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Sacramento Central SDA Church

The Great Harvest

Chris Buttery

2015, The End of the World, and You

For millennia, people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds have found direction and encouragement in the inspired pages of the Bible.

In his day, Jesus directed listeners to search the prophecies of Scripture to find Him, the only way of salvation.

2, 000 years later, as we stand on the break of eternity, we no less need the purpose and hope God's Word provides.

Sacramento Central Church brings you Receiving the Word, timely Bible messages presented by pastors Chris Buttery and Mike Thompson.

Amazing Revelations await you in God's holy word, the Bible.

The title of my message this morning, as we enter into a brand new year, is 2015, the end of the world and you.

Someone quipped that they had hoped that the end of the world will come in 2015, that way they would not be held accountable for their New Year's resolutions.

But you know as well as I do, you can have a new start in Jesus anytime.

You don't have to wait for a new year to come along.

It was during the early morning of April 15 of the previous year, 2014, the first of 4 lunar eclipses of the moon occurred and they were visible in the Americas.

Astronomers call this a lunar tetrad and define it as 4 successive total lunar eclipses with no partial lunar eclipses in between, each of which is separated from the other by 6 lunar months or 6 full months.

When the Earth falls directly between the sun and the moon, the light from the sun passes through the Earth's atmosphere and it creates a coppery red hue on the moon.

What is interested, some prophecy teaches about this astronomical phenomena is not just the number of the lunar eclipses, but the timing of them.

In 2014, a full lunar eclipse occurred on the day of Passover and the first day of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles.

And it's supposed to happen again this year in April and in September.

In addition to the 2 lunar eclipses of 2015, 2 solar eclipses are supposed to take place as well.

Similar to the lunar eclipse back in the back-to-back years have happened 7 times since the time of Jesus.

And some of those have occurred in years that are significant to Jewish history, such as 1948 when Israel granted statehood, and then in 1967 when the Six-Day War was fought.

Now, because the Bible refers to the moon turning to the colour of blood in several places, 1 in the book of Joel, another in Revelation chapter 6, and these are referenced with the, mentioned in reference to the second coming of Jesus and because that these things occur or fall at the time of certain Jewish feasts the lunar tetrad of 2014 and 15 has high significance among some Bible teachers.

For 1 popular Christian writer, it was so significant that he declared in 2008 that Jesus was going to come in the fall of 2015, the end of the world would come.

When certain things he predicted leading up to the end of the world didn't happen as he had predicted, He pulled the statement from his website.

But he and another prominent minister still teach that the 4 blood moons have significant implications for our world and we should expect to see some earth-shaking events that take place over in the land of Israel.

Now think just recently about some failed predictions that gained nearly universal attention.

May 21, 2011, according to the president of Family Radio, Judgment Day and the Rapture were supposed to take place then.

December 2012 was, according to the Mayan calendar, supposed to be the end of the world.

Setting a date for the return of Jesus Christ has never gotten anyone anywhere, but we are still interested in knowing what the future holds.

As a matter of fact, in the Scriptures, the disciples of Jesus were also interested in knowing what the future held.

Turn with me to Matthew chapter 24 and you'll notice a question that they asked the Lord.

Matthew 24 and we'll read verse 3, The disciples were interested in knowing how the end was going to come about and they're also interested in knowing when it was going to happen.

Matthew chapter 24, and we'll read verse 3.

They came to him, now as they sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him, that is Jesus, privately, saying, tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age.

They were interested in knowing when the end of all things would be.

How soon, Lord, until the end of the world?

And what will be the signs of your coming in the end of the world?

And what did the Lord of creation, the 1 who knows the end from the beginning, tell them?

First of all in verse 4 he warned them, do not be what?

In other words, deception is going to be rampant in the last days.

The enemy of souls isn't going to walk around and hand out his business card, telling you he's a master deceiver.

No Christian will be deceived by an open opposer, so he comes secretly and quietly and stealthily.

Specifically though, Christ warned about being deceived in 4 areas pertaining to his return, his, the second coming.

Those areas are the manner of his coming, number 1, number 2, the timing of his coming, number 3, the Christian's attitude toward his coming, and then number 4, the Christian's responsibility while waiting for his coming.

With respect to the manner of his coming, Jesus plainly told his disciples, and he tells you and I, that when He appears, He's going to appear personally, He's going to appear visibly, He's going to appear audibly, He's going to appear powerfully, not secretly as the promoters of the blood-red-moon theory purport.

With regard to the timing, the promoters of the blood red moon theory suggest that there will be a 7 year tribulation.

