Living in Perilous Times - Part 2

NOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT GRACE IS, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND THIS SCRIPTURE.
5 - For although they hold a form of piety (true religion / true christianity), they deny and reject the power that could make them godly; their conduct contradicts the genuineness of their profession].
SO YOU KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO MAKE OUR DAY DIFFICULT?
PAUL SAYS,
IT’S THE LIFESTYLE OF PEOPLE WHO - QUOTE SAY: THEY ARE BORN AGAIN, I’VE BEEN SAVED, JESUS IS LORD OF MY LIFE.
BUT YET,
THEY ARE STILL GOING TO BE UNLOVING, UNFORGIVING, STILL LOVE PLEASURE MORE THAN THEY LOVE GOD, AN INORDINATE LOVE FOR MONEY.
AND THEY WILL DENY THE POWER THAT CAN CHANGE THEM FROM UNLOVING TO LOVING, UNFORGIVING TO FORGIVING, THE POWER TO CHANGE THEM FROM BEING A LOVER OF MONEY TO A LOVER OF PEOPLE.
· THE POWER THAT COULD CHANGE THEM FROM BEING UNTHANKFUL TO THANKFUL;
· THE POWER TO CHANGE THEM FROM BEING UNHOLY TO HOLY;

VS 7 – “ALWAYS LEARNING BUT NEVER COMING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.”
WE SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON CD’S, DVD’S & BOOKS AND WHAT DO WE HAVE …A CHURCH THAT IS EVER LEARNING BUT NEVER COMING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.
WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE OF COMING INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH? A CHANGED LIFE!
· Where all the sudden now, we’re being honest in business dealings.
SO, PAUL SAYS THIS IS WHATS GOING TO MAKE THE LAST DAYS DIFFICULT.
LUKEWARMNESS, COMPROMISE & A WORLDLY LIFESTYLE IS A VERY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
PEOPLE WILL HAVE A FORM OF GODLINESS.
SEE,
PAUL LIVED IN A DAY OF PERSECUTION.
AND I THINK THE DEVIL JUST GOT SMARTER IN THE LAST DAYS AND SAID “I KNOW HOW TO GET THE CHURCH AWAY FROM JESUS.
- I’LL JUST GIVE THEM A LIFE OF EASE.
- I’LL JUST GET THEM LUKEWARM.
LOOK AT REVELATION 4:1 – AFTER THESE THINGS I LOOKED AND BEHOLD THE DOOR WAS STANDING OPEN IN HEAVEN; AND THE FIRST VOICE WHICH I HEARD WAS LIKE A TRUMPET SPEAKING TO ME SAYING COME UP HERE!
HOW IS THE LORD COMING BACK FOR HIS CHURCH?
HE WILL DECEND ON A CLOUD, WITH A VOICE OF AN ARCH ANGEL, WITH THE TRUMPET OF GOD;
NOW,
REVELATION 3:14 – NOW TO THE ANGEL (MESSENGER) TO THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICIANS WRITE.
LISTEN CAREFULLY …UNDERLINE THE WORD CHURCH!
NOTICE HE DOESN’T SAY “TO THE CITY… HE SAYS TO THE CHURCH OF LAODICIA.”
HE SAYS TO THE CHURCH OF LAODICIA WRITE.



