“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming…Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour YOU DO NOT EXPECT.” (Matt. 24:42-44) What do we watch for? “…scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 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 creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
The scoffers’ behavior has two characteristics JUSTIN. First, he or she is marked by dogmatism, a closed mind. The scoffer is ALWAYS RIGHT (“a scoffer does not listen to criticism.” (Prov. 13:1))There is never a humble openness to change. In a striking phrase “Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Prov. 20:1) tells us that the scoffer is no more open to reason than a hopelessly drunk person. Second, scoffers show no respect for opponents or opposing points of view. They do not simply refute them; they belittle, insult, and mock them “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.” (Prov. 9:7-8)
Paul tells us, “…when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling…that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in THE POWER OF GOD.” (1 Corin. 2:1-3,5)
BECAUSE, IT’S THE POWER OF GOD THAT WILL DELIVER US!!!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham