Be Watchful, Be Alert, and Be Bold – Part 2 jk
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro ….
*I want to thank Pastor for the opportunity to speak from His pulpit, it is always an honor and privilege.
A few weeks back, when I was up here, I talked about our recent subject and titled the message
“Be Watchful, Be Alert, and Be Bold” – What the imminence of the Rapture teaches us!
Well, this is going to be part 2. No worries if you were not here or didn’t listen in ... I will give you a small recap. ( think we might have had some volume issue that night also, you know the KOD trying hard to keep us down. No WAY!)
Now, I talked more about the Rapture (as we have been learning from Pastor’s study) and the reason for living in the imminency of Our Lord Jesus Christ returning in the air… at any moment, 1 Thes 4:13-18
1TH 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Now, as I was reminding you about the event of the Rapture, I also gave you a few examples from Scripture One from the OT, which uses the story of Enoch to give the analogy of the Rapture; and also a few that Our Lord taught (as a parable) in the NT.
The thief coming in the night and the parable of the 10 virgins. BE … Watchful and Alert.
Ok royal family let’s take a look at the reference to Enoch,
Hebrews 11:5,6 (you may turn there now).
We read in Heb 11:5,6,
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up, he was pleasing to God.
Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Being caught away, snatched or translated = Pleasing God, for He was taken by God.
There is so much in this verse that I would like to teach you, but I want to stay on target with our message for now.
See the 4 key words that the Spirit had the writer of Hebrews record,
Faith – Witness – Pleasing to God – Reward
Faith = Pisitis = By Means of Doctrine – what you have built up in your soul through the study of God’s Word.
That which is believed, Bible Doctrine.
Obtained the Witness = to be well spoken of, approved in the representation of someone or something.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
1Th 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
Pleasing God = positive volition toward Bible Doctrine and obeying God’s commands.
Pleasing God includes facing certain tests and passing them. Pleasing God includes the assembling of yourselves together, academic discipline and recognizing the authority of the pastor-teacher.
Pleasing God = Advancing in the Spiritual Life to maturity, the Super-grace Life. 1Th 4:1.
1Th 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more.
Reward = we will hopefully, be covering this a little later in Part 3 but know that:
Reward = many blessings are the reward of doctrine in your soul and the application of it.
Pro 3:16; 8:21.
The Rewarder is Your Lord, for He is the one who will give the rewards to you.
Pro 3:16 Long life is in her [doctrine's] right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
Pro 8:21 To endow those who love me with wealth [Doctrine endows those who love it with wealth], That I may fill their treasuries.
Enoch was of the 7th generation, and not only learned the doctrine, lived the doctrine, he also taught doctrine. When it says he was Pleasing to God, in Heb 11:5, the Greek puts it like this;
The perfect active infinitive of euarestekenai = which means to please, it refers to God deriving pleasure from an individual.
***Euarestekenai ( yoo–ar-stee-ke-neeah)The perfect tense is an intensive perfect emphasizing the fact that he kept pressing on until he reached spiritual maturity and invisible heroship. The active voice means that he persisted with positive volition toward doctrine.
Enoch’s way of Pleasing God = Something we should strive to be like.
And after He was taken by God, Enoch had escaped the flood. The flood was the Judgement on mankind, just like the judgement of the tribulation will be as God’s wrath is poured out … so .
An analogist to the Church being taken out of the world, raptured (snatched) from or to escape the wrath to come, so was Enoch taken out of the world to escape the flood.
(which we know is a symbol of judgement)
Likewise, to finish the analogy, the Jewish remnant will go through the Tribulation, just as Noah went through the Flood.
Royal Family, please keep learning to walk with God!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please turn with me now to Mat 25.
Here we have the parable that Jesus taught urging people to be ready and prepared for Christ’s imminent return. The 10 virgins.
