1 00:00:31,299 --> 00:00:31,659 Amen. 2 00:00:31,659 --> 00:00:33,539 Brother Donaldson went old school on us tonight. 3 00:00:34,259 --> 00:00:36,979 Rose of Sharon, aren't you glad the rose of Sharon continues 4 00:00:36,979 --> 00:00:37,299 to bloom? 5 00:00:37,299 --> 00:00:37,859 Amen. 6 00:00:38,339 --> 00:00:41,459 And appreciate that song tonight. 7 00:00:41,459 --> 00:00:47,819 And I, many years ago, many, many years ago, had the opportunity, 8 00:00:47,819 --> 00:00:50,659 or was opportunity to be in a. 9 00:00:52,899 --> 00:00:56,939 Anyway, I was singing a couple of songs in order that I might be 10 00:00:56,939 --> 00:00:58,579 a part of a college singing group. 11 00:00:59,289 --> 00:01:00,249 Been a long time ago. 12 00:01:01,049 --> 00:01:04,689 And not that song, but that's one of the songs I had a choice of. 13 00:01:04,689 --> 00:01:06,809 You had to sing a. I don't know how you. 14 00:01:06,889 --> 00:01:08,329 Brother Donaldson, if he was there, I'd ask him. 15 00:01:08,329 --> 00:01:11,929 But a classic song. 16 00:01:11,929 --> 00:01:15,329 And anyway, that's all in my head. 17 00:01:15,329 --> 00:01:18,529 So turn, if you would, in your first Peter, chapter four. 18 00:01:18,529 --> 00:01:20,969 I told you, my brain is everywhere tonight. 19 00:01:21,449 --> 00:01:22,649 So y' all pray for me. 20 00:01:22,969 --> 00:01:26,679 First Peter, chapter four, verse seven. 21 00:01:28,679 --> 00:01:32,439 The very first part of this particular chapter. 22 00:01:33,079 --> 00:01:36,399 Peter is saying. 23 00:01:36,399 --> 00:01:37,079 And he's. 24 00:01:37,479 --> 00:01:39,479 And I'll just kind of give you the summary of it. 25 00:01:39,639 --> 00:01:41,279 He's saying, you got saved. 26 00:01:41,279 --> 00:01:42,919 You accepted Christ as your Savior. 27 00:01:42,999 --> 00:01:47,679 And those whom you used to run with are making fun of you. 28 00:01:47,679 --> 00:01:52,379 They are, you know, they're being mean to you. 29 00:01:52,379 --> 00:01:53,179 And so forth. 30 00:01:53,179 --> 00:01:55,419 He said, and you used to be. 31 00:01:55,579 --> 00:01:59,659 And run with and the Gentiles, and you used to do these sinful things, 32 00:01:59,659 --> 00:02:02,379 lasciviousness and the lust of flesh and all these things. 33 00:02:02,699 --> 00:02:09,379 He says, but listen, he said, understand that we are to live for 34 00:02:09,379 --> 00:02:13,139 the Lord, that we ought to live for the Lord, that he will judge 35 00:02:13,139 --> 00:02:14,739 the quick and the dead for this cause. 36 00:02:14,739 --> 00:02:17,939 Verse 6 was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, 37 00:02:17,939 --> 00:02:20,539 talking about spiritually dead, and that they might be judged 38 00:02:20,539 --> 00:02:21,659 according to men and. 39 00:02:22,209 --> 00:02:25,289 But living according to God in the Spirit, look at verse seven. 40 00:02:25,289 --> 00:02:27,409 But the end of all things is at hand. 41 00:02:29,889 --> 00:02:33,209 So in light of what you used to be, what you are now, and what 42 00:02:33,209 --> 00:02:37,969 the world and how the world is treating you, I'm going to skip forward. 43 00:02:38,129 --> 00:02:40,689 We're not going to cover this verse, but look at verse 13. 44 00:02:41,489 --> 00:02:45,729 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's suffering, 45 00:02:46,049 --> 00:02:50,829 that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with 46 00:02:50,829 --> 00:02:51,789 exceeding joy. 47 00:02:52,269 --> 00:02:53,709 So again, he's talking about. 48 00:02:53,709 --> 00:02:56,749 Okay, if you're being attacked for being a Christian and you are 49 00:02:56,989 --> 00:03:01,669 going through adversity because you are a Christian, then 50 00:03:01,669 --> 00:03:06,429 you ought to be glad again to suffer for Christ's sake. 51 00:03:06,669 --> 00:03:07,949 Again, back to verse seven. 52 00:03:08,669 --> 00:03:10,589 But the end of all things is at hand. 53 00:03:12,189 --> 00:03:13,029 The end is here. 54 00:03:13,029 --> 00:03:13,869 The end is here. 55 00:03:14,999 --> 00:03:18,759 Be ye therefore sober, serious, and watch into prayer. 56 00:03:19,079 --> 00:03:22,359 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves, 57 00:03:22,999 --> 00:03:25,319 for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 58 00:03:25,719 --> 00:03:30,359 Use hospitality one to another without grudging, as every man hath 59 00:03:30,438 --> 00:03:33,559 received the gift even so minister the same one to another 60 00:03:33,879 --> 00:03:35,999 as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 61 00:03:35,999 --> 00:03:40,039 And we could spend all night talking about verse 10 that the gifts 62 00:03:40,039 --> 00:03:40,999 that God has given you. 63 00:03:41,449 --> 00:03:45,529 That we ought to use those gifts in order to be a minister to 64 00:03:45,529 --> 00:03:48,729 those around us and be a good steward of those things. 65 00:03:49,449 --> 00:03:50,049 Verse 11. 66 00:03:50,049 --> 00:03:53,689 And if any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. 67 00:03:53,769 --> 00:03:57,569 If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God 68 00:03:57,569 --> 00:03:58,009 giveth. 69 00:03:58,169 --> 00:04:01,009 That God in all things might be glorified through Jesus Christ, 70 00:04:01,009 --> 00:04:04,649 to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. 71 00:04:05,129 --> 00:04:05,769 Amen. 72 00:04:06,329 --> 00:04:07,289 And again he goes. 73 00:04:07,289 --> 00:04:09,849 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which 74 00:04:09,849 --> 00:04:12,979 is to try you as though some strange thing happen happen unto 75 00:04:12,979 --> 00:04:13,259 you. 76 00:04:13,499 --> 00:04:17,379 Listen, Jesus said, if the world hate you, they hate you because 77 00:04:17,379 --> 00:04:18,059 they hate me. 78 00:04:18,859 --> 00:04:25,659 And so understanding that we believe tonight and the Bible teaches 79 00:04:25,659 --> 00:04:30,139 the imminent return of Jesus Christ, the end of all things is 80 00:04:30,139 --> 00:04:30,699 at hand. 81 00:04:31,419 --> 00:04:33,819 I believe we're living in the last of the last days. 82 00:04:34,379 --> 00:04:37,579 The disciples talked about the Bible speaks about even in the disciples 83 00:04:37,579 --> 00:04:37,779 day. 84 00:04:37,779 --> 00:04:39,339 They were talking about living in the last days. 85 00:04:39,719 --> 00:04:42,959 Yes, that we've been living in the last days ever since Jesus Christ 86 00:04:42,959 --> 00:04:43,879 rose from the dead. 87 00:04:44,199 --> 00:04:46,039 But we're living in the last of the last days. 88 00:04:46,519 --> 00:04:47,639 The end is at hand. 89 00:04:48,519 --> 00:04:51,239 And understand that our lives are even a vapor that here for a 90 00:04:51,239 --> 00:04:52,519 little while and vanisheth away. 91 00:04:54,519 --> 00:04:56,359 We ought to live in light of eternity. 