Jesus will come secretly to rapture out His people ahead of time, and in the middle of those 7 years, the Antichrist is going to appear, or something like that.

And then all of these things written in Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapter 4 and onward will take place during the tribulation.

But talking about the signs of Jesus' return, notice what Jesus said in verse 32 and 33.

He says something very important for us to understand.

Jesus said, now learn this parable from the fig tree.

When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is where?

Verse 33, so you also know when you shall see all these things, what things?

All these things he mentioned before, the ever-increasing earthquakes and natural disasters and the love of many waxing cold and iniquity abounding.

When you see all of these things take place, know that it is what?

Near, not that it is here, but that it is near.

Promoters of the seven-year tribulation theory suggest that Jesus has already come and then all of these things mentioned in Matthew 24 will take place.

But Jesus said, no, no, no, no, no, that they are not here, but that they are, not that I am here, but that it is near, my coming is near, you see, even at the doors.

As for 2015, we don't know whether this will be the last year, for in verse 36, Jesus said, but of that day and hour, no 1 knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

Now with regard to attitude, with regard to attitude, many times the end of the world is viewed with dread and horror, something to be completely avoided.

You look at most of the Christian world today, there is, as I mentioned, there's a secret rapture before the tribulation.

Christians wanna get out of here as well.

They don't wanna be around for what's coming.

Jesus, however, directly countered this thinking when he said in verse 13, notice, he said, but he who what?

Saved, you're not gonna be raptured out of here, but if you endure to the end, if you trust in my grace, if you know that My angels are there to protect you and guide you and lead you and I'll be right by your side.

If you endure to the end, you can be saved.

He said, and unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved.

But for the elect's sake, those days will be shortened.

Jesus has promised that He will shorten those days.

Now, not that we should be looking forward to what's coming with a kind of bring it on kind of attitude either.

For the lost, yes, it will be a day of horror for sure, But the end of the world, Christ's coming, provides incredible hope for humanity.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, those that are lost, and they, they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will do what?

Gather together his elect, The saved from the 4 winds, the 4 corners, from all over the world, from 1 end of heaven to the other.

For the Christian, the coming of Jesus is not a doom and gloom message, it is a hopeful message.

He's coming back in power and great glory.

To gather the saved, to gather the elect.

This is a time of rejoicing, happiness and joy and hope for God's people.

The saved will be rescued when Jesus comes.

And in Luke's rendition, in Luke chapter 21, verse 27 and 28, Jesus said, Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Now when these things begin to happen, look up, lift up your heads, not hang your face down, don't let your chin drag on the ground, but lift up your head.

Jesus is coming to rescue and redeem his people.

Sure, wonderful news that Jesus is coming back.

We're not to be biting our nails, panicking, hopelessly fearful during these last days, but hopeful because if we have made Jesus Christ our Lord and our Savior, not just 20 years ago, not just 10 years ago, not just 5 years ago, but if you've made Him Lord and Savior today, then you can and you must have hope because He will save you when He comes back.

Available, Or Not

2, 000 years later, as we stand on the break of eternity, we know less need the purpose and hope God's Word provides.

Sacramento Central Church brings you Receiving the Word, timely Bible messages presented by pastors Chris Buttery We are living, and we are witnessing the momentum of the Bible's last day signs that Jesus mentioned.

They're certainly gaining, all of these things that Jesus talked about.

In the natural world, we see disasters surmounting.

In the economic world, we see that there are problems and that there are more problems looming.

In the political world, we see that there are challenges beyond resolution.

And in the social world, we continue to see moral social decay that's very concerning.

Now in the letter to Timothy that Paul wrote, 2 Timothy, the second letter he wrote, I want you to, I invite you to turn there with me to 2nd Timothy chapter 3, and in verses 1 through 5, Paul outlines the attitude that would exist in the last days.

But it's interesting that the attitude that he lists here isn't necessarily and only the attitude existing in the world, but also the attitude that is existing in the church.

For notice it says, for in the last time, in the last days, perilous times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Notice verse 5, having a form of godliness but denying its power.

And from such, he goes on to say, from such people turn away." Because of the increasing selfishness that we witness in Christianity, the church would profess godliness but not have power.

The power to transform lives through the preaching of the everlasting gospel.

The power to stem the tide of immorality.

The power to turn this world right side up as in the days of the early church.

Now because of this lack of power witnessed in Christianity in the last days, prophecy reveals that most of the Christian church would seek the right arm of the state to impose her views and thereby gain adherence.

If it can't be done through winsome love and persuasive argument, then it must be done through force.

