Sermon Central
-
Prophets And Politics
Contributed by J. Yeargin on May 29, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: What does the Word of God tell us about who we can turn to and trust in these days of pandemonium?
PROPHETS AND POLITICS
Who Can You Trust?
These are perplexing times we live in. Some may not want to hear to what I am about to share. In these “last days”, it is important that we are aware of what is going on in the world.
Hopefully none of us live our lives by what we read in the printed newspaper, but by the printed and inspired Word of God.
Nevertheless, I feel I should remind us of how short the days are.
Allow me to share with you what I found this week in the news.
Source: The front page of the February 27th edition of the USA Today newspaper.
Title: “Fuel for nuclear weapons is more widely available than the public has been told.”
Conclusion: There are two significant problems in keeping our world safe from having a nuclear catastrophe.
A) Nations, such as Russia, have less and less money to finance the security of weapons sites still left from the “Cold War”
B) A recent study by the Natural Resource Defense Council found that “It’s a lot easier to make a nuclear explosive device than the public has been led to believe.”
What does all of this information mean to people like us living in a small town?
The world that once felt safe from the threats of the “Cold War” is now learning how to live in more and more fear and instability. The world is convinced that our days of peace and freedom are determined by the world’s leaders.
Question: What does the Word of God tell us about who we can turn to and trust in these days of pandemonium?
How does all of this relate to the Word of God written 2000 years ago?
Text: Matthew 28:16 thru 18
Our text takes place on a little hillside called the “Mt. of Olives”. Just like us, the disciples had gathered themselves there to meet with Jesus. It was here that Jesus made a statement of authority followed by a call to commitment.
Jesus’ Statement –
All authority has been given to me.
Regardless of what the world is trying to tell us in it’s newspapers and on televison, the statement made by Jesus tells us that nothing has happened, or will ever happen, without His direct authority.
Despite what’s happening on the world scene, Jesus has direct authority over everything that takes place. We know that to have been the case while He was here on this earth. And we know that today. Jesus has direct authority over everything that will happen today, this week, this year, & to the end of this age.
Jesus commanded everything to be subject to His voice.
Whether it was the storm out on the high seas, or the demons that tormented the demoniac.
Folks, Jesus is the Lord of your future!
Consider this:
The Bible tells the story of how disciples had to watch our Lord Jesus be beaten and judged before the Sanhedrin Court. Pontius Pilate ordered Jesus to be hung on a cross to die in total humiliation.
There were a lot of terrible things that had happened to Jesus and the disciples. The disciples felt as though they were facing uncertain days ahead.
The disciples were not sure what was going on, or what was going to happen to their lives with Jesus being crucified.
The disciples were frightened of what their future held for them.
The disciples had to learn 3 important things that we must also learn –
1. When you decide to allow Jesus to save you from your sins, you must make Him Lord over every area of your life.
This is not something you kind of grow into and become mature in. It is not a:
· Personality that is be slowly developed in our lives.
· Something that you hope to become.
· Option for you to choose when and how you want to live for God.
You cannot accept His love and forgiveness and then not live under His Authority. To receive the true forgiveness of Christ means you must also receive the His Authority.
…God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Why is this so important? Because in these days of uncertainty, we need to
1. Understand Who is in charge.
2. Comprehended the authority of Christ.
There are many weak Christians that only rely on God to save them from an eternity in hell.
Oftentimes, what the world is saying has a greater influence on the people of God than the authority of Christ has.