92 00:04:57,559 --> 00:05:02,599 So tonight's a reminder of the return of Christ, but also a challenge 93 00:05:03,319 --> 00:05:08,459 that we as Christians understand that we are to live in 94 00:05:08,459 --> 00:05:12,059 light of that Jesus may return tonight. 95 00:05:13,579 --> 00:05:16,339 Seven signs of Christ's soon return and you could actually come 96 00:05:16,339 --> 00:05:18,699 up with eight or nine of them, maybe even 10. 97 00:05:19,419 --> 00:05:21,739 But number one is the re emergence of Israel. 98 00:05:22,299 --> 00:05:23,739 Israel's back in the land. 99 00:05:23,899 --> 00:05:24,939 Think about it now. 100 00:05:25,419 --> 00:05:31,579 They had not had a nation and not been a Nation since 586 B.C. 101 00:05:32,799 --> 00:05:34,879 and in 1948 they became a nation again. 102 00:05:36,639 --> 00:05:37,519 That's amazing. 103 00:05:37,519 --> 00:05:40,879 It had been prophesied that they would become a nation again. 104 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:48,079 And that prophecy was fulfilled in some of your lifetimes, 105 00:05:48,079 --> 00:05:49,039 especially Clovis. 106 00:05:58,409 --> 00:06:01,849 We also see the ancient nations return to prominence. 107 00:06:02,409 --> 00:06:04,969 Ancient nations returning to prominence. 108 00:06:05,449 --> 00:06:08,089 I don't have time to preach and I'm going to go back and preach 109 00:06:08,089 --> 00:06:09,289 Psalm 83. 110 00:06:09,609 --> 00:06:11,809 But there's many other references to this as well. 111 00:06:11,809 --> 00:06:17,409 Isaiah 13, Jeremiah 50 and 51, Ezekiel 38, 39 speaking about as 112 00:06:17,409 --> 00:06:21,769 we get to the end times that many of these nations of old, ancient 113 00:06:21,769 --> 00:06:24,169 nations have come to the forefront again. 114 00:06:24,169 --> 00:06:27,459 Just like, just like the Jewish nation has come to the forefront, 115 00:06:27,459 --> 00:06:28,859 so will these other nations. 116 00:06:29,099 --> 00:06:33,659 And we see that happening today all over Iran and all those. 117 00:06:33,659 --> 00:06:36,139 Iraq, all those nations coming to the forefront again. 118 00:06:37,499 --> 00:06:38,219 Number three. 119 00:06:39,739 --> 00:06:41,379 And Daniel speaks about this as well. 120 00:06:41,379 --> 00:06:45,019 In Daniel, chapter 12, verse 4 speaks about knowledge increasing 121 00:06:45,819 --> 00:06:47,419 knowledge, increasing you knowledge. 122 00:06:47,499 --> 00:06:50,619 The knowledge that mankind has doubles every three or four years. 123 00:06:51,399 --> 00:06:52,359 Isn't that amazing? 124 00:06:53,719 --> 00:06:54,599 It's amazing. 125 00:06:56,039 --> 00:06:59,119 Technology explosion again. 126 00:06:59,119 --> 00:07:03,799 Technology is not bad in and of itself, but it is ushering in 127 00:07:03,799 --> 00:07:07,399 the ability to have many of the things that we see in the Bible, 128 00:07:07,399 --> 00:07:08,479 like the mark of the beast. 129 00:07:08,479 --> 00:07:13,119 And so many things that now would be very easy, very easy to 130 00:07:13,119 --> 00:07:20,489 do, to have no currency, no, no tangible currency that you can 131 00:07:20,489 --> 00:07:21,329 touch and feel. 132 00:07:22,049 --> 00:07:24,929 And the excuse is going to be, of course, that, you know, there'll 133 00:07:24,929 --> 00:07:27,489 be no more theft, no more people might be chopping people's 134 00:07:27,489 --> 00:07:28,209 hands off, I don't know. 135 00:07:28,209 --> 00:07:32,569 But you know, you can just scan somebody's wrist, scan somebody's 136 00:07:32,569 --> 00:07:35,849 forehead, whatever, shoot them in the head with that little laser 137 00:07:35,849 --> 00:07:36,209 gun. 138 00:07:37,729 --> 00:07:39,009 It's amazing, isn't it? 139 00:07:39,649 --> 00:07:41,169 We're seeing it come to fruition. 140 00:07:41,169 --> 00:07:45,259 I mean, we see it, we know it's absolutely. 141 00:07:46,139 --> 00:07:47,979 It's doable, easily doable. 142 00:07:48,779 --> 00:07:55,819 And we now see that people can be swayed so easily, they become 143 00:07:55,819 --> 00:07:57,099 sheep so easily. 144 00:07:58,459 --> 00:08:00,379 Again, it's really again about technology. 145 00:08:00,459 --> 00:08:08,099 Because of technology, the small leadership can swathe the huge 146 00:08:08,099 --> 00:08:09,099 majority of people. 147 00:08:11,579 --> 00:08:13,499 Fake news, right? 148 00:08:18,299 --> 00:08:19,499 May we never forget. 149 00:08:22,459 --> 00:08:23,419 Never forget Covid. 150 00:08:23,419 --> 00:08:28,379 Never forget it, right? 151 00:08:29,419 --> 00:08:34,059 I mean, I'm not a conspiracy guy, but I think once it got started, 152 00:08:35,019 --> 00:08:40,459 it was ability for the those in power to see whether or not people 153 00:08:40,459 --> 00:08:41,259 would give in. 154 00:08:44,939 --> 00:08:48,459 Technology explosion number four, moral relativism. 155 00:08:48,459 --> 00:08:51,779 Now, I know this has been around somewhat forever, but we see 156 00:08:51,779 --> 00:08:58,219 again the resurgence of this, that society without moral restraint. 157 00:08:59,179 --> 00:09:03,739 Without moral restraint, in other words, why? 158 00:09:04,689 --> 00:09:07,089 Who are you to tell me what I can or cannot do? 159 00:09:07,249 --> 00:09:09,809 Or who are you to tell me what's right and what's wrong? 160 00:09:11,009 --> 00:09:13,489 And that's so widespread now. 161 00:09:13,729 --> 00:09:18,449 And I would say the majority of people believe in moral relativism. 