Scripture Text: Matthew 24:9-14
Speaker: Ps. Bernard Foo (Harvester Singapore)
Date: 31 May 09 (Mission Sunday)
All Scripture texts are quoted from New American Standard Bible
Matthew 24:9-14
9"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
3 Main clusters of people living in this end times:
(1) The LOST Generation
(2) The LUST Generation
(3) The LORD’S Generation
(1) The LOST Generation
Three causes
a) Foolishness
- Aimless, getting caught up in the world system,
lost.
- Luke 15:1-7
Luke 15: 1-7
The Lost Sheep
1Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 2Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and (B)eats with them."3So He told them this parable, saying,4"What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5"When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7"I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
b) Careless
- Luke 15:8-10
Luke 15:8-10
The Lost Coin
8"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9"When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!'10"In the same way, I tell you, there is joy (D)in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
c) Wilfulness
- Luke 15: 11-24
Luke 15:11-24
The Prodigal Son
11And He said, "A man had two sons.
12"The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me ' So he divided his wealth between them.13"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.14"Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.15"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.16"And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.17"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!18'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."'20"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.21"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'22"But the father said to his slaves,
'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
23and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
(2) The LUST Generation
Two Causes
a) Lawlessness
- Matthew 24:12 “Because lawlessness is
increased, most people's love will grow cold.”
- Genesis 6:11-13, 17-22
11Now the earth was (N)corrupt in the sight of
God, and the earth was (O)filled with violence.
12God looked on the earth, and behold, it was
corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way
upon the earth. 13Then God said to Noah, "The
end of all flesh has come before Me; for the
earth is filled with violence because of them;
and behold, I am about to destroy them with
the earth.
17"Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of
water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in
which is the breath of life, from under heaven;
everything that is on the earth shall perish.
18"But I will establish My covenant with you;
and you shall enter the ark--you and your sons
and your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
19"And of every living thing of all flesh, you
shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to
keep them alive with you; they shall be male
and female. 20"Of the birds after their kind,
and of the animals after their kind, of every
creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two
of every kind will come to you to keep them
alive. 21"As for you, take for yourself some of
all food which is edible, and gather it to
yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for
them."22Thus Noah did; according to all that
God had commanded him, so he did.
b) Lovelessness
- Because of adversity Christians are not willing to preach the Gospel.
- The Great Commission belongs to ALL BELIEVERS.
(3) The LORD’S Generation
Two Distinction Characteristics:
a) Watchfulness
- not deceived; prayerful; endurance
- know that the coming of the Lord is sure.
- keep awake spiritually
- wants to hear what God is saying and not what the world is saying.
b) Gratefulness
- Grateful people are faithful people, faithful to the plan of God.
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