This is actually, the second story Jesus used with emphasis on what he wanted them to learn or at least give them the warning, using the “thief in the night” at the end of Mat 24 :42-51, were Jesus said “Be on the Alert…” then goes on to Who then is [faithful and sensible] I want you to remember that, those 2 words … repeat [faithful and sensible]
Mat 24:42a “Who then is Faithful and sensible…
We are going to read this parable first;
Mat 25:1-13, Parable of Ten Virgins
Mat 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
Mat 25:10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.
11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
This parable is
A parable with the intent of teaching us the suddenness and the unexpectedness of the coming of the Lord, which therefore should call us to preparedness
…so that we (the Church) are not caught in that unexpected moment, unprepared for His coming.
Now this is being told to the Israelites of Jesus’ day, and does have a direct mention to the Kingdom of God. So, it could be referenced to the Second Coming. As this is part of the Olivet Discourse of Mat 24 &25.
Now, we know…
There are distinctive differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming.
(which Samantha’s chart- 11 points look at #7)
Rapture = Christ appears as the Bridegroom, Rev19:7.
Second Advent = Christ appears as Messiah, Rev 1:7.
There is mention of the Lord as the Bridegroom, like the tradition in the Jewish wedding ceremony.
Basically, the principle is what I want you to see and what I am emphasizing here. Just like the Jews who are looking for the signs of the Kingdom, we as Church-age believers, Gentiles who have been adopted and grafted in, Mystery Doctrine of the CA, referred to as the Bride of Christ, are to likewise,
Be on the watch and alert, not knowing when the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Bridegroom will return.
They, the 5 virgins, made no proper preparation.
The first time Jesus came, the world was not ready. I think they absolutely should have been.
The OT prophets had marked out, very clearly in scripture and teaching, the signs they were to look for.
Example: They said there would be a forerunner to the Messiah. There was, Mal 3:1.
They identified this forerunner as a voice crying in the wilderness. That is exactly what John the Baptist did, Mat 3:1-3; Isa 40:3.
They said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. He was born in that very village in Judah, Mic 5:2.
They said He would be born of a virgin. He was. Of the line of David. He was. They said He would come to Galilee. He did. They said He would have great power. He had it.
However, the world still was not prepared and not ready. And so, He came unto His own, says John 1:11, and His own received Him not.
He was in the world and the world was made through Him, but the world did not know Him, John 1:10.
He returns for His Bride, the Church, at the Rapture when we are transformed in the blink of an eye, at any moment. To go with Him, to the wedding feast. This is based on the Jewish traditions and is explained in the context of them knowing the background and place of the parable.
Jesus has been warning them that He will arrive with no notice … Time is short!
… interrupting the daily activities of all of those who expect life to simply go on as it always has. Which leads me to tell you that Time is short.
As we see the events of the description of the end times upon us, we need to take heed and prepare ourselves with bible doctrine and also Spread the Good news.
The Mockers of the end times … 2PE 3:3-9.
3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Peter places emphasis **** 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
2PE 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
That is the meaning of Godspeed, sorry I just love that word, but it depicts God’s time, you know like “a day is like a thousand years and a thousand year like a day”.
Godspeed - We cannot even grasp the aspect of time, which God has perfectly laid out before us.
Now listen I sometimes hear people say “that’s what it is with you Christians …
right there I’m like here we go (have patience Jason) … you Jesus freaks, Bible thumpers have been talking about this Jesus for way to long, and still everything just keeps going.” (mundane life with no meaning for them).
God still want them (all) to be saved, and none to perish, 2PE 3:9.
But the sad fact is that many will, they are deceived by Satan and his strategies.
Here are a few of them:
- Encourages fear or worry in the believer, 1 Pe 5:7-9. (the roaring lion on the prowl)
- Gets Believers to follow false doctrines, 1 Ti 4:1
(doctrines of demons)
- Occupied believers with self-help, man’s solution vs divine ones (PSD)
Right now, as no other time in history of mankind has the historic signs & trends that are all around us been at such a level, that I know we can feel or sense …
The Spirit of lawlessness and description of end times, 2Ti 3:1-5.
