Preparing for the Future

I want my audience to prepare themselves for what is to come so that / because the church represents God’s eternal Kingdom

Introduction

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… Good morning to all of you

The message this morning has been on my heart for at least the last 2-3 weeks, and I encourage you to grab a pen and take some notes.

This message if first of all for me… I need it. I need to be reminded of these truths from Scripture. It is something I continue to process, and I would encourage you to consider these thoughts well beyond today.

I have entitled the message this morning, “Preparing for the Future”

Longing for the past

Six months ago or, even, three months ago, many of us were looking around us and saddened by the moral and social decline within this country God has placed us

Before this virus, we were concerned about the political polarization and how bad things were becoming

Now, a matter of weeks after being told to stay at home, many of us long for the good-ole-days before Covid-19

We want the normality that existed a few short months ago

I have had to remind myself that this is very much like the children of Israel

Remember, shortly after being delivered out of Egypt, they were begging to go back to Egypt

I have never been able to understand why

Now I think I have a better idea why they may have reacted in that way

We like normal… we like routine… we like to know what to expect (for the most part)

When that normality got disrupted and God led them out of slavery into the wilderness on their way to the promised land, the Israelites suddenly found themselves in unfamiliar territory

Rather than embracing what God was doing — and seeing His hand in leading them and delivering them from the Egyptians, they murmured and complained… saying they want to return to Egypt, to slavery

I am not equating what we are facing with Egyptian slavery or God’s miraculous deliverance

i am saying that we will almost always naturally long for and gravitate to the familiar… the predictable… the normal… the routine

We think we want change… but most of us also resist change when it happens (unless we initiate it)

The good-ole-days now are only weeks in our past…

A year ago, the good-ole-days were in the middle of the 20th century… as long as you didn’t look too closely

Life as we knew it three months ago no longer exists

We need to accept it

We need to embrace where God is leading us and trust Him

Continual lament and remorse for where we find ourselves is not a healthy response… It’s like the Israelites saying “take me back to Egypt!”

Living in the present

The Covid-19 crisis has forced each one of us to live more in the present than what we typically do

We can’t plan much in advance

We don’t know what will change tomorrow

We don’t know when we will be able to next gather as a church or with friend or extended family

We don’t know when we will be able to attend a close friend/relative’s wedding … or funeral

We don’t know what tomorrow holds

James 4:13–17 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

In many ways, God has hit the reset button. He has disrupted. He has intervened.

There is a reason for it.

At this point, none of us can know with certainty why.

We can be certain it wasn’t an accident.

God is up to something. He has a plan… since ascending into heaven, His plan is captured in this statement to Peter

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God’s plan involves the building of the church — the local body of Jesus’ disciples

That is true today

That was true a year ago

It will be true 1 or 5 or 50 years in the future (should the Lord tarry)

Presently — especially these last six weeks (or more) it feels like we have come to a standstill (or at least that life is slow motion)

In many ways it can feel pointless and endless

But God has a plan — and I want to be part of that plan!

Now is the time for preparation — it is the time to prepare ourselves to be aligned with God and the opportunities that will come

Now is the the time to be intentionally preparing for the future

Preparing for the future

In many ways it feels like we are living in a dense fog

We can hardly see what lies ahead… or around us

We are cautiously moving ahead as we can see to do so safely

Eventually, the fog will lift — things will become clearer — we will be able to see better

As the fog lifts, I anticipate things to be significantly different than they were three months ago

I can’t predict exactly what will be different, but I believe things will have drastically changed

This includes our church… Not being together for two months will have an impact on us… baby born; babies/children grow and change;

For many of us, it will increase our appreciation of each other and the collective body

But the reality is, things will never be the same as they were before March 15 (the first Sunday we didn’t meet)

Remember September 11

Prior to the tragic events of that day, the Department of Homeland Security didn’t even exist

Since that day, lots of things things have changed… and not just in airports

Airport security is much more thorough - TSA was created

There are barriers and roads closed around government facilities (like the White House and Capitol building)

Increased security screening with metal detectors are common for events with large crowds

In a similar way, we can expect that life as we knew it prior to March 15 will no longer exist

Economically, there is / will be widespread unemployment and businesses closing

How long will it take for tens of thousands of people to want to flock to a venue for an event?

