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Oct 08, 2017

End Times Evangelism

End Times Evangelism

Speaker: Dennis Gallaher

Series: Love Thy Neighbor

Category: Sunday Morning

Jesus said that in the end days there would be wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and weather, and people’s love would grow cold. We are challenged to see the signs of the end times and be active in our evangelism for God.

The signs of the end times are all around us. Do not let the frequency, distance, or 24 hour news cycle put you to sleep.

The disciples wanted to know when the end would come.

Opening Scripture:
Luke 21:7  They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”

Matthew 24:3  As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

We are so wrapped up with the economy, politics, radio pundits, tweets, or Facebook posts, we no longer ask the right questions.

All the shiny objects dangled by satan to a naive church have stolen our attention away from the obvious and loving signs the Lord gave.
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Jesus said there would be wars and rumors of wars.
Jesus said there would be earthquakes, famine, and weather.
Jesus said there would be martyrdom.

John 16:2  They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.

Matthew 24:9  “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”

Christians are now the most persecuted believers in the world.

Matthew 24:12  Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

Most people’s love, agapē, which is the love of God, will grow cold. The love that seeks to serve and is a choice for the highest good will grow cold.

It is that agape love that is the fuel for evangelism.

Matthew 24:13-14  But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 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.

We have been talking about a new evangelism that sees men and women as alone in need of another and not only sinners in need of a Savior. This is what we call “Touch Evangelism.”

Why? Jesus did more touching than preaching and more comforting than condemning. He touched hearts that were stone cold with loneliness, hearts that were empty with fear, and He did it all because He came to be with us and never leave.
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With all these signs more apparent than at any time in history, our indifference to the lost and alone is nothing short of a heart that has grown cold.

We are consumed with our little dysfunctional worlds, to the point where taking the good new to those we know is not even on our radar. It must be because the days are growing short.

Here are two reasons for this:

1) The Battle Between Truth & Lies

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 17:7  Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You.

John 1:14  And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This Kingdom is most identified by this Word, this God-breathed, Holy Spirit empowered Word that gives light to our path. It is a sword in the hand of the Holy Spirit, and we are to preach it in season and out.

The other reality is the kingdom of hell is defeated but is fiercely fighting in spite of that defeat.

John 8:44  You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Jesus said that the ruler of that kingdom has no truth in him. He is a liar and the father of lies.

There is a battle between The Truth and the father of lies. As long as our focus is on the constant noise of this world, you will not tune into the still, small voice of the Defender of Truth, the Holy Spirit.
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2) Rebellion Against God

1 Samuel tells the sad story of Saul, the first King of Israel. He was given specific instructions to annihilate the Amalikites. They are a picture of the flesh in the Scriptures. They continually attacked the weak and elderly in the wilderness.

Instead of obeying God, Saul rebels by taking the spoils of the battle. He then defends his actions, wanting credit for emphasizing religion and ritual above obedience.

1 Samuel 15:23  “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

Here Samuel tells Saul that his rebellion is equal to witchcraft.
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Now, we have the Truth. We have the commissioning to go to the highways and byways and to care for the ones in the ditch. We are told to preach the Good News and to come along side of the lonely to share the love of God.

At what point do we call our lack of evangelism…
- our unwillingness to cross the street.
- our reluctance to share the love of God.
- our phobia of not being liked if we do that.

At what point does not sharing the Truth, Jesus, become sin?
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Close:

Matthew 24:25  Behold, I have told you in advance.

The real value of His prophetic warnings is that we would know what to do when chaos, confusion, and the ever-shifting morals of our culture have seemingly taken over.

He tells everyone of us…
- I am coming back.
- Don’t be seduced by the lies of the world.
- “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
- “He who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”

There are two concerns at the forefront:
1) Those who have made an excuse out of sinfully neglecting the commissioning of the Lord.

We are calloused and blind to the human tragedies that surround us. At some point, our refusal to obey God is rebellion.

2) Those who have yet to bow their hearts to Jesus.

Those of us who come to Jesus are admitting that we are broken, powerless, and in need of a change we cannot make ourselves.

Matthew 11:28  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”