The Global Mess

1. Introduction
   1. When I was in school as a youngster, I was always informed because our household always watched the news on a consistent basis.
   2. Everything seemed to be more global than household or national. Though there were many things nationally that transpired, global seemed to be where all of the mess was.
   3. There would always be chaos in the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, and everywhere else in between.
   4. We never saw war on our streets. Yes, Pearl Harbor was hit, and that was the first time, but after that, everything seemed to be far away when it came to war or even war on our streets.
   5. Today, war is everywhere. Today on our streets, if you say the wrong thing, you could lose your life in a moment.
   6. There’s no rhyme or reason to any of the madness or the mess that the world has gotten into.

 

 

1. The bible says that man is the destruction of man. Proverbs 14:12: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
2. We’re living in the Laodicean Church Age as it says in 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, & 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, & that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. When looking at these scriptures, the evidence is in.
3. We’re now not just in global catastrophe, we’re in a national mess where the leadership of this country has brought on the chaos, & madness & ushered in the Laodicean Church Age.
4. Laodicean means civil rights of common people. Where every man believes he has the right to say or do whatever he thinks.
5. Peace is running out for mankind. When the world talks of peace there will be no peace.
6. Only those who diligently serve the Lord Jesus Christ will have the peace that passes all understanding. Our country is torn by bad and poor leadership.
7. The leaders of this country have tried to sell us out and lead us astray by every evil intent, convincing people to not only turn the world and our country upside-down,
8. but to destroy the face of the USA that so many gave their lives to give us freedom, only to have the leadership of this nation overlook the true meaning of the home of the brave and the land of the free.
9. Through the madness, as the bible says a wicked and adulterous generation seeking to devour itself, and anything normal that one can live by.
10. We’re living and moving closer to the one-world system, where global power will take precedent and seize every evil opportunity to bring man into bondage, into demonic slaves, cultivated by yours truly, Lucifer or Satan himself.
11. Those of us who know & study God’s Word and are on high alert for anything and everything of the unknown will be put under the shadow of God’s Wings.
12. They’ll be protected until God takes them home. Though the challenges we all face each and every day, we will not face them alone.
13. We will have been spared by God’s Grace. Now let us look into our message

A Global Mess

 

2. When I say global mess, what’s the first thing you think of?
   1. I think of a world that is doing evil continually, doing what is right in their own eyes, rather than what God’s Word says. Deuteronomy 12:8: Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. There are many verses that encourage us not to do what’s right in our own eyes, but to follow every word of God.
   2. A global mess is also a situation where people call good evil, and call evil good. Isaiah 5:20: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! We are living in a day just like this, where they try to normalize every abominable lifestyle, and villainize that which is good and godly.
3. What are some examples of a global mess?
   1. The world was in a global mess when Noah was building the ark. Genesis 6:5-6: And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. This is very much like the day in which we live. God loves each and every one of us, but he is holy. When we sin continually, it grieves his heart.
   2. The world was in global mess when it looked on Sodom and Gomorrah being burned with fire at the very end. Genesis 19:24-26: Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. As we’ve talked about in the past, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because their lifestyle of homosexuality was an abomination to God. God spared Lot and his family, but the rest of the place was turned into a torch.

 

1. The world was in a global mess when Jesus was crucified on the cross. Matthew 26:55-57: In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. The world was in a global mess because they did not know that the One they had waited for was standing right in front of them, and they had Him crucified.
2. The world was in global mess when Cuba almost brought us to a nuclear holocaust between the United States and Cuba. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union in October 1962 that brought the world close to nuclear war: It began when the Soviet Union secretly deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States. The missiles were built by order of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to counter the United States’ nuclear missiles in Turkey and Italy.
3. President John F. Kennedy demanded the missiles be removed and placed a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent the Soviets from bringing in more military supplies. The crisis was resolved peacefully, and is considered one of Kennedy’s greatest achievements.
4. Our country was brought to a mess nationally and internationally when JFK our president was shot and killed in Dallas TX in 1963. John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated on November 22, 1963 while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas: At approximately 12:30 PM, Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade with his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally, and his wife, Nelly Connally. Lyndon Johnson became president of the United States and was sworn in on Air Force One at approximately 2:30 PM.
5. Our world today is in a global mess from all 4 corners of the earth. We have the war in Ukraine going on, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, We have China looking to invade Taiwan, just to name a few.

 

4. What was the perception of the people in bible times when man was left to all of his evil devices?
   1. As we study the Old Testament, time after time, the people forgot the Lord and all that they did for Him, and went about doing their own thing. Judges 3:7-8: And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. After a time, God would let the people go their own way and then face the consequences. Then they would come to their senses & cry out to the Lord & He’d send a deliverer.
   2. The world was in an uproar because they were worshipping a goddesss named Diana, when Paul was preaching the gospel. Acts 19:26-28: Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. The devil is still out there trying to deceive the world and keep people from worshipping the true God, our Lord Jesus Christ.
   3. Paul paints a very accurate picture of the perception, and ways of the people in our day, the Laodicean Church Age. 2nd Timothy 3:1-5: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 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, 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. We see these verses being fulfilled as we watch the news, and meet people on a regular basis.