The airline, convention centers, hotel, and restaurant industries are reeling

It will take months — perhaps even years for a full recovery (whatever that looks like)

But we don’t need to fear any of this realty… rather we should embrace it and prepare and train ourselves for the opportunites to come

Titus 2:11–14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

We are to be training ourselves… for the present age… waiting for our blessed hope… to be His people zealous for good works

In the midst of the uncertainty of what lies beyond the fog, we know with confidence that God is sovereign and that He is ultimately in control

None of this is taking Him by surprise.

Rather, this is all part of His plan for 2020

I believe God is orchestrating events to uniquely position His body, the local church, to have more opportunities to be an effective light to the world

In order to be engaged with God’s plan and these opportunities, we must adequately prepare ourselves...

We dare not become lethargic and simply long for the good ole days

I don’t know what God is up to, but I do know that I want to be prepared to work with Him

After Pentecost, the church exploded in Jerusalem… there were thousands of converts, the church was thriving (Acts 1-6)

In Acts 7, that all changes when Stephen is stoned to death for his beliefs

Acts 8:1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

This persecution, scattered the thousands of Christians that had been in Jerusalem throughout Palestine

God wanted the church to spread… this persecution created the environment / incentive / opportunity to spread out and take the gospel with them

Jesus spoke of the end times prior to His death and gave signs… some of which were already fulfilled in the first century

Clearly we are much closer to Christ’s return than when Jesus spoke these words

Matthew 24:3–14 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

I believe the COVID-19 is another reminder — another sign — that we are living in the last days

I also believe the church of Jesus Christ is and will be a bright beacon of light and hope to the entire world

There are several things we can infer from this passage that I believe are relevant to us today

Prepare for what is to come - difficulties; troubles; persecution

Don’t be afraid - God’s grace is sufficient for whatever we may face

The cost is high for those who are not prepared… many will fall away; are lead astray; love grows cold; some don’t endure to the end

Preparation doesn’t happen automatically

It requires discipline… it requires focus… it requires intentionality

It takes work — hard work!

1 Timothy 4:7–8 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Peter 1:13–21 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

I have seven points I want to challenge with as a means of preparing us for what God intends to do when the fog lifts. These are areas of my own life I believe need focus, and believe it is important for each one of us to intentionally train ourselves in godliness for the future. The first letter of each point will spell PREPARE.

P - Pray fervently

We all know the importance and the value of prayer… and yet, it is the one area in my life that gets neglected too quickly when I get busy

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Pray fervently…

Pour out your heart to God

Worship Him; Thank Him; Bring your burdens to Him; Intercede for others / church family

Recently I was challenged that if I don’t spend more than fifteen minutes in prayer each day, my prayer life is probably not what it should be.

Scripture records Jesus praying at various times for more than an hour… and even all night.

How is my lack of prayer limiting what He would like to do in my life??

When prayer is a struggle, pray a psalm or some other passage back to God and ask Him to help you understand and apply what He wants to teach you or use it to express yourself to God

Praying is to be fervent… sincere, heartfelt, genuine, passionate

If someone overheard you in prayer, are those words they would use to describe our prayer life?

Fervent prayer is a significant key in preparing ourselves for what the future holds

R - Redeem the time

Ephesians 5:15–17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

To redeem the time means to make the best use of the time we have

How well are each of us using the 24 hours we have every single day?

What would the results show if you documented every 10 minutes of your day?

Such an exercise would reveal a lot about our priorities...

We all need to sleep, we need to eat, we have varying responsibilities to see after… but what do we do with the remaining time we have available to us? Most of us have more free time now than prior to the fog settling around us. How are we using that time?

Worthwhile ways to spend free time

Read — Scripture, good books

Call someone

Write a letter / note

Play games

Learn something new

Get out in nature

Exercise

You can also simply waste that time… and do nothing worthwhile or perhaps something detrimental - DON’T

Ask God to show you how you can best redeem the time He has given you

1 Chronicles 12:32 Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.

This rather obscure verse in 1 Chronicles identifies a few (very few in comparison to thousands of warriors from other tribes) extremely valuable and significant men in David’s kingdom

They had an understanding of the times they were living in

They had the wisdom to know what to do

Let’s be the men of Issachar today — and when the fog lifts

Lord, help us redeem the time to give us an understanding of what is and what to do!

E - Embrace the unknown

None of us know what the future holds

To face the future — particularly a new and unknown future — is daunting

However, we don’t have to resist what is coming (we can’t change it anyway)

Rather, if we are strong and courageous in the Lord, we don’t need to afraid or distraught

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Philippians 1:19–21 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

We may find it easier to embrace the unknown when we consider Queen Esther and the counsel of Mordecai

We have been intentionally placed here and now for a purpose…

Esther 4:13–14 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

We have been called to the Kingdom of God for such a time as this… let’s embrace it with courage!

