ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Pastor Rick Jackson

Last night I called my son-in-law Kevin to comfort him as the Texas Longhorns were getting beat at that point in the game by Texas Tech. He told me, "Dad, Texas didn't come to play tonight." The commentators were saying basically the same thing. They said, "Only one team wants to win this game. And they're wearing black (Tech)". In other words, it seemed to many, fans, foes, and media alike that Texas was not taking the game seriously. Perhaps they were over-confidant, perhaps they were just having a bad day, maybe they other team just wanted it more.

Lets leave the game of football and look at something way more serious. Salvation is the most important human need in a person's life. Lost people shouldn't even go to sleep at night, or take another bite, until they get it settled. If they do sleep or eat without being saved they just aren't serious about it!

But wait, what about saved people? People who are saved but don't bother getting baptized when they know they ought to, they don't go to church when they know they ought to, don't read the Bible when they know they ought to, don't pray when they know they ought to, don't witness when they know they ought to... just are not taking the matter of salvation seriously! Any Christian not taking his salvation seriously needs personal revival!

Can you name anyone that takes salvation seriously? God the Father takes salvation seriously! God the Son takes salvation seriously! God the Holy Spirit takes salvation seriously! God's angels take our salvation seriously!

1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Further more, Satan and his angels take the matter of salvation seriously. You know what we need to do? We need to get serious!

I. GOD'S ACTIONS ON CRUCIFIXION DAY SHOW HE WANTS US TO TAKE SALVATION SERIOUSLY!

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Consider the events in less than 1 weeks time given by Matthew:

1. The Sun Forsaking the Earth [27:45]

2. The Father Forsaking the Son [27:46]

3. The Rending of the Veil [27:51a]

4. The Rending of the Rocks [27:51b, 54]

II. GOD'S ACTIONS ON RESURRECTION DAY SHOW HE WANTS US TO TAKE SALVATION SERIOUSLY!

1. The Angel-made Earthquake [28:2-4]

2. The Angel's Announcements [28:5-7]

3. The Appearances of Resurrected Saints [27:52-53]

1 Corinthians 15:21-23 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

4. The Appearances of Christ Himself [28:9-10, 16-20]

Now that's just 2 chapters of one book, Salvation is important to God!

III. GOD'S WORD ON THE MATTER SHOWS GOD WANTS US TO TAKE SALVATION SERIOUSLY!

1. It Has Many General Warnings! [Hebrews 2:3]

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him

2. It Has Many Specific Warnings About the Lost [2 Thessalonians 1:7-9]

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

3. It has Many Specific Warnings About the Saved [2 Corinthians 5:19-11]

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

So ask yourself these questions:

Am I serious?

If not, what would I have to do to get serious?

If I am not willing to be serious about salvation, what would God have to do to me to make me get serious?