It is hard to be a good person, but the alternative is worse!
A. This is why the Lord placed us in the church of Christ! Acts 2:47
… And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
1. So we can have the truth in the Bible! 2 Tim.3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2. And we can do this--> Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage
each other— and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb.10:24-25
3. Please remember God lays up sound wisdom for righteousness doing people! Proverb 2:7
For the church of Christ, is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! Romans 14:17
B. Think also about the alternative!
1. Peter preached: Therefore let all Israel be assured of this:
God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36
2. When they heard this they were cut to the heart….Acts 2:37
We know a very few were very happy to hear that Jesus was resurrected!
3. Why were they cut to the heart?
This is why! Matt,27:22-23
Pilate Asked: Then, with Jesus who is called Christ? What shall I do? Matt.27:22
They all answered: Crucify him! Matt.27:22
Pilate asked: Why? What crime has he committed?
But they shouted all the louder: Crucify him! Matt.27:23
They shouted: Crucify him. Crucify him 50 days ago! This was why!!!
4. Sin always get worse, sin doesn’t get better until you died the physical death! James 1:13-15
When tempted, don’t say: God is tempting me. God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt
anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then,
after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
5. With definite punishment hanging upon your head is one horrible way to live!
This is why the Chinese has this philosophy--> po cai dang zai! (Give money to rid pending punishment!)
6. Even demons afraid of pending punishment! Luke 8:26-28
They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.
When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town.
For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.
When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice:
What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?
I beg you, don't torture me!
C. No one can run away from punishment for sin they had committed, so don’t try!
1. But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD;
and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. Number 32:23
2. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life,
for God's wrath remains on him. John 3:36
Please do not let God's wrath remain on you!!!
3. So which is going to be? Repent or let sin get worse until death?
You must decide for yourself!
4. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? Psalms 139:7
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me. Psalms 139:9-10
5. Yes, God’s hand will lead you? Lead you toward heaven or toward hell? 2 Thes.2:10-12
Yes, God’s right hand will hold you? Hold you to save you or hold you to cast you into hell? 2 Thes.2:10-12
D. Please follow Peter and Andrew’s example! Mark 1:16-18
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him. May the Lord bless you and keep you always!
P.S. A real life story to show you how sin can get worse!
A young couple got married 15 years ago!
The man’s wife visit only her side of parents after married. She refuses to visit her husband’s parents!
Both their parents live in the same neighborhood! They themselves live a few hundred miles away!
Now they have a 9 year old son and a 7 year old daughter!
Last year, the man went to visit his own parents. As usual his wife refused to go together with him!
Since their son was 8 years old.
In the conversation between the grand pa and 8 year old grandson, the boy!
The grand pa asked his grandson! Is your mother in town? He said: yes! How is she? She is fine.
Do you know your mother visit only her own parents but not come to visit us?
He said: Yes, I know!
The grand pa said: Is this a right thing to do? The boy turned his head to the left then to the right!
This year’s Christmas time, this married man called his father!
We are coming to visit my wife side of parents.
I may bring my children come to visit you and mother!
But I do not want you to ask my son about his mother!
The father said: If this is the case, don’t come! So, this son, now a father of 2 called his mother!
My wife so and so is coming into your town but she and children will visit only her side of people!
I, myself is not coming this Christmas time!
As I can see, this sin is causing problem in this couple’s family! Now it troubled their children also!
By the grace of God, I learned this fast! If I were them! I solve this problem as soon as possible!
This unrighteousness will get worse! It will not get better!
I hope everyone knows, the Bible 1 John 5:17 says, all unrighteousness is sin!
And the wages of sin is death! Romans 6:23
I pray to God, please have mercy on this couple.
Even their 8 year old son knows what they are doing is wrong!
This wrong is going to get worse for them!
Yes, it is hard to be a good person, but the alternative is worse!
I hope, you all understand! Please follow what Peter and Andrew did!
Come follow Jesus at once! Make things right with God and stay that way!