For Such a Time as This

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The believer’s enemy is not other believers or even other people.

    Satan is a strong enemy. You cannot defeat Him.
    • He has demons in the building today.
    • They came in on someone’s back.
    • They may have come in on someone’s heart.
    He is stronger than you and He is stronger than me.

    The only way I can defeat Him is to “But God” Him –

    (Put on the whole armour of God)

    1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (44 psssages in Bible with the phrase “But God)

    Satan will do all that He can to discourage you and convince you that God has forgotten you.

    Daniel 10:10-13 –  And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11  And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12  Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.13  But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

    Luke 11:9-13 – And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

    We are to pray and wait

    Isaiah 40:27-31   Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? 28  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

    We are not told to run, we are told to stand –

    Ephesians 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

    The Importance of the Church “In Such A Time As This”

    Revelation 2:1-7

    Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

    4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

    5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

    1. This was a good church.
    2. They knew the truth and taught it.
    3. They were a faithful church.
    4. BUT – They had left their first love.
    5. Told to repent or God would remove their effectiveness.
    6. Take a closer look:
    • In Ephesians 4-5 Paul sets out to instruct this church to follow fully after the things of Christ.
    • He told them to make wise use of their time. -Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
    • He told them to be spiritually filled – Ephesians 5:17-18 – 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
    • Paul told them to worship Ephesians 5:19-20
    Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
    • Paul told them the importance of others – Ephesians 5:21 – Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
    • Paul told them to love family. Ephesians 5:22- 6:4
    • Paul told them to be a faithful employee. Ephesians 6:5-9h       Paul told them to protect against evil

    For Such a Time as This

    Introduction

    Esther 4:13-17

    13  Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15  Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

    16  Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17  So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

    Signs that point to the great tribulation

    Matthew 24:4-13 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8  All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

    Matthew 24:15-22 – When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

    .

    Matthew 24:32-39 – Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

    Matthew 24:42-50 – Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.47  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.48  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;49  And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,51  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    Let us begin with three questions

    Verse 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

    • “When will this happen?
    • “What shall be the sign of Your coming?” 23-51.
    • “What shall be the sign of the end of this age – 9-22

    In the weeks to come we will talk about how we should be ready for the end time.

    1. Where will we be when all this happens?
    2. What should we do as we prepare for the end time?
    3. What is going on today a sign of the end time or the rapture of the church?
    4. Is the spirit of the anti-Christ alive today?
    5. Could the anti-Christ be alive today?
    6. Is this really our time?

    Old Testament Giving vs New Testament Giving

    Malachi 3:8-10 -Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.9  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

    II Corinthians 9:6-8 – But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

    A lot has been said about tithing in the church.  I have good news for you.  Tithing is NOT a New Testament concept.  It was an Old Testament concept.  The New Testament giving is totally different. Hopefully we shall both let you see the difference and hopefully you will look at giving, not as a requirement, but as a privilege. 

    Old Testament Giving

    • A percentage was required.
    • One was punished if they did not meet the standard.
    • One was blessed if they met the standard.
    • The Old Testament ended with God scolding the children of Israel for withholding the tithe.
    • The Old Testament tithe went to the priest to care for them and the priest would care for the temple needs.

    II Corinthians 9: 6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

    New Testament Giving

    • It is to be done as one chooses.
    • It is a demonstration of one’s love for the Lord Jesus and His Church.
    • It is to be a regular habit – 1 Corinthians 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
    • It should be:
    • Done willingly.
    • Cheerfully.
    • Not grudgingly.
    • In the New Testament you do not give to be blessed, but you give because you are blessed.

    II Corinthians 8:1-5 –   Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.3  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;4  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.5  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

    • Even those with little gave what they could and God took their gifts and greatly met the needs of spreading the good news.
    • Take note of verse 2: affliction – great joy – poverty – gave liberally.  Wow!!!

      Broken Pieces

      Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

      Isaiah 61:1-3  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

      Luke 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

      All your ugliness for all His beauty

      Something Beautiful by Gloria Gaither / Willam J. Gaither

      If there ever were dreams
      That were lofty and noble
      They were my dreams at the start
      And the hopes for life’s best
      Were the hopes that I harbored
      Down deep in my heart
      But my dreams turned to ashes
      My castles all crumbled
      My fortune turned to loss
      so I wrapped it all in the rags of my life
      And laid it at the cross

      Something beautiful
      Something good
      All my confusion
      He understood
      All I had to offer Him
      Was brokenness and strife
      But He made something
      Beautiful of my life

      All your sorrow for all His joy

      Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

      1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

      I Peter 1:6-9 –  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

      All your burdens for a spirit of praise

      All of your sinfulness for all His righteousness

      II Corinthians 5:17-21 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

      All the devil has done, for all He is doing and will continue to do.

      Broken spirits, broken relationships, worry, sorrow, sin, anxiety, fear, anger, bitterness, in exchange for

      Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

      • All your bondage for all His freedom. 1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
      • All your condemnation for His complete forgiveness. John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Psalm 103:1-5 – Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
      • The broken pieces of your life for the victory He gives. I Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

      Have you failed in life’s battle
      To accomplish your plans
      Is your heart heavy laden
      Do you fear the Lord’s command
      Do you feel that no one loves you
      And there’s no use to try
      Just bring your cares to Jesus
      Your soul He’ll satisfy

      Pick up the broken pieces
      And bring them to the Lord
      Pick up the broken pieces
      Trust in His Holy Word
      He will put them back together
      And make your life complete
      Just place the broken pieces
      At the Savior’s feet
      You may feel that there’s no hope
      Broken hearts just cannot mend
      Tho’ you’re torn in many pieces
      Christ can make you whole again
      Storms of doubt blow all directions
      But don’t you be afraid
      God can make all corrections
      He made a body out of clay

      Pick up the broken pieces
      And bring them to the Lord
      Pick up the broken pieces
      Trust in His Holy Word
      He will put them back together
      And make your life complete
      Just place the broken pieces
      At the Savior’s feet

      Broken Pieces Lyrics & Chords
      By Ruby Kitchen & James Jr. Martin