Sunday Morning Podcast Sept 16, 2018. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: MATTHEW 18:11
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Christ’s purpose …was to save the lost.
LUKE 13:1-3
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
To perish, is to be lost without recovery. Yet Matthew 18:11 says Christ came to save from this fate. Consider the question, where am I going to end up after I die? The question then is put to those that are found in three groups, where we are all found “somewhere.”
Group 1) Denying the question. If you’re here, you might without concern ask yourself the question, “Why am I here (in church, or anxious about my soul)?” This mental attitude is akin to being an atheist….or foolishly denying the reality of God and His judgments. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God”…………….. Psalms 14:1 The atheist “needs” to deny God in order to not recognize God’s rules.
Group 2) Not being firm in the reality or convictions of God. Being as those of the church of Laodicean. Which is lukewarm, or indifferent. Knowing “something” does happen, but pretending they are good enough spiritually, so not to be too concerned. Having a “I’ll wait and see” attitude. It happens because of having a greater attachment or love of the world. 1 Timothy 4:10 “For Demus hath forsaken me, having love this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.” Demus left, even though the others stayed. Demus’s love for this world became greater than what he had for God. Demus wasn’t firm in his convictions and determination. People get this way, by becoming self sufficient in their opinion of themselves. They seem to forget their real need of God in their every thought and action. With the question, “What happens to me when I die,” too many decide not to worry but think, “I’ll find out later.” Or they approach it by making up their own “rules.” Lukewarm in their mental approach. How many here really consider if they are truly ready, or whether God accepts them as they are in this moment?”
Group 3) This group really cares a lot what happens after they die. So much they earnestly contended for the answer. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3 We must earnestly contend for the faith. We must be zealous! We have no time to be complacent. This group doesn’t only belong to the saints. There are also sinners earnestly contending for the truth, so they can find God. Many sinners desperately want to know, sometimes more than the saints, (at least the ones that have become lukewarm and complacent.) But we need to earnestly consider the question of where we are before God. To consider the reality of eternity without God. The reality of hell…forever separated from God.
Which group do you find yourself? The thought being taught or dealt with here is, …in which group are you in? Sober question! An idea of ultimate concern, …nothing else matters! What is it going to be like after death? What will the judgement be like? What’s going to happen to you after you die? We have a choice and control of our ultimate destiny. In eternity you no longer will have any control. What will it take to get where I want to go spiritually? The world and Satan have a strategy to convince you that you don’t have to change….but just be as you are. But when God saves us, He changes us! Seek the Truth!
In Which Group Do You Find Yourself?