The Domino Effect

The moment that the virgin Mary conceived Jesus:

• A precise measured amount of time began to tick down in heaven

Matt. 24:30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (NLT) Matt. 24:36 However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. (NLT)

• The Father knows the exact second that He will send the Son

• Today we are going to look at the domino effect

The Domino Effect Here is a simple one sentence definition: A domino effect is the effect produced when one event sets off a chain of sequential events. NOTE: In our case the sequential events have a time limit There are so many sequential events that have and will unfold since Jesus came to earth: – Here are 7 things… One: The Last Days Began Acts 2:17 And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; (ESV) Heb. 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us through a Son, who is the pre-destined Lord of the universe, and through whom He made the Ages. (Weymouth)

• notice that “days” is plural in these 2 verses

John 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. (ESV)

• Notice here – it’s “day” – singular

• Mankind will be judged concerning receiving or rejecting Jesus

• They will be judged by the words Jesus spoke to them

• The idea – that everything God said can be viewed in different ways and how we view it is up to us – That will come back and bite those who reject Jesus

We are in the last days, but God makes a distinction that there is “a last day” and it is when the people who rejected Him are judged. (this is what everyone should fear – but the media and politicians attempt to make the multitudes afraid of climate and environment stuff) The only opportunity mankind has to receive Jesus as saviour is while they are alive on the earth. The only opportunity Christians have to share Jesus with the lost is while they are alive on the earth. It’s the domino effect: Sequential events – We have a set amount of time both to receive and share Jesus. Two: Grace Replaced the Law John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (ESV) It’s possible that 2/3’s of the world doesn’t understand this

• The statistics say 33% of the world follows Christianity

• There is only one system based on God’s grace

• We should be so grateful we have found Him and His saving grace

• All other systems are built on the works of it’s followers

• Only one system is built on the work of it’s founder

One of the greatest acts of humility is to admit you need a saviour, realising your good works can’t save you. John 6:29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (NLT) When it comes to salvation and what Jesus bought and paid for (healing):

• The only work required is to believe

• We aren’t required to do good works to receive those things

• Our work is to believe

A salvation gained by grace though faith is a MAJOR SHIFT in thinking to the multitudes of people working to earn forgiveness and salvation. It’s the domino effect: Sequential events unfolded – one was that mankind no longer is required to do works of their own to be saved

• NOTE: Our works come as a result of being saved

Three: All Living People Are Required to Make a Choice satan was cast out of heaven and he immediately began to work on the earth against God:

• the nations who were against God’s nation of Israel – were most probably inspired by satan – Why? -Because satan is the eternal enemy of God

• Years later satan was again defeated at the cross (it was an monumental defeat) – immediately he goes to work against God the Father, the Son, and the church – Why? – He is the eternal enemy of God

• Today satan is undermining the things God has said – things in the Bible

  • Sometimes God’s ministers may present truths – in could we say – not the best way – so there is additional criticism

  • make no mistake – poor presentation of truth doesn’t eliminate that truth

Have you noticed a reoccurring question with various talk show hosts?

• It is: “is Jesus the only way to God?”

• This is the BIG question of so many

• It especially haunts those who believe in other ways to God

The new phrase “hate speech” is now being applied to certain verses in the Bible

• One of those verses is…

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. (ESV) It’s the domino effect: Sequential events unfolded – Before Jesus there was no way to God. After the resurrection of Jesus – There is now a way to God. That way is through Jesus. And at any moment it all ends with a heartbeat…just one heartbeat, and there’s no more time. One heartbeat and the chance to be saved is gone. One heartbeat and there’s no more choosing—it’s all sealed for eternal life or eternal death. – (Jonathan Cahn) Four: A New Contending for Nations Began Before Jesus:

• The nations in the middle east repeatedly tried to annihilate Israel

• Other than the times when Israel was divided against itself – the nations against Israel were at war with God Himself

1 Th. 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 1 Th. 2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose ALL MANKIND 1 Th. 2:16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! 1 Th. 2:17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavoured the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 1 Th. 2:18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. (ESV) There has been a new contending since Jesus:

• That contending is to keep the gospel from being preached to the nations of the earth

• the same way satan inspired those to attack Israel – he is doing it on various fronts today

• Infiltrate the education systems

• Use the media to publicise the failures of the church

• Go directly after those who preach

• get the church to fight one another

It’s the domino effect: Sequential events unfolded – satan shifted his attention to stop the multiplication of the church in the nations When we understand that God’s number one priority is to use the church to build the church, we’ll stop criticising the church because our feelings were hurt at one time or another. Five: The Magnitude of Jesus Was Revealed Col. 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, Col. 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• those 2 verses by themselves reveal the awesomeness of what God did in Christ – But there is so much more revealed

Col. 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Col. 1:17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

• these 2 verses are mind boggling

• You know – many of us could write some good moral objectives – appoint a charismatic leader with vision to promote this holy way of living that we put on paper – in the end it’s man written points – that sound wholesome and good

THESE two verses are on a completely different playing field:

• By Him all things were created both in heaven and earth!

• EVERY SINGLE thing was created by Him

• He is BEFORE ALL things

• He HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER

Col. 1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

• With all respect – there isn’t any other founder of a religion in this category

Col. 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Col. 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, Col. 1:22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, (ESV) There isn’t anyone who can reconcile man to God in the realms that Jesus does: Religion hands out works to soothe guilt, where as Christ cleanses sin and washes us clean in places religion can’t go. Jesus removed the root of sin by becoming sin and paying sin’s price. Other founders keep mankind in guilt by reminding their followers of their duties:

• duties that can’t remove sin at the root – that can’t reconcile man to God

• the reconciliation seems to be with the rules of the religion

• kneel and pray – do this or that

It’s the domino effect: Sequential events unfolded – Because Jesus came, walked on the earth, suffered, died, was buried, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit came and moved on holy men to write God’s Word – We have learned just how awesome Jesus is Six: Believers Have a New Purpose (if we choose to except our mission – we have a new purpose)

• Come to Me

• His burden was light – His yoke easy

• Follow Me

• Take up our cross

• Do the same works He did

It’s the domino effect: Sequential events unfolded – Jesus walked amongst us, He gave us an example of ministry, what works to do, how to do the works Draw near to Him, follow Him, take up your cross, His burden and yoke are easy. Don’t allow your passions to sabotage His purposes. Instead make Him your passion and His purposes will manifest through what you do. Seven: He Will Return

• Jesus HUMBLY came in a manger the first time

• He is coming back in POWER the second time

Rev. 1:7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. (ESV)

• EVERY eye – WILL see Him!! That would be billions of eyes – (at our present population)

• Even the ones who put Him to death – (the Romans and so forth)

• That means this event is seen in the realm of the spirit as well as on Earth!

• Heaven and Hell will see this event

• EVERY nation will see this event

STORY: Remember when the early disciples were jailed and beaten – then released – they were told NOT to preach anything in the Name of Jesus any longer It’s the domino effect: Sequential events unfolded – Jesus had to be conceived, then born, He had to walk amongst us, live without sinning, He gave us an example of ministry, He then (as an innocent and sinless man) suffered, died, and was buried, the glory of God raised Him from the dead, He is seated at the right hand of God, and He IS RETURNING The return of Jesus is certain. You may think you have your long range plans all figured out, but He can disrupt them in a micro-second. Figure Him into all your plans and His return won’t disrupt your plans. It will be too late to receive Jesus when you see Him in the sky coming in the clouds. This is your best opportunity to receive Him. ALTAR CALL: Acts 17:31 because he (God) has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man (Jesus) whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (ESV)