“SEIZE THE MOMENT”

“Then Jesus said unto them, ‘My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready.’” John 7:6

Seizing the Moment…...

Regaining Our Sight: John 9 Coming to Our Senses: Luke 15 Becoming a Vessel Useful to the Master, Prepared for Every Good Work: II Timothy 2:21

“SEIZE THE MOMENT”

Are you a missionary or a mission field?

Are you going out into the world as a missionary or a mission field?

WHAT IS A MISSIONARY?

“One sent to propagate religion.” Noah Webster 1828 And he (Jesus) ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.

Mark 3:14

WHAT CONFRONTS A MISSIONARY?

1. Himself or Herself (Prov 23:7, 4:23) ^

– a)

pride

– b)

selfishness

– “Let nothing be done through strife (selfishness, NASB) or vainglory (pride); but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippains 2:3,4

WHAT CONFRONTS A MISSIONARY?

Satan’s World System: Humanist Worldview Marxist Worldview New Age Worldview Postmodern Worldview (Relativism) Monotheism (Islam, Judaism, cults) Polytheism (Hinduism, Buddhism, pagans)

WHAT CONFRONTS A MISSIONARY?

International Political Correctness – Environmentalism – World Population Control Homosexuality Lesbianism Abortion Euthanasia Infanticide Death Education

WHAT CONFRONTS A MISSIONARY?

Pacifism Vegetarianism Unity, Cooperation, Collaboration Tolerance Community Service, “volunteerism” Evolution Multiculturalism (Anti-Christian West. Civ)

WHAT CONFRONTS A MISSIONARY?

Worship of “Mother Earth” (Gaia) Contact with “spirit guides” =demons Eastern Meditation, (self-hypnosis, yoga) – Quieting Reflex Activities – Success Imaging – Creative Visualization – Creating your own reality –

HARRY POTTER: WIZARD. Lev.19:31

LEVITICUS 19:31

31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

DEUTERONOMY 18:10f There shall not be found among you

any one

that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,

or

that useth divination,

or

an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.12 For all that do these things

are

an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. (perfect: or, upright, or, sincere)

JOHN 18:38

Pilate saith unto him, (Jesus), What is truth?

CONFRONTING THE CULTURE WITH TRUTH

Basis of Truth: John 17:17: Thy Word is Truth John 8:32: The Truth shall make you free Heb. 4:12: The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

POSTMODERN “TRUTH” “I have my truth, you have your truth.” “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil.” Isaiah 5:20a “The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! For they have rewarded evil unto themselves.” Isaiah 3:9

POSTMODERN “TRUTH” As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths.

Isaiah 3:12 Moral relativism, goddess worship, and “TOLERANCE”

Evolution Psychology Feminism

SO, WHAT SHOULD BIBLICAL TRUTH LOOK LIKE TODAY?

Rom. 12:2a: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind….

Col. 3:2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col. 1:10: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

WHAT DOES “BIBLICAL TRUTH” LOOK LIKE TODAY?

Conformity to the world We set our affections on the “good life”, or “life on my terms, and the 10 suggestions.” We want to be entertained by the world rather than entreated by God’s Word. Our sports, T.V., movies, computers and computer games, internet, soaps, etc., etc.

BIBLICAL TRUTH TODAY CONTINUED…….

Are we WALKING IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE LORD?

Are we PLEASING HIM IN ALL RESPECTS?

Are we BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK?

Are we INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD?

WITH REGARD TO MISSIONS: How am I walking worthy of the Lord?

How am I pleasing the Lord in all respects?

How am I bearing much good fruit?

How am I increasing in the knowledge of God?

What is “good fruit?” What legacy are you leaving?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

–Do I know the names of the missionaries of this church?

–Do I know the location of the missionaries of this church?

–Do I know any specific needs and prayer requests of the missionaries of this church?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

Is God calling me to a different commitment to missions?

Is God calling me to a more active involvement with missions?

WE DO NOT TRIFLE INDEFINITELY WITH THE CALL OF GOD ON OUR LIVES !

I CORINTHIANS 1:23

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block , and unto the Greeks foolishness .

Mark 10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? (WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?)…….WHAT DO WE WANT GOD TO DO FOR US?

The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

Do we really want to “SEE?” Are we complacent and at ease?

