The Look Up!
Introduction: Are you tired of the down look? Discouragement, depression, defeat. Look Up! Why? Because Jesus is coming someday soon, and He has a plan for your life right now. Why should we Look Up? Because our Lord has promised to return, and there is hope. But in the meantime—there is victory in Jesus Christ. Are you walking in freedom from the “power of sin,” deliverance from the “penalty of sin,”—while anticipating in heaven the very absence of the “presence of sin”? Think about it. How do you Look?
How about trying these three Looks?
1) First, The Uplook! —”Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Remember these are the Holy Spirit inspired words of Paul to his son in the Lord, Titus, who was instructed to select those who were qualified to serve as spiritual leaders for the work of the ministry. This Upward Look is the key from start to finish to the Christian life. Besides the Rapture as in this text, Luke was inspired to write the following words in the context of the second coming of Christ which will follow a time of terrible tribulation (Judgment) of seven years—this is not the rapture.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). Troubled times call for triumphant living! “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:” (Luke 21:26). Instead of “feeding our Fear”—let’s “fan the flames of Faith.” While the Downlook is bad, the Uplock in Jesus is Good. Try it. You will like it!
2) Next, The INLOOK!—“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us” (Titus 2:11-12). The Uplook will change our Inlook with godly living. Money cannot buy this. And the world cannot give this. But a “love” relationship with Jesus Christ will create this. Serving our Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of God should be our life-long goal. Make it yours today. That is where we find fulfillment in this life.
3) Finally, The Outlook!—”For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…..Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11, 14). The vision and mission of our Churches Outlook includes our families, community, city, nation and world—sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
There is no better news; i.e. forgiveness of all of our sins, fellowship with the God of creation, and a heavenly home that is promised for all those who put their trust and faith in His Redeeming Blood. Have you? Why not today? Look Out and then Go Out and tell the world about a love relationship with the God of the Bible.
Conclusion: Keep Looking Up! Keep running the race where grace is in place! Keep your eyes on the prize! Finish Faithful.
New Rocky Creek Baptist Church is excited to announce its Annual Old Tyme Indoor Camp Meeting to be held Sunday, March 19 through Wednesday, March 22. This year’s camp meeting theme is “Look Up”—And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). Services will be held daily at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited.
For more teaching on the end times visit Until That Day at https://www.youtube.com/untilthatday. Until That Day is an outreach ministry of New Rocky Creek Baptist Church. Every day, more and more people are becoming aware of the significance of Bible prophecy. God’s Word is being fulfilled all around us. Learn to talk intelligently and spiritually with your loved ones about the things unfolding in our world today.