SERMON SUMMARY
Sunday, January
27, 2008
The Year of Visitation
Sermon given by Senior Pastor, Dan Tabolt
Recognizing
the Time of Your Visitation
In the movie, “The Hunt for Red October”, there is a quote from a Naval
Commander concerning a fake search for a nuclear sub called, “Red
October”. He says that, “there is a fleet of attack boats banging away
with their sonar like they are looking for something, but they’re not
listening because they are going so fast they could run over their teen’s
stereo and not find it.”
I sometimes feel that that is the way it is with so many of us when it
comes to really listening to what the Lord is saying as he knocks on the
doors of our busy lives.
“Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone will hear my voice and
open I will come in and sup with him” [Story Frank and the door.]
Luke 19:41-45 Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
Now as He drew near to Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, 42
saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, eternal
peace was at your door! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For
days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around
you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and
your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you
one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your
visitation."
I. Hey! Do you hear me?
James 1:24-25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and
continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this one will be blessed in what he does. NKJV
This month has been a month of setting us in a new direction for 2008. We
have sat here together and heard words preached on - Confronting
Obstacles, Counting the Cost, and Our State vs. Our Fate. Like the attack
boats, we too need to slow down our lives and hear and do what we are
being taught.
A. Do you think that Jesus could be weeping over your life?
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
B. Hearing = doing.
Life Applications
Confronting Obstacles. Identifying those obstacles in our lives that are
hindering growth.
Counting the Cost. Facing what it will cost if you want to change.
Our State vs. Our Fate. Strengthen yourself in your battle, understand
that this is a state you are in, not the fate of your life.
II. Understanding Spiritual Hearing Lost.
But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you
when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and
close you in on every side,
44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they
will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the
time of your visitation."
1. How Open Are You to Hear From God?
We have all met people that are very hard to talk to. With these people it
is hard to get past the weather or all the other shallow subjects we talk
about. When we have a habit of not hearing, remember hearing is also
doing, something begins to happen in our spirit. Embankments are built,
and you can become closed in on every side.
2. Lack of Humility Deceiving Yourselves.
James 1:23-25 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is
like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes
himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
3. Focusing On the Wrong Things.
Matt 6:33-34 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to you. NKJV
Why do you worry, is the question that Jesus poses to the listening crowds
of his day. Worry can be defined as thought with the absence of faith in
God. Thinking and planning is something we all must do, but in all our
ways we include faith in God and He shall direct our paths.
III. The Blessings of Hearing and Doing.
Gen 18:1-2 Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre,
as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted
his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when
he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them,
This is the same Abraham that heard from God to leave his country, his
family and go to a new land. He did what the word said for him to do. He
later did what the word said to him by sacrificing his son.
Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines
ever brighter unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is like
darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the
world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of
life." NKJV
“Know the Time of Your Visitation."
We are told that today is that day. That now is the time. Are you
Recognizing the Time of Your Visitation?
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Abundant Life Fellowship
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that these are here for the purpose of you bettering your own personal
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