WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING IN LIGHT OF THE BLESSED HOPE?
jmicha...@juno.com
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING IN LIGHT OF THE BLESSED HOPE?
Titus 2:11-14
Introduction: There are three major doctrines mentioned in the passage of Scripture that should encourage the heart of believers regularly if we would just take time to think on these things. They are the “Blood of Christ”, the “Book of Christ” and the “Blessed Hope of Christ”. Let me explain a little further before coming to coming the message itself.
In verses 11 & 14, we see the “Blood of Christ”. The Blood of Christ brings salvation to all men. It redeems man from the lost state he was in if he would ask to be redeemed. It also purifies us unto Him a peculiar people. Many people think that the word “peculiar” means odd. It does in the English but in the Greek, it means people purchased and obtained by acquisition and not self populated. Jesus acquired us from the family of Satan which every person who was ever born belongs before they are redeemed by Christ.
In verse 12 we see the “Book of Christ”. This verse shows what kind of people we should be in order that we show this world that we are different. You will not learn this type of life from another way except by being true people of the Book. Paul is telling us that we are to deny ungodliness and worldly lust and this means in every area of our lives. We are to be live soberly which means to have a sound mind which is only sound when we immerse it in the Bible. This Book will change your whole outlook on life. It will change your entire behavior. It will change the direction of your life. The shame of it all is that we don’t always take that time to allow it to make those major changes we need. Every thing else becomes more important. He also tells us that we are to be righteous in our living and godly which makes us seem odd when compared with the world and its philosophy.
In verse 13 we see the “Blessed Hope” that awaits us- the rapture of the church. 1 Thess 4:13-18 tells us this: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
The “Blessed Hope” should be driving force behind every missionary that we take on for support, behind every Gospel tract that we hand out, behind every song that we sing, behind every soul that we witness to, behind offering that we give. Since we live in such a rush, rush society, we have lost sight of this truth. Jesus is coming soon. It could be today. If not today, it could be tomorrow. I want to remind you of a truth that we need to know: There are no “signs” that tells us when Jesus will come for the church. The Apostle John expected Jesus would come in his lifetime. (Rev. 22:20- “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”) Paul preached and taught this truth many times in the epistles he wrote the churches.
Some may ask about the signs mentioned in Mt. 24. These are signs to the nation of Israel. Let’s look at just a few signs very quickly.
->False christs and prophets who will deceive many.
Mt. 24:5, 11
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”
->Wars and rumors of wars Mt. 24:6
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
->Political turmoil, famine, disease and earthquakes
Mt. 24:7
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
->Days of licentious lawlessness living
Mt. 24:37-39
“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Some say “why most of those are going on right now!” Right but look at where the passage is. It is in the Gospel of Matthew. Remember that Matthew’s Gospel presents Christ as the King of the Jews. These are plain signs to the nation of Israel and signs of second coming of Christ not the rapture of the Church. The rapture of the church is when Jesus comes in the clouds and takes His church out but the second coming is when He comes to rule and reign after the seven years of Tribulation which comes immediately after the rapture.
In the light of the “Blessed Hope” of the church, what ought we be doing.
I. WATCH Mt. 24:42
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
(It means to give strict attention in the Greek)
A. Watching for Him.
B. Watching these areas in my life
1. Watching my tongue James 1:26
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
2. Watching my testimony
Titus 2:12
“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”
3. Watching my treasure Mt. 6:21
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
4. Watching my temper Pro. 15:1
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
5. Watching my talents Col. 3:23-25
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
6. Watching my thanksgiving
Col. 3:17
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
II. WORK John 9:4
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
John 4:34
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
John 14:12
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
A. Work Diligently.
B. Work loyally
C. Work lovingly.
D. Work just if Jesus was beside you physically.
III. WITNESS Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
A. Who to witness to:
1. To the ones who seem to need it most.
2. To the ones who seem to need it least.
3. To the ones who seem to despise it most.
4. To the ones who seem to hate you most.
B. How should we witness. Jude 22
“And of some have compassion, making a difference”
1. With a tear in our eyes
2. with a burden on our hearts
3. with a message that is clear
4. with a desire for people to be saved.
5. with a joy in our hearts
Conclusion: Romans 13:11-12
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
jmicha...@juno.com
Isaiah 41:10
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