162 00:09:21,009 --> 00:09:25,569 This is a way in which again, the masses are manipulated, but also 163 00:09:25,569 --> 00:09:26,529 in the medical area. 164 00:09:27,409 --> 00:09:28,769 Amazing what they can do. 165 00:09:30,459 --> 00:09:32,459 Cloning and all the other things that go on. 166 00:09:32,459 --> 00:09:35,019 Boy, it's amazing how far they've come. 167 00:09:35,739 --> 00:09:37,379 Number five, and this is an easy one. 168 00:09:37,379 --> 00:09:38,139 Globalism. 169 00:09:38,779 --> 00:09:39,739 Globalism. 170 00:09:40,859 --> 00:09:42,699 Isn't it amazing the technology today? 171 00:09:43,019 --> 00:09:46,459 I mean, we used to, I can remember preachers preaching against 172 00:09:46,939 --> 00:09:48,299 American Airlines. 173 00:09:48,939 --> 00:09:50,059 What is their slogan? 174 00:09:51,579 --> 00:09:52,179 One world. 175 00:09:52,179 --> 00:09:53,019 That's their slogan. 176 00:09:53,019 --> 00:09:55,019 One world, right? 177 00:09:55,099 --> 00:09:55,739 One world. 178 00:09:56,179 --> 00:10:00,179 And I remember just everybody, preachers in the early on crying 179 00:10:00,179 --> 00:10:01,659 out one world, one world. 180 00:10:01,659 --> 00:10:02,539 This is where it's coming. 181 00:10:02,539 --> 00:10:03,939 And then listen, that's where it is going. 182 00:10:04,819 --> 00:10:07,819 We know that the Bible makes it very clear that there is going 183 00:10:07,819 --> 00:10:10,459 to be a one world economy, there's going to be a one world government, 184 00:10:10,459 --> 00:10:12,259 there's going to be a one world religion. 185 00:10:13,139 --> 00:10:14,219 And that's where we're headed. 186 00:10:14,219 --> 00:10:17,459 And we can see no doubt how that could come about. 187 00:10:18,579 --> 00:10:19,299 No doubt. 188 00:10:20,499 --> 00:10:24,879 Isn't it amazing the technology when it comes to languages? 189 00:10:25,999 --> 00:10:27,919 We talk about Google Translate. 190 00:10:28,239 --> 00:10:31,719 In fact now when we go to these, when we go to the foreign 191 00:10:31,719 --> 00:10:35,959 countries, they will ask me this last time, especially in Cape 192 00:10:35,959 --> 00:10:38,559 Verde, they were asking me Google Translate. 193 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:39,918 They would say google Translate. 194 00:10:39,918 --> 00:10:43,239 And they would want me to pull my phone out and Google Translate. 195 00:10:43,239 --> 00:10:44,399 They knew exactly what it was. 196 00:10:44,639 --> 00:10:47,279 It's amazing what technology can do. 197 00:10:47,279 --> 00:10:50,609 I can communicate with anybody, just give me a phone. 198 00:10:50,609 --> 00:10:52,009 As long as I got cell reception. 199 00:10:52,409 --> 00:10:53,529 Cape Verde, we didn't. 200 00:10:53,689 --> 00:10:57,569 It was touch and go with the cell reception. 201 00:10:57,569 --> 00:10:58,649 But it's amazing, isn't it? 202 00:10:59,529 --> 00:11:03,129 Number six again, sexual disorientation. 203 00:11:03,529 --> 00:11:07,289 And this is very, very, very, very obvious. 204 00:11:07,929 --> 00:11:10,649 Traditional roles of both genders have been blurred and blended. 205 00:11:11,129 --> 00:11:15,129 Unnatural same sex affection being increasingly promoted and accepted. 206 00:11:15,769 --> 00:11:17,249 And this is all part of the end times. 207 00:11:17,249 --> 00:11:20,969 We know that, we know that. 208 00:11:21,369 --> 00:11:24,409 Romans chapter 1, 1 Corinthians 6, 2 Timothy 3. 209 00:11:24,969 --> 00:11:25,929 Speaking of this. 210 00:11:26,489 --> 00:11:27,209 It's coming. 211 00:11:28,889 --> 00:11:32,089 Immorality, it's coming. 212 00:11:36,809 --> 00:11:38,569 Number seven, New Ageism. 213 00:11:39,449 --> 00:11:43,089 I can remember when we thought, well, the Catholic Church 214 00:11:43,089 --> 00:11:45,539 is going to be the one world religion. 215 00:11:45,859 --> 00:11:49,619 And then Pentecostalism became very popular and all of a sudden 216 00:11:49,619 --> 00:11:52,419 it's going to be some kind of Pentecostalism or. 217 00:11:52,659 --> 00:11:55,539 And then, you know, Islam is still the fastest growing religion 218 00:11:55,539 --> 00:11:56,019 in the world. 219 00:11:56,579 --> 00:11:59,659 You know, is it going to be Islam or some combination of that? 220 00:11:59,659 --> 00:12:00,899 Or atheism? 221 00:12:01,059 --> 00:12:04,499 Atheism may be the second fastest growing religion in the world 222 00:12:05,859 --> 00:12:07,379 or maybe it's a combo of it. 223 00:12:07,699 --> 00:12:12,589 It's amazing how when you talk to missionaries and you hear of in 224 00:12:12,589 --> 00:12:16,589 these other countries where religion is really not fixed, it's 225 00:12:16,589 --> 00:12:19,509 really a combined, combined religion. 226 00:12:20,549 --> 00:12:23,269 It's like taking many religions and meshing them together. 227 00:12:24,789 --> 00:12:29,549 Maybe that's kind of how things will be, especially in South 228 00:12:29,549 --> 00:12:32,749 America, many of those places where Catholicism is very prominent, 229 00:12:32,749 --> 00:12:35,269 but it's really not Catholicism, pure Catholicism. 230 00:12:35,349 --> 00:12:39,859 It's Catholicism plus whatever else they worship. 231 00:12:39,859 --> 00:12:40,299 And do. 232 00:12:44,539 --> 00:12:47,899 We know Christ's return is soon we can see it. 233 00:12:49,419 --> 00:12:50,539 It's very obvious. 234 00:12:51,979 --> 00:12:54,979 It's obvious because of the prophecies that have been taking 235 00:12:54,979 --> 00:12:59,099 place, the prophecies that are and have come about. 236 00:13:00,699 --> 00:13:01,739 Why the Rapture? 237 00:13:02,309 --> 00:13:03,589 First Thessalonians, chapter four. 238 00:13:03,749 --> 00:13:06,389 And I had marked it, but I'm just going to read part of it. 239 00:13:06,549 --> 00:13:09,589 Most of you know that he says, I would not have you to be ignorant, 240 00:13:09,589 --> 00:13:11,189 brethren, concerning those which are asleep. 