Signs
Selected Scripture
Play a little game this morning. If I put out on the church sign that next Sunday Labron James of Cleveland Cavaliers would be here, would the church be full? If I said Jennifer Aniston or Bradley Cooper or any well known actor or actress, would people come to God’s house?
Yeah, the house of God would probably be full. Why? Because they would be people that people want to meet.
They would believe that what I put on that sign was correct and they would come.
I think that they would want to lynch me up if they got here under false pretenses and I began sharing a message about God’s love. Why, because they came for one thing and I would be giving them another.
They had already in their minds what they are expecting and what they got would not be what they are looking for.
The church sign out front usually has a message and the message is usually inviting or encouraging the people of this community to be drawn to the things of God. When they do choose to come through these doors, we pray that they are met with smiles and we (1) will meet their expectations and (2) give them what they need because they are two different things.
Here lays the problem- Not that what the church offers them is not good, but that what they need is not what they are looking for and what they are looking for will not satisfy their need, but most don’t know it yet.
1000’s of people pass the sign every day. We use it as a tool of evangelism and they use it as a point of reference. (Turn right or left at the church)
Some are amused at what the sign says, some encouraged, but until they come in they cannot be changed and they cannot experience or receive what they need.
If we cannot get some believers where they need to be, how much harder is it to get to the unbelievers?
When believers are not praying. (Had to be here last week to get that one.)
When believers are struggling with priorities and commitments, it is hard for the unbeliever to see the need.
Five Man Electrical Band
In 1971, they wrote this song; Signs
And the sign said "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said "You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do"
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that. Huh! Me workin' for you!"
Whoa-oh-oh
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?
God has signs and He gives us signs
"Beware" signs are set to warn us of danger, to prevent disaster and assure us of safely arriving at our destination. God knows the danger spots in life and has lovingly set up His "beware" signs in His Word.
So when God says the bridge is out, you can be assured that the bridge is out and another way is in your best interest.
The first was in the Garden of Eden, warning Adam and Eve, that eating the fruit of the forbidden tree would mean death (Gen. 3:1-3). They ignored it.
God's Ten Commandments (Ex. 20) are ten important warning signs. They are not set up to keep us from enjoying life, but they are safety guarantees designed to keep us from destruction, to preserve our well being and our fellowship with God.
Most say they live the Ten Commandments, which is impossible, when in reality they cannot even recite the Ten Commandments.
Ignoring any one of them can mean death (Jms.2:10).
God's warnings are not to be received as from a mean bully that does not want anyone to have fun, but rather as the counsel of a loving, gracious Heavenly Father, "not willing that any should perish" (2 Pet.3:9).
He knows there is a vicious predator lurking, and many deadly pitfalls lie ahead in the unknown territory in which we find ourselves. But the Holy Spirit is with us to remind us of our Lord's warnings (Jn.14:26). He will protect and guide us to the right path. Hear David confidently singing: "The Lord is my shepherd...Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me" (Ps.23:4). Our God is a protector, not a destroyer
Few of God's BEWARE signs: there are more but here are a few.
1. Beware of "The devils schemes" (Eph. 6:11,12)
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the ruler, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Some take that as a joke, or as a scare tactic for us to behave as we should. It is a warning.
Some think that is for the devil stompers, but average people do not have to worry about that.
The devil intends to destroy us. Jesus warned Peter, "Satan desires to have you...to sift you as wheat" (Lk.22:31). The enemy is clever, at times disguising himself as "an angel of light" (2 Cor.11:14).
The presentation of pleasure as ‘your right’ has led many astray. His "schemes" are cunning tricks he uses, to confuse us and make us think that a little wrong is not all bad. I am not as bad as everyone else.
Paul warns believers to beware, "so that Satan will not outsmart us" (2 Cor. 2:11,).
It is foolish to ignore God's warnings. Believers are not of this world, therefore, should not be blinded by spiritual darkness, for we are children of the "Light "(1 Thes. 5:5).
We should recognize the pitfalls (January series- Life’s Pitfalls)
We are encouraged to "Watch and pray" (Mt.26:41). Praying will sharpen our ability to discern the devil's lies and strategies.
2. "Beware of false prophets" (Mt.7:15)
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
These, are false teachers who seek to please the ear and emotions of people with philosophies and sensational predictions, but fail to lead them to worship God "in spirit and in truth" (Jn.4:23,24).
They promise what people want to hear, but water down the truth of God's Word.
• "There is a way which seems right to a man but in the end leads to death" (Pro.14:12).
• They will be taken by the popularity of the person rather than the words that they speak.
• Just because they say it in a soft sweet voice and give the impression of being Godly doesn’t mean what is said is Godly.
3. "Beware of...hypocrisy" (Lk.12:1)
“Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”
God is not fooled by fake religion. In fact He does not like religion that does not involve a relationship with Him. He sees through the mask of those who "talk the talk" but do not "walk the walk."
Jesus told the believers of Sardis, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” ( Rev.3:1,). What a terrible indictment!
"Man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart! God hates hypocrisy.
To the Laodiceans He said, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold not hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are luke-warm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:15,16).
4. Beware of covetousness. (Lk. 12:15)
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Sadly, such an individual is never satisfied, wants more than enough, and is jealous of others. Inevitably, this leads to complaining, to hate, greed, stealing, and even murder. It is a malignant cancer that eats at us, and eventually destroys the person. We would do well to remember, that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim.6:6).
The signs that the world puts out is that
You deserve it
they owe it to you
take what you want
anything less is not living,
God quietly tells the believer to be careful, the bridge could be out.
5. Beware "lest ye be led away...from your own steadfastness" (2 Pet. 3:17, 18)
“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than doing evil.”
Paul confronted the Galatians with, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? (Gal.5:7).
Is it possible, that after years of faithfulness, one may allow a let-down of the standard of holiness, and become a back slider ? (1 Cor. 9:27). Unfortunately, --yes.
The devil will try to get believers to be weary of spiritual discipline, urging them to let down their guard. But how does he do this? By tricking us to be slack in our daily devotions, by unfaithful church attendance, by suggesting a very meager financial support of the church, and submitting that we put off witnessing for Christ to a "more opportune" time.
The devil will also urge us to let the world gradually put its foot in the doorway of our hearts. This and more can happen, -- when we ignore God's warning, --"Love not the world neither the things of the world" (1 Jn. 2:15).
It starts with little excuses such as, "I'm too tired." "Too busy." "I'll take care of it tomorrow." "Everybody's doing it."
The times are different- we don’t do that anymore! " Little foxes that spoil the vines" (Song.2:15). They're tiny and cute, but destructive. They nibble on the vine until they kill it.
6. Beware "lest you forget God." (Deut. 6:12)
How can we forget Him? Without Him we die! We know that!
He is our breath, our food, our energy, peace, contentment and life itself with all its joys.
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God' " (Psa. 14:1).
Keep your mind on the Lord. "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”(Col.3:2).
The devil is a clever enemy. He sets traps and pitfalls for all of us.
We must "stand against the schemes of the devil" After that, -- the road is safe and clear!
Closing,
Next week starts Advent, and we move into Christmas season, we have weddings, end of year, New Year and before we know it we will be deep into 2017 before we know what hit us.-
Stop today- in this moment to acknowledge to God that you will be reading his warning signs, His signs of encouragement that comes from fellowshipping with people of like minded faith. Taking time to acknowledge our shortfalls with the hope of an eternal God that wants to help us- to help You- to help me.
It is time to be real honest with God, about prayer life, things going on in your life, what you want to change and what you need God to change.
Stop running, stop going the wrong way and realize that the bridge is out and God is giving you fair warning.
Amen.
