 Matthew 16:1-3
1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; 3 and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. Jesus was telling the “church” that they were able to discern very many things in the natural realm including the weather but when it came to the things of the Spirit and heavenly realm they were a mystery to them… Meteorologists look at historical data to tell us where we are today compared to where we’ve been in the past… For example on Thanksgiving it was 90 degrees here in Southern California and the meteorologists told us it was the hottest thanksgiving we’ve ever had… “Signs of the Times” is about taking the historical data that tells you where you are today and then really looking at what where we are today means for where we’ll be tomorrow… In Matthew 16:3 when Jesus says… You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times He is saying what good is it to know rain is coming tonight for the first time in history on this day of the year if you don’t realize that next week the levies are going to break and many will die as the city floods… God calls the church and every believer to evaluate the historical data and be sensitive to the Spirit that will filter the current affairs in a way that prepares us for the future… We have to be able to read the “Signs of the Times” if we are going to be ready for what’s ahead… This applies to what’s ahead for your marriages & relationships and what’s ahead for your children and what’s ahead of you in your walk with God and ultimately what’s ahead in God’s plan for the world… Hebrews 9:28 Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time Romans 8:22-25 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Can we “Coexist”?… First we need to be able to read the sign and know what it means… Initially it seems so simple and non offensive as a call for all religions and ways of life to live together in harmony… C = Islam O = Peace E = Equality of Men & Women X = Judaism I = Paganism (multiple god’s) S = Taoism T = Christianity As you really look at this though what the world or those who have this philosophy are really saying is that if you refuse to accept this philosophy and embrace “coexistence” you lack love and you are actually living in hate… We know this is not true but the majority of people outside of the church and sadly even many in the church have embraced this… Let’s look at it again… C = Islam… 1 God and Mohamed is his prophet… etc… O = Peace… No war and to each his own… E = Equality of Men & Women… Beyond value and into the removal of gender identity… X = Judaism… God without Christ… I = Paganism… Includes witchcraft & sorcery & satanism & mysticism… S = Taoism… equal & opposite, good & evil, scales & weights… T = Christianity… One way to be saved from eternal damnation for all people There is one very simple truth here… The only way for these to “Coexist” is if none of them is true… Another truth is that they cannot all be true… I believe that the real “Sign of the Time” is that satan has sold people a pseudo religious existence… In this pseudo religious existence the focus is not on meeting our maker who is God but on experiencing something or anything beyond ourselves and in this religious existence truth is not required… This system begins to crumble when Christians bring truth into the equation… John 8:32 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says love… 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Ephesians 4:14-15 we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ The call of God is not to Coexist but to be separated and we must see the “Sign of the Time” that is calling us to deny the word and will of God in the name of pseudo peace and pseudo love… A friend told me once I couldn’t be a Christian because he doesn’t hate gay people and he doesn’t see anything wrong with having a drink… I couldn’t even get any words out because I couldn’t believe that that was what he thought it meant to be a Christian… People are judging our faith in ignorance and then taking their ignorance to a conclusion where they must teach us about love and peace and because of our own ignorance we often let them… Hosea 4:6 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. In our ignorance we waver in what we believe or turn a blind eye to what we should see as a strategy of the enemy and a clear “Sign of the Times” we live in… Coexistence is pseudo peace and pseudo love and pseudo spirituality and God is calling us Christians to recognize that this is more than a bumper sticker… It’s a “Sign of the Times” we are living in and it is taking the people we love and care about to hell… This “Coexistence” movement is truly about Uncertainty vs. Surety… I know that there is “One Way” as we often sing and that Way is a narrow road… Matthew 7:13-14 13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 4:20-21 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. I am living the rest of my life trying to help others see and receive the truth with as much wisdom as possible but don’t ever mistake that for confusion or wavering… I am fully convinced… We are countercultural and called to fight against the current and the momentum of the world in the direction its going… We cannot coexist when it comes to anything spiritual... And the longer I serve the Lord the more things I see as “spiritual”… We must refuse to “Coexist” in the way the world means it when they say it… Psalm 95:6 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. The world says let’s all agree to let each other bow down and worship whoever we want without getting worked up about who’s bowing down to what… Just “Coexist”… Deuteronomy 8:19 19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Joshua says in Joshua 24:15 choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Matthew 4:8-9 the devil took Him (Jesus) up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Daniel 3:1-25 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald cried aloud: "To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." 7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up." 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king's command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." 25 "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” These men “Coexisted” in the biblical sense of the word which means to be in the world but not of it… Yes we live here and we work here and we play here but whenever there is any conflict or confusion between who we are in Christ and who we may appear to be in this world we will make it clear at any costs… Let's look at the 3 time periods required to see the "Signs of the Times" and to make the most of what the Lord is showing us...
2 Corinthians 6:1-17 1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 1. The Past… Salvation 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Everything we are talking about is contingent upon salvation… Without salvation this doesn’t make sense but with salvation nothing else makes sense… We can’t receive the grace of God in vain which is to live in the world and to be of the world… Jesus says in the past I heard you and I gave you salvation… 2. The Present… Truth In Love 2 Corinthians 6:2 Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation Salvation is a constant state of being… We were saved at a date in the past but our present condition is that of being saved because of the ongoing work and power of Jesus… God said “let there be light” one day long ago and there is light today because He is upholding His word with His power… So when Jesus says “now is the day of salvation” He is saying that how you live today and and every new day is “in light” of the ongoing work of the Lord that saves and sanctifies you… and then Paul tells us and the Corinthians what that looks like… Listen to this and compare it to what the world says about “Coexistence”… 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. This is how we as Christians are called to “Coexist”!… In the Present… 3. Future… Continued Separation 2 Corinthians 6:11-17 11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. We tell the world that they are not restricted from “Coexisting” because of us and in actuality we have done more for “Coexistence” even as they define it than any other group on the planet… If they will be honest about what they see in us we hope it leads to them being open to what we will have to say to them “In the FUTURE”… and here is what we have to say and continue to say in the future… 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. We say… "Come out from among them And be separate”… We have to say it from a PAST of our own salvation… and we have to say it from a PRESENT of our own sanctification through suffering… and we have to continue to say it in the FUTURE until Jesus returns… Hebrews 9:28 To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time I pray this helps you to “Coexist” according to the word of God not according to the enemies world movement of pseudo love and pseudo peace and pseudo spirituality…
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