[0:00] Go to Matthew chapter 9, I believe it is. I'll get there in a few minutes. I'll do a little bit of review. Seems it's been a couple weeks. I'll remind you where we were at and what we were doing.
[0:15] It's the one, if you've got a sheet there you're looking for, it's the one where Jesus will judge. Jesus will judge. So, huh?
[0:27] A sheet? Yep. Jared, can you get? Yeah, of course. What chapter did you say? What amount of time? Nine. Chapter 9. Matthew. Matthew. Get Steve one, too. Me, too. Kathy one, too.
[0:38] Bring in the whole stack. Okay, just bring in the whole stack, yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
[0:53] You want to get pins? Oh, you want to get pins, okay. Okay. All right. All right. We've been talking about Jesus will judge. We've been talking about the fact that there will come a time when we will all have to stand before a judgment of some kind.
[1:12] God's judgment will first start during the tribulation.
[1:23] You see it there behind me? Angela has it up there. God's judgment during the tribulation and the timing of that tribulation, or that judgment. We talked about the fact that God is going to rapture the church out.
[1:41] When you're saved, Jesus is going to come again and take you to heaven. And when he does that, the unsaved are going to be left behind.
[1:53] And during that rapture time, or after that rapture takes place, will begin a time of tribulation for those that are left on the earth. And the description of the judgment, the description talked about the seal judgments, first of all.
[2:11] The seal judgments are Jesus has handed the title deed to the earth. And when he's handed that, it's sealed with seven seals. And as he breaks each seal off of that, there's going to be different judgments released on the earth.
[2:29] And when that happens, there's going to be things like the coming of the Antichrist, a worldwide war, severe famine, widespread death by war, hunger, wild animals, martyrdom of believers, and all kinds of things happening in the heavens.
[2:48] Cosmic disturbances and things. A lot of different things are going to take place as those seals are broken. And the last of those seals is broken begins seven other judgments called the trumpet judgments.
[3:04] And I think I've got on your sheet there the verses that go with all those, right? Are there references? Okay. So that you can look those up. The first four trumpet things result in hail and fire striking, a third of the vegetation on the earth, a third of the sea becoming blood, a third of the rivers becoming poisonous, and a third of the heavens being darkened.
[3:28] And then trumpets five through seven are known as the three woes. And there's going to be things happening on the earth like insects or some other creature are going to be tormenting people for about five months.
[3:44] There's going to be a destruction of the third of mankind by a demon-led army. And they're going to be the transfer of the nations of the world to Christ. That's in chapter 9 and 11.
[3:55] At the end of that, there are seven more judgments called the bowl judgments in Revelation chapter 16. And they include sores on the lost, death of sea creatures as the rest of the seas turn to blood, rivers turn to blood.
[4:14] The sun becomes incredibly scorching. The darkness, pain, amassing armies at Armageddon, getting ready for the battle of Armageddon, a mighty earthquake with giant hailstones coming down.
[4:33] Doesn't sound good, does it? That's one of the reasons to get saved is that we're not here for all of that when it takes place. When that happens, of course, people are going to be angry, going to be upset, going to be cursing God and everything.
[4:51] But the Bible says they are true and righteous judgments in chapter 16, verse 7 of Revelation. God has been left out of this world.
[5:04] He has tried and tried through the sending of Jesus Christ to let people know that he is there. He is concerned about them. That's why Christ came to this world.
[5:16] It's because of the sin in this world. Christ came to offer himself a sacrifice for sin. All we have to do is believe on Jesus and what he has done.
[5:30] And he says, I will save you. I will take you to be with me. I will make you a home in heaven. I will do all of those things. But so many people do not respond to what God has done.
[5:44] What's the responses to those judgments? One of two things. It's either going to be some people will be saved.
[5:55] They will give their life to Christ. And there will be witnesses and different ones. I will talk about them in a minute. Or they are going to harden their hearts against God, reject God even more, and just turn away from him and will have nothing to do with him.
[6:13] Two responses. And you can picture both of those responses happening. People are going to reject or people are going to soften their hearts and follow him. During the first half of the tribulation, the Bible tells us, there's going to be two unidentified witnesses.
