Interestingly enough in light of Sam's exhortation at Truth, I too taught a message about
urgency at Truth Church's predecessor (then called "Tuesday Night Diaglogue" or TND) back in 2011. Accordingly, I'm pressed to share a recap of that message here as this week's Bible study. Let's dig in!
Like many of you who serve in law enforcement and in military combat assignments, I've spent most of my adult life being up close and personal with evil and death. Here in 2016, we've seen a 64 percent increase in felonious gunfire deaths alone (not to mention all the other line of duty deaths and suicides -- the latter coming at a rate of at least one a day). Friends, EVERY one of those is personal to me, and it should be to you as well. Every time a fellow warrior (or anyone, for that matter) goes down, I ask the same questions: Did they know Christ as Savior? Were they saved? If not, did anyone share the Love of Jesus and the Plan of Salvation with them? If not, why not?
Matthew 28:18-20 -- what is referred to as "The Great Commission" --
says, And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen! We understand the word "authority" and the word "Go" as used here is not a suggestion but rather a COMMAND to ALL true believers that carries with it a genuine sense of urgency with it (as in "Do it NOW!").
In our law enforcement world, running Code, or "Code 3," means a l
ife-threat response using our emergency (this is always "urgency" in "emergency") lights and siren to bypass traffic signals to get to a call NOW.
We also run "code" (Code 3) whenever a brother or sister officer is in distress or otherwise needs assistance. Likewise, God relays that same "Code 3" sense of urgency throughout His word.
Hebrews 9:28
is a great example: "
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment
." In other words, if we want to be saved, we better do it now, because after death the offer is over - forever!
In his book, The Noon Day Devil, C.S. Lewis wrote about three devils arguing heatedly about how best to "win" souls for Satan. One devil says, "Tell them there is no God." The next devil says, "Tell them there is no Heaven." But the third devil, who is older and wiser says, "Better yet, tell them there is no hurry. There'll be plenty of time later to do the work of the Lord."
In Luke 9:57-62, Christ encounters the same procrastination when He invites a disciple to follow Him: "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." the man replies. Bible scholars believe this response was a figure of speech, a way of saying, "Some other time." Christ answers him by saying, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead," a day that will never come. Today, we would simply say, "Come NOW - or you'll be left behind forever!"
Together these passages remind us to get our priorities straight and live "all-in" for Christ NOW. Our Lord makes it clear we only have so much time in which to respond to His call and do our appointed life's work. We can't afford to take our time. Rest assured, Satan is going to keep on attempting to convince us that there is no urgency whatsoever.
It's been said the only requirement for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. I would add that evil also wins when we wait! Clearly, each of us
must decide what sacrifice we're prepared to make for the Lord and what God-given gift of our time, talent and treasure we are prepared to offer (especially in these tenuous times).
So again I ask: Where is your "Code 3" sense of URGENCY
to armor up and live intentionally for Christ? To bring that same sense of urgency in sharing Him with others? Jesus is coming soon and He has called ALL of us to watch, pray and yes, ACT with a
Code 3 sense of urgency
!
More? Turn to Mark 2:1-12 for another example of what it means to have a "Code 3" sense of urgency. Note how those carrying the paralyzed man were so desperate to get him to Jesus that they tore a hole in roof! Talk about "running Code" to Christ!
Sadly and even tragically, many believers who serve in law enforcement would rather run to the sound of gunfire or into a burning building than tell others about the hope we have in Christ. In short, they are willing to do nothing as others -- even our own -- choose an eternity of agony in hell over eternal joy in heaven with the Lord. That can't stand!
So is fear standing in your way of accomplishing great things for God? Are you seeking to lead others to Christ, only to stay silent in timidity? Everyone experiences fears and doubts -- including Paul's protege, Timothy. In 2 Timothy 1:7-8, we see Paul (the "Field Training Officer" or FTO) encouraging his "rookie" Timothy through his p
ersonal insecurities: "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God."
Here are some additional points to ponder on this issue:
(1)
Acts 1:8
also goes hand-in-hand with Jesus's Great Commission "Code 3" call: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
(2) Warren Wiersbe said that sharing Christ with others is "...not something that we do for the Lord, but rather something He does through us by the power of the Holy Spirit." Are you willing?
(3) The Holy Spirit that will direct and empower you to be used for God's Kingdom if you will but seek and be open to the opportunities He gives you.
(4) LIVE your faith
. That is the greatest witness we can have on others. A person living righteously for Christ will draw others to Him!
William Toms wrote, "Be careful how you live - you may be the only Bible some person ever reads" (true, but let's be sure we put a Bible in their hands and encourage them to read it -- daily).
(5) Pass on these newsletters; share them on social media; invite a colleague to church, to a Bible study or to a FCPO chapter meeting.
(6) Remember also that we can't save anyone. Rather, it is Christ who saves and those who hear His message have a free-will choice to say "yea" or "neh" to His call. Nor does our Lord kick doors to "save us" as if leading a heavenly SWAT team. But He DOES call us to knock (loudly, if necessary) and share boldly as the Holy Spirit leads.
Consider also the following:
(a) Jesus says,
"Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! --
Revelation 22:20. Note that He didn't say, "I'm coming later."
(b) Hell is real and without escape for anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life (who dies without Christ as Lord and Savior) --
Revelation 20:15
(c)
The Lord says, "Shout out loud. Don't hold back. Shout out loud like a trumpet. Tell my people what they have done against their God; tell the family of Jacob about their sins. -- Isaiah 58:1
(d) Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. --
2 Corinthians 6:2 (added emphasis mine).
Finally, and in addition to bring urgent about sharing our faith with others, God has also called us to LIVE our lives intentionally and with a sense of urgency in the expectation of Christ's soon (imminent) return. With that comes a stern warning: We can't "earn" or "badge" our way into heaven (or out of hell) by our so-called "good works" or service as cops. Moreover, there is only ONE path to salvation: by being born again into a genuine, life-saving/life-changing personal relationship (not "religion") with God in Christ (John 14:6). Doubt that? Take
the
"
Good Person Test
" and see how you do.
Folks, it is with a profound, Code 3 sense of urgency that I again state emphatically -- NOW is time to turn away from the enemy and to the ONLY One who can save you. Start by going to:
