Are We Ready?
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Revelation 3:15-17
For the past several months, we have been learning about the end times on Wednesday nights. Jim Brumbaugh has lead us through an amazing account of what could happen in the last days before Christ comes again. Beginning tonight, I will spend about six weeks challenging us to BE READY whenever that last day comes.
“I will spit you out of my mouth” says Jesus to lukewarm Christians. Jesus isn’t kidding when He talks about the idea of being ready when He comes again to judge the living and the dead. His words are not politically correct or covered with sugar. That’s why it is so important to be ready. It seems complacent Christianity equals trouble.
Jesus says in the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25, “And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,’Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” In Luke 12:40 Jesus says, “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Some people get ready for a vacation or trip by making a checklist of things to do. If we were to make a checklist as Christians in preparation for Jesus coming, or our going to Him upon our death, what kinds of things would be essential to have on the list? We will be studying 1 John and will cover some specific items on a Christian checklist that are essential for being ready when we meet Jesus. Such as: Are we loving the things of the world more than following Jesus? Are we showing our love for God by keeping His commands?
We shift on Wednesday nights from a study of events that must and will happen when Christ comes again to being ready in light of that truth. John sums it up best when he says in 1 John 2:28 “when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” ARE WE READY??? This Wednesday night we begin to go over the checklist.
Blessings,
Pastor Mike
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