Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Jan. 16, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
SO THE Y2K BUG DIDN’T GET YOU?!!
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:1-10
Text: 2 Peter 3:4
2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Introduction: Contrary to what many people thought, the Y2K bug, a computer programming problem that involved converting two-digit-year systems and programs to four-digit ones, did not create worldwide disasters. As a matter of fact, the “glitches” caused by the problem were few and far between.
I am sure that some people who spent a good bit of money buying survival food and equipment feel that they wasted their money.
I have heard a bit of scoffing from those who made no preparations for any bad consequences of the Y2K bug. It reminded me of our text for today. Many people think that they never need to fear prophesied disaster. I heard a man make this statement, however, and it made some sense: “I would rather have been PREPARED, and NOTHING happen, than to have been UNprepared, and a disaster DID happen.”
The scoffers say, “all things continue as they were,” but let me remind you that:
I. ALTHOUGH THE Y2K BUG DIDN’T GET YOU, DISASTERS TO SOCIETY ARE PLENTIFUL
Exodus 33:5 For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.
“in a moment”
A. Accidents – at work, play, travel
B. Assaults – kids in schools, family abuse, gangs, wars
C. “Acts of God” – hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods
The scoffers say, “all things continue as they were,” but let me remind you that:
II. ALTHOUGH THE Y2K BUG DIDN’T GET YOU, THE DAYS OF SCOFFERS ARE PRECARIOUS
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
A. Death is unavoidable
B. Death is unpredictable
C. Death is unreasonable
- It cannot be bribed.
The scoffers say, “all things continue as they were,” but let me remind you that:
III. ALTHOUGH THE Y2K BUG DIDN’T GET YOU, THE DAMNATION OF SINNERS IS PRESENT
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
A. God’s condemnation is present tense
- Most unsaved people think that they are “okay” until they finally meet God at a future Judgment. Then they think it will be determined whether or not they are condemned.
- That is not so. People who reject Christ, according to John 3:18, are ALREADY condemned.
B. God’s condemnation is pure
- He is totally righteous.
- He knows your every evil thought, desire, dream, word, and deed.
C. God’s condemnation promises eternal torment
The scoffers say, “all things continue as they were,” but let me remind you that:
IV. ALTHOUGH THE Y2K BUG DIDN’T GET YOU, THE DESCENT OF THE SAVIOR IS PROMISED
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
A. His return is sure
B. His return is sudden
C. His return is separating
- Husbands and wives will be separated.
- Parents and children will be separated.
- Brothers and sisters will be separated.
- Friends and loved ones will be separated.
- Church members will be separated.
CLOSE: The BIGGEST problem people face is not the Y2K problem, but the P2MTG problem! That is,
To
Meet
Thy
God
THE DELIVERANCE OF SALVATION IS PRESENTED
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Acts 16:29-31 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.