“NOW”

THE FIRST THREE VERSES IN JONAH 1 WERE JUST READ.

A. As we heard this passage did we notice how the book begins?

B. The first word in the book of Jonah is now.

C. There are some Bible books which begin with this term, especially if you have the KJV.

2. Other books which start with this term include:

3. Ezekiel; Esther; First Samuel; Ruth; Judges.

4. This is such a little word it is easy to read it and keep right on going.

5. Today we want to stop with this opening word and study the significance of now.

6. God used this term several times in His word it so it must be important.

7. The word now occurs about 1500 times in the Bible.

8. Because God saw fit to use this term so often, it deserves attention.

9. For our purposes, today’s study will be limited to information from the New Testament.

10. As we look at verses, I am going to approach them in reverse order.

11. That is, I will start with the book of 2 Cor. and work towards the book of 2 Cor.

THE FIRST PASSAGE TO BE CONSIDERED IS 1 JN. 4:3.

A. John spoke of people who had a wrong understanding of who Jesus is.

B. In John’s day some said Jesus was not “of God.”

C. He may have been some power (force), but some said was not associated with the true God.

D. John said this type of teaching was associated with the anti-Christ.

2. Today is there is a lot of teaching about the anti-Christ.

3. Many allege that a specific person is coming and his time is almost here.

4. Notice what John said – 1 Jn. 4:3 – READ.

A. This verse was written almost 2,000 years ago.

B. John said “now” (2,000 years ago) the anti-Christ spirit was a problem.

C. The expression anti-Christ simply means opposed to Christ.

D. In the first century there were people opposed to Jesus.

E. This problem still exists.

F. The word “now” 1 Jn. 4:3 shows that the Premillenial teaching of today is wrong.

G. Saying we are at the end of time and special powers are now in operation is false.

H. This type of teaching sells books and interests people but it is not true.

I. For an additional cross reference you might see 1 Jn. 2:18.

J. John said “now” (2,000) there were many anti-Christs.

5. Our next reference is found in the preceding chapter 1 Jn. 3:2 – READ.

6. The connection between 1 Jn. 4:3 and 1 Jn. 3:2 is the word “now.”

A. If we have become a Christian we are now a child of God.

B. We do not need 6 months and have a probationary period to become part of the family.

C. There is no waiting period or trial period.

D. Those who are obedient to God are instantly adopted into God’s household.

7. This past week I read about American medical care and the Veteran’s administration.

8. Veterans are going to VA hospitals because they can get medical care at a fraction of the cost.

9. This is the good news. The bad news is the wait.

10. There is a list of 202,000 people waiting to see VA doctors.

11. Some appointments (for simple things) are scheduled six months in advance.

12. God says Christians are “now” children of God (instantly saved and entitled to heaven’s blessings).

13. Another “now” passage which comes from the New Testament is found in Peter’s writings.

14. The verse is 1 Pet. 3:21.

15. Peter was drawing a contrast between salvation today and salvation in the time of Noah.

16. Let’s see what he said – 1 Pet. 3:20-21 – READ.

A. In the past God had different plans for people.

B. There was a plan for Adam and Eve.

C. There was a plan for Noah (build and ark).

D. There was a plan for Moses and the Israelites.

E. There was a plan for the Gentiles who lived under the Old Testament era.

F. There was a plan for the people of Nineveh.

G. There was a plan for Northern Israel and Southern Israel.

H. In the New Testament God says to the entire world, “NOW.”

I. The word “now” points to a change.

J. There has been a change in the testament (covenant, law, the rules).

K. Peter says this change relates to salvation.

17. God says “now baptism saves you.”

18. This was not true in the past.

19. Some ask why the thief on the cross was not baptized.

20. I have spoken with some who act as if members of the church have never heard of the thief.

21. We do know about this man and we are not hesitant to talk about him.

22. Perhaps Peter was thinking about him when he wrote this verse.

23. The thief lived and died when the Old Testament law was in force (he was in the “then”) stage.

24. God says a new time has come (“now” we are saved by baptism).

25. If we are in the “now” time, we do not go back to a prior time to see how to serve God/be saved.

26. Reference number 4 is 1 Tim. 4:6.

A. In this verse Paul spoke of a young preacher who had done a good job.

B. Timothy had been “nourished in the words of the faith.”

C. He had “followed the good doctrine.”

D. Paul said “You have done these two items until now.”

27. One of the joys available to us in the Christian life is to look at our past and say,

28. “I have been faithful to God until now.”

