TAKE A LOOK

Text: Hebrews 12:2

Introduction: There are certain looks that every man must take if he is to make it to heaven. These looks are not something that we can take or leave but they are absolutely necessary to our salvation. We can't stick our heads in the sand like the ostrich and refuse to take these looks because God demands them of us.

I.          The backward look Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set dawn at the right hand of the throne of god. Hebrews 12:2

A.       This is the look back to the cress of Jesus that saves us.

1.      Jesus Christ died a miserable death in order that we might live.

2.      Hung on a Roman cross 6 long hours for you

3.      Was spat upon, beaten, stripped, cursed, and rejected to make a way for us to find forgiveness for the death that we deserved.

B.        This look is necessary for our salvation.

1.      In the Old Testament it was necessary to look forward to Christ through annual feasts and holy days and it was the only way they were saved.

2.      The only way for us to be saved is to look back to that old rugged cross of Calvary and personally accept the work done there.

II.       The inward look Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 2 John 1:8

A.       This is a look of self examination.

1.      We should continually examine our motives, deeds, words, etc. to make sure they are Christ like.

2.      We need to take inventory occasionally.

B.        There is only one standard to examine ourselves by and that is God's standard.

1.      As given in His Word.

2.      As shown in the life of Jesus Christ.

3.      As revealed and taught to us by the Holy Spirit.

III.    The outward look Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest! Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:3 5

A.       Millions of souls die and go to hell within the grasp of the church.

1.      We have the answer to their problem if we will but give it to them.

a)      Sociologists say they have the answer.

b)      Psychologists say they have the answer.

c)      Scientists say that they have the answer..

d)     Statesmen say that they have the answer.

e)      THE CHURCH HAS THE ANSWER!

2.      While many church members sit on their plush pews people are plagued by sin.

3.      While many walk their carpeted aisles men cry in the gutter of sin for a hope for the future.

4.      If we could really got a vision of a lost and dying world it would soon be said of us, 'these who have turned the world upside down have come here also.

5.      If we had the burden we should we would cry with Rachel of old "give me children or I die."

B.        A world waits to be moved by God and we are called to move it!!!

IV.    The forward look

A.       This look is made through eyes of faith.

1.      This look lets us see great things in the future.

2.      This look lets us see roads for God where there is only jungle.

3.      This look lets us be like David and look past Goliath and see the victory.

4.      This look lets us look past the ash help as Job and know that a better day is coming.

5.      This look lets you sleep in lions den with Daniel.

6.      You can sing in the prison with Paul and Silas.

7.      You can walk in the fiery furnace with the three Hebrew children.

8.      You can pray on Mt. Cannel with Elijah. The fire can burn in your bones like Jeremiah.

V.       The upward look And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28

A.       An earth shattering event is about to happen that will shake this world and upset the entire course of mankind.

1.      This event is the rapture of the church and the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

2.      There has never been a time like it and never will be another like it.

3.      The greatest leader man has ever seen will emerge with all answers to man's problems.

4.      A time of prosperity will follow that will astound men and nations.

5.      At the peak of his success lie will demand the world worship him.

6.      God's wrath will then be loosed upon men.

7.      All conceivable catastrophes will begin to occur at once around this world.

a)      War will break out.

b)      Famines and rationing will grip the globe.

c)      All of nature will be turned upside down.

d)     Pestilence and disease "ill occur on a widespread scale.

B.        I AM NOT PLANNING TO BE PRESENT TO WITNESS THESE EVENTS AS THEY UNFOLD

1.      If I see them at all it will be from a heavenly grandstand in the presence of Jesus.

2.      The church is going to leave before this time of terror comes.