1. Introduction
   1. There’s a new day dawning in the time and day in which we live.
   2. We’re living in what I believe to be 100% the Laodicean Church Age of Revelation 3:14-18: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

1. It’s very apparent from this scripture that we’re living in a church abstaining age where men are lovers and boasters of themselves. 2nd Timothy 3:2-3: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2. It is the lukewarm abstaining age. It’s the nighttime dispensation. Everything specifically calculated based on numerical premise.
3. It’s a time for Christians to know that the final outcome is drawing closer than ever. It’s when you and I as Christians must be on high alert,
4. Studying God’s Word, developing bible studies that acknowledge the sense of time and seasons that you and I are in right now.
5. It’s the time for us to rise up and take our rightful positions as Christians standing on the principles that God has established in each of our lives. IT’s a time to as the bible says,
6. 2nd Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine that those that are in faith, can be sound in faith and doctrine..
7. The bible is not just a spiritual book. it’s a doctrinal book for us to live our lives accordingly. As this new day is dawning, and time is escalating, and God has sped up the time clock on eternity for us,
8. it’s a time for all Christians to pray, study God’s Word, ignite bible studies as I said with training and equipping the saints for the work of the ministry.
9. Being prepared will be key to making others aware of this new day, new way without changing God’s Word or compromising in any way.
10. But bringing truth and facts and contending earnestly for the faith. Jude 1:3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
11. We are free today but as the new day is dawning, we could be held captive tomorrow. Christians, God gave you a vision and a calling. Now press in!
12. Now let’s look at our message

A New Day Dawning

2. When we say a new day is dawning, the scripture says there’s nothing new under the sun.

1. We read this in the Old Testament, in Ecclesiastes 1:9: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
2. When I say a new day is dawning spiritually and scripturally what does that mean to you right now?
   1. First, it is important to note that God is a God that does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Malachi 3:6: For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. God’s nature and character are the same today as he was yesterday. He does not change.
   2. However, God does do new things in the lives of His People. He does not work the same way in our lives today as He did yesterday. Isaiah 42:9: Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. As we spend time in His Word, and in prayer and worship, He will tell us of the new and exciting things he’s about to do.
   3. Here’s another verse that shows us this truth about a new day dawning. Isaiah 43:19: Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. If you are living for Jesus, & serving Him, every day should be an exciting New Day Dawning.
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3. Are you studying your bible? Are you praying without ceasing?
   1. We should be studying God’s Word to learn more and more about who God is and the new and exciting adventures He has for you every day. Psalm 119:10-11: With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Are you seeking God every day through His Word?
   2. Are you doing what it says in 1st Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without ceasing.? This means including Jesus in everything you do, think and say, always making your day to day life a prayer to Him.
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4. Do you see an urgency or need based on the circumstances of the world to be praying and studying and to know your place and how to react in the circumstances of this time?
   1. There is an urgency because we are in the times mentioned in 2nd Timothy 3:1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. We’ve looked at these five verses before and if you look at the news of the day, we are in those perilous times.
   2. For example, Jesus tells us that the wars will be ramped up! Matthew 24:6: & ye shall hear of wars & rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. As you see the world situation growing darker & darker, the church can shine brighter as we study God’s Word, pray, worship, & share Jesus with others.
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5. How would you prepare and will you reach out to others?
   1. To prepare for the days ahead, we need to spend daily time in prayer and worship. Psalm 91:1: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Are you dwelling in that secret place? When you love someone, you want to spend as much time as you can with that person. Well, the one who saved you and set you free longs for that quality time with you every day for it blesses Him and strengthens you for what the day has in store.
   2. We also need to study God’s Word so that we can adequately reach out to others. Here it comes! Say it with me! 2^nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. This verse is really the key to success in anything you do for the Kingdom of God.
   3. We need to seek opportunities every day to share the gospel with someone who desperately needs to know our Lord. Matthew 28:19-20: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: & lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Are you going out and sharing Jesus with everyone you meet? I can confidently say that I do this on a daily basis. What about you?
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6. Will you enlighten the world and your community?
   1. Jesus said that you are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. If you have Jesus, you have a light to guide those that are lost out of darkness.
   2. Are you letting your light shine or hiding it under a bushel where no one can see it? Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Your life should be a living testimony that enlightens the world around you so that they will come to salvation and glorify God.
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7. Will you make sacrifices to see people come to the saving grace & knowledge of our Lord or sit and fold your hands & let life pass you by Think about this?
   1. Paul is an example of one who’ll go to the ends of the earth to see souls saved. 1st Corinthians 9:22: To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Is this your testimony as well?
   2. Will you do whatever it takes to snatch a soul out of the fires of hell? Jude 21-23: Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. It is important that in this new day that is dawning, we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of lost humanity. Will you enter the fray? Or as I said, will you just sit on the sidelines and let life pass by? As for me, I’m all in!
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8. Story: Only One Life
   1. As we think about all we have talked about in this message about a new day dawning, I bring you a short poem entitled Only One Life.
   2. Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
   3. And when I stand before His throne, I’ll see what I have made my own.
   4. Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
   5. Only one life, yes only one. Now let me say, “Thy will be done.” And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say, “Twas worth it all.”
   6. Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
   7. In this new day that’s dawning, let’s all be soul conscious. Putting everything else in our lives below sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
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9. Conclusion
   1. Why did you come to Christ in the first place?
   2. Are you willing to prepare and be ready for this new day dawning?
   3. Will you do everything that God has required of you to see people set free?
   4. The only peace that we’ll ever have or see is the peace as the bible says Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We must Contend and Defend
our Positions as Christians

