Final Matters

Acts 13:38-41

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

My, is this not a very good Word indeed. To me, it sounds wonderful. I am not sure how it sounds to you. So indeed, is it nice to have some rest for myself and a break from corruption. In fact, never to see such again feels even better. How nice would it be if your sickness, your disorder, your death, your temptation, your sin, and your adversities all disappeared suddenly. See, Romans 5:12 says for by one man sin entered the world along with all the bad things which followed. But now has another come like Christ in John 16:13. He will not only tell us all things but will also do for us so much more. My friends, it is not like the man who began building something of Luke 14:28-30. But in the middle of it, he sat down and disappeared. Now others found him on the street corner later, a smart alec indeed. See, what good is the Word of power, purpose, and preaching without some all things behind it. Hebrews 10 compares such a man to the law. For indeed it is merely a shadow of those things to come. Which by Christ have not all these been wrought. See, Christ did not merely step into his office, sit down, and do nothing. Nor did he make much noise and confusion of it. Rather, he came to point men back unto the God from whence they came. Herein is our standing under the new covenant of his blood made complete. See, there is forgiveness of sins in this Word. There is also seen here a justified from all things. How many of you would like God to put his hands over you and say 'that is my child now. They answer to me, Satan, you will not have them.' This is something which Moses could not. See, Moses was rather like the lawyer which could only speak of legality and all the points thereof. But now Christ has come to do the much more of what we need. Some of you really ought to say the words of the ancient hymn with me: 'his atonement this I plead, for herein is all that I need; thank you for the blood.'

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

If you do not remember all the prophets have written, that is ok. You might be more familiar with what happened to people who had such things to say. Hebrews 11 speaks of believers who acted out their faith. All were people of faith who did many mighty works but also were fed to lions, sawn asunder, and suffered other tragedies for the name of Christ. See, the devil dislikes when you start preaching the Word of God. It might be ok if you are speaking of yourself and some other people. But God is the only one who can rebuke him of Jude 1:9. That is why when you speak God's Words, they are often ill received by those who hate him. For this cause will troubles be increased when you are doing the work of the Lord as opposed to not. Now I could speak long about the way and the will of God in conjunction with the Word of God. But now let us see his works together. See, if you look only at the martyrs of Hebrews 11, you are missing half the message. This text here says he sent the prophets who spoke God's words in faith. The martyrs were those who lived God's way in faith. Let us see then of what these spoke. Herein is the judgment, the life to come, and what is to pass shortly hereafter. God will not always be long-suffering with man. Sometimes he brings things about to guide us and sometimes to bring many sons to glory. For this cause are the warnings given. See, there is told of a great tower Siloam which fell in Luke 14:4-5. It killed many, and unless you too repent, "you will all likewise perish." Even this tells of the role of faith in the life of the believer. Indeed, it is a role of persecuted yet not destroyed. See, God did not send the trial to tear you apart. Rather, he sent it so you might shine as a light to the darkness and be brought into his glorious kingdom.

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

Now I know some of today are just like those then who had their noses turned up and thought you knew best. It is not for no reason that the Scripture calls such despisers which also wonder and perish. See, when you do not understand what God is doing this might be your response also. Now is the time of the witness of the angelic and apostolic alike spoken of in Hebrews 12. Behold, the work of the Lord has come with wonders, despisers, and perishers alike. Some see what he has done and wonder as at some strange thing. Some despise his work as though the Father could be considered unjust. Then some are simply lost and perishing unless God should find them. Now is the time of his work. Some are striving against sin and others are struggling to walk in the paths of righteousness. Some of us need this Word of how not to stray from his paths or fail the race of faith. Even so, now is the time of his work. So wondrous will it be, that should an angel tell you, yet might you not believe. Such wonders God has prepared for those who love him of 1 Corinthians 2:9; believe me no other eye has seen these things. So, continue dear believers until he shall gather into his eternal home. Amen