Are You Worthy?

July 17, 2005

Introduction

 

            In Luke 21:36, we find these words:  "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."  I have often referred to this verse as one that indicates that God will make a difference for some, at least, when hard times come.

 

            This morning we want to look at three questions:  1)  Is it important to be counted worthy?  2)  What do I need to do to be counted worthy?  And 3) what keeps some from being worthy?

 

Body

 

I.        Is it important to be counted worthy?

 

  1. Jesus says there will be a difference for some when tribulation and problems come.

 

(Luke 21:36 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

 

  1. While the word “worthy” is missing, consider this statement of Jesus:

 

(Mark 8:34-38 NKJV)  When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. {35} "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. {36} "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? {37} "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? {38} "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

 

1.      Jesus here is speaking of a very important part of being worthy:  commitment.

2.      Do we live lives that show our commitment to the Lord to those who know us?

 

 

  1. Notice Paul’s words on being worthy:

 

(Col 1:9-10 NKJV)  For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; {10} that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

 

  1. A familiar note on not being worthy.

(Rev 3:15-17 NKJV)  "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. {16} "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. {17} "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;

 

  1. I believe that Peter also speaks of being worthy or committed in different language.

 

(2 Pet 1:8 NKJV)  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

II.     What do I need to do to be counted worthy?

 

  1. We need to grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord.

 

(2 Pet 3:18 NKJV)  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

 

1.      We grow through our study of His word.

 

(1 Pet 2:2 NKJV)  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

 

a.       Take time for personal Bible study.

b.      There is even a one-minute Bible which is better than no reading.

 

2.      We grow through prayer.

 

(Col 4:2-4 NKJV)  Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; {3} meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, {4} that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

 

  1. Our gathering for public worship is a way of showing our commitment to others.

 

(Heb 10:25 NKJV)  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

  1. We need to be fruitful in the kingdom.

 

1.      It was part of Jesus plan for us.

 

(John 15:1-6 NKJV)  "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. {2} "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. {3} "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. {4} "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. {5} "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. {6} "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

2.      We need to be fruitful in His kingdom.

3.      Are we aware of the lost who are about us?

 

III.    What keeps some from being worthy?

 

  1. Lack of discipline.

 

(Luke 21:34-36 NKJV)  "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. {35} "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. {36} "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

 

1.      It is easy to be distracted by the cares of this life.

2.      Jesus said something similar in the Sermon on the Mount.

 

(Mat 6:30-33 NKJV)  "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? {31} "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. {33} "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 

  1. Our love growing cold.

 

(Rev 2:4-5 NKJV)  "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. {5} "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

 

Conclusion

 

I.        Are we worthy of the Gospel?

 

(Phil 1:27 NKJV)  Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

 

II.     Are you setting a good example so that others know you are committed to the Lord?

III.   Have you committed your life to the Lord?

 

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

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