Sermon Central
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Discerning The Times : A Call To Action
Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Nov 6, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: WE MUST RECOGNISE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DAYS WE ARE LIVING IN AND RESPOND TO THE CALL OF GOD IN THIS HOUR . WE MUST RISE UP TO THE CHALLENGE AND DO WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO AT THIS TIME.
DISCERNING THE TIMES : A CALL TO ACTION
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INTRODUCTION
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WE MUST RECOGNISE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DAYS WE ARE LIVING IN AND RESPOND TO THE CALL OF GOD IN THIS HOUR . WE MUST DISCERN WHAT THE LORD IS DOING IN THESE LAST DAYS AND JOIN WITH HIM TO FULFILL OUR PART. WE MUST NOT MISS THE TIME OF GOD’S VISITATION. WE MUST MAKE OUR LIFE COUNT FOR GOD. WE MUST RISE UP TO THE CHALLENGE AND DO WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO AT THIS TIME.
" He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. "
" men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do , 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command; "
" For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
" Be on guard! Be alert and pray! You do not know when that time will come. "
" He replied, "When evening comes, you say, ’It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’
and in the morning, ’Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. "
"He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ’It’s going to rain,’ and it does.
And when the south wind blows, you say, ’It’s going to be hot,’ and it is.
Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? "
" As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it
and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace , but now it is hidden from your eyes.
The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.
They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you."
" Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. "
THE MESSAGE
DISCERNING THE TIMES : A CALL TO ACTION
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1. IT IS TIME TO ARISE AND SHINE FOR THE LORD
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ISAIAH 60:1,22
" Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. "
" The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly."
" And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. "
" for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
2. IT IS TIME TO BE WISE AND MAKE USE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY
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" Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. "
" Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. "
3. IT IS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD FOR THE LATTER RAIN
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" Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. "
" Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone. "
" Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. "
4. IT IS TIME TO RECEIVE THE FAVOUR OF GOD
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" You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. "