29. “I have done my best to please my heavenly father.”

30. This is a standard we can strive for and achieve.

31. When we do this, thinking about what we have accomplished is not boasting.

32. We can consider our Christian life and draw factual conclusions.

33. The word now helps us evaluate the past and keeps us on the right road for the future.

A. If we have stayed faithful till the present moment, what about the rest of our life?

B. We have had a good past, but what about tomorrow and the next day?

C. One of our goals in the Christian life should be just as Paul said.

D. “I have lived as a faithful child of God until now.”

E. Faithful living is plan for every other day of my life.

34. A verse related to 1 Tim. 4:6 is Col. 3:8.

A. In Col. 3 Paul presents two very different ways of life.

B. He lists qualities that are associated with God and good.

C. The other way of life is associated with Satan and the ways of the world.

D. Verse 8 deals with the negative side of life.

35. When Paul wrote to the Christians at Colosse here is what he told them – verse 8 – READ.

A. When Christians find sin in their lives they are to attack it.

B. Bad habits and actions contrary to Christian living are to be destroyed.

C. Paul says, “Don’t start removing these problems from your life in a year or two.”

D. “Don’t wait until the kids are grown or you retire.”

E. When we spot wrongs in our life the time to deal with them is “now.”

F. When a problem is found, start to address it as quickly as possible.

36. We use this principle in the world.

37. Small problems are most easily fixed while they are small.

38. Grass that is 3” tall is a lot easier to cut than 3’ weeds.

39. A single dirty dish can be cleaned a lot faster than a sink full of dishes.

40. When it comes to sin in the life, God says to us “take care of it now.”

41. Let’s leave the book of Colossians and move backwards to Philippians.

A. We want Phil. 1:5.

B. Paul had a close relationship with the Christians at Philippi.

C. This epistle was like a letter between the best of friends.

D. In the first chapter Paul spoke of how fellow saints had helped him.

E. If you have found 1:5, let’s look at it together – READ.

42. The Philippians had helped Paul and their support lasted and lasted.

43. It is easy for people to start projects but never finish them.

A. Most of us known people who start a hobby/project but they lose interest.

B. Some are excellent starters but poor finishers.

C. When we take on a job in regard to our faith, Phil. 1:5 teaches us to stay with it.

D. If we are involved with a good work, we should be able to say “I am doing it even now.”

E. The word now reminds us to continue working for and serving God.

F. 1 Tim. 4:6, a passage given earlier, reminds us about faithfulness in doctrine.

G. Phil. 1:5 reminds about dedication in the other areas of our Christian life.

44. We need this type of commitment because of Eph. 5:8.

45. Backing up one more book we find the text says, “we were children of darkness.”

46. “Now” we are “children of light.”

47. Because of who we are right now, we are to live as God wants.

48. Again and again the word now tells us about God’s will for our daily lives.

49. There are more than 450 passages in the New Testament that use the word “now.”

50. This word is a small but important term in the life of every Christian.

51. We can use this word almost every day of the week to help us live a life pleasing to God.

52. This term is also important to every person who is not a Christian.

A. 2 Cor. 6:2 says “behold now is the acceptable time.”

B. At different times people consider becoming a Christian.

C. Many wonder “when” they should obey God.

D. Is Sunday a good time, Wednesday, after a certain birthday…when is the right time?

53. This is an important question and it is one the Bible answers.

54. If we know what to do and we are accountable for our actions, “now” is the right time.

55. Now is the right time to become a Christian and the right time to work for God.

A. This small word can help us throughout our entire Christian life.

B. When we think, “I need to send a card, make a call, schedule a visit, help someone...”

C. Remember Jonah 1:1: now.

56. This morning, if f there is something you need to do:
57. Become a Christian as Peter described or be strengthened as a child of God,

58. The time for such is now as we stand and sing.