WHAT DOES THIS EVIL GENERATION NEED?

Matthew 12:38-42

As if the scribes and Pharisees had not provoked Jesus enough, they demand a sign from heaven from him. Their demand was swiftly and categorically denied. What more could He had done to convince them? The attitude that demands miraculous signs as a condition of belief is not the attitude that pleases God. He called them an evil and adulterous generation. We live in an evil generation. II Timothy 3 states, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded , lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." Paul was informing us that the evil was going to be of greater
intensity in the last days. Evil is being accepted and promoted by society in a bolder way today than ever before. Verse 13 informs us that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse."
What does this evil generation need?

PREACHING THAT BRINGS REPENTANCE

II Timothy 4:1-4

Introduction:     Vague preaching sounds all right. It offends nobody, and it will take you a long way in this world, but it is the in the other world we are going to have to give an account. Just because we have a generation of people with itching ears is no reason to trim our preaching to suit their condition. The preacher is not an ambassador with the privilege of negotiation; he is a messenger with a proclamation to be heard and heeded. He is not to give folks what they want to hear but what they need to hear.

I.          PREACHING THAT BRINGS REPENTANCE DISTURBS (Acts 2:37)

"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression…" (Isaiah 58:1). There must be preaching on sin. Why preach on sin?

·        Man calls sin an accident, but God calls it an abomination.

·        Man calls sin an infirmity, but God calls it iniquity.

·        Man calls sin a liberty, but God calls it lawlessness.

·        Man calls sin a trifle, but God calls it a transgression.

·        Man calls sin a weakness, but God calls it willfulness.

·        Man calls sin an alternate lifestyle, but God calls it an abominable lie.

A.        The Stinging Of Conviction

“Pricked” = to pierce through or shake violently.

We have been far too afraid of disturbing people, but the Holy Spirit will have nothing to do with a message or minister who is afraid of disturbing. Light disturbs....and if one preaches the Word he will preach light...."The entrance of thy word giveth light" Light disturbs because it reveals dirt and disorder.

            B.         The Shaking Of Conscience

“What must we do?” Acts 20:20-21

II.         PREACHING THAT BRINGS REPENTANCE DIRECTS (Acts 2:38)

Psalm 119:105 - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

A.        Direct Preaching Brings Clarity

"A fog in the pulpit will produce darkness in the pew."

“Repent” = A compound word meaning to transfer (exchange) and to think differently or, to reconsider (morally to feel compunction).

B.         Direct Preaching Brings Certainty

Getting the order correct; repentance leads to conversion then, after salvation comes baptism. God CALLS, The Holy Spirit CONVICTS, and that mixed with Repentance and Faith brings CONVERSION.

III.       PREACHING THAT BRINGS REPENTANCE DIVIDES (Acts 2:40-41)

A.        Attitude Of Reception

“Gladly received” = welcomed gladly.

B.         Attitude Of Rejection

Not everyone welcomes Christ. To refuse to accept (welcome) is to reject.

Conclusion:       Repentance is the lost message of the Church and yet it is Jesus who said, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3). God’s Message is clear, REPENT and be saved, or PARRISH!