Awakening to Spiritual Truths in Chaotic Times
Summary
Moving to Hong Kong with my family of 12 during a pandemic was daunting, yet the warmth and generosity of the people here have been overwhelming. However, amidst this kindness, I am deeply concerned about the spiritual state of the world, particularly in Hong Kong. The Bible warns us that before Jesus returns, the world will be chaotic, much like the days of Noah when people were oblivious to the impending flood. Today, many seem indifferent to the reality of God's judgment, focusing instead on temporal issues like the pandemic or political unrest.
In Revelation 20, we are reminded of the great white throne judgment, where everyone will stand before God. This is a sobering truth that should not be ignored. Yet, many churches shy away from discussing judgment and hell, fearing it will deter people. This avoidance is dangerous because it neglects the reality of eternal consequences. The Bible is clear that our lives will be judged, and those not found in the Book of Life will face eternal separation from God.
I am particularly troubled by the misconception of salvation. Many believe that a simple prayer guarantees eternal security, but the Bible emphasizes a transformed life as evidence of true faith. First John teaches that knowing God is reflected in obedience and love, not merely a one-time decision. Jesus' interactions with the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus illustrate the cost of discipleship. The rich young ruler walked away sad, unwilling to part with his wealth, while Zacchaeus joyfully gave away his possessions, understanding the treasure of knowing Jesus.
In Hong Kong, I see many who identify as Christians but lack the joy and commitment of Zacchaeus. They are more like the rich young ruler, hesitant to fully surrender to Christ. This is not about trying harder but about having our eyes opened to the treasure that Jesus is. I urge you to seek God earnestly, asking Him to reveal His worth to you. If you find yourself lacking this desire, pray for God to open your eyes. For those ready to embrace this truth, I encourage you to commit to a local church and let your life be transformed by the Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
1. The world is in chaos, much like the days of Noah, and many are indifferent to the reality of God's impending judgment. This indifference is dangerous as it neglects the eternal consequences of our actions. We must be vigilant and aware of the spiritual realities around us. [01:49]
2. The great white throne judgment in Revelation 20 is a sobering reminder that everyone will stand before God. Our lives will be judged, and those not found in the Book of Life will face eternal separation from God. This truth should compel us to live with an eternal perspective. [03:49]
3. Salvation is not guaranteed by a simple prayer but is evidenced by a transformed life. First John emphasizes that true faith is reflected in obedience and love, not merely a one-time decision. We must examine our lives to ensure they align with God's Word. [08:10]
4. The rich young ruler and Zacchaeus illustrate the cost of discipleship. The rich young ruler was unwilling to part with his wealth, while Zacchaeus joyfully gave away his possessions, understanding the treasure of knowing Jesus. We must be willing to surrender all to follow Christ. [12:54]
5. Many Christians today lack the joy and commitment of Zacchaeus, resembling the rich young ruler instead. This is not about trying harder but about having our eyes opened to the treasure that Jesus is. We must seek God earnestly, asking Him to reveal His worth to us. [16:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Moving to Hong Kong
- [00:49] - Concerns About the World
- [01:19] - Days of Noah Parallel
- [02:28] - Avoidance of Judgment Topics
- [02:50] - Revelation 20: The Great White Throne
- [04:04] - The Reality of Judgment
- [05:06] - Trust in Scripture
- [06:09] - Misconceptions About Salvation
- [07:42] - Assurance and Context of Salvation
- [08:30] - Evidence of True Faith
- [10:08] - Lukewarm Faith Warning
- [11:16] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [12:19] - Zacchaeus' Joyful Response
- [14:06] - The Treasure of Knowing Jesus
- [17:19] - A Call to Seek God Earnestly
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 20:11-15
2. 1 John 2:3-6
3. Luke 19:1-10
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Revelation 20:11-15 describe about the great white throne judgment? How does this passage emphasize the seriousness of standing before God? [02:50]
2. In 1 John 2:3-6, what are the indicators of truly knowing God according to the passage? How does this relate to the concept of obedience? [08:30]
3. How does the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 illustrate a transformed life? What actions did Zacchaeus take that demonstrated his commitment to Jesus? [12:19]
