Times, they are a-Changin’- An Introduction

Over the past few months, I have been led by the Holy Spirit to preach messages of Hope, Encouragement, Purpose, Faith, Perspective & about the flawlessly good character of God - to this church & those who would listen.

I believe that was very strategic & that God is starting us into a change of seasons preparing for what He knows is coming up in the near future.

God is setting us up for success!

People positioned correctly in times of crisis tend to prosper.

Think about it:

You could have been born at ANY time in human history, but you weren’t!

You were born in this period of history currently being written.

You were born in a time when more people are alive RIGHT NOW than at any other time in all of human history.

You were made for this!

You have been created & positioned, by God, to prosper in EVERY season, through every change & to make a difference!!!

I hope you’ll take this message today as an introduction to a series that will teach us how to live & THRIVE through the tough times that are coming!

If you aren’t yet a Christian, please listen with the understanding that I am challenging Christians to actually BE what Jesus expects us to be and what you should expect us to be.

Jesus expects Christians to be - the LIGHT, the HOPE & Salvation Bringers to the world around us.

He expects Christians to be just like Him!

I’ll let you know up front that this message may sound a little scary, depressing, or intense to you at the outset…however, if you let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart, you will see an opportunity like no one has ever had in all of human history until this point.

Let’s look at what Jesus said is coming up:

What’s Coming Up?:

Matthew 24:4–14 NKJV

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 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. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Have you ever thought about what you’re going to do WHEN this happens??

Most of us want to think that this won’t happen, or we are not going to be around for it, etc.

BUT…like Radio Host and financial trainer Dave Ramsey alludes to in Financial Peace University - Just because you shove the bill in the top drawer of the desk, close it, and don’t look at it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to pay it.

The TRUTH is, this stuff IS going to happen!

I think many Christians are going to be completely unprepared for what Jesus said is coming. Let’s not be THOSE Christians!

If we think something is going to be easy, but it ends up being incredibly hard, we will want to quit!

Military Basic Training is so tough because the military wants to ensure that when bullets start to fly, soldiers are ready to fight!

2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

When we became part of God’s Kingdom, we became part of the Army of God & He told us that tough things are coming up.

Wait a minute, I signed up to be part of God’s Kingdom because I thought I would be able to float around on a cloud, wearing a diaper, being totally at peace & playing a harp.

That’s NOT the true Gospel!

This is the Gospel:

1.

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Sometimes that persecution comes from other Christians, (though it shouldn’t) - The Bible refers to this specific type of Christian as CARNAL (unregenerated in their mind and heart), because they will say that you are:

Too Spiritual

Too Extreme

Too Heavenly Minded to be of any earthly good.

You know who was really spiritual and was extreme & perpetually Heavenly minded?

JESUS!!!

The greatest thing that ANY Christian can ever be is - Just Like Christ!

If we would get more Heavenly minded (think like Heaven thinks), we could become of more earthly good!

2.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Things are going to happen, but:

God’s Divine Ability

God’s Undeserved Favor

God’s character impression on our heart & reflection in our life

IS COMPLETELY ENOUGH!

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be teaching us how to Be a Christian in the End:

We will focus on learning, through the Bible, how to think about and how to respond to the things that are coming up & rapidly approaching in these “last days.”

Just One Thing:

His Grace is Enough & we CAN make a difference even in tough times! We can do this!

Christian, it is time for us to be Christians & not just be saved.

A Christian is a “Little Christ” doing, thinking, and saying the exact same things that Jesus did while He was on earth.

Discussion Questions:

What would be the best thing you could reasonably expect to find in a cave?

How do you feel when you hear that God has positioned you for success & planned this out for you?

Please Read Matthew 24:4-14 and share what you think and feel as an initial reaction to reading this passage? How do you feel, knowing that this is all going to happen?

How do you typically respond to knowing a tough situation is on its way? How can you see that typical response help or hinder you as you learn that hard things are on their way?