Living in the Urgency of the Hour

Living in the Urgency of the Hour

Romans 13:11-14

No doubt about it….Jesus is coming again!

-          We have all heard of Scripture that foretold the world of how God would send the Messiah and that he would suffer, be crucified, and be resurrected on the 3^rd day for the forgiveness of sin.

-          The Scriptures foretold, eye witnesses verified, and changed lives testify today of this very certainty that God delivers.

• His word does not come back to Him void.
• His word goes out and accomplishes just what He said it would.

Knowing that Messiah did come, that the incarnate Son of God came down in the sinless flesh of Jesus Christ, we would be wise to see that He who came down is coming again.

-          It is God’s plan!

-          It will not be thwarted!

-          BUT IT IS TO BE EMBRACED BY THE BELIEVER, CELEBRATED BY THE BELIEVER, AND ANTICIPATED BY THE BELIEVER!

We live in a day that is setting ripe for the coming of Jesus Christ!  (2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3-4)

-          Knowing that we ought to pay attention to the word of how we are to live our lives in light of His imminent return.

When Jesus walked the earth with His disciples they understood that He would come again.

-          They asked Him about that very thing in Matthew 24.

TODAY AS HIS SERVANTS WE MUST BE FOUND FAITHFUL WHEN HE RETURNS!

THEME

                LIVING IN THE URGENCY OF THE HOUR

        4 Things To Do:

I       RECOGNIZE THE TIME                    V11

II     REPENT                                            V12

III    WALK BOLDLY                                    V13

IV    WAIT VICTORIOUSLY                      V14

I               RECOGNIZE THE TIME                    V11

1. Understand the time at hand.
2. Wake up! Be Watchful.
   1. Salvation, completed salvation, is near at hand.

                                                                           i.      Past salvation; Pardoned from the penalty of my sin.

                                                                         ii.      Present salvation; Being saved from the presence of sin (able to fight against temptation by the power of God living in me).

                                                                        iii.      Future salvation; Will be saved from the presence of sin (perfected in glory)

1 John 3:2-3

II             REPENT                                                                V12

1. Set aside the deeds of darkness.
2. Put on the armor of light.
   1. It is high time to get suited up for the urgency of the hour.

Eph. 6:10-18

• Let God strengthen you! (10)
• Put on the full armor of God!
  • So that you can resist the devil’s tactics
  • So that you can stand in the day of evil

YOU CAN WALK IN DEFEAT BY TOYING AROUND WITH THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS (envy, jealousy, quarreling) OR YOU CAN WALK IN VICTORY.  IT IS YOUR CHOICE! WHICH DO YOU PREFER?

YOU MUST DECIDE TO GET READY FOR HIS COMING!

-          FULLY COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD AND HIS STRENGTH IN ALL THINGS.

-          BE DECISIVE AND YOU WILL SEE VICTORY.

-          PUT ON CHRIST JESUS……ONLY YOU CAN DO THAT!

III            WALK BOLDLY                                   V13

1. Behave properly as a Christian.
   1. Walk in integrity and truth.
   2. Some things are very obvious….carousing and drunkenness; sexual impurity and promiscuity. Yet there are some things that are just as terrible in the body of Christ…..envy, jealousy, slander, gossip, whining and complaining.
      1. It is time to stop walking in hidden corners thinking you are not being seen.
      2. It is time to come out and walk in honesty and live in the light.

THE URGENCY OF THE HOUR TELLS US THAT WE ARE TO BE LIVING BOLDLY; CHRIST LIKE.

1 Peter 1:15-16 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

IV            WAIT VICTORIOUSLY                     V14

1. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Quit making plans to satisfy fleshly desires.

This was a message by Bro Bruce Squires at Crossbridge Community Church in Helena, Alabama. We hope that you will come, visit and worship with us this Sunday at 10:15am in Helena, Alabama.  We are located just minutes from Hoover, Pelham, Alabaster and most places in Shelby and Jefferson County, off of Highway 261 near Old Town Helena.  Click here for directions.