Thursday, March 1, 2012

MESSAGE OF THE LAST HOUR

MESSAGE OF THE LAST HOUR
(Matthew 25:1-13)(Isaiah 40:9-10)

1.      We are Daniel of this generation
-          Daniel was given the revelation about what will happen to his people (Israel) in future. (Dan. 9:22-24)
-          John was given the revelation about what will happen on earth and in heaven concerning the Church. (Rev. 1:1, 20).
-          We are given the assignment to prepare people and proclaim the last message (Jesus is Coming) and to interpret the signs of times. (Dan. 5:25-28).

2.      What in the world is happening?
a.       The world economy has collapsed
b.      Increase in world population
c.       There is no peace (Rumors of war)(East Africa & Middle East)
d.      Global disasters
·         Australia Flood (Worst flood since 1974)
·         Mudslides in Brazil (Death toll above 800)
·         Hurricane Katrina (New Orleans)
·         Tornadoes (Just happened – 4/27/2011)
·         Haiti Earthquake (Casualties – 316,000)
·         Indonesia Tsunami (Casualties – 173,981)
·         Japan Tsunami (Casualties – 10,000+)
·         Iceland Volcano eruption (Ash emission reached 838km)
e.       Diseases and untimely deaths
f.       Famine
THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOR/LEADER
·         Who will that leader be?
·         His identity
·         His character
·         His Nationality


3.      Church of the end-times
a.       Church has lost her basic calling (Eph. 1:4-14)
b.      Church has misplaced her priorities
c.       Church becomes preoccupied with building and programs
d.      Is your church worldly standard or God standard?
e.       Misinterpretation of Scriptures to serve their purpose and to fulfill their own desire.
f.       Hollywood pastors have turned church services to entertainment and pulpit to acting stage.
g.       Getting people somehow strategies.

4.      Do not be deceived, do not lose focus
These are instruments of the devil to deceive the saints:
a.       Money – This has become god for many (Matt. 6:24)(1 Tim. 6:7-12)
b.      Technology advancement (Dan. 12:4).
c.       World has become a global village (Dan. 12:4)
d.      Vain desire (Gen. 2:8-9)(Gen. 3:6)
e.       Wolves in sheep clothing.

5.      God is building His army
God is recruiting / looking for people that are:
a.       Available
b.      Faithful
c.       Committed
d.      Teachable
e.       Willing to make sacrifice
f.       Not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16)
g.       Ready to take over the world for Christ.

THE BELIEVERS REWARDS / JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

(2 Cor. 5:10)(Rom. 14:10)(1 Cor. 3:11-15)(Matt. 16:27)


This refers to the judgment seat of Christ where, after the resurrection of the saints, we shall be judged of the things done in the body whether they be good or bad.
(Rom. 14:10-12)(Rom 2:12-16)(1 Cor. 3:11-15)(2 Cor. 5:10)(Gal. 6:8)(Eph. 6:8)(Col. 3:24)(Lk. 14:14)(2 Tim. 4:14)(Rev. 2:23)(Rev. 22:12)

JUDGMENT OF BELIEVER’S WORKS:
  1. SUBJECTS:- Believers (Gal. 6:8)(Eph. 6:8)(Col. 3:24)(Rom. 14)(2 Cor. 5:10)
  2. TIME:- Between the rapture and the second advent (Luke 14:14)
  3. PLACE:- In heaven (1 Cor. 9:24-27)(Rom. 14:10)(2 Cor. 5:10)
  4. BASIS:- Works, both good and bad (1 Cor. 3:11-15)(2 Cor. 5:10)(Rom. 14)(Col. 3)(Matt. 16:27)(Rom. 2:6)(2 Tim. 4:14)
  5. RESULT:- Reward or loss of reward, but never the loss of one’s soul for any wrong-doings properly confessed and forgiven (1 Cor. 3:11-15). This judgment deals with the believers as a servant (Rom. 14)(2 Cor. 5:10-11)
Every believer’s works or deeds, whether good or bad, will be judged; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:8-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 2:23.
Good works are those which are done in accordance with scripture and under the control of the Holy Spirit; Galatians 5:21-23; c.f. 1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 2:5.
Christ will judge to determine whether the believer’s works were done with pure motivation; Matthew 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 2:23.

BELIEVERS WILL BE JUDGED CONCERNING:
  1. Doctrine -Teaching (Rom. 2:14-16)(Rom. 14)
  2. Every believer’s faithfulness or devotion to duty. (Matt. 20:1-16)(Matt. 25:14-30)(Mark 10:35-45)(Luke 19:11-27)(Luke 22:24-30)(John 12:26)(1 Corinthians 3:8-15)(2 Corinthians 5:10)(Colossians 3:23-25)(Hebrews 11:6-10(
  3. Conduct to others (Matt. 18)(Rom. 14)
  4. Carnal Traits (Col. 3)(Rom. 1-2)(Rom. 8:1-13)(Rom. 14:1-23)
  5. Acknowledging Christ before others. (Matt. 10:32)( Luke 12:8-9).
  6. Words (Matt. 12:32-37)(Rom. 14)( Luke 12:2-3)
  7. Endurance (2 Tim. 2:12)
  8. Faith and patience (Heb. 6:12)
  9. Confidence (Heb. 10:35).
  10. Believer’s who seek Christ ( Heb. 11:6)
  11. Reproach and suffering  (Heb. 11:24-26)(Jam. 1:12)(Rev. 2:10)
  12. Leaving families and livelihoods to follow Christ as a disciple (Matt. 19:27-29)(Mark 10:21).
  13. Good deeds. (Matt. 10:42)(Matt. 25:34-40)(Luke 6:35)(2 Cor. 5:10)(Eph. 6:7-8)(Jam. 2:21-24).
  1. Things that affect others:
a.       Slander
b.      Quarrels
c.       Idle words
d.      Foolishness
e.       Dishonesty
f.       Broken promises
g.       Wrong dealings
h.      Love for others( Luke 6:35)(John 15:14)
(Rom. 1:29-32)(1 Cor. 6:9-11)(Gal. 5:19-21)(Col. 3)(Eph. 4:1-32)(Eph. 5:1-33)(Rom. 12:1-21)(Rom. 14:1-23)

