November 6, 2022

THE TIME IS NOW

November 06, 2022

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

We have only to look at the daily news—both at home and abroad—to see that life as we’ve always known it may be in the past, perhaps with little hope for revival. Even if many citizens desire to reverse the downward spiral of morality, groups within the countries will never stop striving, and we wonder if true safety and peace can ever exist again. Is there a solution? Yes! The church can awake! As believers, we haven’t carried out the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matt. 28:18-20, resulting in a large number of people unsaved, without hope, and desperate to fill the vacuum in their lives with the pleasures of sin that can only last a season. They will not rest until their agendas are accepted by everyone. Only when the church rouses up, in love sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ so that lives can be changed, can peace return to our land. Join us as we see that the time for the church to awaken has come—and is NOW.

Focal Passage: Ephesians 5:1-16.

  1. Look like Him
  • Read Eph. 5:1. As you read this verse, do you get the sense it is a suggestion or a commandment? Why? Read Exodus 34:29. Why was Moses’ face shining so? Read Acts 4:13. What is special about Peter and John? As you read and study your Bible, and spend time in prayer, what should be happening to your countenance?
  • How many times as a child did you mimic the actions of one of your parents? Why did you do that? Was it a compliment to them? What are some reasons the world will notice a difference in you?
  • When the world looks at your children—or you—can they differentiate between those who love Jesus and those who want only to look like the world? What should be some of the differences between them?
  1. Love like Him
  • Read Eph. 5:2. Before we even knew that God’s love existed, what does this verse say Jesus did for us? Why did He give Himself up to crucifixion? What was His sacrifice before God like? Why did He love us so much?
  • As you read the gospels where Jesus was constantly walking through towns, healing and teaching people, in your mind’s eye how do you see Him acting?
  • Do you currently have a love for strangers such as Jesus had? How can you grow in love for all people?
  1. Live like Him
  • How did Jesus live when He was on the earth? Read Matt. 8:20. Why was this the case? Often, as He was with people, his emotion was __? (Matt. 14:14).
  • Read 2 Cor. 6:17a. Why does He desire that we live holy lives? If we take His forgiveness for granted but continue in our sin, what are we doing?
  • Read Eph. 5:3-4. What are some habits common in the world that we should not even think of doing?

4.Walk like Him

  • Read Eph. 5:6-7. What does flattery feel like when someone is pouring the compliments on you? What should your common sense be telling you?
  • Read verse 8. What is another word for “walk”? Was Jesus taken in by those who wanted something from Him? How can we guard ourselves against the world?
  • Read verses 9-11. How are we to conduct ourselves while we are in the world, in order to please the One who died for us?
  1. Because the time is now
  • Read Eph. 5:14-16. Why, during our lifetime, has it been so easy to get caught up in leading busy lives for ourselves, while excusing our duty to be “busy about the Father’s business”? What is His business? Is that what He meant in Matt. 28?
  • What does He call us to do in verse 14? Why does He want us to awaken and get busy (verse 16)? Read Prov. 11:30. Do you believe this?

Close:

Definitely we should all be saddened at the lethargy the American Christian has allowed into our lives over the past century. Many countries experienced some type of revival during the 1800’s; however, with the coming of the twentieth century and modern day conveniences, with the invention of everything from airplanes, cars, technology, and appliances that were not even thought of in past centuries, we have become so busy being busy that we have lost a concern about the unsaved. How sad!

What can we do to infuse some passion for our Lord into our lives? It is imperative that we must recognize His deep, deep love for us. How can He love us so much when we mentally write His commandments on our to-do list, but never get to them? We must cry out in desperation for His mercy to cover us, being broken and contrite for our sin of prayerlessness and lack of concern for the lost. We seldom love the unlovely, the proud, the opposite political party, or religions who reject Jesus.

To be concise, we must love God—first, foremost, with every atom of our being, with our whole heart, soul, mind, and spirit! And we must love our neighbor—those in our community, our town, our state, our nation, and the world. Pray for them, help them, and beat down our flesh which tries to get us to put ourselves first. On these two commandments rests all the laws and all the prophets. God, help us.

/by