4. What are the differences between the responses of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus to Jesus' call? How do these responses reflect their understanding of discipleship? [12:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the description of the great white throne judgment in Revelation 20 challenge common perceptions of God's judgment? What implications does this have for how we live our lives? [03:49]
2. In what ways does 1 John 2:3-6 challenge the idea that a simple prayer guarantees salvation? How does this passage redefine what it means to know God? [08:10]
3. What does the story of Zacchaeus teach about the cost of discipleship and the joy of knowing Jesus? How does this contrast with the rich young ruler's response? [12:54]
4. How does the sermon suggest that many Christians today resemble the rich young ruler more than Zacchaeus? What are the dangers of this mindset? [13:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be indifferent to the reality of God's judgment, similar to the people in the days of Noah? How can you cultivate a more vigilant and aware spiritual life? [01:49]
2. How can you ensure that your faith is evidenced by a transformed life, as emphasized in 1 John? What specific steps can you take to align your actions with God's Word? [08:10]
3. Consider the cost of discipleship as illustrated by Zacchaeus. What are you willing to surrender to follow Christ fully? How can you cultivate the joy and commitment that Zacchaeus demonstrated? [12:54]
4. In what ways might you be holding back from fully surrendering to Christ, like the rich young ruler? What practical steps can you take to open your eyes to the treasure that Jesus is? [13:39]
5. How can you actively seek God earnestly in your daily life? What practices or habits can you incorporate to deepen your relationship with Him and understand His worth more fully? [16:29]
6. Reflect on your involvement with your local church. How can you commit more deeply to your church community and allow your life to be transformed by the Spirit? [19:02]
7. If you find yourself lacking the desire to know God more deeply, how can you pray for God to open your eyes to His worth? What specific prayers or actions can you take this week to seek Him earnestly? [17:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Vigilance in Chaotic Times
In a world that mirrors the chaos of Noah's days, many remain indifferent to the spiritual realities and the impending judgment of God. This indifference is perilous, as it overlooks the eternal consequences of our actions. We are called to be vigilant, recognizing the signs of the times and understanding that our focus should not solely be on temporal issues like pandemics or political unrest. Instead, we must be aware of the spiritual state of the world and our own hearts, ensuring that we are not caught unaware when the time of judgment comes. [01:49]
"For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24:38-39, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions in your life might be causing you to overlook the spiritual realities around you? How can you refocus your attention on what truly matters today?
Day 2: The Reality of Eternal Judgment
Revelation 20 presents a sobering image of the great white throne judgment, where every person will stand before God. This moment of judgment is a reality that should not be ignored, as it determines our eternal destiny. Those not found in the Book of Life will face eternal separation from God. This truth compels us to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing our relationship with God and ensuring that our lives align with His Word. It is a call to examine our hearts and live in a way that reflects our faith and commitment to Christ. [03:49]
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done." (Revelation 20:12, ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of standing before God in judgment influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes might you need to make to live with an eternal perspective?
Day 3: Evidence of True Faith
Salvation is not merely a result of a simple prayer but is evidenced by a transformed life. First John emphasizes that true faith is reflected in obedience and love, not just a one-time decision. This calls for a deep examination of our lives to ensure they align with God's Word. It challenges the misconception that a verbal declaration of faith is sufficient for eternal security. Instead, it highlights the importance of ongoing transformation and growth in our relationship with God, marked by a life of obedience and love. [08:10]
"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways does your life reflect the transformation that comes from true faith? Are there areas where you need to grow in obedience and love?