1. Introduction
   1. I personally have always been a contender for what I believe in and what I stand for.
   2. I was always taught that when you have principles that you stand by you must contend to hold your position. If not, you’ll drift by the wayside & be rolled over like a steamroller coming at you hard & fast.
   3. Most businessmen must contend earnestly for their position if they want to have a successful business. A business requires not some of your attention but all of your attention to be successful.
   4. Channeling that over to ministry, when I became a Christian in 1981, I joined a small church called Calvary where it seemed like all that they were doing was contending on all fronts and positions.
   5. It seemed like the messages were always in respect to what someone was doing or not doing according to God’s Word. Especially on the national front.
   6. I was already a contender, owning my own business at 17 years old. When I believed in something, I stood for what I believed. I had a motto.
   7. Do it when you think of it now, don’t wait until tomorrow when you can do it today. For tomorrow (if it should come) will encompass even more things that will need to be done.
   8. This is where people get into trouble because they become overwhelmed with things from yesterday when they could’ve taken care of yesterday and let tomorrow be a fresh new day of things to do and things not to do.
   9. The bible tells us in Jude 1:3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
   10. “When people say that they won’t contend or debate their positions, I really don’t know how anyone can be a true Christian without taking a stand & their rightful place as a Christian.” It’s like life is just passing them by.
   11. It’s enough that they are saved but they do nothing more.” Jesus was a contender. He contended with the pharisees.
   12. Matthew 22:16-18: And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teaches the way of God in truth, neither cares thou for any man: for thou regard not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What think thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
   13. When Jesus came into the synagogue and saw that they were making his house a house of merchandise, he turned over all of their tables and threw them out.
   14. The bible gives the account of this in Matthew 21:12-13: And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
   15. As you can see, Jesus was a contender. He was a debater. You and I are created in his image.
   16. All through the bible from the Old to the New Testament people of God had to contend earnestly for their faith and what they believed in.
   17. You may say to yourself I’m not a contender. You may say I’m not a debater. We don’t look to contend or debate, but when face to face with what we believe, we must then contend earnestly for our faith.
   18. Now let’s look into our message

We must Contend and Defend
our Positions as Christians

2. What are your thoughts on what it means to contend?
   1. We always get our definitions from the Av-1611 King James bible dictionary, which gives the following definitions for the word contend.
   2. To strive, or to strive against; to struggle in opposition. For example, Deuteronomy 2 says Distress not the Moabites, nor contend with them in battle.
   3. To strive; to use earnest efforts to obtain, or to defend and preserve. Ye should earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Jude 3.” This is the definition we will use in our message today.
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3. What does it mean to be a defender of your faith?
   1. There is a constant spiritual battle that has taken place since the bible times. Jesus said this in Matthew 11:12: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. We are all called to defend our faith against those who would try to discredit it in some way.
   2. We should always remember that we are ultimately defending against a spiritual foe, not flesh and blood. Ephesians 6:12: 2 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. As we contend and defend our faith, remember that the battle is ultimately spiritual.

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4. Why do we feel as Christians that we have to contend or debate at all. Can’t we just live our lives knowing we’re Christians?
   1. Let’s look at a section of scripture where we are exhorted to contend and find out what God is saying. Jude verse 1 says Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: So here we learn that the writer is the b rother of James, and a servant of Jesus. He’s writing to those who are preserved and called by Jesus Christ.
   2. As we look at verse 2, we see Jude’s opening greeting. Verse 2: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Jude opens up his letter with a wish that mercy, peace, and love be multiplied among his readers.
   3. Now we get down to the crux of the matter, and what we are taling about today in this message. Jude 3 says Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. But why are we supposed to contend?
   4. We see the answer to this question in Jude 1 verse 4: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. We contend because there are those who are using the grace of God as a license to sin and do whatever they want, not unlike today.

5. How often do you as a Christian discuss your faith with someone else? How often do you feel the need to contend or argue your point?
   1. Our conversation should always be the conversation of Christ. PHilippians 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; We should be involving Jesus in every area of our lives. I talk about Him all day long, on the job, in the truck, and at home. He’s always part of my conversation.
   2. Our main job as Christians is to go out and tell people about how they can come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 14:23: And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. This is what you and I should be focused on at all times. Our job is to make heaven crowded! Are you doing it?
   3. You must argue your point when the other person’s eternal destination is at stake. John 8:32: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If someone you are speaking to has not trusted in Jesus to save them, and you have the truth they need, you must argue your point to lead them to life and freedom.
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6. We’re living in a time where the controversy is so contentious, and all our moral values are at stake that it’s almost impossible not to contend or debate.
   5. Let’s open our bibles to a passage of scripture that shows you the time we are living in today. You might mistake this passage for the daily news. Turn to 2^nd Timothy 3 and let’s look at verses 1 to 5.
   6. We’ve been hearing a lot about peace & safety, but the truth is that perilous times are here. Verse 1 says This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Now we’ll see why these are such contentious and perilous times.
   7. Let’s look at verse 2: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, We teach and practice looking on the things of others more than ourselves, but the unsaved world around us is filled with lovers of themselves, wanting what others have, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient, and unholy.
   8. Verse 3 continues on: Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Do you see anyone in our day and age that is like this? They are all around us.
   9. Now let’s wrap up this section with verses 4 and 5: Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. These are the ones with whom we must contend to see them rescued, saved, and heaven bound.