ISAIAH 32:9-11

Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech. 10Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. 11Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones.

DO WE TRULY WANT TO “SEE?” Are we satisfied to SIT, SOAK, and SOUR?

Are we becoming compromised, neutralized, and diluted?

Jesus came so we can see true truth.

For many of us true truth has been filtered out by Satan’s world system.

John 9

The blind man was the only one who could truly SEE!

His parents feared men more than they feared God, and were afraid of losing their “place” in the community.

The Pharisees were afraid of losing their power, position, and prominence in the community.

Psalm 4:2:

O Sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?

GOD IS LIGHT!

Lesser shades of darkness do not expose the darkness!!

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them.” Ephesians 5:11

AREAS OF DECEPTION Each of us are missionaries….are we deceived in the following areas? Are we robbing God of: Talents (God-given) Time (God-given) Treasures (God-given)

WHAT WILL MATTER ETERNALLY?

Only two things will matter eternally:

God’s Word People

HOW ARE WE INVESTING IN THE ETERNAL WITH OUR TIME OUR TALENTS AND OUR TREASURE?

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-17: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Psalm 39:4 Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measurement of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, Thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before Thee.”

AM I TOO SOON OLD, TOO LATE SMART?

Am I wasting God-given valuable time and talents and treasures (all my resources) for those things which will have no eternal value?

What am I trying to do with my life?

Am I trying to make an impression on people?

or: Am I trying to make a difference for God?

THOSE WHO HAVE SEIZED THE MOMENT:

David and Goliath Mary to Gabriel Shamgar Samson Moses Joshua and Caleb Abraham Daniel

Jael Esther Abigail Ruth Mary/Martha Paul Ethiopian Eunuch .

Shad/Meshack/Abed

Mark 10:43-45

But so shall it not be among you: but whosover will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

SERVANTS SEIZE THE MOMENT!

True servants of God are missionaries of God and will faithfully be ready to seize each moment!

True missionaries will seek to glorify their Lord who bought them with so great a price. I Cor. 6:20, I Pet. 1:18,19

GET READY FOR PERSECUTION!!!!!!

Jesus was hated first, you will be hated John 15:18, 20 There should be a big difference between disciples and the world (at odds with God’s holiness). John 15:19 Practice “like Master/like disciple” principle. John 15:20

GET READY FOR PERSECUTION!!!!!!

Jesus explained the intimate relationship between Himself and the Heavenly Father. The world hates even the name of Jesus. John 15:21; Phil. 2:10, 11 (Stay intimate with Jesus on the battlefront!)

Keep a clear conscience!

DON’T SAY “JESUS”

“God” is okay, but don’t say the name that is above all names, the name of Jesus.

We often choke on the name of Jesus!

John 9:41, 15:24, 19:11, 13:20, 7:1 7, 43:1f

Philippians 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.”

GET READY FOR PERSECUTION!!!!!!

You are never alone! Promise of Holy Spirit. John 15:26 “Be anxious for nothing….” Phil.2:6 “Ye shall bear witness.” John 15:27 (Just a few hours later they flee and deny Jesus).

Atrocious persecution is coming. John 16:1ff; 12:42; 9:22; Philippians 3:10.

DISCIPLESHIP IS THE HARD ROAD!

The way of Satan’s world system is the easy way. It is the way of the flesh!

John 16:1=“These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended (that you may be kept from stumbling NAS) “OFFENDED”=Gk=‘trapped by a bait in a trap,’ Gk=passive voice=don’t let yourself get caught unawares

DISCIPLESHIP IS THE HARD ROAD!

Don’t get caught by Satan’s world system via the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes or the pride of life! I John 2:15-17

FEAR NOT!!

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 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. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;

1 PETER 4:14ff, cont.

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. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.

1 PETER 4:19

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithfull Creator.

LUKE 6:22, 23

Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold,

your reward is great in heaven....

We do what we are called to do in God’s power, within the framework of His Word and for His glory! May we never be accused of robbing our Lord of His praise, or stealing His glory.

Isaiah 48:11: Our heavenly Father says:

“I will not share my glory!”

“SEIZE THE MOMENT”

John 5:44 How can you believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

MATTHEW 28:19ff 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,

even

unto the end of the world. Amen.