Seek the Lord While He May be Found

Transcription

1 Seek the Lord While He May be Found (Sermon Notes) By Warren Zehrung 10/20/2018 Brethren, do we realize just how fragile our society is today? I believe that our nation is teetering on the brink of collapse. All we have to do is look at England and Europe to realize that the nation we once cherished is on the brink of failure. I am aware that most people think that it could never happen to us. But I can still remember Cuba before Castro. And, you will remember oil rich Venezuela just a few short years ago now destitute and starving. Yes, it can happen. Not only can it happen God says it will happen because our nation no longer seeks God. We have come to the point where our liberty, prosperity and opportunity to preach the Gospel is in serious jeopardy. Our freedom of religion is in danger. Our future is in peril. Mob rule is no rule at all. We have entered a time of alarming lawlessness in our nation. When the government tramples on our God given constitutional rights with impunity, how much longer do we have before our religious broadcast and internet services are suspended? These are treacherous times not only for our traditional American customs but for our spiritual lives as well. When law and order become weak and ineffective in a society, family, church, business, and relationships begin to fail. Will the people of God be able to withstand the onslaught of chaos and disorder in government and society all about us, and endure spiritually unto the end? That is an important question to ponder. Our Church fellowship will not survive long in a decadent environment where gunfire, lawlessness, crime and killings prevail. God tells us to act while we still have opportunity: Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, [we have separated ourselves from God s ways] and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain comes down from heaven, and the snow comes down from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Verse eleven tells us that God s word brings forth fruit. This is the work of God not the work of man. John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 1

2 Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Extremely trying days lie just ahead for those of us in the Church of God making it tremendously tough to endure until the end (Mark 13:13). Everything that we hold sacred will soon be overthrown everything, that is, except our faith, which must continue until the very end if we are to be saved. Over and over in the Bible the brethren are admonished to live lives of overcoming, and to remain faithful to the end. We should not expect to find abundant faith just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us that we should anticipate finding very little faith among God's people. As the Church of God, over the last few decades, we have seen a terrible erosion of our faith. It seems clear from Scripture that there will be a scarcity of faith even among the brethren of God s Church. Jesus asked a very sobering question and made a crucial comment about our day. He asked the question that probably shocked even the original disciples: Luke 18:8 When the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth? Why would Jesus ask such a harsh question? Because it demonstrates clearly that the great majority of the Church brethren will not actually be growing in faith as we come to the end-time. These cautionary Scriptures show that it will be a small minority of the brethren who will be fully living up to God s expectations of His people. Jesus indicated that conditions would worsen as the end approaches: John 9:4 The night comes when no man can work. Will we be in good standing with God when He allows everything to end abruptly? Will we have access to good sermons when the modes of transmission are cut off? Soon, the word of God is going to cease. Romans 9:28 He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. A nice lady it the Church wrote this morning in response to this week s Countdown to The Return of Jesus Christ: One thing that I do is try to print good articles while they are still available I am also planning to save as much as I can and onto flash drives as well I think hard copies are good, too. Let s not take it for granted that we will always be able to attend Sabbath services and collect literature from the internet. Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, says the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. Not only will Sabbath services not be available, those who continue to express their faith will be persecuted. Already in Canada, you can be fined and imprisoned for quoting the Bible! Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created he them. Genesis 5:2 Male and female created He them; and blessed them, 2

3 I guess that is what happens when you move too far from the farm and you become Politically Correct. You forget that it takes a rooster and a hen to make little bitty chicks. Is it no longer common sense that it takes a man and a woman to sustain the human race? This insanity has begun to invade God s Church. Brethren are being singled out and persecuted within God s Church for believing and standing for the true principles of God. Almost no one is taking a stand to defend those who have been marginalized and pushed to the sidelines in God s Church. Jesus gave us some good advice about our concern for every one of God s people: Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. When Jesus tells us directly, Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; that is serious business! Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray? Matthew 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Why is it that we do not find that practice among God s people? We cannot take it for granted that, just because an organization carries the name Church of God that the members are automatically walking is Jesus steps. When ousted or put-out brethren seek reinstatement to their local congregations not only are they not welcomed, they are made an example of so that all the other brethren will learn to submit in fear. Jesus said: John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service. The message is very clear; now is the time to draw near to God (James 4:8). Brethren, our faith is a way of life and living it. Our faith Christianity - is not to be a part of an exclusive organization. Too many people think today that they have to find the Right group in their town. Those true brethren we continue to serve are scattered widely - all around the world no more sizable groups anymore. Many of those we serve are the one in ninety-nine who have been abused and mistreated by the established groups. I think that we ve come to the time of which Jeremiah spoke. God is not choosing big numbers from big congregations He is being very selective these days: Jeremiah 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: 3

