God Is Trying To Tell Us Something

     Introduction:

 

   1. Many things about this world make it a place where tragedies happen.

        1) Human selfishness, free will, sin, arrogance, etc.

        2) Natural law.

     2.  The tragic senseless shooting in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater.

        1) Lives have been cut short.

        2) The lives of innocent people.

        3) The lives of sons, daughters, mothers, etc.

     3. God expects us to learn from tragedy. He is trying to tell us something.

        1) There is a warning in tragedy.

        2) There is motivation in tragedy.

        3) There is remembrance in tragedy.

     Discussion:

     I.    LIFE IS FRAGILE

           1. Life is compared to a vapor. James 4:14

           2. All flesh is as grass. 1 Pet. 1:24

           3. We have no idea what tomorrow might bring. Pr. 27:1

           4. We cannot control the length of our days. Luke 12:19, 20

             

[With this firmly in our minds let us further note:]

     II.   OUR TIME FOR SERVICE TO GOD IS LIMITED

           1. Consider the Parable of the Talents. Matt. 25:14ff

           2. All of us have been given talents and opportunities.

           3. The reckoning will come all too soon. v. 19

           4. Have you dealt faithfully with what the Lord has entrusted to you?

              Note the reward of the five talent man. vs. 20, 21

           5. Will you find yourself trying to make excuses when he returns? vs. 24-31

              1) Have you taught that neighbor?

              2) Have you lifted up that brother?

              3) Have you supported that missionary in a far away land?

              4) Have you relieved that widow or orphan?

              5) Have you visited the sick and shut-in?

              6) Do your children remain untaught?

              7) Have you studied that Bible?

              8) Did you attend that service?

              9) Or will you simply have to say, "Well, I was going to!"

            10) What are you doing with your time instead?

           6. When your time comes to an end there’s no better

               way to be found by God than in the course of doing your duty.

           7. Life is fragile. Be found doing your duty.

 [Another thing God teaches us by the fragile nature of

this life is...]

      III.  OUR TIME TO DEAL WITH OUR SIN IS LIMITED

           1. We must deal with sin.

              1) All have sinned. Rom. 3:23

              2) Sin separates us from God. Is.  59:2

              3) There are terrible consequences for failing to

                 deal with sin. Rev. 20:11-15

              4) A plan has been given for dealing with sin.

                 A. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:46, 47

                 B. Acts 2:38; 3:19; 22:16

                 C. It must be acted on now!!!

           2. The present time is stressed in scripture. 2 Co. 6:2

           3. It's too late after we die.

              1) After death is the judgment. Heb. 9:27

              2) There is a great gulf fixed. Lu. 16:26

           4. The saddest thing about a life cut short is,

              there are no more opportunities to obey the gospel.

           5. I have heard of: Those who said "next Sunday."

               It never came.

           6. I wonder how many have said, "I'll repent tomorrow."

              And the Lord says, "You fool, this day your

              life is required of you."

[God is trying to tell us something in tragedy. His les-

sons of motivation and warning have been given. Yet, there

is another message, a message of great comfort.

This message is...]

     IV.   THERE IS A LIFE TO COME IN WHICH TRAGEDY DOESN’T EXIST

            THERE IS VICTORY

           1. 1 Co. 15:51-57

           2. 1 Th. 4:16-18

           3. Jn. 14:1-3

           4. Re. 21:1-7

     Conclusion:

     1. How we are eternally affected by tragedy depends on us. Job 1:20f

     2. Are we hearing the message of God in tragedy?

        1) Do you realize that your life is fragile?

        2) Do you know that your time for doing God's will is limited?

        3) Do you know that your time for dealing with sin is limited?

        4) Have you been reminded of the victory to come?


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