I want to start this week's sermon with a Bible verse: Romans 8:25  "However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it." (CEV). And this one, James 5:7  "My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow.", and this one, Revelation 10:6  "He made a promise in the name of God who lives forever and who created heaven, earth, the sea, and every living creature. The angel said, "You won't have to wait any longer." And this one, Titus 2:2  "Tell the older men to have self-control and to be serious and sensible. Their faith, love, and patience must never fail." And finally, this one, 2nd Peter 1:6  "self-control, patience, devotion to God,".
    The last verse I listed is the focal point I will be dwelling upon. Christian patience and self control. Now, before you fall asleep in front of the monitor, hear me out. This is an important issue. Of course, when it comes to your soul, they're all important issues. Now, if you've looked or been outside lately, you'll notice a few things. Number one, you'll notice other people. Of course, if you live out in the country, you may not see that many people. However, all of this still applies to you as well, so please read on.
    In a sense of the word, society has changed. Actually, in all senses. And this is to be expected. Things change, people change. However, there is, and has been as of late, a very disturbing trend. People rushing about, not watching what they are doing or who they are affecting. They push forward like a surge of  locusts devouring everything in sight and still craving more. They drive fast in their cars, they push people aside on their lunch hours, they knock people down in the malls or knock merchandise off of the shelves in department stores, and walk away without cleaning it up. The question is easy. It's Why?
    The answer is a little harder to create. But it's blatantly obvious on the surface. The surface answer is that these people are rude, and are in a rush to go somewhere or to do something. It's rude, brash, and very much wrong. It can also lead to sin. That's right, sin. Why? Well, why not? When you want something, and you want it now, you will "cut corners" to get what you want. Even if that includes, lying, cheating & stealing. As a servant of the Lord, you must be above that.
    As the lyrics in Queen's song, I want it all state, "I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now." That is the way the world is up to this point. People walking in the streets get shot so that $5 can be stolen from their wallet. Well, I hope $5 is worth the thief's soul. You may think that's a little extreme, but consider this: A man is driving down a busy road, and the car in front of him slows to turn, so the man starts to drive around the other car, going onto the gravel to get around him, and lo and behold a little girl is hit. Is is worth it? Is saving 3 seconds off of your schedule really worth a life? And for those who wonder why a little girl would be on the side of the road, they forget that alot of neighborhoods are built around these busy roads.
    I live right next to a very busy road. I see people driving around other cars all of the time, and it sickens me. There are at least 20 crashes a year at that spot. And it's scary, since a lot of little children like to visit the ice cream stand that's over next to it. So you must ask yourself is it worth the rush?

God Bless,
Pastor J.W. Allen