What Time Is It?
Notes
Transcript
WHAT TIME IS IT? (Mark 13:35–36)
WHAT TIME IS IT? (Mark 13:35–36)
We are living in sinful times. As we get nearer to the coming of Jesus, the world will become worse. Satan knows this, and seeks to put man to sleep as to what is happening. Notice the dangers of sleeping.
We are living in sinful times. As we get nearer to the coming of Jesus, the world will become worse. Satan knows this, and seeks to put man to sleep as to what is happening. Notice the dangers of sleeping.
(1) Samson went to sleep and lost his hair, strength, and eyes. He also was made a slave.
(2) Jonah was asleep when there was a terrible storm.
(3) The five foolish virgins went to sleep and found the door to the wedding closed. Christians must always stay awake!
I. TIME TO BE AWAKE
I. TIME TO BE AWAKE
1. Signs of our time—Matthew 24:1–14. Reading this shows we are living in the last days, just before Jesus comes. This should help us to live better Christian lives.
1. Signs of our time—Matthew 24:1–14. Reading this shows we are living in the last days, just before Jesus comes. This should help us to live better Christian lives.
2. Sins of our time.
2. Sins of our time.
a. Sensuality—Romans 1:23–24. They were so sinful that God gave them up. Compare this with today’s living.
a. Sensuality—Romans 1:23–24. They were so sinful that God gave them up. Compare this with today’s living.
b. Selfishness—Romans 1:22. Professing to be wise they became fools. More interested in making self great than making God’s work great.
b. Selfishness—Romans 1:22. Professing to be wise they became fools. More interested in making self great than making God’s work great.
c. Stubbornness—Romans 1:21. They knew God but did not praise Him.
c. Stubbornness—Romans 1:21. They knew God but did not praise Him.
d. Slothfulness—Proverbs 19:15. What we do, we should do with all our heart! Too many do just enough to get by!
d. Slothfulness—Proverbs 19:15. What we do, we should do with all our heart! Too many do just enough to get by!
3. Sorrows of our time—2 Timothy 3:1–5
3. Sorrows of our time—2 Timothy 3:1–5
a. Lack of restraint—v. 2. Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. So many feel, “Do as you please.”
a. Lack of restraint—v. 2. Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. So many feel, “Do as you please.”
b. Lack of respect—v. 4. Lovers of pleasures more than God.
b. Lack of respect—v. 4. Lovers of pleasures more than God.
c. Lack of righteousness—v. 5. Having a form, but no power.
c. Lack of righteousness—v. 5. Having a form, but no power.
II. TIME TO BE ALERT
II. TIME TO BE ALERT
1. Dangers of our time—Matthew 24:37–42. In Noah’s time, they were eating and drinking and giving in marriage (divorcing and immoral living). There are over 400,000 divorces yearly in America. Many no longer consider marriage sacred. Immorality is excused by the movies, TV and magazines.
1. Dangers of our time—Matthew 24:37–42. In Noah’s time, they were eating and drinking and giving in marriage (divorcing and immoral living). There are over 400,000 divorces yearly in America. Many no longer consider marriage sacred. Immorality is excused by the movies, TV and magazines.
2. Degradation—Romans 1:21. The people did not keep God in their knowledge. Prayer and Bible reading has been ruled out of our schools. As the result, we have protestors, riots and problems. If a man cannot respect God, he will not respect God’s laws.
2. Degradation—Romans 1:21. The people did not keep God in their knowledge. Prayer and Bible reading has been ruled out of our schools. As the result, we have protestors, riots and problems. If a man cannot respect God, he will not respect God’s laws.
3. Disobedience of our time—Galatians 5:19–20, “But when you follow your own wrong inclinations your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure; Idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons); hatred and fighting; jealousy and anger; constant effort to get the best for yourself; complaints and criticisms; the feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your little group; and there will be wrong doctrine”—Living New Testament.
3. Disobedience of our time—Galatians 5:19–20, “But when you follow your own wrong inclinations your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure; Idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons); hatred and fighting; jealousy and anger; constant effort to get the best for yourself; complaints and criticisms; the feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your little group; and there will be wrong doctrine”—Living New Testament.
III. TIME TO BE ACTIVE
III. TIME TO BE ACTIVE
1. Faithfulness—2 Timothy 4:7. Demas left Paul because he loved the world. Paul was faithful until death.
1. Faithfulness—2 Timothy 4:7. Demas left Paul because he loved the world. Paul was faithful until death.
2. Firmness—Daniel 3:18. The three Hebrews boys refused to bow down to the image. Note Paul’s words in Acts 20:24.
2. Firmness—Daniel 3:18. The three Hebrews boys refused to bow down to the image. Note Paul’s words in Acts 20:24.
3. Following—Philippians 3:13, 14. Leaving the past and following. If we follow Christ, He will make us His—Matthew 4:19.
3. Following—Philippians 3:13, 14. Leaving the past and following. If we follow Christ, He will make us His—Matthew 4:19.
It is time for Christians to check themselves, seeing if they are awake, alert, and active. The terrible times in which we live should lead us close to God. Some allow the terrible times to lead them away from God. Many Christians become cold because of the sinful conditions—Matthew 24:12. What time is it? It is time to live completely to God!
Croft M. Pentz, Evangelistic Sermon Outlines, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1970), 46–47.