[6:28] It doesn't tell us who they are. There's going to be two witnesses in Revelation chapter 11. And those two witnesses are going to have special power to perform miracles. They're going to be a testimony for God in the midst of a world that has no witnesses otherwise, for the most part.
[6:47] They're going to wind up being killed. They're going to raise from the dead. And they're going to go back to heaven. And the whole world is going to see all this. And again, still, people will either believe or they'll reject.
[7:04] The main reaction for most of the world probably is going to be, we're glad these two are gone. They were nothing but a thorn in our side. They kept telling us things we needed to do and we didn't want to hear it. There was also going to be 144,000 Jews, the Bible tells us, in chapter 7.
[7:25] Excuse me. And they are protected by God. And they are a witness for Christ throughout the world during that time as well.
[7:37] So God takes Christians out of the world to heaven. But even in the midst of that world that is left under the devil's control, under the Antichrist's control, God still shows mercy and grace by giving the two witnesses and the 144,000 other witnesses.
[8:00] God's word is still going out. God's word is still going to go to people so that they can hear. Number two on your sheet there, God's final judgment of the lost.
[8:13] What happens when all of that is over? And the tribulation ends, what happens? Well, the timing of the judgment, again, tribulation ends with the second coming of Christ.
[8:25] Christ comes above the earth, rapture, we're caught up together with him. Second time, Jesus actually comes and puts his feet on the earth, on the Mount of Olives, it says.
[8:37] He comes to take over this world. And when he does, Satan is thrown into a bottomless pit. Chapter 20 of Revelation. Christ, the people who followed Christ during the millennium will go into that, during the tribulation, will go into the millennium and be subject to Christ for that thousand-year reign, millennium, during that time.
[9:08] There will be children born. People will still live their lives like they normally would have. They won't automatically become believers.
[9:18] They'll still have to become believers in Christ and what he is doing. At the end of that, Christ says he will release Satan for a short time. He will give him another chance.
[9:31] Satan is going to use that chance to try to change people to follow him again. After that, Jesus throws him into the lake of fire where he will spend eternity.
[9:42] And then comes the next judgment, which is called, in Revelation 20, 11, the great white throne judgment.
[9:53] So, we've had the judgment sheet of Christ where Christians are judged according to their works. And now we have the great white throne judgment where unbelievers are judged according to their works.
[10:09] Christ will judge the loss from the book of works and from the book of life. The book of life has the names of those who are believers. Anyone who's at the great white throne judgment, their name will not be there.
[10:23] Their names will be in the book of works recounting the sins that they have done. So that they can go before the great white throne judgment and God says their name is not in the book of life.
[10:38] And they'll go, what, what, what, what, what? And he says, well, let's take a look. You did this and you did this and you did this and you did this and you did this and you did this. And list off the sins of why they can't enter into heaven because of the sin in their life.
[10:53] Because they did not believe in Jesus Christ. In 2 Thessalonians 1.9, we talked about the fact, it talks about the fact that when this all happens, people will be cut off from the presence of God forever.
[11:12] That's what the terrible thing is about the great white throne judgment. We talk about the lake of fire. We talk about all these other things. Cut off in the presence of God. When we're cut off from the presence of God, there is no hope.
[11:27] And he says there's no hope. No more hope of any kind. God's presence in heaven is what will make it what it is. Because we will be in his presence. And his presence is what will make it heaven.
[11:42] Lake of fire. The Bible tells us, tormented day and night for all eternity. No rest, day or night. It talks about in Revelation 14. Those who think, you hear people say, oh, my friends and I, we're just going to have a big party.
[12:00] We all get there, we're going to have a party and we're just going to, no. No partying. Because it's a lake of fire. It's also described as having utter darkness.
[12:14] You ever been into any of the caves and caverns around the country? We were to Loray Caverns in Virginia one time. They turn those lights off. Can't see my hand.
[12:27] You get the hand right in front of you, you can't see it. He says utter darkness. And alone. Yep. And it also talks about weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.
[12:39] Weeping. The sorrow. The emotional suffering that I am all alone. There's no one else. The gnashing of teeth. You know, you're in a lake of fire.
[12:51] The agony and the pain of that. Which brings us to the third point. Which is where we've left off. The last thing we need to talk about on this. is our responsibility in light of God's judgment.
[13:05] Our responsibility in light of God's judgment. The severity and the finality of that final judgment. Of that great white throne.