Please Turn to 2 Ti 3:1-5.
Again, look at the descriptions of the end times.
2 Ti 3:1-5 1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Are we in the last days, by this description, YES WE ARE1 look:
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
As A reminder, We are in the dispensation or age of Grace right now; when NO PROPHECY NEEDS TO BE FULFILLED, which means NO SIGNS.
BY Faith is how we see, a perception to know that the WORD is Truth and GOD is Faithful!
If He says it is going to happen it will, based of the fact that during His 1st coming he fulfilled hundreds of prophecies - exactly as they were written down in the cannon of Scripture, many years before the events took place.
And at that time, they did not make themselves ready and missed out.
Those of us, brethren, who follow Him,
We must live in a state of readiness for His return. Jesus could come back, at any moment,
so be “at the ready.”
That phrase is an idiom. An idiom is = A form of speech or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements.
“We Stand at the Ready” - at the ready = means Available for immediate use.
*example: as in Umbrellas at the ready, we were prepared to brave the storm.
This idiom was originally a military term [First half of 1800s] in which the “ready” denoted the position of a firearm prepared to be raised and aimed or fired.
“we stand” part – denotes at attention or alert, not being in a lazy, unready position.
1 Pe 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
***We are to be the repeaters of the Gospel message (preach the Good News) which is graciously given to us, not the manufacturers of another Word (as Satan tries to do). It is all about a relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is an intimate personal relationship, that reflects your love for Him, TLJC. LOVE!
1 John 4:19We love, because He first loved us.
1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
1 John 3:23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
1 John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 4:17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
Again, folks the reason I bring this message to you is the need in this world right now is Great. I’m talking about a possible revival, back to God. That would be incredible. I will encourage you, Be bold! Have confidence. What can mere man do to me, absolutely nothing unless God permits it. Then even then it is for your benefit, God promises to honor, those that are His own.
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
Those heavenly rewards and the promise of eternal life with Him. We really do it for Him and as you grow you learn that more and more. And you learn to deny yourself, right!
John 30:30 He (The Lord Jesus Christ) must increase, but I must decrease.
But it must start with you making yourself ready.
Be accurate with presenting the Gospel with the Doctrine that you have or are building … In Love.
… and if you are listening you are doing that right now, but let’s also do it In LOVE.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires;
These unbelievers in the last day or end times have 1 Hope only, that is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
And they have to hear it soon, and very soon … NOW is the Time!!!
You are an Ambassador for Christ, salt to the earth, a beacon of light in a dark world … turn it on and let it shine! Mat 28:19,20.
The Lords command in Mat 28:19-20, 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
You are commanded to share the Gospel message (the Good News of redemption) and most Christians I know that truly love the Lord, do this because love is their motivation ( Gal 5:22 know them by their fruit) … I ask you tonight,
Is He, The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, truly Lord of your Life?
Are you making Him #1 priority? Do you have that relationship with Him, TLJC. Will you hear from Him: “well done good and faithful servant” or “get away from Me I never knew you”?
… like the 5 virgins that did not prepare or make themselves ready. Be about Our Fathers business! And if so,…
Then hence you are to be the vessel by which they will hear about how wonderful Our Lord is and wishes none to perish.
Do you want to be a vessel of honor or just a common dust collector?
Fair question, He, TLJC is a gentleman, you were given Salvation, at the moment you Believed in Him, that is all it takes Belief in Him.
Now what are you going to do with the time he gives you? no matter how long that is … as we are taught here, until you go home to be with the Lord, (dying grace) or if you are part of the Rapture generation (rapture ready) - I’ve got to get those t-shirt made, someone remind me later so we can to come up with design and get those made.
But what are you going to do with the time…I’ll tell you sit down learn Bible doctrine and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord JC. Simple not difficult or confusing, just learn.