241 00:13:11,429 --> 00:13:15,389 And he goes on to say, and it says there in verse 17, we which 242 00:13:15,389 --> 00:13:19,789 are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the 243 00:13:19,789 --> 00:13:21,589 clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 244 00:13:21,989 --> 00:13:24,069 And so shall we ever be with the Lord. 245 00:13:24,949 --> 00:13:30,219 And this verse, 1 Corinthians 4, verse 17, along with 1st Corinthians 246 00:13:30,219 --> 00:13:34,819 15, where it says, we'll be changed in a moment, in the twinkling 247 00:13:34,819 --> 00:13:39,739 of the eye at the last trump, we understand the trumpet will sound 248 00:13:39,739 --> 00:13:40,259 one day. 249 00:13:41,139 --> 00:13:42,579 We will be caught up. 250 00:13:42,819 --> 00:13:48,419 The word rapture means caught up with the Lord, to be with the 251 00:13:48,419 --> 00:13:51,779 Lord in the clouds, in the air, he doesn't touch the ground. 252 00:13:51,779 --> 00:13:54,819 The first time he comes, he comes. 253 00:13:56,379 --> 00:13:58,859 He comes for his saints, not with his saints. 254 00:14:00,379 --> 00:14:06,579 It's very, very clear to me, and I know there's a lot now because 255 00:14:06,579 --> 00:14:11,859 of social media and so many different, again, preachers you can 256 00:14:11,859 --> 00:14:16,539 listen to and popular preachers, and all of a sudden you 257 00:14:16,539 --> 00:14:21,379 begin to take in what they're saying without being very. 258 00:14:21,859 --> 00:14:24,859 Without parsing what they're trying to say, whether or not it's 259 00:14:24,859 --> 00:14:25,459 true or not. 260 00:14:26,099 --> 00:14:31,419 And so we have various ideas now, various theories as to when 261 00:14:31,419 --> 00:14:32,419 Christ is returning. 262 00:14:32,419 --> 00:14:33,539 Is it premillennial? 263 00:14:33,539 --> 00:14:34,619 Is it pre trib? 264 00:14:34,619 --> 00:14:36,059 Is it post millennial? 265 00:14:36,059 --> 00:14:37,539 Is it pre wrath, post trib? 266 00:14:37,619 --> 00:14:39,419 I mean, there's mid trib. 267 00:14:39,419 --> 00:14:41,219 I mean, there's just everything now. 268 00:14:42,499 --> 00:14:48,559 But I can tell you, without a doubt, 100%, very dogmatically, that 269 00:14:49,119 --> 00:14:51,279 God has not appointed his children unto wrath. 270 00:14:52,159 --> 00:14:54,799 First Corinthians tells us, chapter 4, verse 7. 271 00:14:55,279 --> 00:14:56,879 I will give you that verse here in a minute. 272 00:14:56,879 --> 00:15:01,599 It's down here somewhere in first Corinthians that God has not 273 00:15:01,599 --> 00:15:02,639 appointed us into wrath. 274 00:15:04,399 --> 00:15:05,599 I misplaced it. 275 00:15:06,239 --> 00:15:07,519 It's in my notes somewhere. 276 00:15:09,679 --> 00:15:13,139 That's terrible, isn't it? 277 00:15:16,729 --> 00:15:19,929 1st Thessalonians 5, 9. 278 00:15:20,329 --> 00:15:24,009 God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation. 279 00:15:26,809 --> 00:15:31,129 Just like the children of Israel that God rescued them. 280 00:15:31,929 --> 00:15:33,449 God brought them out of Egypt. 281 00:15:33,609 --> 00:15:34,889 He did so with a mighty hand. 282 00:15:34,889 --> 00:15:36,329 He sent 10 plagues. 283 00:15:38,819 --> 00:15:40,979 The children of Israel didn't have to go through the ten plagues 284 00:15:42,419 --> 00:15:43,699 the people of Egypt did. 285 00:15:45,379 --> 00:15:47,299 God hath not appointed his children into wrath. 286 00:15:48,739 --> 00:15:51,379 God is not trying to get Christians attention during the tribulation, 287 00:15:51,779 --> 00:15:53,299 he's trying to get the Jews attention. 288 00:15:55,379 --> 00:15:58,739 He's pouring out his wrath upon a world that's become immoral 289 00:15:58,739 --> 00:16:01,779 and decadent and like the days of Noah. 290 00:16:04,829 --> 00:16:08,069 And then of course, to get the Jews attention, to get their heart 291 00:16:08,069 --> 00:16:10,749 and for them to see him for who he is. 292 00:16:13,069 --> 00:16:15,549 We are to be caught up in the clouds. 293 00:16:16,269 --> 00:16:19,069 So many passages depicting the catching away of the saints. 294 00:16:19,549 --> 00:16:23,429 By the way, many of those passages are shown to precede the 295 00:16:23,429 --> 00:16:25,469 second coming of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon. 296 00:16:25,629 --> 00:16:32,549 You see, you see it R1, R2L and then you see the rapture. 297 00:16:33,749 --> 00:16:37,109 But we again see in the Bible the imminent return of Christ. 298 00:16:37,669 --> 00:16:41,029 In John 14 he says, I will come again and receive you unto myself. 299 00:16:41,829 --> 00:16:46,309 Then he says, while they were beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud 300 00:16:46,309 --> 00:16:47,589 received him out of their sight. 301 00:16:47,669 --> 00:16:51,429 And this same Jesus which is taken up from you to heaven shall 302 00:16:51,429 --> 00:16:53,549 so come in what like manner. 303 00:16:53,549 --> 00:16:57,919 Acts chapter 1, 1st Corinthians 15 says, in a moment 304 00:16:57,919 --> 00:17:01,279 twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, the dead shall be raised. 305 00:17:02,399 --> 00:17:03,359 Remember this verse. 306 00:17:03,679 --> 00:17:04,559 Incorruptible. 307 00:17:05,519 --> 00:17:06,879 I'm going to receive a new body. 308 00:17:08,399 --> 00:17:09,279 Hallelujah. 309 00:17:10,239 --> 00:17:11,279 Wish I had it now. 310 00:17:17,679 --> 00:17:25,129 Philippians says, our conversation is in heaven, from whence 311 00:17:25,129 --> 00:17:29,249 also we look for the Savior, who shall change our vile body, that 312 00:17:29,249 --> 00:17:32,649 it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. 313 00:17:36,729 --> 00:17:38,489 When we see him, we should be like him. 314 00:17:40,249 --> 00:17:46,249 By the way, that body, that glorified body, can go through walls, 315 00:17:47,648 --> 00:17:49,808 but yet could still be touched. 316 00:17:50,928 --> 00:17:52,048 That body can eat. 317 00:17:52,128 --> 00:17:53,248 I'm thankful for that. 318 00:17:55,328 --> 00:17:57,968 The body, the glorified body doesn't get sick. 319 00:18:00,208 --> 00:18:02,288 The glorified body doesn't have a sin nature. 320 00:18:05,808 --> 00:18:06,928 It's going to be amazing. 321 00:18:08,128 --> 00:18:10,128 Pretty sure you really believe that 100%. 322 00:18:10,928 --> 00:18:11,968 Not even a doubt. 