[13:18] Should be what motivates us to share the gospel with those around us. We know what's coming. The Bible tells us what's coming.
[13:30] When we think of friends and family. We should look at that. What is coming. And be warning them. You need to accept Jesus.
[13:43] Because of what you're going to face. The first thing we need to do. Is see people as lost. We see people as lost. Look with me. You're in Matthew chapter 9 there.
[13:56] Look with me beginning at verse 35. Matthew 9. Beginning at verse 35. It says. Jesus went about all the cities and villages. Teaching.
[14:08] In their synagogues. Preaching the gospel. Of the kingdom. And healing every sickness. And every disease. Among the people. But when he saw the multitudes. He was moved with compassion on them.
[14:22] Because they fainted. And were scattered abroad. As sheep having no shepherd. Then he said. Unto his disciples. The harvest truly is plenteous.
[14:33] But the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore. The Lord of the harvest. That he will send forth laborers. Into his harvest. Jesus. People are lost.
[14:45] And desperately in need of Christ. Jesus. Is sharing his. View. Of the world.
[14:55] With his disciples. He's getting them ready. To go out. And teach. About him. And who he is. Especially after he goes to the cross. And rises again.
[15:06] They're going to go out. And they're going to share the gospel. And he says. There are people out there. As sheep having no shepherd. What does that mean? What are sheep with no shepherd.
[15:17] Going to be like? I'll ask you. Huh? Lost. They're lost. They're wanderers.
[15:28] They don't know where they're going. They have no idea. He says. Look. They're like sheep without shepherd. And he had compassion on them. Because. They're going to wander around.
[15:41] Not knowing where they're going. They're going to fall off cliffs. They're going to fall into. Ditches. They're going to be. Susceptible. To the wolves. There's all kinds of things.
[15:52] That are going to happen to them. He says. They're like sheep with no shepherd. They need someone. To lead them. And to guide them. Verse 37. And 38. There. He talks about.
[16:04] The field is ripe. Under harvest. Why is he using that metaphor. For a multitude of people. Why is he using. The. The fields. As a metaphor.
[16:15] Well. We lived in Alabama. For a while. In about. October. When you live in Alabama. You drive out of the city.
[16:26] A little bit. And you see. Fields and fields and fields. Of white. Cotton growing. Matter of fact. Where we lived. In Dothan Alabama. The.
[16:38] Medium strips. Between. The highways. Inside the city. Had. Cotton. Growing in them. So. You're driving down. Two lane. Three.
[16:48] Four lane highways. And. It's cotton growing. In the middle of it. It was everywhere. And it was just. Like he said. You look out. It was just white. On the harvest.
[16:59] And so he's using. Something like that. To show us. What it's like. With the lost. Who are in this world. See. Both are ripe. But they need someone.
[17:10] To pick them. They need someone. To harvest them. They need someone. To come along. And say. Let me get you. Before you go past. Before you. Go past.
[17:21] Your due date. God says. He'll strive with mankind. For a while. But he will not strive with you. For always. There are times.
[17:32] That God comes into our life. And says. Look. You need to know this. You need to see this. You need to hear this. You need to understand this. And we can either say. I will take what God is giving to me. And I will apply it to my life.
[17:44] Or I'm just going to put up. Hands. They talked on hand. I don't care. So he uses this metaphor. Both have a limited time.
[17:55] Before they wear out. Both have someone. Who needs to come along. That's our job. We need to understand. And we need to come along. And help. Harvest. To tell people.
[18:08] What the gospel is. Which brings us to letter B. We need to share. The gospel. We need to share. The gospel. Probably turn over one page.
[18:20] You may not even need to do that. Chapter 10. Matthew chapter 10. Look at verse 27. Fear them not. Therefore.
[18:30] For there is nothing covered. It shall not be revealed. And hid. That it shall be. Shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness.
[18:42] That speak ye in light. And what ye hear in the ear. That preach upon the housetops. Fear not them. Which kill the body.
[18:53] But are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear him. Which is able to destroy body. A soul and body. In hell. Are not two sparrows. Sold for farthing.
[19:04] And one of them. Shall not fall to the ground. Without your father. But. The very hairs of your head. Are all numbered. Fear ye not. Therefore.
