Now Is Not The Time to Sleep!
Notes
Transcript
Text:
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:37
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
I. Discern the time we are living in.
A. Right now on the dogwood trees there are flowers that we can see that has bloomed already. Yes, it’s still cold but yet even though it’s cold it is still the time of the year for vegetation to come back alive.
B. The things that are currently going on in this world should clue us in on what time it is on our spiritual clocks. We have spiritual clocks ticking, counting down to judgement, counting down to the rapture, counting down to the final salvation of the saints and the blessed hope of the church.
C. Jesus said in verse 33 when you see these things: what things (Verses 2-12
Destruction.
False Messiahs.
Wars.
World hunger and earthquakes.
Believers being arrested, persecuted, and killed.
Apostasy (turning away from Jesus) and hating one another.
False prophets, false teachers, and deception.
Sin running rampant everywhere and the love of many growing cold.
D. But he that endureth to the end the same shall be saved.
i. There will come a time of calamity that world has never witnessed before. Greater than WW1 or 2, greater than the great depression. There will be great anguish, and it will never be so great again.
ii. In fact Jesus stated unless those days were shortened, even God’s very elect (chosen) would even survive.
II. Pray that your flight will not be in the winter.
A. This passage suggest that we have to cling to God’s presence and ever-ready help.
B. Pray that your departure time isn’t during a time where you can’t get to safety.
C. In other-words you ought to pray that you ever stay with the LORD and that we don’t get caught out of the will of the LORD. Now is Not The Time to Sleep.
1. Now is not the time to be half doing for God.
2. Now is not the time to be giving up on God.
3. Now is not the time to not be serving God.
4. Now is not the time to be a sleep at the wheel.
D. Paul said in
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
III. Don’t Get Blind-sided!
A. Jesus says in verse 36 “no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:
In those days, Jesus said the people were enjoying themselves at banquets and parties, and weddings up to the time that Noah entered the ark. The people didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away.
B. Don’t get so drunk with this world and with day to day living that you can’t discern what time it is. Because at the end, none of this stuff that we possess is going to matter, your most valuable possession is your soul!
C. Jesus said earlier, in this disposition (verse 17) that if you’re on the roof-top your not going to have time to go down and pack and if you’re in the field you’re not going to have time to go get your coat. Saints we have to be ready right now!!! I heard Elder Berry say you’re not gonna have time to get ready.....we got to be ready right now!
D. All the way up until the flood, they were going on business as usual, no care, no concern, but then they got caught and blind-sided. That’s what the world looks like today, people now-a-days are only concerned how they can be satisfied physically, how they can obtain nice things they see, and how they accumulate nice things and make a name for themselves. Even that way of thinking has infiltrated the church. Churches are closing, people are no longer being faithful to God. We no longer hear preachers preach these kind of messages, it’s all about how to be blessed, how to expand you’re finances, life-coach sermons. When was the last time you heard someone preach that Jesus is soon to come?
E. There will be signs in the heavens and they will see the Jesus coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Gabriel is gonna blow his trumpet and the other angels are gonna blow their trumpets, and they are gonna gather God’s chosen ones (verse 31) from all over the world- from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
F. Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. In Luke Jesus said two people would be in bed, husband and wife, one will be taken and the other-one life behind. Now Is Not theTime to Sleep!
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.