"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
"Our text is verse 1, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost spoke these words of prophecy over 1900 years ago. I am sure that we all agree; we are seeing these things come to pass. We are now in the last days...perilous times are here. Times are hard, they are difficult and they are grievous. Every day we see, hear and read about these things that Paul mentions in the verses above.
The purpose of this message is not to dwell upon these things that are working against us...but, rather to dwell upon those things which are working for us in these last days. Years ago we used to sing a song entitled "In Times Like These." It goes something like this..."In times like these you need a Savior; In times like these you need an anchor. Be very sure, be very sure, your anchor holds, and grips the solid rock...This rock is Jesus...yes, He's the one."
Today, we see, hear and read about how God is moving by His Spirit.
In times like these we have the Presence of His Spirit.
In times like these we have a Blessed Hope!
In times like these we can be Encouraged. We don't need to be looking down but looking up. I'm not looking for the Great Tribulation...but, I'm looking for the Rapture. I'm not looking for the Anti-Christ but, the Christ. I'm not even looking for signs...I'm listening for the sound as mentioned in
1 Thessalonians 4:16, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch-angel, and with the trump of God..."
In times like these we have God to go to. Friends, there is a God in Heaven.
He is alive and well.
He is a God of all power and all wisdom...an unchanging God.
In times like these we have the Bible. Paul encouraged Timothy in the last part of this same chapter, verses 14-17. "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
In times like these we can Pray.
In times like these we can Trust God.
In times like these....
God wants us to have faith.
God wants us revived.
God wants us to be on fire for Him.
In times like these God wants us to be ready....and in times like these we can be ready!
In times like these Gods people have each other. God wants us to be at peace with one another and to love one another. He wants us to be empowered with His Holy Spirit and to work together in victory. God not only desires that we be born again but commands us to help others find the way of salvation. We can and need to be worshipping, working, witnessing and winning others to Jesus. In times like these we can be healed, holy, happy and Heaven bound. In times like these we can be looking, loving and longing for Christ's return.
In times like these we have an Anchor. This anchor holds and grips the solid rock. This rock is Jesus......and yes, He is the only one. In Him we have all we need....whatever we need.
In these times....
Are you ready?
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