323 00:18:14,539 --> 00:18:17,739 Colossians says in chapter three, When Christ shall appear, 324 00:18:18,619 --> 00:18:20,939 then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 325 00:18:21,579 --> 00:18:25,379 First Thessalonians, chapter one, says, to wait for his Son from 326 00:18:25,379 --> 00:18:25,819 heaven. 327 00:18:25,899 --> 00:18:28,019 To wait for his Son from heaven. 328 00:18:28,019 --> 00:18:28,939 He's coming again. 329 00:18:30,379 --> 00:18:34,099 First Timothy, chapter six, says, keep this commandment until 330 00:18:34,099 --> 00:18:35,899 the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 331 00:18:36,779 --> 00:18:39,099 Let us watch and be sober. 332 00:18:40,859 --> 00:18:42,139 And I could go on and on. 333 00:18:42,779 --> 00:18:45,739 Titus says, establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord 334 00:18:45,899 --> 00:18:48,779 draweth nigh, looking for the glorious appearing of Christ. 335 00:18:51,659 --> 00:18:53,899 Second Peter speaks about the promise of his coming. 336 00:18:55,899 --> 00:18:57,023 Revelation 3. 337 00:18:57,095 --> 00:19:00,139 3 says, Thou shalt not know what hour I will come. 338 00:19:01,339 --> 00:19:05,099 By the way, if you don't know the hour, you don't know the day. 339 00:19:05,929 --> 00:19:07,129 It'd Be kind of hard to be. 340 00:19:07,209 --> 00:19:08,889 It'd be hard to be post Trib. 341 00:19:12,329 --> 00:19:18,489 Post Trib makes no biblical sense because the minute the Antichrist 342 00:19:20,089 --> 00:19:25,489 performs the blasphemy in the temple and offers up a sacrifice 343 00:19:25,489 --> 00:19:30,609 in the temple basically to himself and breaks the treaty with 344 00:19:30,609 --> 00:19:34,179 Israel, then you would know the day that Christ is going to return 345 00:19:34,819 --> 00:19:37,139 because you could just count it down three and a half years. 346 00:19:38,179 --> 00:19:40,259 So being post Trib is hard. 347 00:19:40,259 --> 00:19:45,219 Mid Trib is also hard because again, the same thing once I got 348 00:19:45,219 --> 00:19:45,459 there. 349 00:19:45,459 --> 00:19:49,259 I mean again, once I saw the temple being ritzed out anyway, it's 350 00:19:49,259 --> 00:19:51,939 just hard to make the other ones fit. 351 00:19:52,979 --> 00:19:55,299 You have to manipulate scripture to make other. 352 00:19:59,309 --> 00:20:03,309 Beliefs fit Everybody good. 353 00:20:04,509 --> 00:20:04,989 You say? 354 00:20:04,989 --> 00:20:07,269 Well, you mean that guy that I listen to in the podcast and that 355 00:20:07,269 --> 00:20:11,189 guy that I listen to on social media, man who preaches like crazy, 356 00:20:11,189 --> 00:20:15,309 who's just an amazing preacher, he has to twist scripture? 357 00:20:15,309 --> 00:20:18,589 Yes, he has to twist scripture to make the other theories work. 358 00:20:24,919 --> 00:20:29,159 Heritage Baptist Church we believe in, we are pre tribulation. 359 00:20:30,279 --> 00:20:31,799 Christ is going to return. 360 00:20:33,079 --> 00:20:39,239 His return is imminent and therefore because of that, we live 361 00:20:39,239 --> 00:20:40,199 in light of that. 362 00:20:41,239 --> 00:20:42,839 The new year is about to start. 363 00:20:43,639 --> 00:20:45,319 Christ could return at any time. 364 00:20:47,159 --> 00:20:48,199 We could be caught up. 365 00:20:48,199 --> 00:20:51,929 All the saved would be caught up in a moment twinkling of an eye. 366 00:20:51,929 --> 00:20:57,849 The church age would end, the times of the Gentiles would end. 367 00:21:01,689 --> 00:21:06,769 And Israel who had been set aside for a moment in time, would 368 00:21:06,769 --> 00:21:12,169 be put back on track and would become the focus once again. 369 00:21:13,529 --> 00:21:16,969 There'll be a seven year tribulation here on earth while we 370 00:21:16,969 --> 00:21:20,009 enjoy the marriage supper of the lamb. 371 00:21:21,009 --> 00:21:23,289 Of course we have to go through the judgment seat of Christ 372 00:21:23,289 --> 00:21:28,129 first, but marriage supper of the lamb, it's going to be awesome. 373 00:21:29,409 --> 00:21:30,369 Going to eat fruit. 374 00:21:31,489 --> 00:21:35,569 Hope we'll eat some chicken fried steak or something. 375 00:21:36,609 --> 00:21:39,369 The second coming of Christ is when he returns with his saints. 376 00:21:39,369 --> 00:21:43,609 He returns with us and he defeats the armies of the Antichrist 377 00:21:43,609 --> 00:21:46,449 and all the armies of the world at the battle of Armageddon. 378 00:21:46,809 --> 00:21:50,529 Then there's a thousand year reign of Christ when the Old Testament 379 00:21:50,529 --> 00:21:54,489 church age and martyr tribulation saints are in heaven 380 00:21:54,569 --> 00:21:58,209 in Jerusalem, while Gentiles and Jews that were saved during the 381 00:21:58,209 --> 00:22:01,929 tribulation and survive it enter into a thousand year kingdom 382 00:22:01,929 --> 00:22:03,049 age on the earth. 383 00:22:03,609 --> 00:22:09,209 The Bible says there will be a rule and reign with Jesus and then 384 00:22:09,209 --> 00:22:14,469 eternity with a new heaven and a new earth again. 385 00:22:14,469 --> 00:22:21,189 In light of this and in light of his imminent return, we as Christians, 386 00:22:21,189 --> 00:22:30,189 we as believers should live as if Christ would return today looking 387 00:22:30,189 --> 00:22:33,629 for his appearing, ready for his appearing. 388 00:22:37,949 --> 00:22:41,149 In that we might be be busy about the father's business. 389 00:22:42,029 --> 00:22:43,869 That we might occupy till he comes. 390 00:22:44,829 --> 00:22:46,909 That we might share the light with others. 391 00:22:48,669 --> 00:22:50,709 That we might again be about the father's business. 392 00:22:50,709 --> 00:22:51,549 I'll never forget. 393 00:22:51,869 --> 00:22:52,869 I've told this story before. 394 00:22:52,869 --> 00:22:56,749 My brother and I one summer worked for my pawpaw up on the farm 395 00:22:56,749 --> 00:22:57,629 in Oklahoma. 396 00:22:58,669 --> 00:23:00,949 And it was for, I don't remember, a week or two or three. 397 00:23:00,949 --> 00:23:02,709 He paid my brother 100 bucks. 398 00:23:02,709 --> 00:23:03,949 I think he paid me 50. 