SIGNS
Sermon By: Pastor Raymond L. Shockley
TEXT:
Matthew 16:1-3 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting
desired
him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them,
When it is evening, ye say, [It will be] fair weather: for the sky is red. And
in the morning, [It will be] foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring.
O [ye] hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not [discern]
the signs of the times?
INTRO: Jesus said the people could discern the times of the
weather but could not tell the signs of the coming of the Lord. There are signs
available to us today if we will look around. Some are as follows.
I. DISBELIEFS IN THE PROMISES OF GOD
A- Peters words about the last days
II Peter 3:3-4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his
coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were]
from the beginning of the creation.
II. DECEPTIONS BROUGHT BY FALSE PROPHETS
A- Paul wrote in
II Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction.
B- These false prophets deny the new birth and the atonement
III. DEFECTIONS FROM THE FAITH
A- Paul says
I Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils;
B- These are they who deny the Bible is God's word and promote their own
will.
IV. FALLING AWAY OF MAN
A- Again Paul states
II Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day
shall
not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be
revealed, the son of perdition;
V. DROP IN MORAL STANDARDS
A- We find this in
II Timothy 3:1-4 This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural
affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers
of God;
B- This is like reading today's news paper
VI. DEMONSTRATIONS OF LAWLESSNESS
A- Many shall hate
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one
another, and shall hate one another.
B- Hate causes riots and wars
VII. DECREASE IN PERSONAL LIBERTIES
A- Our freedom to worship God is slowly slipping away.
1- Some will say this will never happen
2- Who ever thought abortion would be like it is today
3- Or the Supreme Court handing down such decisions as is today
CONCLUSION: These are just a few of the signs God's word tells us
we would see in the last days. There are many more if we are looking through
spiritual eyes. If we are to be ready we need to wake up and look around us
Jesus is about ready to come.