TIME TO SERVE PART 10 OF 12

TEXT- MARK 13:32-37

INTRODUCTION

THIS MORNING IS OUR THEME DAY WHEN WE EMPHASIZE THE GOALS AND THEME OF OUR CHURCH FOR 1994.

IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IT IS NEVER TO EARLY TO BEGIN PLANNING SO THIS MORNING I HAVE ASKED OUR USHERS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE A M.A.P. FOR 1995 THAT WILL HELP YOU MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OUR NEW THEME AND GOALS IN 1995.

I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD FILL THESE OUT AND RETURN THEM NOT LATER THAN THE LAST SUNDAY OF THIS MONTH, WHICH IS OCTOBER 30TH.

THIS YEAR I HAVE BEEN PREACHING THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF MARK ON THE TOPIC OF SERVING THE LORD.

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN MARK 13:32-37 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "TIME TO SERVE."

THIS ENTIRE CHAPTER DEALS WITH THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST.

I KNOW THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT OPINIONS CONCERNING THE TIME OF THE SECOND COMING, BUT NONE OF US REALLY KNOWS WHEN JESUS IS GOING TO COME AND MANY ARE GOING TO BE GREATLY SURPRISED WHEN HE DOES RETURN.

A MAN WALKED INTO A RESTAURANT AND SAW NO ONE WAITING ON PEOPLE, SO HE POUNDED AND SHOUTED, "WHERE IS EVERYBODY?  I WANT SOME FOOD."  ALL OF A SUDDEN A HORSE WALKED OUT OF THE BACK ROOM.  THE MAN WAS SHOCKED AS HE STARED AT HIM. THE HORSE SAID CALMLY, "ALL RIGHT, QUIT YELLING. WHAT DO YOU WANT?"  THE MAN CONTINUED TO STARE AT HIM IN AMAZEMENT.  THE HORSE REPEATED, "ALL RIGHT NOW, LET'S HAVE IT.  WHAT'S YOUR ORDER?'" FINALLY THE MAN ASKED, "DID THE COW SELL THIS PLACE?"

BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHEN JESUS IS COMING WE SHOULD SERVE HIM TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY WHILE WE STILL HAVE TIME.

AS WE STUDY THIS PASSAGE THERE ARE THREE THINGS I WOULD LIKE US TO NOTICE ABOUT HOW TO SERVE GOD IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE SECOND COMING.