399 00:23:04,839 --> 00:23:07,119 I think I worked harder than my brother, but I was four years 400 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:08,199 younger, so it didn't count. 401 00:23:08,999 --> 00:23:13,559 But one time we were told to cut a bunch of trees down this little 402 00:23:13,719 --> 00:23:17,559 area between the two ponds and a bunch of willow trees that he wanted 403 00:23:17,559 --> 00:23:18,199 to cut down. 404 00:23:18,679 --> 00:23:21,479 And so we were down there cutting and we went back to the house 405 00:23:21,479 --> 00:23:22,079 for a break. 406 00:23:22,079 --> 00:23:26,199 And we may have taken a little longer break than we should have. 407 00:23:27,079 --> 00:23:29,279 And we were just hanging out. 408 00:23:29,279 --> 00:23:35,449 And my papa at that time had retired, so he was at work and he 409 00:23:35,449 --> 00:23:36,129 came home. 410 00:23:36,369 --> 00:23:39,009 We heard the truck drive in the driveway. 411 00:23:40,769 --> 00:23:43,729 My brother and I took off out the back door. 412 00:23:44,689 --> 00:23:45,969 Sliding glass doors. 413 00:23:46,849 --> 00:23:49,849 And here we go, jumping off the back porch, running towards the 414 00:23:49,849 --> 00:23:50,369 cow lot. 415 00:23:50,769 --> 00:23:54,049 We didn't take time to open the gate. 416 00:23:54,049 --> 00:23:55,169 We jumped the fence. 417 00:23:55,979 --> 00:23:57,179 We're now in the cow lot. 418 00:23:57,499 --> 00:24:01,499 We're on our way through the cow lot to the other side. 419 00:24:01,979 --> 00:24:02,859 Go to jump that. 420 00:24:02,859 --> 00:24:04,259 We don't have our shoes on. 421 00:24:04,259 --> 00:24:06,619 I mean, we're trying to get our shoes on as we're running. 422 00:24:07,259 --> 00:24:08,979 And we go to jump that fence. 423 00:24:08,979 --> 00:24:13,339 And you could hear my pawpaw a mile away, boys. 424 00:24:13,579 --> 00:24:15,019 I mean, just as clear as day. 425 00:24:15,019 --> 00:24:15,659 I mean, he. 426 00:24:15,819 --> 00:24:24,589 And we got caught and got in trouble as grandkids. 427 00:24:24,589 --> 00:24:26,349 Though not as much trouble as it had been. 428 00:24:26,349 --> 00:24:29,349 If it had been my dad, Paw Paul, just, you know. 429 00:24:30,629 --> 00:24:31,829 But no, no, no, we. 430 00:24:32,549 --> 00:24:34,469 We weren't expecting his return. 431 00:24:34,629 --> 00:24:37,349 And we thought we had plenty of time. 432 00:24:37,428 --> 00:24:39,189 And we were just hanging out. 433 00:24:39,189 --> 00:24:43,029 We'd already cut a few trees down and we just hanging out. 434 00:24:44,389 --> 00:24:46,229 But once we saw the return man, we. 435 00:24:46,959 --> 00:24:47,919 We had to get back to business. 436 00:24:49,679 --> 00:24:53,759 I'm just telling you, when Christ returns, there will be no 437 00:24:53,759 --> 00:24:54,639 getting back to business. 438 00:24:55,599 --> 00:24:56,519 We'll be changed. 439 00:24:56,519 --> 00:24:57,559 The moment between an eye. 440 00:24:57,559 --> 00:24:58,799 We'll be raptured out. 441 00:24:58,799 --> 00:25:02,079 Just as quick as you can blink an eye, we're gone. 442 00:25:02,719 --> 00:25:03,999 And we ought to be ready. 443 00:25:04,879 --> 00:25:06,079 We ought to be busy. 444 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:09,199 And that's what Peter's speaking of here. 445 00:25:09,839 --> 00:25:13,399 He says as we approach this end, the end of all things is at 446 00:25:13,399 --> 00:25:13,679 hand. 447 00:25:14,769 --> 00:25:16,529 He says, be serious. 448 00:25:18,609 --> 00:25:19,889 Show some self control. 449 00:25:22,129 --> 00:25:24,609 Think Verse seven. 450 00:25:25,249 --> 00:25:26,849 He also says, watch and pray. 451 00:25:28,529 --> 00:25:29,489 Watch and pray. 452 00:25:31,329 --> 00:25:32,929 We ought to be watching for the Lord's return. 453 00:25:33,729 --> 00:25:36,289 Praying, anticipating. 454 00:25:37,729 --> 00:25:39,249 And then verse 8. 455 00:25:39,689 --> 00:25:40,089 To love. 456 00:25:41,209 --> 00:25:43,209 By the way, charity is more than just love. 457 00:25:43,529 --> 00:25:44,809 Charity is love in action. 458 00:25:44,969 --> 00:25:48,609 The King James translators got that right. 459 00:25:48,609 --> 00:25:50,489 The new translations get it wrong. 460 00:25:50,809 --> 00:25:51,809 They just put love there. 461 00:25:51,809 --> 00:25:53,969 No, no, no, no, no, no. 462 00:25:53,969 --> 00:25:55,369 The Greek is more than just love. 463 00:25:56,009 --> 00:25:57,209 It's love in action. 464 00:25:58,729 --> 00:25:59,529 Love in action. 465 00:26:00,809 --> 00:26:04,009 He says, above all things, love have charity. 466 00:26:04,089 --> 00:26:05,929 By the way, fervent charity. 467 00:26:06,429 --> 00:26:08,349 That means full strength, stretched out. 468 00:26:11,469 --> 00:26:17,869 Not just loving with our lips, but loving by what we do, loving 469 00:26:17,869 --> 00:26:20,269 those around us, showing our love to them. 470 00:26:22,429 --> 00:26:25,869 Verse 8 also talks about, again, love hides a multitude of 471 00:26:25,869 --> 00:26:26,109 sins. 472 00:26:26,109 --> 00:26:27,069 Look at that one real quick. 473 00:26:27,229 --> 00:26:29,589 It says, charity covereth the multitude of sins. 474 00:26:29,589 --> 00:26:33,149 That is a quote from Proverbs 10, verse 12. 475 00:26:33,739 --> 00:26:35,499 Love covereth all sins. 476 00:26:36,699 --> 00:26:40,139 It is amazing how if you love someone, that it does cover. 477 00:26:41,179 --> 00:26:41,499 You. 478 00:26:41,499 --> 00:26:43,659 Love them as you love yourself. 479 00:26:44,379 --> 00:26:46,539 You think about your kids when they do something wrong. 480 00:26:46,539 --> 00:26:48,539 It doesn't affect your love for them. 481 00:26:49,819 --> 00:26:50,459 Amen. 482 00:26:50,939 --> 00:26:52,859 Aren't you glad God loves us that way? 483 00:26:53,579 --> 00:26:55,579 It tells us we ought to love each other that way. 484 00:26:56,379 --> 00:26:59,979 Think about Calvary's love and the sacrifice Christ made on Calvary. 485 00:27:00,629 --> 00:27:03,389 What love, what grace he showed to us. 486 00:27:03,389 --> 00:27:08,829 And verse nine speaks about hospitality to be hospitable without 487 00:27:08,829 --> 00:27:09,469 grudging. 