Psalms 102:13
The sermon discusses God's appointed times for Israel's restoration, the return of Jesus, personal salvation, and the inevitability of death, urging immediate preparation and action.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that God has set specific times for the restoration of Israel, the return of Jesus Christ, personal salvation, and even death. He highlights the prophetic significance of Israel's rebirth in 1948 and the current tensions in the Middle East as signs of God's appointed times. Smith encourages believers to recognize that the time for salvation is now and stresses the importance of preparing for the day of death, as it is appointed for every man. He reassures that God's appointed times will indeed come to pass.
Text
"GOD'S APPOINTED TIMES"
I. GOD HAS SET A TIME TO RESTORE ISRAEL VS. 13.
A. Moses spoke of it in Deut.
1. Deut. 28:34 promise to scatter.
2. Deut. 30:3, 4 promise to restore.
B. Ezekiel's vision of valley of dry bones.
C. Jeremiah 46:27, 28.
D. Whole thrust of Hoshea.
E. It would appear that, that set time is near.
1. The nation was reborn May 14th 1948.
a. Zech. 12 Jerusalem will become the center of attention.
b. Israel has declared Jerusalem her capitol.
2. Today tension is mounting in the Middle East.
a. Iran-Iraq war grinds on.
b. Syria and Jordan massing troops.
c. The whole area as a boiling cauldron.
II. GOD'S SET TIME FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST.
A. Vs. 16 "When the Lord shall build up Zion... He shall appear in His GLORY!"
1. His first appearing was to endure the shame of the cross to redeem
the world.
a. "He was to be despised and rejected by men."
b. Mocked, scourged, pierced, crucified.
2. He coming again in glory.
a. "Then shall they see the sign of the Son of Man coming in
clouds and great glory!"
B. We see the way Israel is advancing today.
1. Turning the waste places into gardens.
2. Causing the deserts to blossom as a rose.
3. Filling the earth with fruit. Isa. 27:6
C. The set time for the return of Jesus Christ is near.
III. GOD HAS A SET-TIME FOR YOUR SALVATION.
A. "Behold, now is the accepted time." "Now is the day of salvation." II Cor 6:2
B. Isa. 55:6 "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while
He is near."
C. God's time for you is always now.
1. He wants to work in your life today.
IV. GOD'S APPOINTED TIME FOR YOUR DEATH. HEB. 9:27
As it is appointed unto man once to die."
A. We are told to prepare for that day.
1. "Prepare to meet thy God."
2. The preparation necessary.
a. He is a Holy God.
b. I am a sinful man.
c. I can't stand in the presence of His holiness covered with sin.
V. GOD'S APPOINTED TIMES WILL COME.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''A'': ''Moses spoke of it in Deut.'', ''B'': ''Ezekiel''s vision of valley of dry bones.'', ''C'': ''Jeremiah 46:27, 28.'', ''D'': ''Whole thrust of Hoshea.'', ''E'': {''1'': ''The nation was reborn May 14th 1948.'', ''2'': ''Today tension is mounting in the Middle East.''}}' - GOD HAS SET A TIME TO RESTORE ISRAEL
- II points: - '{''A'': ''Vs. 16 ''When the Lord shall build up Zion... He shall appear in His GLORY!'''', ''B'': ''We see the way Israel is advancing today.'', ''C'': ''The set time for the return of Jesus Christ is near.''}' - GOD'S SET TIME FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
- III points: - '{''A'': ''''Behold, now is the accepted time.'''', ''B'': ''Isa. 55:6 ''Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.'''', ''C'': ''God''s time for you is always now.''}' - GOD HAS A SET-TIME FOR YOUR SALVATION
- IV points: - '{''A'': ''We are told to prepare for that day.''}' - GOD'S APPOINTED TIME FOR YOUR DEATH
- V points: - GOD'S APPOINTED TIMES WILL COME
Key Quotes
“''Behold, now is the accepted time.''” — Chuck Smith
“''When the Lord shall build up Zion... He shall appear in His GLORY!''” — Chuck Smith
“''Prepare to meet thy God.''” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize the urgency of seeking God and salvation today.
- Prepare your heart for the day of your death by understanding God's holiness.
- Stay informed about the signs of the times regarding Israel and the return of Christ.