Christ works with his preachers. Paul and his fellow workers, together with Christ, pleaded with people to be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ is present with his people today whenever they speak on his behalf. What an encouragement to all Christians to know that Jesus stands with them as they share the gospel. He is with me today as I speak his word. He is with you when you witness for him at work, over coffee, on campus, wherever, Christ is with you. He promised his presence (Matt.28:20) and he is keeping his promise.

But people can hear the gospel in vain. Paul warns his hearers not to receive the grace of God in vain. People can be so hardened that even though they hear the gospel of saving grace they can hear it in vain. A person can hear the gospel once and be glad but if he does not receive it he can hear it again and again and over time its impact will be less and less. In economics there is what is called the law of diminishing returns. The impact of the gospel can become less and less as people become dull of hearing (Isaiah 6:9,10; Acts 28:26,27).

Now is the acceptable time to be saved. This is what the Bible teaches. But acceptable to whom? The answer is acceptable to God. God has progressively revealed the gospel to humankind. Now it is time for all peoples to be saved. Once he revealed himself to the Jews only and it was the day of salvation for them. Now he has spoken through his Son Jesus and it is the acceptable time to everyone, Jew and Gentile.

The acceptable time will one day end. This is clearly the inference. God’s acceptable time will cease and it will be too late for people to be saved. There is a saying: “Better late than never”. This may be true in life but it is not true of God’s kingdom. If you are late to enter God’s kingdom then it is too late. There is no second chance. Either you are on time or too late.

There are two significant instances in history where it was too late to be saved. One was in the days of Noah when God shut Noah into the ark and people could not enter (Genesis 7:16). It was too late. The other was when Paul perceived that the Jews were rejecting Jesus as the Messiah and said “.. behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). It was now too late for the Jews, generally speaking to be saved. It was now the time of the Gentiles. But there will again come a time when the Lord will open the door of opportunity to the Jews and all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:26).

The overall lesson is that you must not waste your opportunity because now is God’s acceptable time for you to be saved. Have you received Jesus as your Saviour? Or are you wasting the opportunity? Some of you have been coming to church for many years and it is always good to see you. But you have not spoken of your faith in Christ. You have not shared with me that you are saved. I am concerned that you do not waste this day of opportunity. I desire that you be reconciled to God, even today.

Beware of presumption Do not think that you have more days ahead of you. Jesus told a parable of a man who gained much wealth and planned to store his wealth. But God said to him: “You fool. This night your soul will be required of you” (Luke 12:20). Do not think you have many days at your disposal. This is presumption.

Beware of pride. Pride is the great hindrance to salvation. Paul wrote to a wayward church. It was pride that would hinder them from repenting and getting right with God. Pride caused the fall of humankind. Pride hinders you from repenting and believing in Jesus. Beware I say of your pride. Humble yourself today and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and for reconciliation to God your Creator.

I shall again pray for your salvation. Pray with me. Let me know you have believed Jesus. Assure me you have not heard the gospel of grace in vain.

(Summary of sermon by David Yan0