 

5. What’re some things that you and I can do to protect those who are blind, from all global views?
   1. We should encourage them to study God’s Word, to know who He is and what His Will is. We must also speak the truth to them in love. We see this in Ephesians 4:14-15: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to & fro, & carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: This Laodicean Church Age requires us to take a bold stand for the inerrant Word of God.
   2. We must be faithful in sharing our faith, and seek to encourage one another to have love and good works, and be in church regularly! Hebrews 10:23-25: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. The day is not only approaching, it is here now, and we need to be about the Father’s Business, living for Him and encouraging one another to serve Him diligently.

 

6. What can we do to warn those who are ignorant to what the bible has said in reference to the last days?
   1. Share your testimony and preach the Word. 2nd Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. Always be ready to give an answer to those who do not know our Lord and Savior.
   2. You and I are encouraged to contend 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. In these last days, there will be doubters and people that question our faith, but we must be studied up and ready to contend for the souls of lost humanity.
   3. We are also told that the fields are ripe unto harvest and we should pray for laborers to be sent out to them. Matthew 9:37-38: Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Are you praying for your unsaved loved ones to come to know Christ? Are you praying that God will send someone, maybe even you, to bring them to the cross?
7. What day are you and I in, and how can we know for sure?
   1. As I said in my introduction, we are living in the Laodicean Church Age, the last and final church age before the return of Christ. Revelation 3:17-18: 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. We see here some of the signs of the time we live in. So many people think they have no need for God at all, when in truth they are the most needy. Their houses, lands, clothes, cars, and technology won’t give them eternal and abundant life. Only faith in Jesus will.

 

8. The bible says a wicked & adulterous generation are seeking signs & wonders. What should you & I seek for?
   1. You and I should be seeking the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Luke 12:40: Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. We are to be living every day knowing that He could come back any moment.
   2. The only wonder that we should seek, is wondering when He’s going to return! 1st Thessalonians 5:2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. We’re not told when he’s coming back. We don’t know what day or what hour. We just know we need to be ready!

 

9. If I truthfully ask you are you truly equipped…
   1. in what way have you been trained according to God’s Way? Ephesians 4:11-13: nd he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Are you coming to church, bringing your bible, and being trained and equipped by the messages we bring?
   2. Have you studied? Have you prepared? 2nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. To be an effective witness in these last days, we must be in that Word, studying it, digesting it, meditating on it, and inviting the Spirit of God to enlighten our understanding of it.
   3. Have you sat down to count the cost of everything you do? Luke 14:28: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
   4. Do you know what it means to fight the good fight of faith? 1st Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. This life of faith is a spiritual battle. The time spent in prayer, studying the Word, and the choices we make will determine the outcome of the battle.
   5. Do you understand that the just shall live by faith? Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Are you pleasing God? You are, if you are putting your faith in Him every day.
   6. Do you know the key that the word of God is the only method of salvation? Romans 10:14: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Verse 17 tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

 

1. Story: Keeping Focused
   1. General Bradford was definitely an unusual general. He was known far and wide for both his infinite patience and love as well as for His justice and wrath.
   2. His soldiers loved him dearly—and for good cause. His orders were always good, and he personally found a way to care for each of the soldiers who volunteered for his little band.
   3. Michael had recently joined the general’s band, and was now quite anxious to prove himself a good soldier. His first task was to learn to march.
   4. “The key to marching is to stay focused and to listen for my commands constantly,” the general explained. “See that distant horizon?
   5. Fasten your eyes fifteen degrees above the horizon line. Don’t let them wander to the circumstances or people around you.
   6. Keep your eyes focused above the horizon, and your ears tuned to my voice. You’ll find that many, many things will try to distract you.”
   7. Michael couldn’t imagine anything distracting him from the horizon or the general’s voice.
   8. He’d soon find out, however, just how easily he could get distracted.
   9. The first time Michael actually had the opportunity to march, he lifted his knees up nearly to his chest each step in an effort to look like a good marcher.
   10. He desperately wanted to do a good job to please the general!
   11. The general shook his head and gently admonished the young private, “Don’t let your desire to show off distract you.
   12. True marching isn’t about lifting those knees in show; it’s about putting one step in front of the other in sync with my commands.”
   13. Michael hung his head. He had allowed the thought of what others would think to distract him from really doing his job.
   14. Michael tried again, this time not worrying about how he looked. Yet he had such a hard time keeping his eyes above the horizon!
   15. His eyes seemed to constantly wander to the things or people around him. Then he’d catch sight of the general and remember his command to look above the horizon. Would he ever learn?
   16. “George,” Michael called reprovingly, “your step is a little fast, and wipe the grin off your face. And Scott, loosen up your arms and let them swing a little more natural and—”
   17. “I said flight halt!”
   18. Only after walking several paces in front of the rest of the troop did Michael finally hear the command.
   19. He didn’t think he could ever forget the general’s reproof, “Cadet, fall back in line. Keep your own eyes and ears attentive and let me take care of the others.”
   20. Michael stepped back in line. He was beginning to realize that keeping focused would be a moment-by-moment battle. It was SO easy to get distracted!
   21. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12.
   22. In the global mess of these last days, e can easily lose focus and get distracted. God has given us a studious pastor who is bringing us the truth and our marching orders.
   23. Are we stepping in line with him and following his lead, or are we being distracted?

 

10. Conclusion
    1. When you accepted Jesus as your own personal savior, did you realize that you were a prisoner of the Gospel? 2nd Timothy 1:8: Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
    2. Did you realize that you were to diligently serve him every day until the end? Did you realize that you were to go into the highways and byways and compel those who are without to come in 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.