Day 4: The Cost of Discipleship
The stories of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus illustrate the cost of discipleship. The rich young ruler was unwilling to part with his wealth, while Zacchaeus joyfully gave away his possessions, understanding the treasure of knowing Jesus. This contrast highlights the necessity of surrendering all to follow Christ. It is not about trying harder but about recognizing the incomparable value of a relationship with Jesus and being willing to let go of anything that hinders that relationship. [12:54]
"And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.'" (Mark 10:21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Seeking the Treasure of Christ
Many Christians today lack the joy and commitment of Zacchaeus, resembling the rich young ruler instead. This is not about trying harder but about having our eyes opened to the treasure that Jesus is. We must seek God earnestly, asking Him to reveal His worth to us. For those ready to embrace this truth, it is an invitation to commit to a local church and allow the Spirit to transform their lives. It is a call to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ, finding joy and fulfillment in Him above all else. [16:29]
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." (Matthew 13:44, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively seek to understand and experience the treasure that Jesus is in your life today? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
Quotes
"Jesus said, look, before I return, the world is going to get wild. So many crazy things are going to happen before I return. But the Bible also says that the people are going to be just like it was in the days of Noah. It says that in the days of Noah, people were just doing their normal thing, eating, drinking, getting married, doing their family stuff, and then boom, the flood came and destroyed them. And Jesus says when I come back, I'm coming back to judge." [00:01:08]
"Revelation 20, starting in verse 11, he says, then I saw a great white throne and him who seated in it. From his presence, earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done." [00:02:50]
"Man, for two thousand years, people have trusted this book. They've died defending this book, not just because of the prophecies and archaeology or anything. It's because it talks about a resurrected Jesus who rose from the dead, and many of us have experienced him. And that's why we go, man, what they say about him is true. And so what he says about the judgment is true. It's going to be like the days of Noah." [00:05:19]
"There's so many people who feel safe like, well, it's okay, I'll come before the throne, I'll be fine because I prayed the sinner's prayer, and I asked Jesus to come into my heart. And I'm going, man, do you know there is no sinner's prayer in the Bible? Now, why do you have this confidence? Look, and the thing is, I prayed that prayer too." [00:06:23]
"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. In chapter 2, verse 3, it says, and by this we know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says I know him but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." [00:08:13]
"Jesus said, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. This is the way Jesus spoke. If you want to follow me, deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow me. Don't try to save and hold on to your life." [00:11:21]
"Zacchaeus goes, half of everything I own, I'll give it to the poor, and everyone I've ripped off, I'll give you four times whatever I stole from you. He was just ecstatic, so happy, and Jesus goes, today salvation has come to this house. Do you see the totally different paths these two men took? One was like, oh, I want Jesus, I want eternal life, but you're telling me to give away everything I own." [00:12:47]
"Think about it, think about what happened that day. Jesus, the person, think about this, God spoke, so this being spoke, he opened his mouth, and the whole world appeared. Think about that. This being spoke, and the whole world appeared, and then he says to you, I want a relationship with you. I want to know you so badly that I'm going to let people torture me so that I pay for everything you've done wrong." [00:14:16]
"You guys, I'm just concerned because I don't see people with this overwhelming joy. The Bible says a joy that is inexpressible because we know God and we're one with him. I mean, way too many people that are counting the cost and just going, gosh, I don't know if I can do this. And I know the way people in Hong Kong are, where, man, there's like this work ethic where, well, I'll try harder." [00:15:25]
"This is not about working harder. It's about God opening your eyes to who he is. You know, like that passage in Revelation 3, where the lukewarm person, he says, you don't get it, you're blind. It's like that blind man, Luke 18, that was crying out to Jesus, Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. Don't walk away from what I just said and go, okay, I'll try harder." [00:16:01]
"The bigger concern is maybe this desire isn't in you because you're actually still blind. You don't know what a treasure Jesus is. Otherwise, you would be thrilled like Zacchaeus was. So I took the month of August just to pray for the city of Hong Kong. I fasted, I prayed, and just begged God, believe in him, attitude, and that you would raise up a new group of people like Zacchaeus." [00:16:36]
"Maybe right now you don't get it, man, just be honest with the Lord and say, God, I think I'm lying because I don't think you're that great. I'm like the rich young ruler, and I'm looking at my family, I look at my money, I'm looking at my life, and I'm comparing it, and it's like, you guys just pray and be honest and say, God, please open my eyes because I know I should be more excited about knowing the God of the universe." [00:17:29]
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