Don't Go Away Sad Intro: * Rather; its about choices and decisions we make that will mean the difference between Heaven and Hell * This lesson is not for the Lost but the unprepared. For the Christian living on the edge, not willing to let go of the world or the things in it. * It is like a football player going out for a pass, except there is one problem, he insists on carrying around his 52 inch, surround sound, mulit-system, Picture-in-picture, cable ready TV where ever he goes. How long do you think he will last on the team? * It is better for a man/woman to live it up and enjoy all their sinful nature can conceive than to be the one that acts like a Christian most of the time and then misses Heaven by an inch. There will be no greater sorrow than the ones turned away thinking they were going in. Math 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord , Lord , shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord , Lord , have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Math 7: 14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. * Heed the warning given to King Belshazzar Dan 5: 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- Lesson Text: Mark 10:17 "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good?1 [there is] none good but one, [that is], God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him2, and said unto him, One3 thing thou lackest4: go thy way, sell5 whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross6, and follow me7. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle8, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished out of measure8, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible9. 28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last first." Notes: (see Superscript above) First point out; 1) Does he know who's he asking? This gives power to Jesus' answer. 2) Note in verse 21. He loved him. He is not willing that any should perrish. 2Pet 3: 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance." 3) Word "One" dosen't really mean just one. See Greek and Math 19:21. Really says "These are the things you lack" 4) One thing thou lackest. The greek (Hustereo) means to be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal, to fall short of the end. In all he did he still lacked one thing necessary for salvation. In Math 19: 21 "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect..." The Greek word for perfect (Telelos) means wanting nothing necessary to completeness. Not an option but a necessary requirement. 5) Break all Earthly ties. 6) Take up your cross. Jesus had not yet carried His cross to Gotha. 7) Follow Me. Follow His example in everything. 8) The Eye of the Needle. The Greek (Rhaphis) means a Sewing needle not a small gate as some supposed. Hence the reason the disciples were astonished out of measure. 9) With God all things are possible. He can change hearts and make us let go of earthly things. The man is given three instructions to find Life; 1) Break all Earthly Ties - Love Him first 2) Take up his Cross - Be strong in the Lord 3) Follow Him - Obey and work ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- I. Break all Earthly Ties * The world we live in 2 Tim 3: 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, {false...: or, one who foments strife} 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away - Proud, Haughty, Rebellious, selfish pleasure seekers - don't get caught up in their sins. * Love not the world or the things in it. John 17: 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world , but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world , even as I am not of the world . 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world , even so have I also sent them into the world . * Sanctification = Work of Holy Spirit as it convicts our hearts and we change. **1 John 2: 15 Love not the world , neither the things [that are] in the world . If any man love the world , the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that [is] in the world , the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world . 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. John 12: 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. Luke 17: 32 Remember Lot's wife. (Her desire for this life killed her.) 1Tim 6: 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Rom 12: 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Luke 16:13 (KJS) No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Col 3: 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Math 6: 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. * He is first, before golfing, fishing, sports, TV, Movies, Cars, education, computers, furniture, travel, children, spouses, homes, fame, money, riches, books, stereos, girlfriends or boyfriends., ect. * In the text it was the man's great wealth, Is there anything between you and God? * Think of what is most valuable to you and ask yourself "What if God asked me to give it up today", Could you? * This includes our relationships - Husband/wife/children/mother/father/friends * Your relationship with Him come first above all others. 2Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? **Luke 14: 26 If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father , and mother , and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. * Doesn't mean we are to hate but rather to put Him first. * Are we dedicated to Him or are we holding on to this world? THE WIFE SICK IN BED One Sunday morning, two fishermen packed their fishing gear and a picnic lunch, and went down to the river to fish. They sat down under a tree, and spent a relaxing day talking and fishing. As evening approached, they began to shiver in the cold breeze, and one of them said, "I'd better get home so that I can go to the evening worship service. Wouldn't you like to come along?" The other replied, "I'm sorry Jake, I won't be able to make it this evening. My wife is sick in bed." * Churches are breaking up because they are not wanting to hear the Truth and because God is preparing the church for his return. 