[19:15] Ye are of more value. Than many sparrows. Stop there. What's he saying there. He's proceeding. To give the disciples.
[19:26] The twelve disciples. Information. To go out. And to be witnesses for him. They're going to go out. And they're going to share the gospel. And he's giving them special instructions.
[19:37] And. You notice there. In verse. Twenty-seven and twenty-eight. He's telling them what to do. He's telling them about. You know. Speaking. While you're in the light.
[19:48] Preaching while you have a chance. From the housetops. Doing everything you can. Because. Some people may be able to kill your body. He said. God. Has control over the soul and body.
[20:01] So. What was to motivate these apostles. To go out and share the gospel. The fact that God. Would bring. Judgment. To the lost.
[20:13] By condemning them to hell. It sounds like God has a big meaning. God is. You know. This terrible God. Who's going to do things. But God so loved the world.
[20:24] We talked to this morning. Or yesterday. God so loved the world. That he gave his only begotten son. That whosoever believeth in him. Should not perish. But have everlasting life.
[20:36] So yes. God says. This is what's going to happen. To those that are unsaved. But. I sent my only son into the world. So that you would have a way out. So you'd have a way.
[20:47] Of not going through all of this. Just trust in him. See. The apostles were anxious. And fearful. They knew how the Jews felt about Jesus.
[20:59] They knew how the religious leaders felt. And. You know. They were going to oppose them. They were going to threaten them. With different things. But the awe. And the respect.
[21:10] They had for God. And for Jesus Christ. Motivated them to go out. And to tell. Others. About what Jesus was going to do. Why he was there.
[21:22] Yes. They can kill the body. But God can watch out for your soul. God can take care of you. For all eternity. God's care for them.
[21:35] Also was a motivation for them to go out. They knew that they were in the center of his hand. As I talked this morning about. Releasing yourself to be. Surrendered to God. And what he has for you to do.
[21:47] You're in the center of his will. You're in the center of his hand. Doing what he wants you to do. He is going to take care of you. He even says there. The very hairs on your head. Are numbered.
[21:57] Now most of you don't understand this yet. But Steve and I do. The hairs on your head change daily. But God knows every one of them.
[22:09] He knows what's going on. Even to the hairs on your head. He said look. After my death. And resurrection.
[22:22] You're going to have to continue. Sharing the gospel. You don't have to turn there. You probably know it. But over in Matthew 28. We call it the Great Commission. Actually go over there.
[22:32] Let's do that. Matthew 28. Okay. Not sure what that was about.
[22:44] Light's going off and on. Matthew 28 verse 18. And Jesus came and spake unto them saying. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
[22:58] Go ye therefore and teach all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo I am with you always.
[23:09] Even unto the end of the world. Hang on just a second. See. God has chosen.
[23:20] Back then he chose the twelve. To go out. And to help others know who Christ was. And those people as they learned who Christ was. Were going to tell others.
[23:31] Today he uses the church. It's our job. Because the church is not this building. You know that. The church is Steve. Stacy. Bonnie. Me.
[23:43] It's all of us. Who know Jesus Christ as Savior. He says. Go out. And tell others. About the gospel. Go out and tell others. Who Jesus is.
[23:55] You know. So it's not. That with. Witnessing. Is an option for us. We're to live Christ. With everybody we know. We're to live Christ. In front of.
[24:06] Everyone we come in contact with. We're to talk about Christ. With those we come in contact with. God expects us to share the good news of salvation with others. Knowing the reality of God's judgment.
[24:19] That is coming. We've been talking about things that are real. Knowing the reality of God's judgment. Should help encourage us.
[24:29] To be a witness. To those around us. Because we know what is coming. We need to be warning. If I was to know.
[24:42] There's a tornado. Heading this way. And I didn't tell you. And I encourage you to get into the. Into the basement area. And inside. Where those walls are underground there and stuff.
[24:56] I would be. Reckless. I'd be. Reprehensible. For not warning you. That the tornado is coming. He says. Look. Jesus is coming.
[25:09] Tribulation is coming. The judgment is coming. We need to be. Telling people. About what is coming. And let them know.
[25:19] Jesus Christ. Came to save them. From all of that. Let's pray. Father. Thank you.
[25:30] Thank you.