And watch how fantastic you will be transformed, life changing folks. However, it all hangs on the basis of what _________________.
YOUR VOLITION
God gives you the option, (for or against) free will, equal privilege and equal opportunity.
This brings me to the subject of Winner & Loser Believers. And that is where we start to ruffle some feathers … unless you have humility and contentment you can not please God.
Says Paul in Rom 8:6-8 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
Rom 8:8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
This is exactly what the vessel’s use teaches us. Please Turn to 2 Ti 2:20,21.
- Repeat slide -
And a little further down in Romans 8:20,21, 20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?
Rom 8:21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?
God is sovereign and can do as he pleases, that is part of His essence. However, He can have mercy on who he has mercy. But in this next verse,
Are you in 2Ti 2:20-22, it explains that we can be a vessel for honorable use (winner), if we align our thinking with God. Which is taking in the Mind of Christ, learning BD To Build a Spiritual house.
Taught in 1 Pe 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
We read Paul’s description of winner and loser believers in the body of Christ.
2 Tim 2:20 Now in a large house there are not only gold(mature Bel) and silver(positive pivot Bel) vessels, but also vessels of wood (fleshly Bel) and of earthenware(reversionism), and some to honor (winner) and some to dishonor (loser).
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself (repents, changes his mind, metanoia) from these things(ungodliness), he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
Now here is the warning in the next verse,
22 Now flee from youthful lusts (immature desires and ways of thinking) and (solution) pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Therefore, in context, the large house refers to the church or the body of Christ. And the vessels in the house refer to born again believers. With our choices are we going to be positive or negative. We need a correct mind set way of thinking, in our soul.
That is what,
God wants your Heart, the right lobe, your soul.
That is the true battle lays, in our thought process, it is a mind-set. What side are going to be on… choice and I try to tell people, please at least make an informative one. That is …
The one thing that we have lost in this world is the ability to critically think or debate.
Listen you can not even have an intelligent conversation with someone, that may have a differ way or different point of view. They turn into nasty right in front of you, don’t fall for the lie.
That could also be a sign of the last days, right.
People making decisions based on what they hear, from someone else, not facts.
the internet, their “friends”, MSM all lies perpetuated by Satan and the forces of this present darkness. It is an unwillingness to dig or invest in Word of God. As long as you are alive and breathing there is Hope.
I will stop on that for now and maybe talk more about winnerloser believers in the sense of the Judgment seat following the Rapture which we have been studying, if I get the opportunity.
In Summary =
The deliberate aim of your life as a member of the Royal family of God should be to "please Him".
(like Enoch who was an invisible hero, a winner)
Anyone remember those 2 words I asked you to remember:__________; someone must remember.
Faithful and Sensible
In order to walk with God, we need to be faithful, but even when we are not, He is. And be sensible with the opportunity and information you share with the unbeliever and those that are searching,
Simple accurate Gospel message John 3:16 Acts 16:31.
will lead them to Christ = Saving souls.
Make yourself ready, Be Prepared Royal Family
– If you are mature, keep advancing and be helpful to others. If you’re a babe in Christ- thirst for the pure milk of the Word, just make positive choices and grow.
for ALL of the Royal family members, BE BOLD!
Become a witness to Him both now among others on earth, that are searching to find HIM, and also a witness in heaven.
Glorifying your Father in Heaven, just as Our Lord showed us, for that is why we are here.
For the time short and getting shorter.
I will leave you with this last thought, have the attitude of Paul when he stated in Rom 10.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them (the unbelievers) is for their salvation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Let us close for todaytonight, Father thank you for message that came forward tonight may you bless it as it goes out to a lost and dying World and may each one of us Be Bold confident in proclaiming Your Name. Leading others to You and choosing to be an honorable vessel.
Please give us traveling grace when we leave until we have another opportunity to serve and worship you, Bless the rest of the service, In Jesus Name, Amen.