2Tim 4:3-4 Will not endure sound doctrine 2The 2:3 (KJS) Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; * We must be committed - Half Hearted Christians will be lost * Billy Graham said "Our greatest need is not for more Christianity but for more true Christians." * To avoid the risk of losing their religion, a lot of people don't take it to work with them. * The true test of our religion is if we believe what we say we believe. * Do we justify sin or call it what it is? Do we play with sin? Would you let your child play with a deadly viper? - The world is in the Church -- The divorce rate is the same -- Homosexuality in Leadership instead of at the alters -- Women wearing revealing clothing and makeup that would make a prostitute blush -- Men letting the wife take the responsibility for leadership and spiritual guidance -- Choice of entertainment (Language, Nudity, violence) is the same -- Prosperity Doctrine - Men with itching ears -- Children are raised according to DR Spock instead of the Word * Where are the sermons on Hell? Where are the miracles and mighty moves of God? * Why? Because we have left our first Love. * Why? Because our children watch 4-6 hours of TV a day. Yet never pick up a Bible. At Pulpit speed (Slow enough to read it clearly) it takes 71 hours to read the Bible through. The is only 12 minutes a day. What a difference it would make in this world. * Why? Because we have failed to drive out the Canaanites instead we live among them and have made their gods our gods. We have married them and given our sons and daughters to them. Ezm 9:11-14 and Neh 10:30 Drive out the Canaanites; Exo 23:31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee. 32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee. Numb 33:52 you must drive out all the people living there and destroy all their idols--their carved stones, molten images, and the open-air sanctuaries in the hills where they worship their idols. * Why God wanted the Canaanites driven out: Sexual pervisions, witchcraft and every know sin. Read Lev 18:1-28, Lev 20:1-23, and Deut 18:9-12 * The Israelites are an example of the Church and the Canaanites are the people of the world * They failed to drive out the Canaanities and so did we. Now their gods are a snare unto us. Judg 2:1 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. {angel: or, messenger} 2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you. 4 And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept. * It should move us. Psalms 106: 34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: 35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. 36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. * The gods of the heathen (TV's, Cars, Furniture, Homes, Sports, Movies) are a snare to us. We have learned their works (Feminism, Gay Rights, Abortion, Child rearing). We need to drive out the Canaanities from our homes and lives and make our homes a sanctuary for our children. Movie Review: I checked an internet site that reviews movies from a "Christian" perspective on a recent blockbuster movie. (I won't name it unless some of you have seen it) I am often surprised at some of the movies they review, including R-rated movies. They review the movie and then give an opportunity at the end for other Christians to write in and tell what they think. This particular PG-13 movie, though full of the latest spectacular special effects, was said to contain nudity, sex, bad language, and violence, yet as I read the "Christian" reviews, one after another did nothing but praise and recommend this movie. After 14 "Christian" reviews like this I was discouraged. Aren't we to be different? That is until I read this review; My husband and I took our 13 and 16 yr old boys to see this movie as a family outing before Christmas. We were shocked and disappointed that there was frontal nudity and blatant sex in this movie. Not the mention the porno drawings, foul language and the glorification of immorality that was throughout this movie. I am sorry that we didn't walk out of this movie. I apologized to my boys that I took them to see this movie and I certainly asked God for forgiveness for taking my boys to see pornography wrapped in such a pretty package. My question would be what part of pornography and immorality would Jesus say is tolerable for anyone at any age to see? How can we as Christians comfortably see this movie, ignore the sin and recommend it for others to see because of the lovely story and the great special effects? I am concerned that our standard of purity is so low. How can we call ourselves God's children, when we live like the world and have no conscience toward sin if it is wrapped up so pretty. What would Jesus do or say? * She is a light in an otherwise dark world. Warning: God will purge His church. Judgment will begin at His house. 1Pet 4: 17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God? * It's not a suggestion it is a requirement - We must let go of the world and the things in it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- II. Bear Our Cross Luke 9:23 (KJS) And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? **Luke 14: 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. * This life is not always easy. People will not always like you, infact if you are living right, they will often hate you. Matt 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Matt 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. 19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. * If the world loves us then we are not really Christians, and we certainly aren't ready 2 Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be..., despisers of those that are good,..." * Why do they hate us? Because we are reminders that they are lost. * We are to be Holy, separate, different before the world 1Pet 1:15 (KJS) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1Thes 4: 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Heb 12: 14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 2Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2Pet 3:11 (KJS) [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, 2Cor 6:17 (KJS) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, * Our Christianity should be obvious to others The obvious never has to be claimed. If you go to a football game and shout and scream your heard off during the game after it's over you don't have to tell the person sitting next to you that you're a football fan. He already knows it! If you spend your vacation fishing and plugging away at bass minute after minute, day after day, you don't have to tell the other men at the fishing camp that you like to fish. They already know