New Hope Notes: What Time Is It?

	New Hope Notes

	What Time Is It? Pastor Wayne Cordeiro March 20, 2011 - W1112

	It is all the about the times that we are in. You cannot cheat time. There are thousands dead in Japan and war breaking out all over the Middle East. What is going on? Well, it all means that Redemption is near. The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus what would be the signs of the End Times. "He replied to them, 'When it is evening, you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red." And in the morning, "There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening." Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?'" (Matt. 16:2-3) Jesus knew that they did not know what time it was. The Pharisees were strict on Jewish Law and the Sadducees were very liberal and did not believe in the afterlife but both groups shared a hatred for Jesus. But we should know that with so many earthquakes and wars today that Redemption is near. Hopefully you will have … TWO REALIZATIONS: ... How close you are to the END. You have to know what time it is or you will miss the plane like I did on a recent trip. You have to know that your time is near or you will miss out on Redemption. As the Bible says, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines ... when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:10-11, 28). The signs are here. Islamists march with signs of hate and death. The immoral becomes law. The neutron bomb has been developed. But … It will not be OBVIOUS to many. 2^nd Peter says that mockers will rise that declare their disbelief that Redemption is near. Accordingly, it is written, "The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For in those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt. 24:37-39). The signs warn us but many of us ignore them. Are you going to be one that asks, “What time is it?” when the time is now. Hopefully, you will realize … How close you need to be to JESUS. In the end, closeness to God is what is important, not knowledge and education. As the Bible says, "And He appointed twelve that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons" (Mark 3:14-15). This means that the disciples’ first assignment was simply to be *with* Jesus or be *close* to Him. The Bible also reinforces this point by saying, "But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works" (Ps. 73:28). I want you to know how close you are to the end so that you can change your life. But the good news is that … The closer you draw to Him, the closer He draws to YOU! As it is written, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). We all need to remember, while the Pharisees and Sadducees wanted a sign of the End Times, the greatest sign already happened and it was that Jesus rose from the dead. So do not wait for anymore signs, draw close to Jesus, NOW! Study Suggestions What time is it? What should you realize? Why is it not obvious to many? What happens when you draw close to Jesus? What happened to you when you were not close to Jesus? What is the greatest sign?