June 4, 2017 - Sheepfold Ministries

Pastor Phil Roland  <><<

 

SPIRITUAL PREPPING FOR DISASTER

LUKE 17:26-37

"Spiritually preparing for disaster reminds us of how to live the normal Christian Life despite life's circumstances. Distractions are everywhere. Unexpected circumstances often carry threats of disaster. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He'll take you through the coming storms."                                                 Pastor Phil  <><<

 

²⁶ And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:  Luke 17:26

We prepare spiritually for the future because:
I. THE PRESENT DAYS ARE EVIL - Luke 17:26

²⁶ And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:  Luke 17:26
          A. Noah's Days. . .  Genesis 6:5,6

              ⁵ Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,

                 and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil                                        continually. ⁶ And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the

                 earth, and He was grieved in His heart.    

                    1. Self-Dedicated Narcissism - "It's all about me. . ."

                    2. Personal fulfillment - "I'm working on my personal Bucket List"

                    3. Ate Drank, Married, Gave their sons /daughters in marriage

          B. Noah's Days were days of Longevity

                    1. Before Noah the average lifespan life span was 960 years

                    2. After the Flood from 70 to 120 years

                    3. The Flood destroyed all but 8 souls

                    4. The shortened life span was supposed to give mankind less                         time to do evil: it didn't work

          C. Adam's descendants decided to continue in the Sin of Cain

                    1. Murderous Selfishness

                    2. Deception and Theft

                    3. Licentious Debauchery

          D. Lot and his descendants continued in the same sin - Luke 17:28

                      ²⁸ Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they

                bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
                      1. Lot, his wife and 2 daughters left Sodom and Gomorrah

                    2. Fire and Brimstone fell from heaven and destroyed them all

                                        ²⁹ but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and

                           brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.     Luke 17:29
          E. Our times are no different than Noah's or Lot's times

 

II. HUMAN EVIL WILL ABOUND BEFORE JESUS' 2nd COMING

¹ But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self- SPIRITUAL PREPPING FOR DISASTER, cont., p.2

control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!                    2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)

 

          A. Apostle Paul continues to prophesy - 2 Timothy 3:12-13       

                    ¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer

                persecution. ¹³ But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,

               deceiving and being deceived.

          B. Today's world is acting out Paul's prediction

               In a report filed by correspondents from several world capitals, US

                 NEWS & WORLD REPORT writes: "Just as in the United States, crime is

                 on the rise in almost every country around the world . . . From London to

                 Moscow to Johannesburg, crime is fast becoming a major menace that

                 is changing the way in which many people live . . . Crime is becoming

                 more violent. More criminals are using firearms, even in nations where

                 gun control is strict." The report continues by surveying the crime

                 problem in various countries of the world. All countries which publish

                 statistical reports show a frightening increase in killings, assaults,

                 rapes, robberies, and burglaries.
                    1. There is a Surge in American Crime

                           The United States leads the world not only in science and

                           technology, but, sadly to say, also in violence, crime, and

                           delinquency. Figures released by the Federal Bureau of

                           Investigation for the year 1980 indicate that in that year 23,000

                           persons were murdered, 82,000 women were raped, more than

                           500,000 persons were robbed, and over 650,000 were assaulted.
                    2. Quadrupling of Violent Crime in U.S. in past 30 years
                           US NEWS & WORLD REPORT gives the following "Clock Ticks"                                   statistics: "A murder occurs every 23 minutes; a forcible rape

                           occurs every 6 minutes; a robbery occurs every 58 seconds; an

                           aggravated assault occurs every 48 seconds; a motor vehicle is

                           stolen every 28 seconds; a burglary occurs every 8 seconds."
                    3. State and Federal prison populations are overflowing
                           The unprecedented rise of violent crimes in America is reflected in

                           the population explosion of State and Federal prisons. From about

                           200,000 in 1970, the inmate population has grown to almost two

                           million today. This alarming increase of violent crime is causing a

                           paralyzing fear in the American society. "Fear, pure and simple, is

                           behind the new advocacy of the death penalty," writes TIME.

          C. Jesus' Return will be swift and unexpected - Luke 17:30

                ³⁰ Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.   

 

III. HOW CAN WE SPIRITUALLY PREPARE FOR DISASTER?

³² Remember Lot's wife. ³³ Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.   Luke 17:32-33

          A. Gather to yourself Spiritual Food

                    1. Memorize the Word of God

                    2. Store it in your mind and heart

SPIRITUAL PREPPING FOR DISASTER, cont., p.2

          B. Store a supply of Living Water - John 4:14; 7:38b-39

                       ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But

               the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water

               springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14

                       ³⁷". . .If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

              ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will

                 flow rivers of living water."

          B. Secure Spiritual Weapons and Ammo - Train for their use

                        "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8a,

                    1. Study and Practice Intercessory Prayer - James 5:16

                        ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another,

                           that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous

                           man avails much.

                    2. Pray for One Another - Matthew 9:38

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his

 harvest field."”

          C. Work on Godly Back-Up Power - Colossians 1:10,11

                    ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in

               every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened

               with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and

               longsuffering with joy;

          D. Back-Up Heating - 2 Corinthians 5:14a

                    ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us. . .

          E. Strengthen relationships with one another - Hebrews 10:25

                    ²⁵ Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,

              but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day

              approaching.

          F. Secure your Spiritual Foundations - 2 Corinthians 2:15

                    ¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were

              taught, whether by word or our epistle.   

          F. Remember, this World is not our true home - Phil. 3:20

             "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the

              Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," 

Eg. Patricia is a true example of Spiritual Prepping for what is coming. She arrived in our community a year ago. She immediately began searching for a spiritual church home. Patricia came every Sunday faithfully. She used a walker and struggled the distance in the winter cold. She came again and again when Lois had her surgery. Patricia cleaned, cooked, prayed, encouraged Lois as she slowly healed. She always gave sacrificially of herself and her resources.

She told me one Sunday morning that God told her to give away her little S-10 truck. I networked her with a little couple who were getting back on the feet from a number of financial setbacks. She transferred the truck title for $1. Since then, the young man has secured a well-paying job and is on the way to getting his life back on track.

A 94 year old friend sent her the money to rent a truck to take her possessions to Florida for her new job. In leaving she gave away most of her remaining furniture. Patricia is preparing for the future. Remember there is no Doomsday with Jesus.

There is only great joy in great job when He Comes!    <><<

 

 

SPIRITUAL PREPPING FOR DISASTER

Luke 17:26-37 (NKJV)
²⁶ And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
²⁷ They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
²⁸ Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
²⁹ but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
³⁰ Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
³¹ In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back.
³² Remember Lot's wife.
³³ Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
³⁴ I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.
³⁵ Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.
³⁶ Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."
³⁷ And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WICKEDNESS ABOUNDING IN OUR TIMES

http://www.biblesabbath.org/bacchiocchi/endtimewickedness.html