Lukewarmness in the Church. Moral decay in society. Unstable economies. We live in a troubled world. This is a wake-up call! The King of the universe is coming back to rule the earth in righteousness! Are you ready?
The various voices of politics, world religions, and new cultural movements all seek to proclaim some form of hope in the midst of these uncertain times. The Word of God tells us that the only true hope is found in Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour who died for sinners, and He is the reigning King who will return to earth with power and great glory. This is the hope we have as Christians—that our King will surely come again.
But is the Church ready for the return of Jesus? Are the people of God living in light of and longing desperately for that day?
The various voices of politics, world religions, and new cultural movements all seek to proclaim some form of hope in the midst of these uncertain times. The Word of God tells us that the only true hope is found in Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour who died for sinners, and He is the reigning King who will return to earth with power and great glory. This is the hope we have as Christians—that our King will surely come again.
But is the Church ready for the return of Jesus? Are the people of God living in light of and longing desperately for that day?
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What has your attention?
Is your heart set on what is temporary and worldly, or is it set on what is eternal? Are you living to please God, or are you living to please yourself and your own desires?
Wake Up Church delivers a critical message for the church in America today. It will challenge you to inspect your relationship with God, and encourage you to live completely sold out to Him.
Look around and you will find that the Church is sleeping. It's time to wake up the sleeping Church and start preparing for His soon return.
You may find some of the things here on this website uncomfortable, but they are only here to encourage you in your walk with the Lord Jesus. What are you looking for? Are you looking for a comfortable religion, where you can carry on with your old way of life? Are you looking for someone to tell you that it's ok to carry on sinning? I hope not, instead I hope you are seeking to further your relationship with Jesus Christ your Saviour, no matter what the cost.
Is your heart set on what is temporary and worldly, or is it set on what is eternal? Are you living to please God, or are you living to please yourself and your own desires?
Wake Up Church delivers a critical message for the church in America today. It will challenge you to inspect your relationship with God, and encourage you to live completely sold out to Him.
Look around and you will find that the Church is sleeping. It's time to wake up the sleeping Church and start preparing for His soon return.
You may find some of the things here on this website uncomfortable, but they are only here to encourage you in your walk with the Lord Jesus. What are you looking for? Are you looking for a comfortable religion, where you can carry on with your old way of life? Are you looking for someone to tell you that it's ok to carry on sinning? I hope not, instead I hope you are seeking to further your relationship with Jesus Christ your Saviour, no matter what the cost.
Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God
WAKE UP
Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
(Romans 13:11 KJV) And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:12 KJV) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
(Ephesians 5:14 KJV) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
I. A full chapter is devoted to a church that is awake, who knows who they are etc.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
A. We must know the time we are living in.
1. It seems as if the church is sleeping.
2. The season we are living in is like Sodom and Gomorrah and as the days of Lot
3. Many ministers have compromised with the Word and instead of watching they are sleeping. (Isaiah 56:10 KJV) His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
4. We need to recognize we are the children of light.
(Ephesians 6:10 KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
2. We should be awake and alert to the times and seasons as the Day of the Lord is drawing near. Jesus is coming soon.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1 Th 5:7 for they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
A. Faith! We need His faith. Mark 11:22
B. Love! His love shed in our hearts.
C. Hope! Knowing He is coming soon.
3. We need to be awake and minister to one another in the Body of Christ, the
Church.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
A. We need each other in the Body of Christ.
(Acts 2:42 KJV) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
4. We need to be awake and know the Word and the ministers of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
A. I do not believe that God leads people to give to ministries when they are in sin
B. B. You must be involved to know they that labour among you.
C. C. God given ministries should be honoured.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1. Having been in the ministry for over 50 years and having traveled and ministered in over 100 countries I have been both honored and dishonored. I have had people come to stone me, curse me but also have been highly honored by high officials of countries. However, nowhere have I seen ministers more honored than in South Korea. I have experienced some of it.
5. We should rejoice and pray and give thanks in the Church. This will bring joy to your life.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing (not for everything) give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
A. The devil hates joy.
1. Joy makes the devil 'flee'.
2. Joy gives strength. Nehemiah 8:10.
3. It takes more than a soft pillow to insure sound sleep.
Ephesians 5:14 KJV) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
(Romans 13:11 KJV) And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:12 KJV) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
(Ephesians 5:14 KJV) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
I. A full chapter is devoted to a church that is awake, who knows who they are etc.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
A. We must know the time we are living in.
1. It seems as if the church is sleeping.
2. The season we are living in is like Sodom and Gomorrah and as the days of Lot
3. Many ministers have compromised with the Word and instead of watching they are sleeping. (Isaiah 56:10 KJV) His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
4. We need to recognize we are the children of light.
(Ephesians 6:10 KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
2. We should be awake and alert to the times and seasons as the Day of the Lord is drawing near. Jesus is coming soon.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1 Th 5:7 for they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
A. Faith! We need His faith. Mark 11:22
B. Love! His love shed in our hearts.
C. Hope! Knowing He is coming soon.
3. We need to be awake and minister to one another in the Body of Christ, the
Church.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
A. We need each other in the Body of Christ.
(Acts 2:42 KJV) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
4. We need to be awake and know the Word and the ministers of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
A. I do not believe that God leads people to give to ministries when they are in sin
B. B. You must be involved to know they that labour among you.
C. C. God given ministries should be honoured.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1. Having been in the ministry for over 50 years and having traveled and ministered in over 100 countries I have been both honored and dishonored. I have had people come to stone me, curse me but also have been highly honored by high officials of countries. However, nowhere have I seen ministers more honored than in South Korea. I have experienced some of it.
5. We should rejoice and pray and give thanks in the Church. This will bring joy to your life.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing (not for everything) give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
A. The devil hates joy.
1. Joy makes the devil 'flee'.
2. Joy gives strength. Nehemiah 8:10.
3. It takes more than a soft pillow to insure sound sleep.
Ephesians 5:14 KJV) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.