Signs of the Times
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for not knowing the signs of the times
(Matthew 16:1-4) “the Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting
desired Him that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to
them, when it is evening, you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in
the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and threatening, O you
hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky; but can you not discern the signs of
the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there shall
no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah, and He left them, and
departed”.
We are supposed to know the things of the kingdom (Mark 4:1-11) “and He began
again to teach by the sea side; and there was gathered to Him a great multitude, so
that He entered into a ship, and sat in the sea, and the whole multitude was by the
sea on the land. And He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in
His doctrine. Hearken; behold, there when out a sower to sow. And it came to pass,
as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured
it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately
it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, it was
scorched, and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among
thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell
on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth,
some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred. And He said to them, He that has
ears to hear, let him hear. And when He was alone, they that were about Him with
the twelve asked of Him the parable. And He said to them, to you it is given to know
the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to them that are outside, all these things are
done in parables”. He tells them in verse 13 “know you not this parable? And how
then will you know all parables”? Jesus takes the time to explain this parable to
them, read on in verses 14-20. The seed is the word, and we must get the
understanding of the word that we hear, so that the devil cannot steal it away from
our hearts. It is also important that we not only get excited about the word, but we
have to take the time for our roots to grow; so we don’t get offended. Or let the
cares of the world choke out the word. The word will only produce when we hear the
word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit.
His disciples asked Him to show them when His return would be (Matthew 24:1-14,42-
44) “and Jesus went out, and departed from the temple; and His disciples came to
Him for to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, see you
not all these things? Verily, I say to you, there shall not be left here one stone upon
another; that shall not be thrown down. And as He sat upon the mount of Olives,
the disciples came to Him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? And
what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world? and Jesus
answered and said to them, take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall
come in My name; saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And you shall hear
of wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not troubled; for all these things must
come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom; and there shall b e famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall
they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and you shall be hated of all
nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one
another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall
deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then shall
the end come. Watch therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord does come.
But know this, that if the Goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief
would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be
broken up. Therefore be you also ready; for in such an hour as you think not the
Son of man comes”. And in Luke 21:25-28,31) which says “and there shall be signs
in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring. Men’s hearts failing them for fear;
and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of
heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud
with power and great glory. And when these things began to come to pass, then
look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near. So likewise you,
when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is near
at hand”.
We are called ambassadors of Christ (II Corinthians 5:20, Paul called himself an
ambassador of Christ (Ephesians 6:20). An ambassador is a representative of a
sovereign or state. Paul in Galatians 2:20 says “I am crucified with Christ,
nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”.
Ephesians 5:1-17 details for us, how to be His followers; it says “be you therefore
followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us,
and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling
savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once
names among you, as becomes saints. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
jesting, which are not convenient but rather giving thanks. For this you know, that
no whore-monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has
any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with
vain words, for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children
of disobedience. Be not you therefore partakers with them. For you were
sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord, walk as children of light. For
the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Proving what is
acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things
which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made
manifest by the light; for whatsoever does make manifest is light. Wherefore He
says, awake you that sleep, and rise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the
time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is”.
Remember that we are the salt and light to a dying world; let us take every
opportunity to witness to those around you. II Peter 3:9-14 says “the Lord is not
slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to
us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the
earth also and the works that therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these
things shall be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in a hold
conversation and godliness. Looking forward hasting to the doming of the day of
God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall
melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Wherefore beloved,
seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of Him in
peace, without spot, and blameless”. The Lord isn’t really being slow about His
promise to return, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He
does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.
Jesus is waiting so that more sinners will repent and turn to Him. We must not sit
and wait for Christ to return, but we should live with the realization that time is short
and that we have important work to do. Be ready to meet Christ any time, even
today; yet plan your course of service and work until He returns. Remember that
the wise wins souls. And that should be easier today, because the world is afraid
and ready to hear the truth. The movie 2012, have some thinking that the world will
end in 2012, and some have asked me if that was the truth, and it gave me the
opportunity to witness the word and see some come to the Lord. And then with the
earthquake and the fire and flood in California many are wondering when the end
will come?
