THINGS WE CANNOT ESCAPE

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. In this lesson we want to discuss some things we cannot
      escape; some inevitable facts we all must face.
      1. We might be ignorant of them, disbelieve and reject
         them, but we cannot do away with them.
      2. We might ignore, neglect, or even despise them, but
         this in no way frees us from them.

I. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
   A. We all are personally responsible to God.  He has always held
      man responsible.
      1. In this age, man must come to God through Christ.
         a. Christ has laws to which all are responsible.  This is
            an inevitable fact.
         b. Christ requires that we: believe (Heb. 11:6); repent
            (Acts 17:30); confess (Rom. 10:9); be baptized
            (Mark 16:16; Gal. 3:26-27).
         c. We are responsible to these laws.  We must make up
            our own minds as to what we will do regarding
            them.  No one can obey them for us.
            (1) We might decide to ignore or reject these
                laws, but that in no wise frees us from them. 
                John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matt. 10:33; Luke 7:30
      2. Each Christian has a personal responsibility in remaining
         faithful.
         a. Matt. 10:22; 24:12-13; Rev. 2:10
         b. We must practice the pure and undefiled religion. 
            James 1:27
         c. We must be not just hearers, but doers of the law. 
            James 1:25
         d. Those who are not faithful will be lost; this is an
            inevitable fact that we all must face.
      3. All Christians are personally responsible in helping to
         save souls - both of alien sinners and fellow Christians.
         a. 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Pet. 3:15; James 5:20
         b. We should realize our personal responsibility as did
            Paul.  Rom. 1:14-15
      4. Parents have a personal responsibility in training their
         children.
         a. Many parents give their children everything but a
            knowledge of God--food, clothing, a fine house,
            money, a good education and so forth--but not real
            Bible training.  Deut. 6:6-7
         b. Parents owe their children a worthy example.  Bible
            study, regular worship with the saints, in godly
            conduct and speech.  Eph. 6:4
      5. Children have a personal responsibility in obey they
         parents.  Eph. 6:1-3
      6. We all have personal responsibilities which we cannot
         escape.  God will hold us responsible.

II. ANOTHER THING WE CANNOT ESCAPE IS THE ALL-SEEING EYE OF GOD.     
   Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13
   A. This great truth should restrain us from sinning, and cause us
      to always be on guard of our words and deeds.
   B. We may wish to flee from the all-seeing eye of God, but
      there is no place to go.  Jonah 1:3; Psalm 139:7-10
      1. God sees the wicked, the lazy, and the indifferent.  He
         sees all the evil things that people do under the cover of
         darkness and in secret.
      2. Even our thoughts are known by God.  1 Chron. 28:9;
         Rev. 2:23
         a. Therefore, our thoughts must be controlled.  2 Cor.
            10:4-5; Prov. 4:23

III. WE CANNOT ESCAPE HAVING AN INFLUENCE ON THOSE AROUND US.  2 Cor.
    3:2
   A. It may be a good influence or it may be bad, but having some
      kind of influence is inevitable.
      1. A neutral influence falls in the realm of the bad.  Matt.
         12:30
   B. Jesus taught that His disciples are the salt of the earth and 
      the light of the world.  Matt. 5:14-16  
      1. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi - Phil. 2:14-15.
   C. One's influence may be such as to corrupt his companions, or
      one may in turn be corrupted by his associates.  1 Cor. 15:33;
      1 Cor. 5:6
      1. We should be careful not to be a stumbling block to
         anyone.  1 Cor. 10:32
         a. Matt. 18:6-7 shows its importance.
      2. These facts should constrain us to live a life of devotion
         and consecration and encourage us to refrain from evil.

IV. ALSO WE CANNOT ESCAPE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN.
   A. Gal. 6:7-8 - We cannot sow one thing and reap another.
      1. This is true in the plant kingdom as well as in the          
         spiritual realm.  Rom. 6:23
   B. One may choose to drink alcohol, but he will not escape the
      consequences -- it harms his body, weakens his will, destroys
      his influence for good, and damns his soul.
      1. Young people may choose a life of lawlessness, sin, and
         shame, but remember God is never mocked, and sin
         always pays it wages. 
      2. Why would you want to provoke God to anger?  Ezek.
         8:18; Hosea 8:7
      3. You can choose a life of sin if you want, but remember
         you will reap the consequences of your sin which is
         punishment in hell with the devil.  This is an inevitable
         fact we all must face.

V. DEATH IS AN INEVITABLE FACT THAT WE ALL MUST FACE.
   A. Unless Jesus comes first, we will have an appointment with
      death.  Heb. 9:27; Eccl. 9:5
      1. It is the way of all the earth.  1 Kings 2:2
   B. It is good for us to consider the thought of dying.
      1. It helps us to prepare for it.  Eccl. 7:2
      2. We should strive harder to be even more faithful to God
         as we get older.
         a. It disturbs me when I see older people, with one
            foot in the grave, who are still unfaithful to God, and
            make all kinds of excuses for not doing what they
            ought to do.
      3. Remember, life is uncertain for all.  We have only today. 
         James 4:14; Job 4:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:24
   C. Death will end all opportunities for the unfaithful and
      disobedient to repent.
      1. It will end their opportunity to be saved, but will begin
         their punishment in the place of torment.
      2. It will end God's patience and longsuffering, and will be
         the beginning of God's wrath.  Rom. 2:4-5
   D. In contrast, death for the righteous will be the beginning of
      rest in the place of comfort.  Rev. 14:13
      1. Death will end the saint's conflict with the flesh, end his
         afflictions and trials, and will bring him the crown of
         glory.  2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:18
         a. It will be like being paid a hundred million dollars
            for one's day's work.

VI. THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WE ALL MUST FACE - THE JUDGMENT.
   A. Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:10
      1. We will be judged by what is written in the Scriptures. 
         Rom. 2:16; Rev. 20:11-12
      2. Every knee will bow to God on that day.  Rom. 14:10-
         11
   B. It will be a personal judgment; each one shall give account for 
      himself.
      Rom. 14:12
      1. The wife will not be judged for the husband, nor the
         husband for the wife.
         a. There will be no wicked judges or bias juries on that
            day.
      2. No excuses will be accepted at the judgment.
         a. A brother cannot complain, "I just couldn't find the
            time" or "If it wasn't for those hypocrites in the
            church."
         b. It will be too late for the countless millions who are
            wearing names, following practices, belonging to
            churches not found in God's word.  Matt. 7:22-23
   C. All of us will one day be judged by God - a fact we all must
      face.  Eccl. 12:13-14

VII. AND LAST, WE CANNOT ESCAPE THE ETERNAL VERDICT OF GOD.
   A. It will either be Matt. 25:34 or Matt. 25:41.
   B. By determining the course or our lives now, we determine
      that final verdict of God.
   C. God's justice will be manifested in His verdict to exclude from
      heaven those who are not prepared.
      1. Thus, we need to prepare now while we have
         opportunity.  We know not when the Lord may come or
         when death will overtake us.  
      2. Thus, we need to prepare now.  2 Cor. 6:2

Concl.
   A. Are you prepared?  Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ?
      1. If so, have the courage to repent of your sins, confess
         your faith, and be baptized for the remission of your
         sins.
         a. When you thus obey the gospel, the Lord will add
            you to His church.  Acts 2:47
      2. Are you an unfaithful member of the body of Christ? 
         Repent, confess your sins, and be restored to your first
         love.  Acts 8:22
         a. When we do this, God is faithful and just to forgive
            us.  1 John 1:9
      3. If you are subject to the Lord's invitation, please make it
         known.