MY FRIENDS, FOURTH DOWN AND ONE, TIME IS RUNNING OUT, WHAT DO YOU DO?

Dec. 14, 2014

MY FRIENDS, FOURTH DOWN AND ONE, TIME IS RUNNING OUT, WHAT DO YOU DO?

My friends, If you are a child of God “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, [who] declare the praises of Him who called [each of His children] out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

We are now in the fourth quarter, fourth down and one yard to go with only a few seconds left on the clock. But it’s very personal because it’s our game to lose, simply because on our team we have the all knowing, all powerful, Omnipresence creator calling the plays, so how do we blow the game right here at the end.

What mistakes could we make to fumble or give the game away, as the world watches on the sideline. “A comprehensive demographic study of more than 200 countries finds that there are 2.18 billion Christians of all ages around the world, representing nearly a third of the estimated 2010 global population of 6.9 billion.”

But like Gideon in Judges 7 who started out with 22,000 when it came down to who has the faith and endurance to finish the course and carry their cross across the finish line, ended up with only 300.

In addition, out of the 2.18 billion Christians, what percentage are willing to give it all to the Master and endure till the end and finish the course, while at the same time recruiting others to join the winning team of all God’s children, who believes in the saving power of Christ.

My friends each of us are included into that overall data of 2.18 billion Christians, but to finish the course here at the end we must be unique, even when it comes to other Christians while allowing self to die daily.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.” Matt 13:24-26 (LKJV)

So we must be more then a follower of Christ in name only our uniqueness comes about in allowing God’s Spirit to transform and take control. Christ tells us in Matt. 16:24 (NIV) “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Now, close your eyes and picture our Savior carrying that cross along  Via Dolorosa Road to Calvary and walk in those same footsteps, try and feel a small portion of what He went through for our Salvation. In addition, this let’s us know the play caller knows how to win, so He helps us to be conquerors also.

“Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons [and daughters],

“My son [and daughter], do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son [or Daughter] whom He receives.”

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons [and Daughter]; for what son [or Daughter] is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [and Daughter.]” Heb. 12 3:8 (NASB)

My friends, time is running out, our God is giving us a chance to make this last play, it’s personal, will we read the playbook, God’s word and allow his Spirit to tell us how the Son of God finished and conquered.

Or are we allowing the god of this world to call this final play for us. Before you answer that I need to remind you the game has already been won, we just need to accept the results and follow the game plan, which is given our all to the Master, For victory “is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (KJV)

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY