Sunday Combined Service Message, 12/09/2021

Topic: And The Ransomed Of The Lord Shall Return.

Text: Isiah 35:8, 1 Corinthians 15:31, 1 Thesalonians 4: 13-18.

Brethren, as we know that very shortly, the trumpet shall soon sound and those that are saved shall return to our Messiah and maker in a twinkling of an eye. As many of us that are truly saved shall be changed and meet the Lord in the air.

Every believer whom Jesus died for should not be ignorant of the nearness of the hour.
We should know and observe the necessary preparations ahead of that day.
We should know we are on transit in this world and must not live our lives like the citizens of this world, like the sinners. We are to live in consciousness of the fact that we are on transit and shall soon return to be with the Lord forever.

If that be the case, we must prepare as we wait for the rapture.
In Amos 4:12, we see that meeting with the Lord requires preparation and if you are not ready, you will be hindered. We are to make sure our garments are washed and make sure we are sanctified and holy.
Remember the next item in God’s program is the rapture.

Let’s consider the following points:

1. AWARENESS REQUIRED, REASON AND WARNING.

While we are waiting for the hour of rapture, we who are believers should create awareness of the coming of Jesus. We are also to make everyone to know we are all strangers in this world and that it’s not our final abode.
Hebrew 11:14.

We have a better home in heaven and as such should not behave like the pe
ople of this world who do not have such hope. As believers, ensure that those who are not saved become saved. John 17:14.

Those who are saved are not of this world and we should create awareness of this knowledge so others can be saved.
We must prepare ourselves and prepare others as well. Once you come to the understanding that you are a stranger, you begin to prepare by ensuring righteousness. As a matter of preparation, we should preach the gospel to all around us; preach to them on the need for them to repent.

In Mark 16:15, Jesus commands us to to preach the gospel at all times. Don’t just fold your hands, make a move to preach the gospel.

Some people on earth do not know that heaven and hell exists; they keep living their lives anyhow. Many have sold their soul to satan who has nothing good for them. We need to go all out to warn these set of people as there will be no time for preparation or repentance when the rapture happens suddenly. 1 Corinthians 15:5, Luke 17:28.

After the rapture, anti-Christ will capture the unsaved and give them a mark-666. So warn them and also prepare yourselves by ensuring purity, righteousness, genuine repentance and avoid entanglement with the world. We should be focused on preparation and creation of awareness of the coming of Christ. We should make our household and anyone we come across know about the coming of the Lord just like those in the days of Lot who were warned of the impending danger. (Gen 19:14).

Lot kept warning the people until it was too late for those who did not believe, even his wife who was not careful looked back and became a pillar of salt. It is our responsibility as believers to create awareness of this coming event. If we fail to prepare ourselves, it shall take us unaware and those we have been sent to warn.

2: OUR EXPECTED RESPONSE AND DANGER OF NEGLECT.

Anyone who is not yet saved should and so so without delay. Those who have backslidden or living hypocritical Christian life should not delay in making their ways right. If you have anyone around you who is backslidden, we should preach to them, fast and pray till they are restored.

The prophecies of end times are here with us; sickness, pestilences, troubles and problems everywhere. Matthew 24:3- here we see the signs that herald the coming of the Lord. Matthew 24:8, Amos 4:12, Romans 13:11.

We should be reminded that after the rapture, grace and mercy will be no more.
The grace is available only while on earth before death or rapture. 2 Corinthians 6:2.
If you are not saved by the blood of Jesus, it will be difficult to bear the punishment of the anti-christ.
We all should arise and preach the gospel. Rev 22:7. We are not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 Cor 6:1, Luke 22:3.

Keep in mind that if you refuse to warn them, you will be charged with murder and no murderer shall be allowed into God’s kingdom. Ezekiel 33:1.
God always shows Himself worthy by warning people before hand.

As we conclude this message today, it is important that you amend your ways and do not return to sin. Sin will hinder you and deny you of Rapture.
For the sinners and Backsliders, they should repent and surrender all to Jesus Christ.
Confess your sins and accept Jesus Christ today as your Lord and personal Saviour.

A Sinner is not a Christian and a Christian is not a Sinner.
1 John 3: 8 & 9; 1 John 5: 17a.
Unbelief is sin. Selfishness is sin; Covetousness is sin, Insincerity is sin; backbiting, murmuring, speaking evil of others, these are terrible sin.
Going to native doctors, going for divination and palm reading, all that is terrible wickedness. No child of God does that. If you are into stealing, any form of stealing; stealing from Government, stealing from companies and individuals, that is sin. Amend your ways.
If you are there and you are involved into armed robbery, duping people, do not bring such money to this Church.

If you are among those people that are involved in fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, abortion, that is terrible wickedness.
Fighting and quarreling, smoking and drunkenness all these are evil. Ask for the mercy of God.

Are you into fighting and quarreling? Are you disobedient to your husband or you are beating your wife, that is sin.
Are you into any kind of killing, poisoning people, hired assassin? Confess that sin and amend your ways. Promise God you will not return to that wickedness.
Are you into divorce? That is sin.
Matthew 19: 4-6.

Are you into polygamous marriage or you have sent away your wife or you moved away from your husband, that is sin. Marriage is between a man and a woman until death separates you.
Are you a woman dressing like a man or a man dressing like a woman, all that is sin. Deuteronomy 22: 5
Are you among those that take snuff, take cigarette and banned substances, that is sin. That is wickedness against your soul and against humanity.

All these people that bleach their body and turn yellow over night, that is sin.
I have not spoken this word to condemn you but to point out what is evil thereby enabling you to amend your ways.
The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 28: 13; John 14: 6; John 1: 29; John 10: 10b; Matthew 11: 28; John 1: 12; 2 Corinthians 5: 17
As you give your life to Jesus Christ and begin to live the life of the kingdom of God,  I am assuring you, God will take care of you.
Romans 10: 13
Rise up and let us pray.
You have a Father who art in Heaven. Present your requests and needs to him.