488 00:27:09,469 --> 00:27:11,389 In other words, not do it because you have to, do it because 489 00:27:11,389 --> 00:27:11,989 you want to. 490 00:27:13,109 --> 00:27:15,829 Just being friendly to everyone, being kind. 491 00:27:15,829 --> 00:27:17,749 Christians ought to be the happiest people on earth. 492 00:27:18,549 --> 00:27:19,189 That'll be. 493 00:27:19,189 --> 00:27:21,229 Just be able to tell that you. 494 00:27:21,229 --> 00:27:22,709 There's something different about you. 495 00:27:24,149 --> 00:27:25,589 Well, he's just too nice. 496 00:27:25,589 --> 00:27:26,469 Or she's just too. 497 00:27:26,469 --> 00:27:27,659 No, no, no, no. 498 00:27:27,659 --> 00:27:31,619 Just being a good Christian, just being kind and gracious with 499 00:27:31,619 --> 00:27:34,059 others, looking out for others needs. 500 00:27:38,699 --> 00:27:42,379 And then verse 10, to serve, minister one to another. 501 00:27:43,499 --> 00:27:46,579 And I already mentioned this again, it speaks about Romans 12 502 00:27:46,579 --> 00:27:50,659 and First Corinthians 12, that every believer has been given gifts 503 00:27:50,659 --> 00:27:51,259 by God. 504 00:27:51,659 --> 00:27:53,979 When you got saved, you received a gift. 505 00:27:54,709 --> 00:27:59,109 And we're told to use that gift to be a good steward of that 506 00:27:59,109 --> 00:28:03,749 gift, to minister the same one to another, to be a good steward 507 00:28:03,749 --> 00:28:05,229 of the manifold grace of God. 508 00:28:05,229 --> 00:28:06,149 Showed you grace. 509 00:28:06,629 --> 00:28:08,309 God gave you what you did not deserve. 510 00:28:08,309 --> 00:28:09,829 God gave me what I did not deserve. 511 00:28:09,829 --> 00:28:13,309 And we need to show that grace to others, minister to them whether 512 00:28:13,309 --> 00:28:16,309 they deserve it or not, be kind to them whether they deserve 513 00:28:16,309 --> 00:28:18,549 it or not, and not do so in a grudging way. 514 00:28:18,869 --> 00:28:19,429 I just. 515 00:28:19,509 --> 00:28:23,409 I think it's important we be reminded that God loves us so much. 516 00:28:23,409 --> 00:28:26,529 That he gave his only begotten son and that when he gave his son 517 00:28:26,529 --> 00:28:30,809 he didn't just give his son and then sit up there in heaven go. 518 00:28:34,969 --> 00:28:37,049 I gave my son because it's the right thing to do. 519 00:28:37,049 --> 00:28:38,569 But I don't like it. 520 00:28:39,689 --> 00:28:41,209 That's not the way God doesn't. 521 00:28:43,129 --> 00:28:45,049 Aren't you glad God doesn't hold a grudge? 522 00:28:45,929 --> 00:28:46,409 Amen. 523 00:28:46,409 --> 00:28:49,409 That God gave his son willingly, that Jesus Christ gave 524 00:28:49,409 --> 00:28:52,969 his life willingly because he loves us. 525 00:28:54,169 --> 00:28:55,129 He loves us. 526 00:28:56,489 --> 00:29:00,809 We ought to use the gifts that God has given us, the talents God 527 00:29:00,809 --> 00:29:02,409 has given us to minister to others. 528 00:29:04,329 --> 00:29:10,209 And then verse 11 to speak of the oracles of God we ought to speak 529 00:29:10,209 --> 00:29:10,729 the Word. 530 00:29:11,449 --> 00:29:13,649 The bi B L E. Yes, that's the book for me. 531 00:29:13,649 --> 00:29:15,129 I stand alone on the word of God. 532 00:29:15,129 --> 00:29:16,649 It's the B I B L E Amen. 533 00:29:17,219 --> 00:29:19,219 B I B L E that guides my life. 534 00:29:19,299 --> 00:29:21,699 It's a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path. 535 00:29:21,939 --> 00:29:23,939 It is the greatest book on earth. 536 00:29:26,979 --> 00:29:31,899 Christ is soon to return and I want to challenge you as we do every 537 00:29:31,899 --> 00:29:35,379 year, man, tomorrow, first day of the year. 538 00:29:36,739 --> 00:29:44,459 We need to read our Bibles daily, practice the Bible, apply 539 00:29:44,459 --> 00:29:47,859 the Bible, share the Bible. 540 00:29:50,339 --> 00:29:53,219 I think too many times we get caught up in so many other things. 541 00:29:53,219 --> 00:29:55,779 Whether it's social media or other books or other. 542 00:29:56,419 --> 00:29:57,699 Read the Bible yourself. 543 00:29:59,379 --> 00:30:02,259 Someone had mentioned to me the other day and I had mentioned 544 00:30:02,259 --> 00:30:03,539 this from the pulpit many times. 545 00:30:03,699 --> 00:30:05,979 Sometimes you get to the Old Testament parts of the scripture 546 00:30:05,979 --> 00:30:09,659 that are a little rough, kind of hard especially to get to the 547 00:30:09,659 --> 00:30:10,099 names. 548 00:30:10,709 --> 00:30:14,509 Every time I get to those names for some reason I hear brother 549 00:30:14,509 --> 00:30:18,309 Stewart say if your name was in the Bible you would want it to 550 00:30:18,309 --> 00:30:18,789 be read. 551 00:30:19,989 --> 00:30:24,229 And so when I get to those names or long lists of things, I 552 00:30:24,229 --> 00:30:26,389 have my phone, read it to me. 553 00:30:27,349 --> 00:30:31,589 There's a way to do that and still cover that portion of scripture 554 00:30:31,829 --> 00:30:35,509 and maybe do so in a way that would be more effective because again 555 00:30:35,589 --> 00:30:40,679 seeing it and, and hearing it, you're better off to understand and 556 00:30:40,679 --> 00:30:41,359 to learn. 557 00:30:43,679 --> 00:30:44,559 Take that time. 558 00:30:45,999 --> 00:30:48,799 Read the Bible, we need it. 559 00:30:49,519 --> 00:30:50,839 There's some devotionals back there. 560 00:30:50,839 --> 00:30:53,479 I know Brother Rands and Ms. Rands have gathered some devotionals 561 00:30:53,479 --> 00:30:56,399 for the New year and maybe you haven't ever used a devotional. 562 00:30:56,479 --> 00:31:01,679 Maybe that's a way in which you can really help yourself in your 563 00:31:01,679 --> 00:31:05,379 daily life of getting a little, little tidbit every morning 564 00:31:05,939 --> 00:31:07,219 concerning the Scripture. 565 00:31:07,459 --> 00:31:10,179 Read your Bible and a little devotional time. 566 00:31:11,059 --> 00:31:12,179 God will bless that. 567 00:31:14,339 --> 00:31:18,699 Verse 11 Depend upon the Lord, not just again speaking the Word, 568 00:31:18,699 --> 00:31:19,699 depend upon him. 569 00:31:19,939 --> 00:31:21,539 Because without him, we could do nothing. 