Text: Rom 13: 11-14; Lk 21: 34-36; Lk 19: 43-44

In eight days we shall enter the new year and the new millennium. This month we have had series of teachings on preparing for the coming millenium. Irrespective of current arguments as to the technical start of the new millennium (January 1, 2000 or January 1, 2001), it is clear that we are entering a new era. We are entering a new year, a new decade and a new century. We are living in a phase in our journey to eternity that requires our careful consideration of the times we live in. We need to understand the times. We are nearer the end of our salvation than when we first believed. (Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The times we live in are very similar to the times of Noah and Lot - merry making, irreligion, Godlessness – there is little true worship of the living God.

A. Our texts have a few things worthy of careful attention of every believer. Ro 13:11 knowing the time. The children of Issachar had understanding of the times they lived in and the Holy Spirit took recognition of this at the appropriate time. (1Ch 12:32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment). Why do we need to know the times?

1. Knowing the times will make us wake up to our spiritual. Samson did not know that the power of God had left him. He was going to do as at other times Judges 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
2. Knowing the time helps us to prepare adequately for the battles ahead. No one goes into an examination hall without being mindful of the allotted time. Else he would spend time on a fraction of the questions and the time flies without his satisfying the examiner. We are in a time when we should be revising our answers in ready for submission of our scripts.

B. The times we live in require of us to be really conscious of the nearness to daylight (Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.)

1. In the first place the times require of us to be truly sure of our salvation. We cannot afford to go into the new millennium with doubts concerning our salvation. We may go by the appellation of "brother" or "sister" in the church, but does the Lord know us as brother or sister. We may be very good at attending all the programmes organised by the church, we may be very dutiful in studying the bible but if at the end of it we are not born again, we loose all. We need to settle that issue once and for all. Are you truly born again? If your soul is required of you tonight will it ascend unto the bosom of the Lord?
2. In the second place the times we live in require of us to consider more seriously the ultimate end of the ‘race’. Let us like Paul forget the things that are behind our successes and failures and let us press on towards the mark for the price of the high calling of Christ. (Phi 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus). We cannot afford to be lousy. We are approaching the finishing line let us employ all our energies to complete the race successfully.
3. In the third place the times require of us to be constantly in tune with the Lord. who as Commander is giving out final orders for final onslaught of the enemy. We cannot afford to hear the wrong signals less the enemy catches us on the wrong foot. The Lord is pleased to communicate with us. May He grant us the grace to listen.
4. In the next place the times require of us to love not only in word but also in deed. If our brother is in need and we are able to help him in his need, it is not only hypocritical but uncharitable to just advise him to pray about that need. Even if we declare a fast and we do not minister to the need we have not done all the Lord expects of us. The world needs to indeed know that the mark of our discipleship is love love for God and true love for the brethren.
5. In the next place the times require of us to be willing to spend and be spent for the Lord. 2Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. We do not to be rich to give. Giving first comes from the heart before the material manifestation. The widow who give her mite was commended more than the rich who gave out of their abundance Mark 12:42-44. She was willing to spend for the Lord.
6. Finally, in the last place the times we live in require of us to be at peace with all men. Let it not be once named among us that we are bearing malice and begrudging one another. Let us ask the Lord to help us leave behind all manner of malice and hatred and follow after peace and holiness with all men.

C. Conclusion: The night is indeed far spent, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. We are nearer the end of our salvation than when we first believed and the evil one is doing all within his power to ensure that we make shipwreck of our faith. But thanks be unto God, we are not of them that draw back unto perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Heb 10:37-38. We need not be apprehensive of the wherewithal of success. It is the Lord who works in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Phil:13.