07/30/2023 Set Your Watch!

Grace Place Atlanta COGBF 4700 Mitchell Street Forest Park, GA 30297 Website: atlantacogbf.org Email: info@atlantacogbf.org Phone: (404) 241-6781 Wayne D. Mack, Pastor / Pastor Wayne D. Mack Sermon Notes July 30, 2023 Set Your Watch! 1 Chronicles 12 New King James Version I Chronicles 12: 23-48 12:1 Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war, 2 armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows with the bow. They were of Benjamin, Saul’s brethren. 12:23 Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord: 12:32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 1 Today, I’m compelled to speak from a theme on “understanding the times”. The central thrust of the thought is taken from a verse of scripture found in 1 Chronicles 12:32 . . . 32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; The title of today’s message is . . . Set Your Watch! What does Set a Watch mean . . .? It means to observe with continuous attention, especially to act as a watchman for your own protection. What does keeping watch mean biblically? Christ concludes a parable in Matthew 25:13 with the admonition: “Therefore, keep watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” “Keeping watch” means keeping faith with Christ in the little events of daily life; it means being where we are supposed to be, doing our duty by our family, personal interests, and our work. Now, back to “understanding the times.” Again. . . . 1 Chronicles 12:32 . . . says . . . 2 32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; The backstory of this verse has to do with a shifting of power when the kingship of Israel changed from Saul’s hand to David’s hand. It so happened that God had removed Saul from the throne and made David king as He had promised . . . first Chronicles is a picture of the army that was once loyal to King Saul, suddenly and providentially become loyal supporters and followers their new king – King David. Of the tens of thousands who crossed over from following Saul to David, one tribe stood out in a unique way. Not because they had a gifted skill like being able to shoot arrows with precision or sling rocks as left handers with amazing accuracy. No, the sons of Issachar had what every tribe needed: “An understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” This verse of scripture stood up in me as I began to consider how many people a struggling to understand where their life is, where the world is going as a result of two and a half years of a bizarre pandemic. This morning I want to talk us through a few things that I hope will help us become a bit more anchored than we were yesterday and a bit more 3 encouraged to face today and the next day with a bit more clarity, motivation understanding, and hope. First, what are the times telling us? Salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Wake up! It’s Romans 13:11 Put on Christ 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. Full . . . Romans 13: 11 11 And do this, . . . [This What? Romans 13:1 & 8 = Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities {that is Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. and Owe no one anything except to love one another; that is, Owe nothing to anyone— except for your obligation to love one another.] These are two most violated practices of our time – especially with secular people. But Believer’s must avoid getting caught up in the trap of practicing disrespect for government (although politicians give us plenty of reasons to not trust government) and not showing the love of Christ in our daily interactions. 4 Listen to what time the Lord says it is: He says it’s time to awaken to DOING the things that reflect that we have salvation and are Born Again. We should not be looking like the world. [The world is looking more and more like the world every day {desperate, selfish, evil, and greedy} – but we are saved to make a difference and be the difference. We are the hope of the world. . . that is, we are the light of the world a city set on a hill, as well as the salt of the earth {the seasoning of godliness and a preserver of holiness}. So in the words of the NLT, listen again to what time it is for the people of God: NLT Romans 31:11-14 11 This is all the more urgent, [knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep] for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about 5 ways to indulge your evil desires [that is, make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts] The next thing, I believe the times are telling us is . . . Trust God, Don’t Worry About Tomorrow! Why? In addition to tomorrow not being promised, every Believer must come to know that tomorrow is in God’s hand. Because tomorrow is a separate day from today and God has already written the scrip for it and no one can change it but Him. Listen to Matthew 6:34 Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Now, listen to it in context: Matthew 6:33-34. [New King James Version] 33 But seek first [never worry] the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Here’s more insight: 6 Matthew 6:24-34 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. [Neither can you serve TODAY and TOMMOROW] So, here’s God’s instructions for Believers regarding how to face the times we live in . . . 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 7 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. A THIRD thing, I believe the times are reminding us of is . . . These are the last and evil days. Even though the clock signifying the Last Days started when Jesus entered the earth, I believe “time ain’t as long as it has been.” The evils of every generation are becoming a clearer sign that These are the last and evil days. Listen to .. . What the Bible declares about generations yesterday and today: Proverbs 30:11 There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. Proverbs 30:12 8 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. Proverbs 30:13 There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. Proverbs 30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men. 2 Timothy 3: 1-5. New King James Version 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Finally, Judges gives us two accounts that represent the spirit of today’s times: 9 Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25 – both say the same thing: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. I believe we have come to such a time. These are just signs that time is winding up. A FOURTH thing, I believe the times are telling us is . . . Set a Watch . . . that means be intentional about watching and attending to the things God has called us to. Ephesians 5 expresses this best . . . hopscotch . . Ephesians 5. New King James Version [Walk in Love] 5:1 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor 10 foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. [Walk in the Light] 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” Walk in Wisdom 11 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Finally, Don’t’ just pray, but Watch also. Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 1 Peter 4:7 Serving for God’s Glory But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. Fifth and Final thing Our Times are Telling Us . . To Set a Rightful Watch as opposed to taking our cues from watching the news or listening to false teachers and pundits. Here’s my final word of discernment and insight: Matthew 24:6 and Mark 13:7 [they give the same warning] 12 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. – Wars and Rumors of Wars – Don’t follow man’s report, but God’s. Believe God’s Report. Believe God’s Message! Is.53:1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? END 13