This Could Be The Year..
Introduction:
A. At the end of years someone always does a "Year in a
glance" (where they recap all the big things that happened
in the year that is ending). A lot happened in 2003:
1. We went to war with Iraq.
2. Arnold Swartzenhagar become Govenor of California.
3. There was a huge forest fire in Sandeago, California.
4. Sadam Hussien was captured.
5. Recently 28,000 died in an earthquake in Iran.
B. What will 2004 bring?
1. It might be nice to know, but of course we can't.
2. We can't see into the future, God hasn't told us, and
going to Palm Readers, and Fortune Tellers is not only
a waste of time and money, but also sin.
But, this year could be the year....
I. You lead someone to Christ.
A. There are people all around us who have not obeyed
the gospel.
1. Most of them are good people.
a. They work hard to provide for their families.
b. They help other people when they are in need.
c. They are very moral people.
2. But, just being a good person is not good enough.
a. Matthew 19:16-22 = kept the law - not good enough.
b. Matthew 7:21-23 = many good works - not good enough.
c. John 3:1-3 = religious, and sincere - not good enough.
3. Just being a good person is not good enough because..
a. As good as we may be, we have all sinned - Rom.3:23.
b. And the wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23.
B. But, this year may be the year you lead them to Christ.
1. Teaching someone what they need to do to be saved is
very simple.
a. If you have obeyed the gospel, you know what they
need to do: believe, repent, confess, be baptized.
b. If you cannot remember where the verses are that
teach that: write it in your Bible.
2. Teaching someone what they must do, and them doing
it has to be one of the greatest things a person could do.
a. On the day of Pentecost Peter taught a multitude of
people in Jerusalem, and those that "gladly received
the word were baptized" (Acts 2:41).
b. After Philip taught the Eunuch, the Eunuch went on
his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39), Philip probably did a
little rejoicing of his own.
c. After Paul and Silas taught the Philippian jailor and
his household, and they were baptized..they rejoiced
(Acts 16:34).
d. There is nothing anyone could do for another person
than teach them the gospel so that they can have the
hope of eternal life in heaven.
e. This could be the year that you lead someone to Christ.
II. This could be the year that someone passes away.
A. It could be someone close to you.
1. Will you be ready for it?
a. Sometimes people become very depressed.
b. Some become bitter toward God.
c. Some turn to alcohol and drugs.
2. We need to realize...
a. That death is going to happen - Hebrews 9:27.
b. If we, and they, have lived, and done what God wants
us to do, we shall join them one day - II Sam.12:23.
c. We are not in this alone - II Samuel 12:24.
d. God will never leave us or forsake us - Heb.13:5.
B. You could be the one who passes away.
1. There are no guarantees of how long you will live.
a. Psalm 90:10 = 70 years.
b. Most people probably make beyond 70, but many
do not.
c. Grave yards are full of people who died in their 20's,
30's, and 40's.
2. Are you ready?
a. You need to live every day like it could be your last.
b. If you walk in the light every day, as God is in the
light (I John 1:7)...you have nothing to worry about.
c. You can face death with confidence, knowing that
you have fought a good fight, finished the course,
and kept the faith, and there is laid up for you a
crown of righteousness (II Tim.4:7-8).
III. This could be the year the Lord returns.
A. We do not know when He will return.
1. No one knows when He will return.
a. Matthew 24:36 = no man, and not the angels.
b. Mark 13:32 = He didn't even know.
2. So we need to be prepared, no matter when that
might be.
a. Matthew 24:42-44 = if a homeowner knew when the
thief was coming he'd be prepared.
b. Matthew 24:45-51 = a wise servant will be doing what
his master told him to do, for the
master could return at any time.
c. Matthew 25:1-13 = the 5 wise virgins were prepared
for the bridegroom's coming, for
they had taken extra oil.
3. If He returned this year, what would He find you doing?
a. Serving Him?
b. Striving to imitate Him?
c. Helping those who are in need?
d. Assembling with the saints to worship the Father?
e. Laying up your treasure in heaven?
B. We ought to look forward to His return.
1. Realizing this world is not our home.
a. We are looking for another country - Hebrews 11:14-16.
b. We are strangers & pilgrims on this earth - Heb.11:13;
I Peter 2:11.
2. And, when He returns...
a. We shall meet Him in the air and ever be w/ Him
(I Thess.4:17).
b. For He has prepared a place for us (John 14:1-3),
and He shall receive us unto Himself,
that where He is there we shall be also.
Conclusion:
A. It could be the year the Lord returns, and we should hope
that it is.
B. It could be the year we lead someone to Christ, and we
should take advantage of every opportunity to do so.
C. It could be the year that we, or someone else passes away,
and we need to be prepared for it.
D. If you have not obeyed the gospel you need to do so, not
just sometime this year, but today...for you have no promise
of tomorrow.
E. If you have sin in your life, you need to repent of it...not
someday...but today!