IT'S TIME

Numbers 13:30-33

INTRODUCTION:

a. What time is it?

1. Growing up I remember hearing this question again and again on TV

2. Do you remember the answer - Its Howdy Dowdy Time

b. How would you answer this question today

c. How would the church answer this question today

I. WHAT TIME IS IT

a. Look around us.

1. The "Friendly" City isn't so friendly in places any more

2. Violent crime, drug sales and use, drug related crime, domestic violence, are all on the increase

3. The streets are not safe after dark and some during the day

4. Many feel like prisoners in their own homes

b. Times are not like they were before

c. It is time for the church to be the church

II. ITS TIME

a. FOR THE CHURCH

1. To put aside the past

a. Although our history is great we cannot rest and depend on what we have done in past

b. Cannot always do things as we did in past - TIMES CHANGE

c. Phil 3:13 - Forgetting what is behind...

2. Put away grudges

a. These are cancer of the soul - they eat you alive

b. We are commanded to forgive as we have been forgiven

c. We will never minister in our community until we forgive each other

3. To encourage each other

a. It is our responsibility to encourage each other to love and good deeds

b. We are not called to put down or discourage but to lift up and encourage

c. A place where Grace is displayed will attract the masses for Jesus - We cannot afford to be anything else

4. To Speak to our Society

a. Throughout history it has been the church that has brought the voice of morality into the public arena

1. Child labor laws - plight of women etc.

b. It is time for us to speak again

1. You may get tired of hearing this but - Have you called or written your representatives about the Gambling issues

2. I might add that you will want to speak to the "County by County" Option they are proposing - That will simply allow the gambling interests to pour all their money into a small area in order to buy the opportunity to set up there.

3. We need to become politically astute so we can bring the voice of morality into the discussions

b. FOR YOU

1. To follow Christ

a. Some of you here are searching for forgiveness and meaning for life

b. You have tried many other avenues - all empty Paschal said, "There is God shaped vacuum..."

c. Your first act is to become a Christian

2. To do the ministry God has called you to do

a. In your heart of hearts you know what you should do

b. Search or create ways to do your ministry

c. Not sure - Discover Your Gifts - Feb. 25-26

3. To be Christian in your work or at school

a. The most effective sermons at this church are the ones you live not the ones I preach

4. To decide on Church Membership

a. Your membership should be where you are attending

b. Many of you have leadership gifts we cannot use because you are not members

c. Something stabilizes in your heart when you make a commitment about a church home

5. In your city and state

a. What should you do.

1. Certainly write and call and be informed

2. Maybe you should run for office

III. OBSTACLES

a. How we see ourselves

1. Spies problem was not God's power but their own view of themselves - "We were as grasshoppers in our own eyes"

b. Stubborn and critical spirits

1. Just will not let go

c. Fear

1. Of the unknown or new ideas

ITS TIME FOR YOU TODAY - WHAT WILL YOU DO

WOULD YOU BOW WITH ME IN PRAYER

HYMN #397 LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL

IV. JESUS' SENSE OF TIME

a. In preparation for the Last Supper he said - "My time has come"

b. HE then shared a meal that illustrated what he meant