings

Matt. 16:11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees

3. WE MUST CLING TO THE ROCK, NOT JUST DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND

Matt. 16:14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, e and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Was Peter the rock??? The rock upon which Jesus would build His church was Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus is our rock. He is our hope. He is our only hope.

Some day this life will end and all the money in the world will not mean anything then nor will it get me or anyone else into heaven!

WE MUST CLING TO CHRIST, NOT THE SHIFTING SANDS!

I read a story of a couple on board a steamboat that caught on fire. He had the presence of mind to put life preservers on himself and wife. But in the agony of despair, when all on board were trying to save themselves, someone took from his wife her life-preserver, so that she found herself helpless in the water. But she clung to her husband, placing her hands firmly on his shoulders as he swam on. After a little while her strength was exhausted. “I can hold on no longer,” she cried out. “Try a little longer,” was her husband’s agonized plea; and then he added, “Let’s sing ‘Rock of Ages.’ ”

Immediately they both began to sing ever so faintly. And soon the people around them heard them singing. One by one the exhausted swimmers raised their heads and joined in the singing.

Soon, strength seemed to come with the singing and they were able to hold out a little longer. A boat was seen approaching, and they did keep enough strength to stay afloat ’til the crew lifted them on board. And so it was the hymn that helped to save more than one from death.

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee.”

We must cling to the rock, not the sinking sands of this world.

Lets Pray