Friday, June 10, 2016

You Pick: End Times Continued


This past Sunday we KICKED OFF our NEW series "YOU PICK." People voted on their top 3 topics for me to speak on. One of the top 3 was End Times. You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

If you haven't heard the message I encourage you to click on the links above to watch or listen first and then read the blog. 

During the message I talked about 2 of the "Signs of the end times" that Jesus shared. I talked about the persecution of followers of Christ and how sin will be rampant and the love of many will grow cold. Here are some quick thoughts of the other signs in Matthew 24.

Sign #1 - Many will come in my name claiming to be the Messiah 

When we hear someone claiming to be the Messiah today in the news we laugh and think of the person as crazy. However, there are many people who claim they have the way to eternal life when Jesus said clearly He was the way, truth and life, no one can come to the father except through me. That is why Jesus told us not to be deceived. 

The Greek word for deceive is planaƍ to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive. Many have arisen in our world to deceive and pull people away from the truth of Jesus Christ. 

Sign #2 - Wars and Rumors of Wars 

Since Jesus' words were spoken, we’ve had too many wars to count. Whether it was the Holocaust, Libyian Civil War, Dafur conflict in Sudan or the current war in Syria and Middle East, wars and rumors of wars continue to increase.

2001 - Terrorists attack in the USA
2001 -Afghanistan's liberation war - USA & UK vs. Taliban 
2002 - Cote d'Ivoire's civil war 
2003 - Second Iraq-USA war - USA, UK and Australia vs. Saddam Hussein and subsequent civil war 
2003-2009 - Sudan vs. JEM/Darfur 
2004 - Sudan vs. SPLM & Eritrea 
2004 - Yemen vs. Shitite Muslims 
2004 - Thailand vs Muslin separatists 
2007 - Pakistan vs. Pakistanki Taliban 
2012 - Iraq's civil war after the withdrawal of USA troops 
2012 - Syria's civil war 
2013-2016 - ISIS and the war in Europe and Middle East 

Sign #3 - Famine and earthquakes in many parts of the world 

Between 1986 and 1996 (incl), a period of 11 years, there were "just" 15 earthquakes listed by USGS of magnitude 7.0 or greater. This is not markedly different (albeit a slight decrease) from previous (similar periods) of 20th century, where an average of about 18 might be expected.

But between 1997 and 2007 (incl), a period of only 11 years, there were 99 earthquakes with magnitude 7.0 or greater : This is more than a six-fold increase on the previous similar period - and is a stark increase on any earlier decades in 20th century too.


Action against Hunger—Global hunger now afflicts nearly a billion people worldwide. Severe acute malnutrition, however, is the more immediate killer: it threatens the lives of 19 million children. Every year at least 3.5 million of them die from malnutrition-related causes.

Sign #5 - Many will turn from the faith 

GEORGE BARNA says: "One common thread in every survey has been the significant number of Millennials among these “Nones.” The initial Pew survey found that nearly one-in-three members of the Millennial generation (32%) has no religious affiliation. But, who are these faithless twentysomethings? Where did they come from? Did they ever claim faith? And what is it about religion that has left them cold?
Recent surveys by the Barna Group have shed light on this trend by examining those 18- to 29-year-olds who used to identify themselves closely with faith and the church, but who have since begun to wrestle with that identity. In fact, between high school and turning 30, 43% of these once-active Millennials drop out of regular church attendance—that amounts to eight million twentysomethings who have, for various reasons, given up on church or Christianity.
Sign #6 - Many will betray and hate each other 
I don't have to tell you, there is an undercurrent of anger and hatred in our world. Say one wrong thing, or accidentally take too long at a recently turned green light and people start yelling and cussing you out. 
When we see people looking out only for their own interest, even if that means betraying each other, the time is near. When people cuss you out, call you names and even yell at you because you simple disagree with them, the end is near. 
Sign #8 - The good news will be preached in every nation 
According to the Joshua Project, as of 2013, Of the 16,650 people groups by country, 7,183 are still considered unreached. There is work to be done yet we are closer than ever before with the Internet, radio, TV and the digital era.
In the height of WWII, Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was imprisoned for taking a stand against Hitler. Yet he continued to urge fellow believers to resist Nazi tyranny. A group of Christians, believing that Hitler was the Antichrist, asked Bonhoeffer, "Why do you expose yourself to all this danger? Jesus will return any day, and all your work and suffering will be for nothing." Bonhoeffer replied, 
"If Jesus returns tomorrow, then tomorrow I'll rest from my labor. But today I have work to do. I must continue the struggle until it's finished."

