Be Reconciled to God!

We have heard of the many times mankind has been at odds with each other. We see the struggle that is going on right now in the Middle east. We know this thing could become a worldwide conflagration!
We live our lives day to day in a continual faith. We have faith we will be alive tomorrow. We believe we will see the morning. We give no thought, or only in passing, the possibility that today could be our last day. We just don't think about these things. we can't and still function in our jobs, with our families, in society.
But today I tell you that whatever happens today with the conficlts in the Middle East, we have no promises.
What am I saying?
Have you seen the advertisements where the crash dummies are demonstrated in a crash without wearing a seatbelt? Why do they show this to you? Are they trying to frighten you? Well yes! The safety council wants you to believe what they say. They want you to know that if you get in a crash without your seatbelt what will go through your mind in the next moment is your steeing wheel!
We all know that life is tenous at best. We all know it, especially with the last 10 years of events. There have been so many disasters, so many occurences of destruction and suffering even the news agencys wonder what is going on!
There is a storm coming! Ever person in hearing of my coive is going to be tested and tried like metal in a flame. I was a factory worker in north carolina for a while. I learned how forks and knives are heated and dropped into oil to make them tough and to take away their brittleness. I have seen what fire can do.
Every one of us will be judged by God Himself for ewvery word we have spoken, every thought we have had, everything we have looked at, every intention of our hearts. I am calling you all to "Be reconclied to God!"
"Why?" you might be saying. Why should you and God be on good terms now? Because there is coming a day in which the world will be judged in righteousness. the Bible says we shall all face God and tried.
Well how do you think you will do? Do you think you will be pretty good? Do you think God will be happy wioth what you have done, what you have said, who you are?
You might be thinking, "Well how could we know what God would expxect from me before I even get there?"
Well, the Bible makes it plain. And here is how:
Have you ever told a lie? Yes.
Have you ever stolen antyhing, taken anything that was not yours? Sure.
Have you murdered someone? well no, I'm ok there, right? Wrong. jesus said whoever gets angry with his brother is in danger of punishment, but whoever hates another is a murderer.
Maybe you did okthere, but this is the one that got me: do not commit adultery.
Maybe you are saying, "Maybe you are an adulterer but not me." I'm sorry, you are.
Jesus said, "You've heard it said you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." so you're guilty there.
"Honor your mother and your father." That's the fith commandment that shows us God's standard of what He considers "good". Who has always done what their parents have said, who has neevr dishonored their parents, by lieing, stealing or lusting? See, the point here is the intent of the heart, not just the actions.
So, we've established that we are all guilty under the Law. That what the bbible says. Whoever violates even in one place has broken all the Law.
The Law is like a piece of glass with the Ten Commandments written on them. You can't break just one commandment without breaking the whole thing.
So what do we do then? If we are guilty beofre God on Judgement Day we will be headed for Hell. That's what the Bible says. All liars, all adulterers, all murderers and thieves will have their place in the Lake of Fire.
well you might say, "Hey that's not fair! I'm being given the same punishment as the murderer!"
well, let's look at that.
If you lie to a friend, that will likely be no big deal. They'll just forgive you if you ask them. 
If you lie to a policeman you may get a summons.
If you lie to a judge then you will get a fine and maybe even a jail sentence.
If you lie to Congress it's considered Treason.
But if you lie to God it's a violation of His Law and called sin.
What's the difference? The level of the punishment hows the seriousness of the crime.
And Hell is the punishment for all who practice violation of the 9th Commandment, You shall not lie."
God's standard is not our standard. God is Holy and He is Just. he can;t let guiklty sinners get away with their crimes.
What would you think of a Judge who let a criminal go free? He would be a criminal himself, worthy of punishment himself!
No, God will judge the world in righteousness, whether their works have been good or evil.
God will hold you accountable for everthing you ever have done.
So what do you do?
Be reconclied to God!
2000 years ago Jesus paid your fine for your crimes.
So what do you do?
Do what God says!
God has no desire that anyone would perish. God calls all men everywhere to repent.
"What good will that do now?, you might say.
I'll tell you if but you must LISTEN.

If you are guilty of killing your neighbor's dog you go to that neighbor and ask their forgiveness. You do it before they haul you into court!

what am I saying? What does that have to do with you?
We have just established that if you die right at this moment and stand before God you will be guilty. But God has made a way for you to be forgiven beofre your court date!

If you will go to God NOW and ask for his forgiveness, believing what he said. The Bible calls the asking "repentance". 

"Repentance" can be explained like this: You and your friend are traveling together by car. He needs some sleep. So he gives you the directions and he takes a nap in the back seat while you drive.
He wakes up a few hours later and sees he is in Pennsylvania! What's the problem? He gave you directions to get to Maryland!
So, what do you do?
You REPENT.
1. You first STOP going the wrong way.
2. You tell your friend YOU ARE SORRY for going the wrong way.
3. You TURN AROUND.
4. You start heading in the right direction, with the instructions he gave you.
5. And you KEEP GOING until you get there.

That's what it means to repent.

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
I said repent and believe.
Believe?
Yes, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

If you do that, if you turn, forsaking your old life and what you did, and turn to God, asking Him for His forgiveness, he will forgive you. BUt you must ask with your whole heart, nothing missing.
It's like you are standing on the edge of a bridge having just been instructed in bungee jumping. You know all what you have been told, you been assured by those who done it this si the right way to do it. You've done all you need to do to be ready, so now ... you must beleieve. You must believe you will be safe as you LEAP OUT completely surrendured.

Some have leapt out into darkness, beluieving lies and have been taken into deceit and madness. They were given lies.
So don't take my word for it. Read for oyurself. Check it out.
But understand this. There is no substitute for trust.
You either trust and obey or you can keep standing on that bridge. You can even get back off that bridge, having never jumped.

If you leave here, knowing what I have said to you is true, and face God on Judgement day in your sins, having never repented... and ours eyes meet... I will not be responsible for your punishment.
Judge my motive. Do you think it's fun coming out here risking your rejection and ridicule? Why would I do this? I don't get paid for this. I am not asking you to join anything. I am not asking for your money - I've given money away!

So why have I done all of this?
Because the man with an experience is not at the mercy of the man with an argument.
I know God knows me. I have been reconciled to God and am in fellowship with him and others who know him. His PSirit has witnessed to me that I am His.

That is what God has promised in His bible. You can KNOW you are reconciled to Him.

So know this also: The Bible says TODAY is the day of salvation.
If you, at this moment, have understood what I have said you have been given a gift by God. He has opened your eyes and ears and allowed you to know of His mercy for you.
What you must now do is believe Him.

Thank you for listening.