DROWNING MEN CAN BE SAVED

DROWNING MEN CAN BE SAVED

1 Timothy 6:9 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

*************************************

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.

But those who would be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil; and while some have coveted after it, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

*************************************

Swimming is a healthful pastime enjoyed by millions, but it has its dangers. Every year thousands of people drown despite repeated advice and warnings, such as – avoid dangerous depths – do not swim alone – learn to swim well – etc. Because of the dangers, life guards are a wise precaution in public swimming places and beaches.

There is another kind of swimming in life more dangerous and deadly than swimming in the most treacherous rapids of a river. Yet here few people care or take precautions, and so they slowly sink beneath the waters. They could be, and can be rescued. There is hope, there is a life saver for them.

DROWNING MEN CAN BE SAVED

  1. THE REASON FOR THEIR PLIGHT.

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, ……which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

The world is like a sea of evil, and every wickedness and corruption floats by us and tries to lure us away from the main purpose of life and existence. What this sea of danger and evil is we are told in the Bible. The Devil put it very bluntly to Jesus in the great temptation (Matt 4:8-9);”The devil showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” In the parable of the sower (Matt 13) Jesus explained, “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” Our text describes this evil thus, “They that will be rich fall into temptation.” This does not mean that it will always be so, but the grave danger is constantly there.

It is certainly pleasing to God that we work and receive wages and money for our labor. Money is NOT the root of all evil, but “the love of money.” In our complex society we all use money as a medium of exchange and trade. Let us not get confused. The danger of drowning in destruction and perdition is there when we have only one goal in life, one desire of the heart, one idol, one all-consuming love, namely to get rich and amass property and possessions.

This world is like a deceptive sea of allurements. Success, security, honor, fortune, the ability to gratify every whim of the flesh, these are some of the temptations which appeal to the old Adam and draw our thoughts from God and judgment and eternity and cause us to begin to sink into the depths of destruction and perdition. All of us are in this danger.

The rich man who fared sumptuously every day drowned himself in perdition, “in hell.” The words of Jesus strike us with great force (Matt 6:26),”What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” To the rich fool God said, “This night thy soul shall be required of thee, then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). In 1 Tim 6:7, Paul told Timothy, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Judas drowned in perdition because he loved money, and Demas deserted Paul for the same reason. Why was the first world destroyed by water? They drowned themselves in the things of this world and God drowned them by the waters of the flood at the time of Noah. The Egyptians hardened their hearts against the Lord, and in their greed to regain the children of Israel as slaves they were all drowned in the Red Sea. This is the sad plight of so many rich and poor alike, they struggle for one thing only, possessions and riches. The rich want more riches and the poor want riches. It is not a sin to save money, to have social security, to buy property, but these things dare not become our absorbing passion in life.

We are all in danger of drowning. And the greatest danger is to think we are immune to these temptations. The daily struggle of life, the high cost of living, the increasing taxes, all demand our attention and keep us concerned about our bodily welfare. But let not these things cause us to sink and take us away from the main purpose of our existence. Let us swim and keep our heads above water or we, too, will drown. Must we all drown, is there no hope or rescue possible?

  1. THE HOPE FOR THEIR RESCUE.

“But thou, O man of God, flee these things: and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness,” (1 Tim 6:11)

Jesus is our only life saver, our eternal life saver. His name means “saver” or “helper”, and He is such because He over­came the world and the evil thereof, He paid for all sins by dying on the cross, He alone is the hope of rescue and salvation for all men. “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Faith in Jesus is the only hope of rescue for the whole lost and drowning world.

This life line of the Gospel thrown to us by God we are to grasp by faith, and use it to save others. Drowning men can be saved! Preach the Gospel, spread the good news of salvation, throw out the life line to others.

Timothy was rescued by Jesus, that is why he is called “0 man of God.” Saved people have different goals in life than the amassing of riches and possessions. They lead a sober, righteous, and godly life, and follow after the things which pertain to the next life. They are such that use the world but do not abuse it, and “having food and raiment” v7, they are therewith content.

The church gives lessons from the Bible for this kind of spiritual swimming, in instruction classes, sermons, Bible classes, etc. Do you know how to swim?

Many church members swim well and some are just learning to swim, some are gradually sinking and others are gasping for breath, some have disappeared beneath the waves never to be seen again.

There is a life saver for all of us, and we need Him, Jesus Christ our Savior. Peter walking on the water began to sink and he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately extended His hand and caught him and saved him. In a similar manner Jesus is willing and ready at all times to save any drowning sinner. He has a saving hand for all men. Accept His helping hand now by faith and in the words of the well-known hymn pray, “Wilt thou not regard my call, Wilt thou not accept my prayer? Lo, I sink, I faint, I fall; Lo, on Thee I cast my care; Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive, Hoping against hope, I stand, Dying, and behold, I live.”

We should seek riches and possessions and make them our life’s goal; not the earthly riches, but the heavenly treasures, for they are eternal and glorious, they remain our possessions forever in Jesus.   AMEN.

PRAYER. Help us, dear Lord, to overcome the snares and temptations of this present world. Do not let us sink and drown with the world in striving for passing riches and glory. Thou art our greatest Treasure, Thou art our only Savior and Helper. Blessed Trinity, we thank Thee for all Thy wonderful blessings. AMEN

Copyright © 2012 ThemeBlossom.com. All Rights Reserved