#490 Surviving The Last Days

Surviving The Last Days
By: D. Karl Thomas

It’s interesting how people prepare for the end of the world.
www.terravivos.com  Picture of bunkers for sale

There is a one-time upfront payment of $35,000, plus an ongoing annual ground rent of $1,000 per bunker. Bunkers are provided in their as-is condition, without interior improvements, equipment or furnishings, ready for your outfitting.
Financing is available for private bunkers.

www.jimbakkershow.com    PICTURE   The Christmas Variety Bucket

2 Timothy 1:8-9 “…suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

2 Peter 4:7-11 “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. …

…God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.  Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. … 

“…Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,’ then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”    MARANATHA

Lifestyle Of Last Day Believers:       Not a prescription but a description.  MOM  “Pan-millenial”
1. Committed To Community
I Thessalonians 5:12-13  “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.”
God places us in community for our good and safety.  Honour has great rewards!

Romans 12:9-10 (ESV) “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour.”

1 Peter 2:17 “Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” (MESSAGE)

2. Committed To Service
1 Thessalonians 5:14 “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak.”

I tell people who are struggling to go and help the struggling.

3. Committed To Grace
1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”

Give others what the need not what they deserve.  Serve the source of pain.

4. Committed To Joy
1 Thessalonians 5:15 “Always be joyful.”

Philippians 4:4 “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”

Choose to embrace Divine joy. His joy is your strength!

5. Committed To Prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Never stop praying.”

Prayer moves you from what you can do to what God can do through you.

Not getting God to focus on you, but getting your focus on God.

6. Committed To Thanksgiving
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Cicero who lived in Rome between 106 – 43 BC said that, “gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others”.

What you appreciate, appreciates!    What you don’t appreciate … depreciates!
Appreciate:— to be grateful or thankful for. OR to raise or increase in value.    Spouse – Job – Pastor – Kids

7. Committed To Revelation
1 Thessalonians 5:19-20     “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies.”

The Holy Spirit keeps me fixed on what is really going on.

Blue sky above the storm. Peace below the waves.

8. Committed To Wisdom
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22  “Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”

“Knowledge is horizontal, but wisdom is vertical—it comes down from above.” Billy Graham

9. Committed To Purpose
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.”

I have been set apart for a great purpose!  Sanctified

When adversity comes I lean into the fact that God called me.

God will be faithful to finish what He started concerning me.

It’s GRACE form the  beginning to the end! 

Jeremiah 12:5  “…if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?”

Surviving The Last Days Sermon notes to print, PDF