We can't look to the world for guidance.
The world creeps in.
Christ is returning. He is coming back.
What do we do with our days.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23
All this stuff happens slowly: addictions. We have a finite amount of time in our day. Am I pushing God out?
Starts with a little slip, then a slide. Watch your back If you feel yourself sliding, stop. If we are in the world, it will affect us. They want to call the Bible hate speech (in California). All of this can harden our hearts. Is the world super alive to us and God dead to us?
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21
Is my heart hardened toward others? Seek the lost. Do as I do. If we're pushing God out we are letting the world in.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17
If you water down the gospel you will lead people astray So easy to get comfortable with the things of the world. We've allowed the world to influence us.
We need to reset our spiritual life. Have we tried turning off the world in our lives?
"Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites,
because the Lord has a charge to bring
against you who live in the land:
“There is no faithfulness, no love,
no acknowledgment of God in the land.
2 There is only cursing,[a] lying and murder,
stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds,
and bloodshed follows bloodshed." Hosea 4:1-2
Look for signs of life!
1. Open eyes -- Look for God. He is everywhere.
"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1:20
2. Sense of urgency
As we get closer to the end time will go faster.
"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation 1:3
3. Increase in the presence of God.
"You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11
If we don't spend enough time in the presence of God, standing before Him will be scary. Heaven is being the presence of God. We gotta prepare to go home. Every day prepare to go home.
4. Increase in praise.
"Praise the Lord.[a]
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts." Psalm 148:1-2
5. Compassion Intensifies.
"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8
"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:41-42
When we harden ourselves we lose our compassion for others and separate ourselves from God. If God hadn't intervened, where would we be?
There are times to look at our past -- look for God there and leave it alone.
There are times to look at our present -- look for God and live.
There are times to look to our future -- look for God.
6. Alive in Christ = dead to the world.
"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sinbut alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:11
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Read His word.