4 It is not enough to be in a friendly congregation there are many denominations that have lovely services. It is not enough to be in a congregation that keeps the Sabbath the Jews do that. It is not enough to tithe there are Protestants who do that. Millions of worldly Christians are missing the mark. But, there are a lot of Churches of God that also think they have the inside link to God and that somehow gives them license to get away with heavy-handed tactics. What makes one a faithful Christian? How many of our brethren even know the answer to, What makes one a faithful Christian? How many brethren attend Sabbath services for the purpose of provoking others to love and good works? Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our Faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Yes, God is faithful and He is telling us exactly what is happening. What is supposed to happen in our interaction with each other? Hebrews 10:24 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: That is the purpose in getting together with other Christians! Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. That is why we interact with other Christians. Not to be seen. Not to be counted. Not for aggrandizement. How many are able to define Godly love or good works, for that matter? 1John 5:3 This is the love of God, that we keep His Commandments: and His Commandments are not grievous. How many brethren are actually laying their lives down daily as Jesus Christ gave us example (John 15:13; 1John 3:16)? Suppose Jesus was looking you right in the eye and saying to you: John 15:12 This is my Commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. How did Jesus love us? He died for us so that we could live in the Kingdom of God for all eternity that s how. Jesus continued: John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Who in God s Church even knows what those words mean lay down his life? Laying our lives down is not optional it is required of True Christians: 1John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us: and we [must] lay down our lives for the brethren. How many brethren know how to overcome Satan (Revelation 12:11)? Are we striving with every ounce of our being to replicate the kind of life that Jesus Christ lived? Paul said: Colossians 1:9-10 We do not cease to pray for you that you will walk worthy of the Lord pleasing Him in all that you do, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. 4

5 Brethren, it is not safe to think that we are doing just fine. Too many who have gone before us have made that fatal mistake. Should we not rather, seek the Lord while He may be found? Our divine calling is more precious than anything in the world. The knowledge of God, that He has given us, is beyond comparison. 2Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: 2Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, Brethren, we have graciously been given that knowledge of God. 2Peter 1:3 According as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto [eternal] life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue: Called us to glory and virtue. That is a different life style than what you will find in the world. What is in it for us, you might ask. 2Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceedingly great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [wrong desires] We are to have God s nature - divine nature, - be like God is! What is our concept of Church? What is our concept of Christianity? What is our concept of Faith and Religion? Do we know what the difference is? God does not want us to wear our religion as many do. You can tell what denomination they are when you see them. God does not want the people in the biggest church group or building in town. God is much bigger than that and He wants us to rise to His level. Acts 17:24 God, that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; Acts 17:26 And He has made us of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 1Corinthians 12:18 God has set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him. The title from here also: Seek the Lord While He May be Found Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: Acts 17:28 For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 5

6 That is good advice for us today. Do we have a right concept of God and what He expects in us? Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now Commands all men everywhere to repent: Acts 17:31 Because He has appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man [Jesus] whom He has anointed, [Messiah] ordained, appointed; whereof He has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead. There are some ministers that say we have lots of time before Jesus returns. In Matthew 24:48 Jesus says that it is an evil servant that says My lord delays His coming; We are speaking about: Seeking the LORD while He may be found. Daniel 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by Him that lives forever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter [shatter and disperse, dash to pieces] the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Brethren, do we understand? God the Father and the Word, Jesus Christ, devised a Plan wherein they would share their existence - their love - their life - and call many sons and daughters to glory (Hebrews 2:10). God determined from before the foundation of the world that the Messiah would come and that He would have a body of brethren to reign and rule throughout the millennium with Him (Revelation 5:10, 20:4). Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 20:4...they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. And so it was determined, from the very beginning of God s Plan for mankind, that Jesus would be the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8) To reign and rule with Christ we have to be like Christ, and we have to have the love, the forgiveness, the mercy, the giving, and the laying down of our life, attributes that Christ displayed. It is impossible to honor Christ the Head while we are disregarding and dishonoring His Body, the church brethren, for whom He shed His blood. And so, the question arises, Where are the true Christians of today? Where are those Christians who are actually living their faith so as to be in the first resurrection and be in the millennium with Jesus Christ? Is a true Christian one who only professes to be? Is a true Christian one who only hopes to be included in the category of Christians? Is a true Christian one who only says, "Lord, Lord?" Those who say, Lord, Lord, think that they are truly religious, but they seek to feather their nest, be recognized at church, and they get comfortable and sociable And, they are happy; they have their glory of men, and they have their reward right now Jesus says. (Matthew 6:2). They are fooled and Satan takes them away. 6