you like to fish because it's obvious. Likewise, if you live your life for Jesus and serve him seven days a week, witness for him before your friends, and give your tithe to God, you don't have to tell them that you are a Christian. They already know it. * We are to reprove evil. Call sin what it is. But love the sinner Ephe 5:11 (KJS) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. {reproved: or, discovered} * Not a way to win friends and influence people * Some will hate us out of conviction of their own sin and justified lifestyle * You will be Hated and persecuted. Persecution of the saints; * * More than an estimated 160,000 believers were martyred in 1996, and countless others were subjected to unimaginable horrors. [1] And the persecution appears to be escalating exponentially. - The testimony with which Shea [writing in IN THE LION'S DEN] and [Paul] Marshall [in THEIR BLOOD CRIES OUT] have filled their books is heart-stopping. * '[The Nuba mountains in Sudan] ... which have had a Christian population since the 6th century, are littered with mass graves... . Nuba women are systematically raped by Arab soldiers in order to produce non-Nuba offspring. There have been reports, including from Catholic bishops, of crucifixions of Christians by the army.' Muslim troops from northern Sudan have sold tens of thousands of Christian children and women from the south into slavery. Many have been branded or mutilated to prevent escape; many more have been tortured, brainwashed or starved until they converted to Islam. * Pakistan: 'The Muslim population of Khan Jajja was incited in May 1994 by the local Muslim cleric to drive the 60 Christian families of the region from the "land of the pure" and to demolish their church. The Christian men were beaten and the women were stripped naked ..., while three girls were kidnapped and raped. These Christians' homes were razed and their possessions looted or destroyed.' * Pakistan's 1986 blasphemy law makes it a capital crime to insult the Prophet Mohammed 'by any imputation, innuendo or insinuation.' The law has been used repeatedly to justify a reign of terror against Pakistani Christians. And so it goes, day by day, in nations around the globe. Quoting Jeff Jacoby again, he wrote: This has been a century of unmatched Christian martyrdom. It began with the mass murder of Christians in Armenia; it is ending with the mass murder of Christians in Sudan. Then as now, the world looked away, even as it looked away during the most unspeakable mass murder of all, the Holocaust. * * Religious persecution threatens an estimated 70 million religious believers in China. During a time when Christian persecution is at its worst in history, China is the number one aggressor against Christians. There are more Christians in prison in China because of Religious activities than any other nation in the world. * * -- Protestants are being arrested and tortured for holding prayer meetings, preaching, and distributing bibles without state approval. * * -- There are reports of Chinese women being hung by their thumbs from wires while beaten with heavy rods, denied food and water and shocked with electric probes. * * We Americans have historically taken a stand for many groups of people suffering from discrimination. The worldwide persecution of Christians is more than discrimination against a group of people, it is the physical torture, systematic hunting down of Christians for the purpose of eliminating them from a society. It is the murder last year of thousands of people merely because they pledged their allegiance to Jesus Christ. Consider this: There have been more Christians killed in the 20th century than in the previous nineteen centuries combined. In 1997 over 150,000 people were killed for their faith. This amounts to 17 Christians every hour of every day. * Don't say "It couldn't happen to me" * On 2 Dec in West Paducah, KY. a 14 year old freshman named Michael Carneal, a self-professed atheist fired 11 shots in to a crowd of Christians gathered to pray. He left 15 Yr old Kayce Steger, 17 Yr old Jessica James, and 14 Yr old Nichole Hadley dead. * A little girl was mad at Amber not long ago and said "Well your Mom is a church lady" Why would she say that unless the world has taught her that. * In Fort Meyers FL. Seven parents, a few clergy, and other community members, backed by the ACLU, have filed a federal law suit to block Lee county from teaching Bible history courses in High schools. * On Dec 9th, a 6-0 decision by the state surpreme Judicial court of Boston rulled that a woman's ex-husband was prohibited from teaching his children his religious beliefs or bringing his children to church while in his care. Stating his religion contradicted her Jewish religion because it teaches that in order to be "saved" a person must accept Jesus Christ. * Its happening in America folks. We will suffer persecution. Foxes book of Martyrs vol. 2 is being written. 2Tim 3: 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 1The 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. {there unto: or, to sufferings, or, to persecution} 1Pet 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. Phi 3: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Matt 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. * The afflictions are to refine us. To make us better tools in his hands. Don't think it strange when you desire to serve God and then seem to encounter a severe time of testing. God's purpose at every juncture of testing is to make the person more valuable. Let me illustrate: A $5 bar of steel cut into ordinary horseshoes is worth $10 A $5 bar of steel cut into needles is worth $350 That same bar of steel cut into delicate springs for watches becomes worth $250,000. Next time you get discouraged at what God is putting you through, think of that bar of steel. 1Pet 1: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: * The Anti-Christ will lead the world in persecution of the saints of God. Dan 7: 25 And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Reve 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. * We need to be in Prayer for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - "In Germany, they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then, they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist, then they came for the Protestants and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time, there was no one left to speak up." Pastor Martin Niemoller,when arrested by the Nazi Gestapo in the late 1930s. - We must be ready to take up our cross, whatever the cost. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- III. Follow Jesus 1Pet 2: 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Rev 22: 14 Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. - Not enough just to believe - we must obey. Even the demons believe (Jam 2:19) 1John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. The Problem with most Marriages; * Most problem in young marriages are a battle for control - Who's in Charge? * God didn't intend for us to have this trouble. He set up a clear chain of command. * Most problem could be solved if the entire family realized who's in charge- Who's leading the way. * This is not politically correct but...its; * Not the Children - Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) * Not the wife - Eph 5: 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing. * So who's in charge. I'm not finished yet. * Not the Husband - Eph 5: 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" Also 1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ. * As John Hagee says "You can't follow a parked car" His actions should be for the benefit and well being of the Family not for his own pleasure and enjoyment. * A true leader needs to seek the Lord and his guidance. He needs to be in control. * We are to follow Christ and let him lead the way. He knows best for our families and lives. Psalms 37: 23 The steps of a [ good ] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. The Calling of the Disciples; Math 4: 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me , and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left [their] nets, and followed him. * They left all (Their way of life and means of feeding their families) * We are to crucify the flesh and put on Christ * We are to be like Christ. We are ambassadors to this lost world. We have work to do. * We are called to do his work and make a difference - don't be ashamed of Him. Ashamed To Confess Christ A girl in a fashionable home was brought to Christ, and for several years witnessed faithfully to Him. Then she was invited to stay with relatives whom she scarcely knew, and whom she had never seen; and she resolved she would not speak of her Lord, nor obtrude her religion. After her visit, on the day she was to leave for home, an attractive and accomplished lady, a leader in society, while walking alone with her, suddenly said, "Where is your sister, and why didn't she come? I mean your religious sister: it was because I heard she was coming that I came; I am sick of my empty life, and longed to talk to a real Christian." With shame she had to confess that she had no sister. --King's Herald * Don't pass up an opportunity to confess Christ - It could be that person's last chance. God doesn't need any more secrete agents. * If we are ashamed of him , He will be ashamed of us. Mark 8: 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed , when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Story of Scrooge; * In Charles Dickens story "A Christmas Carol", Scrooge is lastly shown his own grave. He finds it untidy and deglected and only then does he realize the brevity of life. He realized that life has went on without him and he made no difference in the lives around him. Jam 4: 14 Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour , that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. John 9: 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. Follow Him while there is still time. Live as he would live, think as he would think, do as he would do. We have the same calling that he did. Luke 4: 18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord * Even so don't hesitate to speak up and save the lost * Don't let the stubborn lost world keep you from reaching the few that hope for salvation. * There is a story of a poor woman whose daughter ran away from home and went to the streets of London. She got involved with the wrong crowd and soon found her way to a life of prostitution in the streets. Her mother searched night after night in dispair for her wayward child not knowing what had become of her. On one night she learned her daughter might be seen in a certain part of town, so during a late hour she went in search again. Nearing that area she saw a figure closely resembling her daughter. She eagerly approached, and was about to stretch out her arms to embrace her, when the light of the lamp showed that it was not her child. In an agony of grief, she exclaimed "Ah! You are not her! I was looking for my Daughter; but, no, you are not my child!" The poor girl burst into tears, saying: "I have no Mother. I wish I had; I wish I had someone who would look for me. I wish someone would look for me!" * We have work to do. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- Conclusion: 1) Don't go away sad. Ask Him what you Lack - Ask "What must I do to be saved?" Change - Let go of this world. Nothing here worth loosing heaven over. Math 16: 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ? * Don't miss heaven by an inch. * Make up your mind who's side you are on. * Ask God to examine your heart. Is there anything between you and he? If so, get rid of it. 2) Take up your Cross. * God may ask you to make some sacrifices for Him. * Some here tonight may be asked to endure torture or even death for His sake. Are you ready? * Be strong in the Lord (Eph 6:10 and 1 Cor 16:13)) and in the power of His might. He will give you the grace to endure anything he asks of you. Remember 1Pet 4:14, The spirit of glory and of God resteth on you. 3) Follow Jesus. * Seek His will and not your own. * Make a difference in this world before it is too late. * Be like Him in all you do. He is our example. 1Pet 2: 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example , that ye should follow his steps: * Are we? * Preaching the Gospel to the Poor? * Healing the brokenhearted? * Preaching deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind? * Setting at liberty them that are bruised? * And preaching the "Acceptable" year of the Lord? 2 Cor 6: 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation. - We have work to do! MSgt James E. Mcintire First Sergeant, 86 MSS 480-7179/7121