WATCH WHAT HE SAYS… “
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, (FAITHFUL MEANS TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH ALL THE TIME; TRUE MEANS? IT MEANS HE WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.)
HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU GO TO 90% OF USED CAR SALES LOTS IN AMERICA WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?
Look at you, wow! You look like a picture of the American Dream. Who makes your suits, wow man you deserve to drive something that is as nice as how you look. This thing here is the real deal. You wouldn’t believe how I got this baby. This little grandma bought this brand new and only drove it to church & back on Sunday’s and it’s always been babied.
AND WHAT’S HE THINKING? WOW, THIS GUY IS NICER TO ME THAN MY WIFE!
WHY? BECAUSE YOUR WIFE LOVES YOU & THIS GUY JUST WANTS TO FLADDER YOU SO HE CAN TAKE YOUR MONEY.
YOU KNOW WHAT Exodus 23:8 says, “a form of a bribe is flattery & blinds the discerning.”
The moment you receive flattery, your discernment goes out the window. He’s trying to flatter you so he can take your money.
JESUS IS NOT A FLATTERING PREACHER!
HE’S A FAITHFUL & TRUE WITNESS.
HE WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH EVERY TIME.
15 - I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot…”
WHO’S THE HOT? The hot are probably most of you here this morning. Give or take a few. They are passionate about God, willing to throw themselves into the work of God, willing to be used of the Lord.
WHO’S THE COLD? The cold are in probably the ones in the bars, wouldn’t dare go to church, his god is probably Tennessee Titans.
VS 15 - I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
FOR JESUS TO SAY HE WISH FOR YOU TO BE EITHER THIS OR THAT, MEANS THAT COLD OR HOT IS BETTER THAN BEING LUKEWARM.
WHY? WHAT’S HIS REASONING FOR TELLING THE CHURCH THIS?
THIS HAS PUZZLED ME FOR YEARS.
HE’S TALKING TO A CHURCH & HE’S SAYING TO THE GUYS IN THE CHURCH, WHEN YOU ARE LUKEWARM YOU ARE WORSE OFF THAN THE GUY IN THE BARS.
HELLO!!!
AND THEN I READ THE NEXT VERSE & GOT THE UNDERSTANDING.
LOOK AT,
VS. 16 -So then, because you are lukewarm, (Luke warm means its got enough hot in it to blend in with the hot, it can sing the songs, it knows the lingo, knows the dress, has the t-shirts, knows the music.
BUT,
It also has enough cold in it that it can blend in with the cold.
LUKE WARM IS REALLY A COMILLIAN.
VS. 16 - So then, because you are lukewarm …and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SOMEONE VOMIT?
IT’S NOT JUST A LITTLE DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE.
IT’S WITH GREAT FORCE.
YET, THAT’S THE LANGUAGE HE USES.
NOW,
CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?
CAN I VOMIT A STEAK IF IT’S IN MY HAND? NO! THE STEAK HAS TO BE IN MY BODY.

YOU KNOW WHAT JESUS IS SAYING?
I’M GOING TO VOMIT THOSE OUT OF MY CHURCH WHO
REALLY DON’T BELONG TO ME.
BECAUSE
YOUR BODY VOMITS WHAT IT CANNOT ASSIMILATE.
HAVE YOU GOT FOOD POISONED BEFORE.
WITHIN AN HOUR YOU WILL BE TOSSING YOUR COOKIES BECAUSE YOUR BODY CAN’T ASSIMILATE POISONOUS MEAT.
JESUS IS SAYING “I’M GOING TO VOMIT THOSE IN MY CHURCH THAT REALLY DON’T BELONG TO ME.”
FOLKS,
NEVER CALL A LUKEWARM BELIEVER A CHRISTIAN.
BECAUSE JESUS WOULD NEVER VOMIT SOMEBODY WHO IS A TRUE BELIEVER.

SO, WHY IS IT MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TO BE COLD, IN THE BARS, IN THE CLUBS THAN TO BE LUKEWARM.
BECAUSE,
THE GUY IN THE BAR KNOWS HE’S LOST, YOU DON’T HAVE TO CONVINCE HIM.
BUT, THE LUKEWARM PERSON IN THE CHURCH, SAYS “I KNOW THE LORD, I PRAYED THE FORMULA PRAYER MAN”.
SEE, IF YOU DON’T THINK YOU NEED TO BE SAVED YOU WON’T HAVE A REASON TO GET SAVED.
YOU’RE HARDER TO REACH!

Stay tuned for part 3 tomorrow.

Living In Perilous Times

We received such a tremendous response to the sermon "Living in Perilous Times, " we wanted to include portions of the sermon on our blog for everyone to refresh their sprit. The entire sermon can be picked up on DVD at the MVG center in the lobby or listen to the message after it has been added to the sermons on the web site.

II COR. 7:1 - Therefore having these promises!
WHAT ARE THESE PROMISES?
1. I will dwell among them
2. I will walk among them
3. I will be there God
4. They will be my people
PAUL SAYS “THEREFORE HAVING THESE PROMISES, BELOVED (He’s talking to believers) LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS. (not some but all filthiness)OF THE FLESH & SPIRIT PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE LOVE??? NO FEAR OF GOD.

JESUS SAID, “A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE YOU THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.”
SO, WE MUST LOVE GOD & FEAR GOD & THAT’S WHAT KEEPS US STRAIGHT.
THE LOVE OF GOD KEEPS US FROM LEGALISM.
THE FEAR OF GOD KEEPS US FROM LAWLESSNESS.

BUT NOTICE HE SAYS,
“LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES (How do we cleanse ourselves?) FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH & SPIRIT PERFECTING HOLINESS.”
HOW DO WE DO THAT II CORINTHIANS 6:1

AS GOD'S FELLOW WORKERS WE URGE YOU NOT TO RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE IN VAIN.

LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
I REMEMBER IN MY HOME CHURCH AS YOUNG MAN, WE RENTED A MOVIE CALLED THE BURNING HELL!
AND MAN THE PLACE WAS PACKED OUT!
AND WHEN I SAW THAT MOVIE, OOH… I WAS REPENTING LIKE NOBODY’S BUSINESS.
AND MY LIFE WAS CHANGED …FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND I WAS BACK INTO ALL MY SIN.
· I HAD REPENTED… BUT THERE WAS NO GRACE.
· GRACE IS WHAT GIVES YOU THE POWER TO LIVE IT.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING?

I MAY HAVE BEEN A REPENTING YOUNG MAN AFTER SEEING THAT MOVIE, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD EMPOWERS YOU TO CLEANSE YOURSELF.
HEBREWS 12:14 - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
PAUL SAYS “WITHOUT HOLINESS OR SANCTIFICATION (IT’S THE SAME) NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD;

NOW,
NOTICE WHAT HE DOES NOT SAY… HE DOES NOT SAY “WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION NOBODY WILL SEE THE LORD.”
HE SAYS “WITHOUT HOLINESS”!
JUSTIFICATION IS ALL - WHAT GOD DOES.
- WE CAN’T DO NOTHING BUT RECEIVE IT. RIGHT?
BUT,
SANCTIFICATION WE HAVE A PART IN, WE HAVE TO CLEANSE OURSELVES.
HE SAYS “PURSUE PEACE WITH ALL AND HOLINESS WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN WILL SEE THE LORD.”
SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS AS A GOAL WE SHOULD REACH FOR, BUT GOD SAYS WHAT HE MEANS & MEANS WHAT HE SAYS!
LET’S READ ON, BECAUSE HE’S NOT THROUGH
VS. 15 - LOOKING CAREFULLY LEST ANYONE FALL SHORT OF THE GRACE OF GOD;
AIN’T NO WAY YOU CAN FALL SHORT OF GOD’S GRACE.

BUT,
WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND GRACE AS BEING GOD’S EMPOWERING PRESENCE TO GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO CLEANSE YOURSELF SO THAT YOU WALK IN HOLINESS & SEE THE LORD –
THEN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE CAN RECEIVE IT IN VAIN.
IT WOULD BE LIKE YOU FALLING OVER-BOARD & ME THROWING A LIFE PRESERVER TO YOU SO YOU DIDN’T DROWN, BUT YOU DIDN’T USE IT TO GET BACK TO THE BOAT.
NOW GO WITH ME TO II TIMOTHY 3:1 -“KNOW THIS THAT IN THE LAST DAYS…
· NOW, HOW MANY OF YOU BELIEVE WE’RE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?
· YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE SPIRITUALLY COMOTOSE TO NOT KNOW WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS.
· JESUS REBUKED THE PHARASEE’S FOR KNOWING THE SEASONS IN THE NATURAL BUT YOU CAN’T DISCERN THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
· IF YOU ARE WALKING WITH GOD YOU WILL KNOW THE SEASONS OF HIS RETURN.

PAUL SAYS, “KNOW THIS THAT IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES WILL COME”.
THE NIV SAYS “IN THE LAST DAYS TERRIBLE DAYS WILL COME.”
THE NLT SAYS, “VERY DIFFICULT DAYS WILL COME.”
THE AMPLIFIED SAYS “PERILOUS TIMES OF GREAT STRESS AND TROUBLE, HARD TO DEAL WITH AND HARD TO BEAR”.

NOW, PAUL LOOKS AT OUR DAY AND SAYS “ITS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT”.
HE WENT ON TO SAY 3 TIMES I WAS BEATEN WITH RODS.
BY BEATING PAUL WITH RODS THEY WOULD LITERALLY BRUISE THEIR BONES.
- HE SAID I’VE BEEN STONED AND LEFT FOR DEAD ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS.
FOLKS, THIS IS THE SAME MAN WHO LOOKS AT MY DAY & CALLS IT DIFFICULT.
LET ME READ THIS OUT OF THE AMPLIFIED & NEW LIVING TOGETHER.
“BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
For people will be self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate desires for wealth, proud and arrogant and boasters. They will be abusive disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.
3 -They will be unloving and unforgiving, relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); they will be false accusers, intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.
4 - They will be betrayers, rash, and inflated with self-conceit. They will be lovers of pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.
SO THEY WILL LOVE PLEASURE MORE THAN THEY LOVE GOD.
5 - For although they hold a form of piety (true religion / true christianity), they deny and reject the power that could make them godly.
WHAT POWER IS THAT? GRACE

That's just a taste of the sermon. We will be back later this week with more of this POWERFUL sermon on "Living in Perilous Times."