Our Time is Now

Dear Brethren,

A few weeks ago in one of our inter-active discussions one of the brethren asked the question, “How do we stay on track?”  That is what we will be speaking on in today’s sermon.  But when we consider the rapidly declining shape that the world, our nation, and the overall Church of God is in, we need to examine the premise of “staying on track.”  We are living in very dangerous times.  So much of what is sacred, honorable, respectful, moral and foundational is under attack.  We have arrived at our last cross-roads.  The time is now to be sure that we are on track, if we are to continue in the faith.  Our time is now!

Think back to the pomp and splendor of a funeral procession for a President of the United States modeled after the ceremony of a royal funeral with its caisson carrying the flag draped coffin accompanied mourners and by the United States Marine Band played funeral dirges.  That formal procedure is a proper and somber tradition that dates way back.  What would the populace think if Congress neglected to pay their proper homage to the President by not attending the funeral?  It would be inexcusable – would it not?

We have three separate highly esteemed branches of government in our country which share a mutual respect, deference and regard for each other.  They are the executive, the legislative and the judicial branches.  The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch which rules on the meaning of the Constitution and laws passed by Congress, and signed officially into law by the President.  That is the way it works.

Today proper protocol and etiquette is being breached by one who does not understand the importance of maintaining the dignity of our hallowed institutions of government.  It is not fit that a Supreme Court justice be snubbed as he is being laid to rest after a distinguished career of 30 years on the bench, having dedicated his life’s service to this country.  It suggests obvious partisan disrespect and displays deliberate contempt for all the world to see.   At the very time that this nation should come together in unity, we are being split by a divisive behavior.

This childish attitude is not what God intended for ancient Israel or for our nation today.  The world rubs off on the Church brethren – we must be so careful.  God gave us His Commandments, statutes and judgments for an orderly and prosperous nation – not to become a third-world country.

“Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”  (Deuteronomy 4:6)

Why are God's people so dispersed and scattered?  Why are so many off course?  Why are so many letting down, giving up and falling away?  Did they ever understand the Truth?  Are they seeking a place where they do not have to learn to build character or make decisions?  Why are some brethren unable to hold the course?  Why do some people compromise by substituting nit-picking incidental religiosity for the great true faith of Jesus Christ?  It takes effort to stay on course - to endure to the end - to stand strong.  This is an ardent cry to hold fast to the Word of God.

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.  For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.  Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil."  (Proverbs 4:20-27)

Do we endeavor to live as Christians simply for gain - or do we whole-heartedly believe that God's way is always right and best?  Have we built the Godly character that would cause us to choose God's way - even if there were only seemingly intangible rewards in this temporal life?  Here is the good news - there are great rewards, but our motivation must be "to come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."  (Ephesians 4:13)

When Jesus gave His life for us - He gave His all.  Our calling is not an easy one - because God's way is not easy.  "For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps."  (1Peter 2:21)

***
Sermon:  "Our Time is Now"  


image
image