P - Prioritize the local body of Christ

Even though we all feel a bit more disconnected at this time, we remain the body of Christ

1 Corinthians 14:12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

Paul counsels the Corinthian believers as relates to gifts… strive to excel in building up the church!

WHAT A CHALLENGE!

Romans 12:4–5 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

We are members of each other… when one hurts, we all hurt; when another rejoices, we all rejoice

However, that can only happen to the extent that we are open with each other… especially now when we don’t even see each other

Letting others in the church body know what you are facing spreads the weight of that burden (or increases the joy) and allows others to come alongside and walk with you

Hebrews 10:23–25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We need each other…

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

We are the body of Jesus Christ on earth

God will use churches to advance His kingdom

In some ways, smaller churches may be able to adapt to the new future reality and opportunities more quickly than the mega-churches

Let’s be prepared by prioritize the local body in our lives

“The local church is a political outpost of God’s Kingdom designed for the spread of God’s gospel and the display of God’s glory.” — David Platt

We are a political outpost of God’s Kingdom right here in Catlett

2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

We are ambassadors… representatives of Jesus Christ wherever we go

Collectively, we are an embassy (a political outpost) of God’s Kingdom that will never cease to exist

Philippians 3:20–21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

We live here and now… but our citizenship is in another kingdom

As such, our call and and our lives are to reflect the values of God’s eternal kingdom… not the Kingdom of the United States

1 Peter 2:9–10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

We are God’s chosen race… His royal priesthood… His holy nation… His people

Ephesians 1:22–23 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The church is God’s primary instrument on earth with Jesus as the Head of the Church… let’s allow Him to work through us to accomplish what He desires.

Jude 20–23 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

A - Awaken awareness

Open our eyes so we can see opportunities around us

Right now the heavy fog that envelopes us keeps us from seeing clearly

However, did we really see what God wants us to see before the fog? Not necessarily

I am hopeful that as we prepare ourselves, God will allow us to see and care about the things He cares about as we adapt to the new reality

This will mean we are willing to step out and take action in ways we have not done in the past

Let’s grab those opportunities with courage and boldness… allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us

Galatians 6:9–10 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

One of the best ways to show love for our neighbors right now is to respect the social distancing guidelines.

We may not feel it is important or necessary, but by disregarding them, we may communicate that we don’t care about them enough to protect them from the virus

Galatians 5:13–14 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Let’s stay awake and be alert to needs around us

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

R - Rest your souls

To varying degrees, we are all less rushed and living less hectic lives at the moment

Rest is important to all of us and taking time / making time to rest from the frantic lifestyle is important to our health — spiritually and physically

Rest doesn’t look the same for all of us…

A time of solitude and reflection works for some

Interactive time with friends is more rejuvenating and restful for others

Jesus recommended solitude as a way for His disciples to rest

Mark 6:31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Ultimately, Jesus provides spiritual rest for us..

Matthew 11:28–30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Hebrews 4:11–13 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

E - Endure faithfully

The previous six points of preparation are meaningless if we don’t prepare to endure faithfully

Endurance is what is required to finish a marathon… it is pacing oneself, it is keeping hydrated and nourished… it is training for the long haul

Our spiritual journey is not a 100-meter sprint… it is a long marathon

It is a journey not everyone is willing to persevere through life

2 Timothy 2:10–13 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

Paul states the he is willing to endures everything / anything for the sake of following Jesus and other believers

If we endure, we will reign with Him — IF

The Hebrew writer has some sobering warnings

Hebrews 3:12–14 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.

We are to be on the lookout… to watch out for our hearts that they don’t lead us to fall away

We need each other to endure to the end...

Exhort/encourage each other every day

Let’s help each other persevere and endure

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

As we allow him, God will sanctify us completely… our whole spirit, our whole soul, and our whole body being kept blameless to the end… God is faithful.

Are we willing to do what it takes to endure faithfully?

Conclusion

1 Peter 4:12–19 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Let’s be preparing ourselves spiritually for the time when the fog of this present COVID-19 pandemic lifts and we can again resume more normal activities and interactions looking for those opportunities for us to be blessing to others...

Pray fervently

Redeem the time

Embrace the unknown

Prioritize the local body of Christ

Awaken awareness

Rest your souls

Endure faithfully

Jude 24–25 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.