570 00:31:22,739 --> 00:31:29,069 I mean, they leaned on him, depend upon him in all things, and 571 00:31:29,069 --> 00:31:32,349 then that God may be glorified. 572 00:31:33,869 --> 00:31:35,549 We want God glorified in our lives. 573 00:31:37,549 --> 00:31:40,469 We want God to be glorified in our lives that others may see that 574 00:31:40,469 --> 00:31:42,349 and glorify our Father, which is in heaven. 575 00:31:43,629 --> 00:31:45,229 They see the good works in us. 576 00:31:45,309 --> 00:31:47,949 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works 577 00:31:47,949 --> 00:31:49,469 and glorify your Father, which is in heaven. 578 00:31:49,469 --> 00:31:50,829 Matthew 5:16. 579 00:31:53,309 --> 00:31:54,989 The return of Christ is imminent. 580 00:31:56,209 --> 00:31:57,089 It could be today. 581 00:31:58,689 --> 00:32:00,289 The end of all things is here. 582 00:32:00,929 --> 00:32:03,569 Every time I think about that wording, I think about a guy on the 583 00:32:03,649 --> 00:32:06,289 side of the road with a big sign, the end of all things is near. 584 00:32:07,089 --> 00:32:08,449 But that is in the Bible. 585 00:32:09,569 --> 00:32:12,289 I'm not saying the guy on the side of the road doing that is helping 586 00:32:12,289 --> 00:32:15,089 anything, but the Bible makes it very clear. 587 00:32:15,089 --> 00:32:16,929 The end of all things is near. 588 00:32:18,529 --> 00:32:19,169 It's here. 589 00:32:20,209 --> 00:32:22,129 The signs of the times are everywhere. 590 00:32:23,549 --> 00:32:25,869 Bible prophecy is being fulfilled every. 591 00:32:26,189 --> 00:32:26,909 Every day. 592 00:32:26,909 --> 00:32:29,389 You look in the newspaper, look at Israel, look at all the things 593 00:32:29,389 --> 00:32:30,349 going on in the Middle East. 594 00:32:30,349 --> 00:32:33,109 It's amazing how I can remember 30 years ago, preachers 595 00:32:33,109 --> 00:32:34,989 saying that, and then now we're 30 years later and they're 596 00:32:34,989 --> 00:32:35,709 still saying it. 597 00:32:36,029 --> 00:32:38,109 Look at Israel, look at what's going on. 598 00:32:38,109 --> 00:32:42,269 It's unbelievable that this little bitty, tiny nation is such 599 00:32:42,269 --> 00:32:43,869 the focus of the world. 600 00:32:44,909 --> 00:32:54,399 Why, how else do you explain it other than other than the Lord 601 00:32:54,399 --> 00:33:01,839 and the Bible and the prophecies and Jesus is returning, 602 00:33:03,039 --> 00:33:07,919 all going to culminate there in that tiny, tiny, tiny country. 603 00:33:09,599 --> 00:33:10,959 It's amazing, isn't it? 604 00:33:14,809 --> 00:33:16,769 So let us be serious, let us be sober. 605 00:33:16,769 --> 00:33:17,769 Let us be serious. 606 00:33:18,489 --> 00:33:22,529 Let's be praying, let's love, let's be kind, let's serve one another, 607 00:33:22,529 --> 00:33:27,169 let's speak the words of God and give the gospel and teach our 608 00:33:27,169 --> 00:33:29,689 children the word of God, depend and trust on the Lord and 609 00:33:30,008 --> 00:33:33,529 live and serve in a way that God would be glorified. 610 00:33:33,529 --> 00:33:34,969 What does that mean, by the way? 611 00:33:35,369 --> 00:33:36,969 Means that God would get the credit. 612 00:33:40,019 --> 00:33:44,619 I've told this story a hundred times, but when I was a kid in the 613 00:33:44,619 --> 00:33:49,939 church, we grew up in Nocona, small church, right about 30, 35. 614 00:33:49,939 --> 00:33:52,739 And this is the church we just replanted. 615 00:33:53,699 --> 00:33:55,339 By the way, they're doing a great job up there. 616 00:33:55,339 --> 00:33:56,819 Brother Zach's doing a good job. 617 00:33:57,699 --> 00:34:00,579 But there was a lady who used to sit on about the second row. 618 00:34:01,459 --> 00:34:04,979 And when the offering came, the offering would come. 619 00:34:04,979 --> 00:34:08,339 And then, you know, the men would pray up front in front of the 620 00:34:08,339 --> 00:34:10,339 pulpit, a little different than what we do. 621 00:34:10,339 --> 00:34:11,979 And then they would start out from the. 622 00:34:12,059 --> 00:34:17,539 And then they would go back and they would start taking the offering 623 00:34:17,539 --> 00:34:21,618 up and, well, it would get past her, but maybe two rows back 624 00:34:21,618 --> 00:34:26,059 or so she would raise her offering every. 625 00:34:26,299 --> 00:34:29,579 Almost every time she'd raise her. 626 00:34:29,579 --> 00:34:32,949 She wanted everybody to know what she was given. 627 00:34:33,509 --> 00:34:36,149 She wanted everybody to know that she was given. 628 00:34:38,629 --> 00:34:39,909 God's not glorified. 629 00:34:40,309 --> 00:34:41,509 It's not about us. 630 00:34:41,509 --> 00:34:44,229 It's about him, man. 631 00:34:44,229 --> 00:34:50,069 That we would serve and be serious and kind and loving and do 632 00:34:50,069 --> 00:34:52,309 so in order that God would get the credit. 633 00:34:53,429 --> 00:34:57,469 Live in light of eternity we as Christians ought to live in light 634 00:34:57,469 --> 00:34:58,069 of his return. 635 00:34:59,469 --> 00:35:05,709 Let's all stand have a verse invitation tonight Only trust him. 636 00:35:05,709 --> 00:35:12,549 Hymn 163 After We Pray Heavenly Father, we come to you realizing 637 00:35:12,549 --> 00:35:13,789 that we can. 638 00:35:13,789 --> 00:35:18,509 As Christians, we start over every day and I'm thankful for that. 639 00:35:18,749 --> 00:35:20,589 But Lord, tomorrow the New year. 640 00:35:21,149 --> 00:35:26,459 Pray, Lord, that we are challenged in the New Year to live 641 00:35:26,459 --> 00:35:28,939 for you, to live in light of eternity. 642 00:35:29,499 --> 00:35:32,619 To be kind and gracious and loving and patient. 643 00:35:33,419 --> 00:35:37,539 To live and walk in the footsteps of Jesus that you might 644 00:35:37,539 --> 00:35:38,299 be glorified. 645 00:35:39,019 --> 00:35:43,379 Lord, we know we can't do that, that we only can do that through 646 00:35:43,379 --> 00:35:43,739 you. 647 00:35:44,459 --> 00:35:46,219 Lord, help us to be dependent upon you. 648 00:35:47,099 --> 00:35:48,579 Lord, give us grace that we need. 649 00:35:48,579 --> 00:35:50,139 In Jesus name, Amen.