BE FAITHFUL TO THE END

Jeremiah 23:23-29; Hebrews 11:29-39; 12:1-2; Luke 12:49-56

Introduction

I missed out on the time I was supposed to deliver a talk at a conference because I was monitoring a wrong set watch. It has been one failure I always regret.

A popular Ghanaian rapper always goes like, "Do you know what time it is?" In Ecclesiastes 3:1-3, we are told that "there is time for everything". 

Knowing the time is so important. Time is equally distributed to all - whether rich or poor, old or young, male or female. It cannot be stopped, it keeps on going. Only those who know what time it does make the best out of it.

And so the Apostle Paul tells us to know the time, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." Romans 13:11 (NKJV)

When we know the times, we get to do what is needed. When it is time to sleep, we sleep, when it is time to laugh we laugh, etc. Last Saturday I officiated a funeral service and it was a time of sorrow, everyone was mourning. If anyone had come in and begun to laugh and express happiness, she/he would have been considered to be a psychopath. Our knowledge of what time it is puts us into our right frame of mind.

For the joy in the promise set before us as Christian - waiting for the second coming of the Messiah to take us to Heaven, we ought to keep up with the times. 

Beloved in Christ, let no one despise this joy [Heaven] set before us. I've seen videos of Rev. Obofour telling people that he knows no heaven except here and now. Another is a Pastor telling his congregation that there is no heaven because God is not in heaven using Genesis 1:1. and also, a popular radio and TV presenter, Captain Smart, has followed suit to disband the existence of Heaven in his TV show.

All these and more are indicators of what time it is. Let no one takes away the joy of what is set before us just like Jesus Christ, "For the joy set before him [Jesus] he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Jesus said, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him... You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:35-36,40 (NIV)

In the advent of time;

1. Accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Many people engage in 'try your luck' to accomplish a task. In this case, when the time is up there is no other chance to try again. Use the sure way to Heaven (John 14:6). There is no religion that has a living Messiah except Christianity. 

What time is it? It is time to believe and accept Christ Jesus (John 1:12-13; Rom. 10:9-10). The promise is for only those who take the steps to confess Christ as Lord for 'no one goes to the Father except through Him.'

2. Grow your Faith in Christ. 

The words of these critics and the situations around us all seek to kill our faith as Christians. Build and grow your faith. The Hebrews writer encourages us by giving examples of what faith did for Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Israelites, Rahab, the judges, David, Samuel, the prophets, etc. (Hebrews 11). In verse 16 of Hebrews 11, "...they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:16 (NIV).

What time is it? It is time to build, hold and grow our faith (Rom. 10:17) in Christ as never before.

3. Treasure in Heaven

I have heard people allegedly say that some persons have lost their lives because of the closure of Menzgold and some banks in Ghana. Everyone's heart is at where and in what we treasure. It is time to be Heavenly focused, by selling out what keeps our hearts on worldly (Luke 12:33).

The song writer puts it, "what can make me cry without stopping is if angels come and tell me there was a fire outbreak in Heaven and everything has burnt". Since this cannot happen, you and I ought to keep our treasures in Heaven - that is, to invest our all in Heaven. Jesus said, "Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33 (NIV) 

Beloved in Christ, what time is it? It is time to let go and hold on for Heaven's sake.

4. Trust in God's Provision

We have advanced in knowledge of things around us due to discoveries. Scientific predictions and situational examples throw some light on things to come. Beloved, in the midst of all these, there is still room for God's divine provision - miracles, because, no one knows tomorrow except the one who is beyond time (2 Peter 3:8).

This is the time when evil solutions are provided to our doorstep even on national televisions to ease your health issues, marital problems, financial dryness, spiritual attacks, traveling difficulties, desire for fame, etc. in opposition to God's time. Meanwhile, God wants you to trust in His provision only and to credit onto you as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). 

Beloved, yes! your situation is getting unbearable for you, but in our state of impossibilities lies the miracles of God. 

What time is it? It is time to trust only in God's provisions. Come to Him you who are heavily laden, and He'll give you rest (Matt. 11:28). 

5. Keep to the unadulterated Word of God.

This is the time the voice of the false prophets are so loud. They come declaring, I have seen this or that about you just like Jeremiah prophesied. Their words are so heart warming and gives indication of their concern, God says, their intention is to "...make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name..." Jeremiah 23:27 (NIV). 

You know what time it is? It is time to speak faithfully the Word of God. It time to search the truth in God's Word and keep without selling it (Prov. 23:23).

Conclusion

Do you know what time is it? 

Precious one, knowing the times makes us people of divine wisdom clothed in Christ and always ready for His second coming as we keep shining in our society.

'Time aso ooooooo time aso!' 

Are you ready!?

Shalom aleichem...