“What's Really Scary” By Parrish Lee October 31st,
2010 Nehemiah 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them… This last month our theme has been “Turning Back to God.” Next month’s theme is “Empowerment.” I pray that this will be a fitting message to bridge the two months. For those of you who have Halloween on the brain, this message should have something for you, too. I’ve been very blessed with a job at a company for the last several years, and I’ve gained a little seniority. Recently I’ve been conducting interviews for some persons for some job openings, and it has really brought home the state of the economy (and what we need to do about it). That’s a little scary. I’ve watched the news and seen the things that go on in our communities: robberies, murders, and ungodly behaviors; and I’ve thought, how terrible. That’s a little scary, too. I’ve also seen neglect in families to children, spouses, and to neighbors, and scripture being fulfilled, “the love of many shall wax cold.” Yeah, once again, scary. Can I tell you what’s really scary? Christians leaving off what God has called them to do. A world where Christians don’t call on the power of God; a world where Christians don’t turn to God. When Christians get so caught up in politics, talking about Republicans and Democrats and Independents that we don’t hit our knees and pray for our nation. What else? If we allow ourselves to get wrapped up in complaining about this person or that person, what he or she has done or hasn’t done, and don’t show the love that God has given to us abundantly. Just yesterday I was honored to attend the funeral of the grandson of Sister Hardy and let me confess a little here: We attended the wake, and only a few people were there, so, we signed the book and paid our respects, and then we went to get something to eat. An hour and a half later, we went back for the funeral, and the parking lot was packed, and I thought, “We already went to the wake, we signed the book, we’ve done our Christian responsibility,” but Brother Tom Hanson said to me, “How will they know about our love if we don’t go?” In other words, “Would the Lord be happy with that?” John 13:34-35 …shall know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Saints when we don’t obey God’s commandments to love one another as he has loved us, then we have to ask, what did we do with the love that He gave us? When we find more satisfaction in a book or a movie than the words that come out of the mouth of our God. When God’s people choose to love the world rather than to love the Lord God. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed… As for those that would say that this world has always had its problems, you’re right, but God has always had His people, a remnant or morsel of people who have lived as examples and testimonies and lighthouses to show His faithfulness and mercy. Well, one might say, “True Christianity isn’t easy to find, there’s all kinds of religions and stuff out there, and it seems like everyone has an opinion on the matter.” It does seem like that, doesn’t it? 2 Corinthians 4:3-5 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost… Saints, if the Gospel be hid, it is hid to those that are lost. Christians are the light of the world, and His Spirit in our lives provides us with the discerning of His will. Romans 8:9 …if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. Our encouragement is to not lean on our flesh, but to lean on His Spirit for if we have not His Spirit then we are none of His. Another thing I want to bring up is the attitude of the world is that if you are a blood-washed believer in the Lord Jesus Christ then you should be apologetic for being so. You’re out of step, out of touch, you religious person, you. How dare you bring that religious ideal around people, disrupting their lives… you should laugh at my dirty jokes. If I want to sin, you should tell me that’s okay, and if I believe in God in my heart you should say that makes me just as Christian as anybody else… You know what I’ve got to say about that? Not only do I not apologize for the beautiful Son of God saving my soul from Hell, but I’m going to tell everybody that Jesus saves. And furthermore, He is the way the truth and the life—no man comes to the Father but by Him!! And, world, unless you believe that He is the One, you shall die in your sins!! So, Brother Parrish, you’ve brought us down to this, and so what does that bring us to? I’ll tell you what this brings us to, and the answer really is: As John the Baptist looked over and saw the Lord, he spoke words that are still true today, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” And Apostle Paul said, “for John truly baptized with the baptism of repentance saying to believe on Him who should come after him.” The scripture also says, when He shall come, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Revelations 19:1-10 …true and righteous are His judgments… The last point I want to make here is for those of us who have been treated unfairly, picked on, discouraged, in situations that seem to have no end, lied to, stolen from, and who the devil has just seemed to have the upper hand on: God has not forgotten you. John 20:19 …the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear… When it seemed that things were closing in on the disciples, and that God wasn’t going to come through, not only did He find them where they were hiding, He came through locked doors to get to them, and He strengthened them with the power of the Holy Ghost. This is our heritage, saints: when we think that things are going to get the best of us, hide yourself, not from the Lord, but in the Lord, and receive His strengthening from the Holy Ghost. Sermon notes by Pete Shepherd |
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