Sermon 111697

1Co. 13:12                                          Now and Then - III                                             11/16/97

Series 23.25                                                                                                                       ABCC

I.     Review                                                                                                                             598

q      Context = instructions on HOW the Christian is to use spiritual gifts

q      We must honestly face the reality of TIME & the challenges associated with it (v. 12)

-         NOW = before Christ returns (v. 10); characterized by limitations, weakness, impartness

-         THEN = when Christ returns (v. 10); characterized by fullness, completeness, perfection

II.    Theological & Practical Implications of Time for the Sinner

A.        The sinner’s life NOW

1.      Benefiting from the Lord kindness (Lk. 6:35; Mt. 5:45b) = food, clothing, good health, freedom, etc.

2.      Prospering in life (Ps. 73:3-7) = supervisors, mayors, judges, lawyers, doctors, pilots, actors, athletes…

3.      Living normal lives in many cases (Mt. 24:37-39; ) = married w/ children, good citizens, etc.

4.      Parties & merriment (Lk. 12:16-19; ) = workplace, holidays, weekends, birthdays, reunions, etc.

5.      Mocking God & the things of God (2Pe. 3:3; Ps. 14:1) = movies, recordings, atheists, agnostics, etc.

6.      Ministering in church & in the kingdom of God (Mt. 7:22) = teaching, singing, diaconate, preaching, library, kitchen, ushers, staff members - Judas

7.      Listening to the gospel & coming close to being saved (Mk. 12:28-34; Ac. 26:27-29) = attending Sunday bible study & worship svc, Prayer svc, GG meetings.

Now and Then – III, pg. 2

B.        The sinner’s life THEN

1.      No more benefits of God kindness & mercy

2.      No more prospering, comfort & pleasure (Lk. 16:19-25) – basketball & football games, new clothes, video games, movies, birthday presents, new furniture, Burger King, Pizza Hut, savings accounts & future plans!

3.      No more living your normal life ( waking up & going to bed), no more parties, mocking God & the church, pretending in church & ministry; no more GG meetings, hayrides, picnics, bible studies, preaching, teaching, singing, prayer services,   – NO MORE!!!!!!!!

4.      Not one solitary sinner will escape, all will be destroyed SUDDENLY (1Th. 5:2-3)

5.      Every sinner that dies without Christ will be punished eternally & separated from Christ (Jn. 8:21;        2Th. 1:3-10)

Jesus Christ warned the sinner about that day when He returns (Mt. 24:32-51; 25:31-46).  What are you going to do about your soul NOW?  Are you going to continue to plans your great birthday parties, vacations, holidays; making great plans for your education, dating, marriage; plans for when you start driving, get your own apartment… and make no plan for your soul?  You must consider NOW what will happen THEN!  There is hope for you, there is good news – the good news of the gospel.  The same Christ that warns about the judgment to come says Jn. 14:6;          Mt. 11:28-30; and “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out”, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My words, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life”.  What will you do NOW to prepare for THEN?