No Escape

                                                 NO ESCAPE

TEXT Hebrews 2:3

INTRODUCTION In the San Franscio Bay, a twelve acre island of solid rock if found.  From 1933 to1963, site of Alcatraz prison.  Hardened criminals confined.  Thought to be escape proof.  Yet, attempts were made; some thought to escape to safety. ("Bird Man of Alcatraz).

Houdini, thrilled audiences with escapes from situations thought impossible.  Died in an attempt to escape from shackles while submerged under water.

Some things which it is impossible to escape.  We might be ignorant of these, disbelieve and reject them, but cannot do away with them.  Might ignore, neglect, or even despise, but this does not free us from the inevitable.

I.          PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

A.       To‑God.  He has always held men responsible for obeying His will, receiving His grace, salvation.

1.      Today, man must come to God through Jesus.  "What will you do with Jesus?" He has given his life in order for one to become a Christian:

a.       Faith John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

b.      Repentance Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

c.       Confession Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

2.      Each responsible for decision to obey.

a.       No one can do this for us.

b.      May decide to ignore or reject; but does not free from responsibility.

B.        Each Christian has personal responsibility in remaining faithful.   Phillippians 2:12  "Working out own salvation with fear, trembling."

1.      Those who endure to end will be saved Revelation 2:10 ...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

2.      We must not be just hearers, but doers. James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

3.      Those who are not faithful, will be lost.  Can't make excuse that temptation too great, or others did not do enough to help ... Inevitable fact we must face.

C.       Every Christian is personally responsible in helping to save souls: Lost and saved

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

1.      Should realize personal responsibility as did Paul. (Rom. 1: 14)

D.       Parents have responsibility in training children.

1.      Owe them spiritual training. Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

a.       Many give children everything but that which is the most important .... Concerned with food, clothing, home, money, good education.

2.      Never concerned with proper example, Bible study, worship, proper conduct, speech. Deuternomy 6:4-7  Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

E.        Reason we cannot escape

1.      The all seeing eye of God: Omnipresent‑‑  Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

a.       All things are naked and open to God's eyes. Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

b.      Truth should keep us from sinning; cause us to always watch words, deeds.  "Be careful little eyes, etc."

2.      May wish to flee from all‑seeing eye of God, but impossible. (Illus., Jonah; Psa. 139:7‑12)‑‑ Darkness, light are both alike to Him.

3.      God sees the wicked and lazy.

II.       WE CAN'T ESCAPE HAVING INFLUENCE ON THOSE AROUND US: (OTHERS ARE WATCHING)

A.       Influence may be good or bad, but some kind is inevitable.

1.      Disciple to have positive influence. Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2.      Influence may be that which corrupts others, or may be for preserving.

III.    CANNOT ESCAPE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN

A.       Cannot sow one thing and reap another—In every area of life. True with actions

              Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

B.  Wages of sin is death.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1.      One may choose to drink, cannot escape consequence on body, mind, influence.

2.      Live for this life only.. "god is belly .... End is destruction.." Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

IV.    DEATH; IS A REALITY THAT WE CANNOT ESCAPE

A.       All have an appointment. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

1.      Unless Lord returns first.

B.        Good to consider this fact.

1.      Help to prepare for it.  Those who grow older, poor health give thought to such ... However, life uncertain for any.

2.      Death will end all opportunities for the unfaithful and disobedient to repent‑‑close of day of God's mercy and grace.

C.       In contrast, death will end the saint's conflict with flesh and end afflictions and  trials.   "Better to depart, be with Christ." Phillippians 1:23

V.       NO ESCAPING JUDGMENT

A.       If such a thing as justice, where all things made right, then judgment.

B.        All to appear 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

C.       Every knee will bow. Romans 14:10 ... for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

D.       Personal‑‑ One cannot answer for another.

E.        Judged according to what is written, the gospel.

VI.    CANNOT ESCAPE THE ETERNAL VERDICT OF GOD

A.       At times, criminals escape.  Lack of evidence, error in prosecution, judgment over ruled by higher court because of "technicalities."

B.        Course of life determines final verdict of God.

C.       God's justice will be manifested in his verdict to exclude from heaven those who are unprepared ... Wrath on ungodly.

1.      Power to enforce verdict.  No change of verdict. Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge that we cannot escape responsibilities, death, judgment should cause us to want to be prepared.

Consequence too great: Eternity too long, blessings of heaven too wonderful for any soul to miss.

Can escape the sentence due sin. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Obedience to gospel, by God's  grace, will hear, "come ye blessed." Do you not want to hear those words?