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The point of no return

It happened a long time ago. There were nearly 100 kids attending the Adventist Junior Camp at Broken Arrow Ranch, located on the shores of Tuttle Creek Reservoir, near Manhattan, Kansas. The week long camp for 10-12 year olds involved a lot of water activities, because of its location on the lake. It was the afternoon swim time, following the craft activity, when three girl friends went down to the lake shore for some fun in the water. As I heard the story, the 3 girls were playing a little game of “Dare” by seeing who could stay under the water and hold their breath the longest, with the last one up winning.

Well, it so happened that the last time they all held their breath and went under the water, only two came back up. Something tragic happened with the third girl, while she was under the water. She didn’t come up and died that afternoon. Practical Point: We don’t know when something tragic is going to happen to us, and we reach our point of no return. Today just might be our last moment alive. When playing the game of life and death, there’s no guarantee for tomorrow, so, it makes good sense to examine ourselves today and make the most of the opportunities we have. “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) Jesus knows our script of life, our point of no return. He is not willing to lose any of us and will do whatever it takes to save us. Theme thought: “The one that would not, could not, but whosoever will, can.” Consider this list of Bible characters and see if this spiritual principle rings true.

- Consider Lucifer in heaven – He became Satan and was cast out, along with a third of all the angels.

Why? Because he would not heed God’s authority, and therefore could not remain in His presence.

- Consider Adam and Eve - They would not, did not, and eventually could not return to their garden home.

Why? Because they would not believe God’s truth and deny Satan lies.

- Consider Cain and Abel – Cain killed his brother and was driven out, exiled and could no longer return and be a part of God’s family.

Why? Because he would not trust God’s way for his life.

- Consider Noah and the Flood – “Whosoever will, come into the ark” Only eight souls were saved.

Why? Because the others would not, and eventually could not, because the door of opportunity was shut.

I could go on and talk about Jacob and Esau, Pharaoh and Moses, the twelve spies and the Land of Canaan, King Saul and King David, the Nation of Israel and all the prophets sent by God. In all of these stories, we find the bigger message of the Gospel and the Judgment. Jesus said in Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but ye would not. Your house is left unto you desolate.” Our theme rings true, “The one that would not, could not, but whosoever will, can.” God’s desire for us has always been in the form of a “Whosoever Will” invitation. Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, God has “deposited” forgiveness and eternal life in the bank of heaven in the name of each person who has ever lived. He appeals to each of us personally to go to His throne of grace and receive mercy and grace in our time of need. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye are willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land;” Isaiah 1:18,19

I believe we are living in the day of God’s prophetic point of no return. We don’t know the day or the hour of Christ’s return, but we do know it is time to make a decision concerning our eternal destiny. God’s mercy and love is like gravity, pulling on us to let go of what hinders us from coming to God. Jesus is appealing to all of us with His Gospel call in Revelation 14. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

God’s final appeal for mercy and grace is found in Revelation 22:17 - “And the Spirit and the bride say Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Who here today would like to respond to God’s call to take the water of life?

Pastor Jim Nichols

Sidney Seventh-Day Adventist Church

 

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