INTRODUCTORY SERMON

After a brief history, Brother Fugate came forward. After remarks, he said the title of his message is “Awake.” He said perilous times will come. He then read a poem called “Two Rows.” After reading, he spoke of all the terrible things happening in this nation. He said we have taken our eyes off the terrible things happening. We have a God who can change things even if we can’t. Israel stands as an example before the church. He read from 2 Chronicles 17. God established the kingdom through Jehoshaphat, but he didn’t do all that was needed. We need to ask God to give us leaders to turn this country around. The people need to be prepared to seek after God, not just the leaders. He then read about Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 29. He spoke of how he was bold in the Lord. Though he was bold, the people weren’t. Brother Fugate said he was pleased with the many souls saved over the past year, but we do not need to be satisfied. We need to show up in God’s house prepared to serve God. When the Lord’s Supper is served, we don’t need to do it half-heartedly. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much. We need to be revived. He read from 2 Chronicles 31 about how the people got stirred up. We need to be stirred also. It doesn’t need to be left at church, but taken out into the world. He then spoke of Josiah and read from 2 Kings 23 about how he was a great king. He was a reformer, yet the people would not turn back to the Lord. He then spoke about the church and about how the trials we are facing today are the same as back then. Our churches are feeling the effects of not serving God. He spoke of attendance of church services. We are so wrapped up in this world, we can’t do all the things God wants us to do. He then read 1 Corinthians 15:29. Those who have been saved need to be ready to ask people if they are saved. People may look at us as if we are crazy. That is not new. If you are a child of God, the world hates you. We must keep on carrying this message. If we have fallen away, God will restore us if we ask. Paul said he died daily for the Lord. Do we die daily for Him? When the Lord’s people repent of their sins, He will lift us up. We serve a great God. The poem he read was about the 21 men who were beheaded a short time ago. Much has been done through the shedding of the blood of the saints of God. They are fuel for the fire. God can save anyone. We need to be fit and suitable to take God’s message to the world. We can’t make them take it, but we cannot give up trying. The church took the Word out to the world. We must be ambassadors. He read 1 Corinthians 5:7. We need to purge out all the abominations to worship God. It should cut us to the quick when we sin against God. God wants the praise and admonition not from a few, but from everyone. Brother Fugate read from 1 Corinthians 8:4-7. Actions speak louder than words. We do not need to be a stumbling block to anyone. We are to take the message to the people who don’t want it. We need to AWAKE! He then read 1 Corinthians 15:34. We need to awake to righteousness. We need to put on the whole armor of God. We need to sin not. We need to keep our body under the subjection of the Lord. You can hate sin, but still partake of it. We must abstain from sin. He read Philippians 4:8. We are living in perilous times. There is nowhere or time to stop. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13). We need to get out of the mindset that we can only do all things which are comfortable, but be ready to go out. God calls us for a purpose. We must decide who we love most. God loves us. He will help us in anything we do. It is up to us to please Him. Optics matters. We need to be ready to do, not just say what is needed. Brother Fugate then read 2 Timothy 3:16 and 4:2. We need to go to a place for correction if needed. If the sermon steps on our toes, we need to call on God and repent. We need our heart right with God. We need to wake up. Everyone needs to wake up. Leaders matter, but the people make the determination. It is not about the preacher, but the church body. It is not good enough to just show up at church. It’s not about putting on a show. God is not pleased with that. We should long for the day when our churches are full. Where are all the members? Brother Fugate closed by saying, “Wake up.”