2012 A Year of Hope
2012 A Year of Hope
Every year we seem to get more downtrodden than we were the year before every year we hear more doom and gloom all around and this year although you may hear about end time and the news might talk about disaster still we have much to look forward to!
Matthew 24:32-41 (KJV 1900)
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
I don’t speak of the end of our time as do the others you will hear this year as you have heard all your lives I speak as one looking forward to the coming of the Son of Man! We must be looking forward to him.
1. Satan does have a plan!
a. As a child I wandered how the devil thought he could win out when lost already.
b. He does have a plan a plan to take as many with him as he can to Hell! The devil knows if we keep hearing over and over dates of rapture we will stop listening.
c. People don’t fear the end time anymore as they once did to them the church is chicken little.
2 Peter 3:3-4 (KJV 1900)
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2. He will still lose out but you don’t have to lose anything!
2 Peter 3:9 (KJV 1900)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
a. We must be ready for His return!
2 Peter 3:10 (KJV 1900)
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
b. Are you ready should Jesus come today?
2 Peter 3:11 (KJV 1900)
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
c. Look for Him!
Matthew 24:42 (KJV 1900)
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
3. This will be a year of hope
a. Hope for Salvation
Romans 10:10 (KJV 1900)
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
b. Hope for healing (of our bodies and our families)
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV 1900)
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
c. Hope for Revival and salvation of souls
Psalm 85:6 (KJV 1900)
6 Wilt thou not revive us again: That thy people may rejoice in thee?