7 A Parable of Faith Luke 18:1 And [Jesus] spoke a parable unto [His disciples] to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Luke 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. The widow was a woman of FAITH. She would not take No for an answer. She kept knocking and knocking day and night ever petitioning the judge for just recourse. Jesus tells us to beseech Him and His Father in the same way. Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:8 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. This parable in Luke 18 is speaking about Faith. This widow woman would not stop seeking a remedy because she had been wronged by her adversary. Jesus is commending her faith. Jesus is commending her persistence, if you will, but she had tenacity. She wasn t about to let the matter drop. All she wanted was a fair and equitable settlement. The problem was that the Judge just did not want to be bothered. Luke 18:4 And he [the Judge] would not [answer her] for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Luke 18:5 Yet because this widow troubles me [wearies me to the bone, and gives me no peace], I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me [to death]. Morning, noon and night, the widow woman stayed on the Judge s case. Luke 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. Jesus tells His disciples this parable is not about the widow woman and a Judge No! It is about our Faith in going to God. This is about having the Faith to go to God over and over. Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though he bear long with them? I ve always thought it interesting that Jesus would be humorously self-deprecating in comparing Himself to a slow to respond worldly Judge. Then Jesus goes on to make another point. He says that in the end-time, faithless people will not be beseeching God as they should. It seems clear from the following Scripture that there is a scarcity of faith in this end time especially among the brethren of God s Church. Jesus asked a very frightening and sobering question and stated a very grave comment about our day. Luke 18:8 I tell you that [God] will avenge them speedily. YES! God answers our prayers! Luke 18:8 Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth? We saw that a moment ago. In spite of the fact that these are Jesus words it used to seem to me that this was an absurdity! Of course, I reasoned, There will be lots and lots of people of faith when Jesus returns to set up His Father s Kingdom. But, Jesus is intimating just the opposite there will be only a few people of faith. 7

8 Luke 18:9 And He spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: How many in God s Church think that their organization is better than the others? Jesus says that is a dangerous position to take. Why would Jesus ask such a stern rhetorical question if the great majority of the Church brethren would actually be growing in faith as we come to the end? Obviously, many will not continue in Faith until the end. Enduring to the end is not a matter of relying on our own strength and will-power. If we rely on ourselves we will ultimately fail. We have the example of the Israelites who had the faith to leave Egypt, but lacked the faith in God to give them a victorious entry into the Promised Land. This is what Jesus is warning us of don t fall short. Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest [the Kingdom of God], any of you should seem to come short of it. Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Paul illustrated that it is possible to lose our salvation. Hebrews 4:11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest [millennium and Kingdom of God], lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Jesus clearly warns us that that is exactly what is happening in the churches of God today. Israel did not endure unto the end the promised rest (Hebrews 4:1-2). Unlike the ancient Israelites, we have been given the greater promises and means to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised. (Hebrews 10:23) Our faith, therefore, is in God not in ourselves to be able to endure whatever trial or test that may come. It is God who governs the timing and intensity of trials so that we may learn to rely more and more on Him. To avoid the trial is to avoid the tremendous blessing of growing closer to God. Do we have the proper faith in God to deliver us in every trial and bring us securely to the Kingdom of God? Not the type of faith of knowing and believing alone. But the sort of faith that the widow woman had that of actively doing being involved. In Conclusion: 1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. If we continue to seek the Lord while He may be found we will be able to say: 2Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. End: Seek the Lord While He May be Found 8