1st Corinthians 3:13, “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.”
I often think about all the great sounding music in the world, and all the
awards and trophies that people cherish so much, and all the
tens-of-thousands of movies which have been produced over the decades, and
all the things in this world that mankind holds so dear, and how it will all
be BURNED WITH FIRE one day.
As a Christian, I think about Heaven often, and how I dearly want to be there with my Lord. But I know God has a purpose for me on this earth, and a work for me to do for Christ. Souls are dying. I share the same sentiments as the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
I have always loved musical instruments, as did my mother and her parents from Sweden. I can play several different instruments, the steel guitar being my favorite. I have always loved Hawaiian steel guitar. I could easily make a career out of playing steel guitar in bars and nightclubs, but that is not where God wants me, nor does He wants me spending all my time playing music. The world is going to Hell. Lost sinners need to hear the Gospel. ...
“Too long I've laid me down to sleep, and prayed the Lord my soul to keep. I should awake before I die, and realize time is passing by; And rise and go and tell the lost, despite my plans despite the cost. Too long I've laid me down to sleep, while multitudes about me weep; And other cries of dark despair, for no one ever seems to care. My life is short, and soon I'll stand, with sinner's bloods upon my hand; Unless I wake before I die, and realize time is passing me by.”
I know several musicians, who are professed Christians, who spend all their time playing music, having fun and they never do anything for the Lord. Little do they realize that one day all their works will be BURNED WITH FIRE on Judgment Day. They will have no rewards to show for their time on earth. America's churches are saturated with what I call “entertainment Christians.” They go to church on Sunday and spend Friday and Saturday playing blues in a nightclub. God hates that kind of lifestyle. Revelation 3:15,16, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." I decided that I wasn't going to use my talent for the Devil.
So many Christians these days are consumed with making music. They are consumed with singing, playing their favorite instrument, recording an album, and sharing it with others; yet they never go soul winning. Many Christians claim that they are serving the Lord through their music; but they are liars, who never win a soul to Jesus Christ. If all you do is make music, then you aren't serving God. The Bible commands every believer to go soul-winning (Proverb 11:30; Matthew 28:19,20; Luke 8:15; John 15:1-7; Romans 10:15; 2nd Corinthians 5:11).
In youth I'm too happy to think, I've got plenty of time left. In manhood I'm too busy to think, I'm trying to make a lot of money. In the prime of life I'm too anxious to think, worry has taken over. When I start getting old, I'm too old to think—life's wasted, heart's got harder. Dying in bed—I'm too sick to think, I'm weak and suffering. Death is too late to think—time's over and opportunity is lost. In eternity—forever to think, I'm in Hell now with no mercy, and lost forever.
One of the most popular Christian singers of all-time is Amy Grant, who shamefully stated:
“I'm a singer, not a preacher, I'm not looking to convert anybody” says Christian rock diva Amy Grant. (Los Angeles Times, 5/4/84, pg. 2-c)
That is so sad. How could any Christian make such a statement? Perhaps Amy is not a Christian at all. Jesus said in John 15:5 that if we abide in Him and His Word abides in us, that we would bear MUCH FRUIT (i.e., souls saved). This applies to EVERY BELIEVER, and not just to preachers. All of Ms. Grant's earthly works will be BURNED WITH FIRE on Judgment Day. Every recording she has ever made will be destroyed and cease to exist. The same is true of all carnal music. All of the world's most loved music; such as, The Beatles, Mercy Me, The Rolling Stones, Boston, Avalon, The BeeGees, The Doors, dc Talk, Elton John, Britney Spears, Toby Mac, Eminem, Dr. Hook, The Pointer Sisters, and literally thousands more shall be BURNED WITH FIRE. God will destroy every Rock 'N' Roll, Rap, House, Classical and Country recording in existence. God will destroy every last work that wasn't produced in Jesus' name.
“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power,
to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour;
To lose one's wealth is sad indeed, to lose one's health is more,
to lose your soul is such a loss, that no one can restore.”
Life is so short my friend. What is your work? What works are you producing? Are you wasting your life? Here is 1st Corinthians 3:13 once again, “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” Notice those words, "fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” Of what sort is your work? Are you abiding in Christ? Is His Word abiding in you? Are you teaching others the doctrine of Christ? 2nd John 1:9, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” Whom do you say Jesus is? A prophet? A King? The Son of God? The Christ? God in the flesh? He is all of those and so much more!!!
“He who provides for this life, yet takes no thought for eternity is wise for a moment, but is a fool forever. There's a lot more important things than making money. There's more important things than getting rich.” —Pastor Danny Castle, a quote from the needful sermon, Procrastination: The Devil's Best Trick
I plead with you, whoever you may be, redeem the time. The Lord's return is nearer than e're before. If you're never received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, then please do so now. If you are already a Christian, then I plead with you to become aggressive about preaching the Gospel. What better work is there in the entire world than soulwinning! Romans 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Notice the words, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace." Many believers today have ugly feet, because they never go soulwinning. It is only through the Gospel that lost sinners can be reconciled and have peace with God.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” —1st Corinthians 3:11-15
The world has much to offer these days—all sorts of entertainment, games, fun, dining, movies, recreation, theme parks, hobbies, sports, dancing, gambling, horse racing, carnivals, fishing, boating, hang-gliding, skiing, hiking, camping, picnicking, bike-riding, mountain-climbing, jogging, health clubs, barbequing, scuba-diving, concerts, live music, and on and on and on. But where does God fit into your life? What are you personally doing to get people saved? Have you shared the Gospel with anyone lately? In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said, “GO YE.”
2nd Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