When God is silent and you are in deep anguish, follow the method of Psalms 74,
review the great acts of God throughout biblical history; then review wat he has
done for you. This will remind you that God is at work, not only in history, but also in
your life today.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 22, 2010
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for not knowing the signs of the times
(Matthew 16:1-4) “the Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting
desired Him that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to
them, when it is evening, you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in
the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and threatening, O you
hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky; but can you not discern the signs of
the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there shall
no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah, and He left them, and
departed”.
We are supposed to know the things of the kingdom (Mark 4:1-11) “and He began
again to teach by the sea side; and there was gathered to Him a great multitude, so
that He entered into a ship, and sat in the sea, and the whole multitude was by the
sea on the land. And He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in
His doctrine. Hearken; behold, there when out a sower to sow. And it came to pass,
as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured
it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately
it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, it was
scorched, and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among
thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell
on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth,
some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred. And He said to them, He that has
ears to hear, let him hear. And when He was alone, they that were about Him with
the twelve asked of Him the parable. And He said to them, to you it is given to know
the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to them that are outside, all these things are
done in parables”. He tells them in verse 13 “know you not this parable? And how
then will you know all parables”? Jesus takes the time to explain this parable to
them, read on in verses 14-20. The seed is the word, and we must get the
understanding of the word that we hear, so that the devil cannot steal it away from
our hearts. It is also important that we not only get excited about the word, but we
have to take the time for our roots to grow; so we don’t get offended. Or let the
cares of the world choke out the word. The word will only produce when we hear the
word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit.
His disciples asked Him to show them when His return would be (Matthew 24:1-14,42-
44) “and Jesus went out, and departed from the temple; and His disciples came to
Him for to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, see you
not all these things? Verily, I say to you, there shall not be left here one stone upon
another; that shall not be thrown down. And as He sat upon the mount of Olives,
the disciples came to Him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? And
what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world? and Jesus
answered and said to them, take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall
come in My name; saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And you shall hear
of wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not troubled; for all these things must
come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom; and there shall b e famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall
they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and you shall be hated of all
nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one
another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall
deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then shall
the end come. Watch therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord does come.
But know this, that if the Goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief
would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be
broken up. Therefore be you also ready; for in such an hour as you think not the
Son of man comes”. And in Luke 21:25-28,31) which says “and there shall be signs
in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring. Men’s hearts failing them for fear;
and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of
heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud
with power and great glory. And when these things began to come to pass, then
look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near. So likewise you,
when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is near
at hand”.
We are called ambassadors of Christ (II Corinthians 5:20, Paul called himself an
ambassador of Christ (Ephesians 6:20). An ambassador is a representative of a
sovereign or state. Paul in Galatians 2:20 says “I am crucified with Christ,
nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”.
Ephesians 5:1-17 details for us, how to be His followers; it says “be you therefore
followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us,
and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling
savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once
names among you, as becomes saints. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
jesting, which are not convenient but rather giving thanks. For this you know, that
no whore-monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has
any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with
vain words, for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children
of disobedience. Be not you therefore partakers with them. For you were
sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord, walk as children of light. For
the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Proving what is
acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things
which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made
manifest by the light; for whatsoever does make manifest is light. Wherefore He
says, awake you that sleep, and rise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the
time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is”.
Remember that we are the salt and light to a dying world; let us take every
opportunity to witness to those around you. II Peter 3:9-14 says “the Lord is not
slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to
us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the
earth also and the works that therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these
things shall be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in a hold
conversation and godliness. Looking forward hasting to the doming of the day of
God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall
melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Wherefore beloved,
seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of Him in
peace, without spot, and blameless”. The Lord isn’t really being slow about His
promise to return, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He
does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.
Jesus is waiting so that more sinners will repent and turn to Him. We must not sit
and wait for Christ to return, but we should live with the realization that time is short
and that we have important work to do. Be ready to meet Christ any time, even
today; yet plan your course of service and work until He returns. Remember that
the wise wins souls. And that should be easier today, because the world is afraid
and ready to hear the truth. The movie 2012, have some thinking that the world will
end in 2012, and some have asked me if that was the truth, and it gave me the
opportunity to witness the word and see some come to the Lord. And then with the
earthquake and the fire and flood in California many are wondering when the end
will come?
When God is silent and you are in deep anguish, follow the method of Psalms 74,
review the great acts of God throughout biblical history; then review wat he has
done for you. This will remind you that God is at work, not only in history, but also in
your life today.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 22, 2010
