END-TIME PREPPING

Romans 13 is obviously a wonderful passage full of instructions on how to live the Christian life well and to victory.

The initial part of the chapter encourages us about the dealing with government.

It makes some general statements about government.

God put them there v.1 “ordained of God”

There supposed to be a terror to evil works v.3

They are go be a minister of God for Good v.5

They are to punish evil doers.

We are to be subject to them because it is right to be submissive to authority, unless it contradicts the Word of God or our conscience, v. 5

And we are to pay what is due - in both taxes, infrastructure, honoring those who are due honor.

Then in goes into some responsibilities we are to live up to.

Don’t owe people money. The only debt you should carry is secured debt.

Don’t commit sexual sin, don’t kill, steal, lie or covet,

Here is something we read into it: Treat your neighbor as you would want to be treated. The Golden rule: A good rule it is:

Luke 6:31 AV

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Bu this verse actually takes it a step further and says - to love them as you love yourself.

We are to love our neighbor. If I have a constant battle with my literal neighbor or someone at work, at school or where ever, I’ve got the wrong attitude. We may never be best friends, but I need to quit this hateful relationship, that is my carnality coming out if I hate anyone. I’m to treat them with love.

But what I want to preach about is a simple outline found in verse 11-14

I. Do you know the time?

One things that God expects out of His children is to know the times that times that they live in. We are not to hide in a cave - or build off grid to where no one can reach us and we can reach no one.

No, God wants us in this world reaching it, but in order to do that - we must know the times, understand the culture, no the issues it faces, and be able to give an answer of hope.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (AV)

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

II. Wake Up!

To wake up, we have to leave behind our attitude of apathy, pessimism or optimism and start living life the way God would have us to live it. Waking up to what is really important. There is no excuse of the born-again believer to continue sleeping in the end times.

Proverbs 6:9 AV

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

Colossians 4:5 AV

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

III. Redemption is closer than you think

This is a reminder to every born again person. You redemption is so close you don’t have any idea.

Sometime we can get the wrong thoughts about things in our heads, or maybe I’m alone in this - but my redemption means, saved from this old condemned body and saved from hell by the blood of Jesus Christ.

That is what Christ did for us. When would condemnation have been for us without Christ. At our death. So, in like manner is our redemption.

The same truth holds concerning the Resurrection. When Christ returns, if we are alive at the 2nd coming of Christ at the rapture, we will be redeemed as well.

God says your redemption is close.

Think about all the people this was originally written too - it has already come to pass. Throughout the history of the church - that every Christians who read this passage - this has already happened to them.

It is only truer today. Our death or our rapture is just around the corner. There is not much time left to get our live on track with God

IV. Enough time has been wasted

Oh the wasted days of our youth. Don’t we say that. It is not a valid excuse but it is one like to point to. Well, while it may be true that you wasted your youth - why do we continue to waste our lives.

Ephesians 5:15–16 (AV)

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

V. Rid yourself of the works of darkness

This is an interesting point because we all figure that works of darkness are the occult, or murder, abortions, all types of sexual sin. But I want you to understand, the ridding of ourselves of the works of darkness means different things at different levels of our walk with Christ.

Certainly, we know the works of darkness is just as simple as sin itself.

Ephesians 5:10 AV

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:11 AV

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

VI. Put on God’s Armor

Armor is for protection.

The Bible lists lots of things, one of the go to passages that mentions the armor the most is:

Ephesians 6:11 AV

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:13 AV

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The passage in Ephesians 6 that talks about all the different armor is an illustrations of the things that we need to avail ourselves with in our life for God.

VII. Walk Correctly

A. In Truth

Honestly and Openly

“As in the day”

B. Not for constant pleasure

“Rioting and drunkeness” Rioting here is revelry - constant excited living.

That is the ruin of America - her constant pursuit of pleasure, whether from food, from entertainment, all the time, it seeks pleasure in all things. If feels good, smells good, tastes good, sounds good, looks good - go for it.

C. Not in lewdness

“chambering and wantonness” is talking about the defiled bed or bedroom. All physical relationship outside of a marriage of a man and woman is lewdness - is sin. But most all that is on your television now falls into this category.

D. Not in division

“strife and envying”

VIII. Put on Christ

In all things, in all ways in my life, I need to put on the Lord jesus Christ.

If Christ is on - there is no room for the devil

If Christ is on - there is no room for the flesh

If Christ is on - there is no room for lusts

If Christ is on - there is no room for pride

If Christ is on - there is no room self-seeking pleasure

If Christ is on - I am walking in truth

If Christ is on - I am learning to wear the armor of God

If Christ is on - I am not wasting time