  1. Things that affect themselves:
a.       Neglected opportunity
b.      Talents wasted
c.       Loose living
d.      Lack of spirituality
e.       Self-control (Filling of the Holy Spirit) (1 Cor. 9:24-27)(2 Tim. 2:5)(1 Pet. 3:8-9). (Rom. 2:14-16)(Heb. 2:1-4)(Gal. 5:1-26)(Gal. 6:1-10)(Col. 3)

  1. Things that affect God:
a.       Refusal to walk in the light
b.      Disobedience
c.       Rejection
d.      Failure to co-operate
e.       Failure to yield to the Spirit
f.       Faithful service
g.       Love for Christ (2 Tim. 4:7-8)
(1 Cor. 12)(Rom. 12)(Eph. 4:1-32)(Eph. 5:1-33)


Believers’ Rewards:

Many scriptures attest that God will recompense, remunerate, reward, or pay wages for the faithful service of his followers (Matt. 10:42)(Matt. 16:27)(Matt. 20:1-16)(Luke 6:35)(Luke 14:14)(1 Cor. 3:8)(1 Cor. 3:14)(2 Cor. 5:10)(Eph. 6:7-8)(Heb. 11:26)(2 John 8)(Rev. 22:12).

Believers are promised an inheritance. They become co-heirs with Christ and inherit the kingdom. Such inheritance undoubtedly, includes many facets some of which are a richer experience of life in the millennium and eternity; ruling with Christ and participation at his wedding feast, and possession of their promised rewards.

Rewarded believers will reign with Christ (Matt. 19:27-29)(Luke 19:17-19)(Luke 22:29-30) (Rom. 8:16-17)(1 Cor. 6:1-3)(2 Tim. 2:12)(Rev. 2:25-29)(Rev. 3:21)(Rev. 3:10)(Rev. 20:4).

God will offer commendation and praise as a reward (Matt. 25:21)(Matt. 25:23)(Luke 12:8-9) (Luke 19:17)(John 12:26)(1 Cor. 4:5)(Jam. 2:23)(1 Pet. 1:7)(2 Pet. 1:10-11)(Rev. 3:5-6) (Rev. 3:11-12).

Believers can store up Treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21)(Mark 10:21)(Luke 12:32-33)(1 Tim. 6:17-19).
Those who overcome are promised special intimacy with Christ (Rev. 2:7)(Rev. 2:17).

The Incorruptible Crown: (1 Cor. 9:24-27). This crown will be awarded for self-discipline and self-control or victory in fighting the battle with the flesh. It will apparently be awarded to those who fulfill (Rom. 8:4)(Gal. 5:16)(Gal. 5:25)(Eph. 5:18). God honors those who labor according to his standards; (2 Tim. 2:5).

The Crown of rejoicing: (Phil. 4:1)(1 Thess. 2:19) It appears that God will honor those who have faithfully labored at bringing people to Christ.

The Crown of righteousness: (2 Tim. 4:7-8) This wreath will be awarded to those who have loved Christ’s appearing. It is apparently for those who long for Christ’s return at the rapture and live their lives in view of that event. It also speaks of any believer wanting to meet the Lord face to face after having finished his life and having kept the faith.

The Crown of life: (Jam. 1:12)(Rev. 2:10) This wreath will be awarded to those believers who persevere in suffering and trial, even to the point of death, and who love Christ. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

The Crown of glory: (1 Pet. 5:4) This wreath is awarded to those pastors and elders who are good shepherds and examples to their flocks. This is a reward for faithful service in discipling others.

Believers can lose their rewards and suffer loss at the judgment seat (1 Cor. 3:15)(2 Cor. 5:10) (Col. 3:23-25)(2 John 8). Believers can be disinherited because of disobedience (Heb.12:16-17).

Commendation and praise are denied to those who deny Christ (Matt. 10:32-33)(Luke 12:8-9).
Rebellious, lazy and disobedient servants will not reign with Christ (Matt. 25:14-30)(Luke 19:11-27)(2 Tim. 2:12).

Believers who remain carnal and out of fellowship will lose reward and suffer loss (John 15:6)(1 Cor. 3:12-15)(1 Cor. 6:9-10)(Gal. 5:21)(Eph. 5:5-6).

Believers who suffer loss of reward at the judgment seat will experience shame (1 John 2:28).
There are numerous warnings in the New Testament regarding the loss of rewards (Heb. 2:1-2) (Heb. 6:4-12)(Heb. 10:26-27)(Jam. 2:12-13)(2 John 8)(Rev. 3:11). Believers are also warned to abstain from practicing certain sins in order not to lose their rewards (1 Cor. 6:9-10)(Gal. 5:21) (Eph. 5:5-6)(2 Tim. 2:12).

While a believer may lose his reward through disobedience, works of the flesh, and persistent carnality, he can never lose his salvation (1 Cor. 3:12-15). The believer will not be condemned for sin as all sins were judged on the Cross (John 3:18)(John 5:24)(John 6:37)(Rom. 5:1)(Rom. 8:1)(1 Cor. 11:32).