This will become the mantra, At least that's what some of the reasoning will be.

John called this in Revelation chapter 13, the image to the beast or the likeness of the church in the middle or the dark ages when tyranny and injustice won out over loving persuasion and truth.

According to the Scriptures, in this day the world will be plunged into another dark ages, the likes of which we have never seen.

In Daniel chapter 12 and verse 1, Daniel said that we will be engulfed in a time of trouble such as never was.

We're also warned about the omega of apostasy, and it will rise near the close of time in our beloved church.

We don't have time today to explore all of what this means and the nuances of it, but suffice to say the increasing demise in spirituality, the compromise of truth, the entrance of practices that are unbecoming of the people of God should lend favor to the realization that we are nearing the return of Jesus.

Some of these challenges that we witness is not a call to leave the church, it's not a call to become discouraged or disheartened, it's a call to lift up our heads and know that our redemption is drawing nigh.

All of this tells us that we must be mindful of the religious trends when realizing how near we are to the close of time, how near we are to the second advent of Jesus.

Now with all of these mounting challenges, and they will continue, Jesus told us that these were would be the beginning of sorrows, the beginning of birth pains.

Jesus revealed in his mighty sermon in Matthew chapter 24 and he recorded that in Matthew 24, it's recorded in Matthew 24 and 25, what type of people we must be in the closing days of Earth's history.

Jesus mentions people who will, for example, in Matthew chapter 24 and verse 13, who will endure till the when?

Till the end, they'll go through holding onto the hand of Jesus.

Also in verse 14 it says that they'll be people who'll be witnesses to the power of the gospel in their lives.

And then it also says in verse 45 that we, God's people, will be faithful and wise and will know how to give bread in due season.

Notice it says there, Matthew chapter 24 and verse 45, who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his master made ruler over his household to give them food in due season.

And these stories, the type of people that Jesus talks about that would be living in the last days are reflected in 4 stories in Matthew 24 and 25.

The story of the faithful and wise servants.

In Matthew 25, you've got 3 stories, the 10 bridesmaids, you've got the businessman who distributes his responsibilities, the talents, and then of course the story of the sheep and the goats.

And the wise and faithful of Matthew chapter 24, those who are living like Jesus, will come any time.

Their words are compelling because their lifestyle is convincing.

The wise and the faithful of the bridesmaids are those who are allowing the truths of God's Word to change them, thus making them recipients of God's grace.

And that shows in good works and their lives shine like the noonday sun.

They have a personal, joyful, trusting, abiding relationship, obedient relationship with Jesus.

Then you've got the wise and the faithful of the employees entrusted with their employers goods and those have learned, they have learned that the law of self-development is their first law, their first duty rather, to God and to man.

And then the wise and the faithful of the sheep, they remind us that fulfilling the role of genuine Christianity is primarily in the world of being far more than in the world of just knowing what is right to do and just doing the occasional right, but in being a Christian, in being more like Jesus.

And they realize that there's no favorable time and there's not going to be a more favorable time like the present to win people to Jesus' side.

They sympathize, God's last day people, they sympathize with Jesus when He told His disciples long ago that the fields are already white for harvest.

He said that in John 4 and verse 35, and he also said that the harvest is great.

Now just turn with me over to Luke chapter 10.

Luke chapter 10, we're building on some thoughts here over the next few weeks.

Luke chapter 10 and verse 2, notice what Jesus said.

He's about to send out the 70 of his followers, 2 by 2, and he tells them in Luke chapter 10 and verse 2, notice what Jesus said.

He's about to send out the 70 of his followers, 2 by 2.

And he tells them in Luke chapter 10 and verse 2, he said to them, the harvest is what, friends?

Jesus wanted his disciples and us to see the world through new eyes, have a new perspective on the world, that there were many boys and girls waiting and ready, men and women waiting and ready to be gathered into his harvest, you see.

It's not referring to the harvest at the end of the world when the saints will be gathered and the wicked will be judged.

We know Jesus is using the metaphor of a harvest here in Luke 10 to refer to missionary endeavors.

Again, leading men and women, boys and girls, into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and gathering them into his kingdom.

This is the meaning of the harvest spoken of in Luke chapter 10 and verse 2.

And Jesus said the harvest is what, friends?

Irrespective of what you think, irrespective of what you may see, see with my eyes, Jesus says, new eyes.

That means we're not doing what we're doing here in vain, because the Holy Spirit is out there touching hearts, working in people's lives, and getting them ready to hear the message of the everlasting gospel.

That means our work is not in vain, it's good news, the harvest is truly great.

However, in the same verse, Jesus not only gives us encouragement, the harvest is great, but He also says, well He also reveals that there is a problem.

He identifies a problem the Lord of the harvest has to contend with in the same verse.

Luke chapter 10 and verse 2, He said to them, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.

The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few.

In that case, perhaps we could blame the Lord of the Harvest for the lack of labourers.

Maybe He didn't quite calculate it right, maybe He didn't see that the harvest would be great and therefore just commissions a few just in case it wouldn't be.

In that case, we could blame the Lord of the harvest.

He should have anticipated the size of the task.

If He knew the harvest was going to be abundant, He should have assigned a larger crew to work.

Maybe it's His fault that the laborers are few.

How many individuals has the Lord of the harvest called to be laborers in his harvest?

Well, if you answered everyone who chooses to become a part of his kingdom, then you're right.

Jesus commanded to go and preach, when he commanded to go and preach the gospel to every person, he was intending more than just the 11 disciples who he was talking to at that point.

Jesus' command to go preach the gospel to every person was intended for more than the 11.

When he said, go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and then of course, I'm with you always, even till the end of the world.

When He said that, He meant that instruction not just for those who are listening as He was being taken up to the Father, but for all His disciples of all time, especially those living in the closing scenes of earth's history.

He meant that instruction for all of us, all those who accept the call to become a part of His kingdom, you see.

1 of the last day signs, 1 of the last day signs would be the proclamation of the gospel.

We read it earlier in Matthew chapter 24 in verse 14.

It tells us that this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then what will happen?

Christ’s Method Alone

Sacramento Central Church brings you Receiving The Revelations await you in God's holy word, the Bible.

The title to the message this morning is Christ's Method Alone.

1 of my favorite stories has to do with 1 Sir Ernest Shackleton.

How many of you have heard of Sir Ernest Shackleton?

He was already a celebrated polar explorer, but Sir Ernest Shackleton coordinated the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition with the goal of accomplishing the first crossing of the Antarctic continent, a feat he considered to be the last great polar journey of the heroic age of exploration.

In December 1914, Shackleton set sail with 27 man crew, many of whom he is said responded to the following recruitment notice.

Just tell me whether you would respond to this announcement.

Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.

You'd be signing up right away, wouldn't you?

This, the last of Shackleton's adventures would prove to be the most challenging and would test the stamina and the backbone of every man who responded to this unlikely recruitment notice.

All men did make it back safely but none would ever say they were confident that it would ever become a reality.

It's a powerful story, you should take time to read it sometime.

Now these days few would respond to such a call.

However, the Bible reveals a group of men and women, brave individuals, willing to walk through brave the challenging conditions the world has ever seen.

The Bible talks about a time of trouble such as never was.

And like Shackleton's men, they too will consider whether they will make it to the end.

But they are up to the test And the reason for that is because they know in whom they believe.

Now Jesus speaks of these individuals in Matthew chapter 24.

We've looked at these characteristics before, the last few weeks.

Jesus mentions them in Matthew 24, He says these are the individuals, and we'll put them on the screen for you, these are individuals that will endure till the end, that's verse 13 of Matthew chapter 24.

They'll also be, according to verse 14, witnesses to the power of the gospel, and then in verse 45, they will be faithful and wise servants who know how to give bread in due season to those that are hungry.

Now these individuals that live in the last days and are braving the storms and the tumults of the latter days, they realize that there's not going to be a more favorable time than the present to win people to Jesus' side.

They sympathize with Jesus when He told His disciples at 1 time that the harvest is already white, the fields are already white for harvest and then in Luke chapter 10 and verse 2 He tells us that the harvest is what?

He wasn't referring to the end of the world harvest where the angels come and gather and separate the good and the bad, no no no, this is the harvest of the lost or at least those who were lost and accepted Jesus as Savior.

He's saying the harvest is great, that there are today many men and women, boys and girls, waiting to be gathered in to the kingdom of heaven, into God's last day church.

And Jesus wanted his disciples really, basically, to see the world around them through new eyes.

He wanted them to have a new perspective on the way they viewed the world.

You think it's telling, look around you, are there people really waiting to be gathered in?

According to Jesus' words, the harvest is what?

But when we studied Luke chapter 10 and verse 2, the last time we were together, we identified a problem.

Jesus said the harvest is great, but there's a problem.

We could say the laboring laborers are few because all those who've given their lives over to Jesus are called laborers.

So why are there few laboring laborers to help in the great harvest, to gather in the harvest?

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The Great Harvest

2015, The End of the World, and You

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