Sign #9 - False Prophets 

A false prophet is anyone who speaks about life, God and heaven yet is contrary to the word of God. False prophets in the Old Testament would prophecy peace and safety even though the people of Israel were doing everything God has asked them not to do and were not doing anything that God had asked them to do. When the prophets of God spoke the truth, they were persecuted and killed. 

If anyone speaks against Christ rest assure it is not from the Lord. 


Have people predicted Jesus coming in vain? Yes! Have people tried to scare people with the end times? Yes! In spite all of this, we see in the Bible that Jesus is coming again so all who believe can be with Him! We are closer now than ever before. 


Thursday, June 2, 2016

Battle Plan part 3


This past Sunday we continued CONCLUDED our series "TEMPTATION." This entire we have looked at the reality temptations are inevitable so we should learn how to navigate successfully through them. We also looked at a few keys to becoming stronger in resisting temptation" You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

We ended the series talking about "The Fight of your life." You and I are in a spiritual battle until we cross over from this world into the next. So, what can we do to become stronger in the battle? What can we do to not grow weary in the battle? I am going to spend the next few posts going over different ways we can not only prepare for the fight but grow in the fight.

For part 1 of the blog we looked at Tactic #1 which was worship. For part 2 of the blog we looked at Tactic #2 "The Holy Spirit." Let's take a look at the 3rd tactic...

Tactic #3 - Vision 

Romans 6:6-13-We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live;[a] do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
Mark Batterson says, "A consistent or habitual sin problem is a vision problem." 
Paul writes in Romans 6 because of Jesus Christ, we are free from the control and power of sin. Instead of using any part of your body for an instrument of evil to serve sin, give yourselves completely to God. Use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right. 
Right now whatever temptations you are facing, the vision of your life is leading your decisions. Change your vision. Write out the vision for your life, relationship with God, marriage, family. Write out action steps and goals that will lead you toward that vision. Consume your time and thinking with God's plan and purpose with your life. Completely give yourself to God! 
The more you seek God and pursue Him, the less you will give in to temptation. Will you still face temptation? Yes! However, your vision for your life will be a support in your time of testing. 
Here is are some examples of a life vision statement. "I exist to love God more every day of my life." "Every day and in every way I want to love God more and love people more." 
Be consumed with a vision to know God and do what He has called you to do. 


Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Battle Plan part 2


This past Sunday we continued CONCLUDED our series "TEMPTATION." This entire we have looked at the reality temptations are inevitable so we should learn how to navigate successfully through them. We also looked at a few keys to becoming stronger in resisting temptation" You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

We ended the series talking about "The Fight of your life." You and I are in a spiritual battle until we cross over from this world into the next. So, what can we do to become stronger in the battle? What can we do to not grow weary in the battle? I am going to spend the next few posts going over different ways we can not only prepare for the fight but grow in the fight.

For part 1 of the blog we looked at Tactic #1 which was worship. Let's take a look at the 2nd tactic...

Tactic #2 - The Holy Spirit 

Ephesians 5:18-Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:16-So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

The word "Filled" with the same spirit means to be "intoxicated." Paul is saying the same way you are intoxicated with wine, be intoxicated with the Holy Spirit. When someone is intoxicated with win it will ruin their life but being intoxicated or filled with the Holy Spirit will enable you to walk in strength, power and victory. 

The Bible makes it clear that every person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior has the Holy Spirit living inside of them. (Romans 8:9-14 & Ephesians 1:13-15). The Bible also makes it clear that there is a secondary experience or outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If you read the account of the early church in the Book of Acts you will see them being filled with the Holy Spirit time and time again. It wasn't just a one time experience in Acts 2 but continues on through the entire book and throughout human history. 

Paul said in Galatians 5:16 the more we are controlled and led by the Holy Spirit the less we will do what our sinful nature craves. We need the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives every single day. Here is a prayer you can pray each morning. Feel free to change the words and make it your own.

"Father God I thank you so much that you sent Jesus into this world to be the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. Thank you Jesus for loving me and taking my punishment. I believe you have rose again and defeated the power of darkness and the grave. Thank you Jesus for sending your Holy Spirit to be my comforter, counselor and guide. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to fill me with power from on high to be a witness unto you. I pray you fill my with your Holy Spirit today once again. I want to be completely filled the way Paul writes in Ephesians 5:18. I want the Holy Spirit to direct every thought, step and attitude today according to Galatians 5:16. I surrender to myself to you and want your Holy Spirit to fill me up. In Jesus Name!"