7. There were many in the bible who were contenders and debaters for their positions (OT&NT)
   1. Elijah contended with the people that were going astray to worship Baal. 1st Kings 18:21-22: And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Elijah went on to challenge the prophets of Baal to make a sacrifice and see which god would show up and consume the sacrifice. Baal was asleep despite their crying out but our God, the Lord Jesus showed up bigtime. I encourage you to read the rest of that chapter sometime.
   2. Paul was a contender and debater. He had no problem speaking his mind. For example, in Galatians 2:11-14:B ut when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? In this case, Paul contended with a fellow believer because of his compromise. When we see a brother or sister who is not living out the Christian life as they should, we should lovingly call them out for it.
   3. Jesus himself was a contender and debater. Those pesky chief priests and scribes along with the Pharisees were always trying to trip him up to no avail. For example, Luke 20:22-25: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. Right after this, the Sadducees tried to trip him up about the resurrection, but again, to no avail.
   4. The disciples were trained by Jesus who taught them what needed to be preached and when people were doing wrong,
8. those that preached the gospel such as Paul who wrote 14 books of the NT made corrections to many people and cities.
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9. The bible says that to reprove, rebuke, and exhort.
   1. We see this admonition in 2nd timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine that we must come sound to the doctrine of faith. This is what we endeavor to do here at the Little House every service. It’s called training and equipping.
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10. Many times Jesus was tempted by those who disagreed with him. He always contended and set the record straight.
    1. One example of this was when the woman was caught in the act of adultery and they tried to trip Jesus up with the law. John 8:6: This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. We know he was writing the verse that says that the man AND woman are to be stoned, not just the woman. As with most people that stir up controversy, they only knew a portion of the verse.
    2. Jesus had to contend with one of his own when he opposed Jesus’ plan to die on the cross to bring about our salvation. Matthew 16:21-23: From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Just before this, Peter had been the one to recognize Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, but a few minutes later, he rebukes Jesus and has to be put in his place.

11. Being a Christian isn’t hiding your head in the sand like an ostrich.
    1. It’s holding your head up high. Whom you serve who is up on high, standing firm, knowing what you believe, and knowing in whom you have believed.

12. The bible says anyone who preaches a different gospel is accursed!
    1. Paul says this in Galatians 1:8: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. If anyone preaches any other gospel message other than salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, adding or subtracting and misrepresenting the salvation message, they are accursed. Not my words, God’s words.

13. Story: No Turning Back.
    1. To say “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” brings about contention and persecution for many. In light of our message, I Bring you the story of that great song.
    2. I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ is a Christian hymn originating from India. The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Garo, Assam.
    3. About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales. As a result of this, many missionaries came to north-east India to spread the Gospel.
    4. The region known as Assam was comprised of hundreds of tribes who were primitive and aggressive head-hunters.
    5. Into these hostile and aggressive communities, came a group of missionaries from the American Baptist Missions spreading the message of love, peace and hope in Jesus Christ.
    6. Naturally, they were not welcomed. One missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children.
    7. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity.
    8. Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man said: “I have decided to follow Jesus.”
    9. Enraged at the refusal of the man, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”
    10. But the man replied: “Though no one joins me, still I will follow.”
    11. The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down. In a moment she joined her two children in death.
    12. Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.”
    13. In the face of death the man said the final memorable lines:
    14. “The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back.”
    15. He was shot dead like the rest of his family. But with their deaths, a miracle took place.
    16. The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man. He wondered, “Why should this man, his wife and two children die for a Man who lived in a far-away land on another continent some 2,000 years ago?
    17. There must be some remarkable power behind the family’s faith, and I too want to taste that faith.”
    18. In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!” When the crowd heard this from the mouth of their chief, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

1. The song is based on the last words of Nokseng, a man from Garo tribe of Assam (now Meghalaya and some in Assam), India. It is today the song of the Garo people.
2. Have you decided to follow Jesus. Will you contend for that decision when it is necessary? Will you go all out to see a lost soul brought to the gospel?

14. Conclusion
    1. In light of this message, where do you stand as a Christian?
    2. Do you contend and defend and stand for whom you have believed or is your head in the sand, not knowing what you believe.
    3. IF you study God’s Word it will teach you everything that this message has defined. IT’s all there. You just need to read it, believe it and trust in it. It’s the truth that will not only set you free, but the world by and large.