Be Prepared

TEXT: Mat. 24:35-42

INTRODUCTION:

A. TEXT EMPHASIZES NEED TO BE READY.

B. BOY SCOUT MOTTO.

C. WE NEED TO BE READY FOR MANY THINGS:

I. TO FACE JUDGMENT( Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10 ).

A. WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE WILL DIE( James 4:13-14 ).

B. WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE LORD WILL COME( 1 Thes. 5:1-3 ).

C. WE NEED TO ACT NOW( 2 Cor. 6:2 ). What must we do?

1. Those outside Christ( Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 ).

2. Those who are Christians( 2 Cor. 7:1; Titus 2:11-12 ).

II. TO TEACH OTHERS( Mat. 9:36-38 ).

A. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR CHILDREN( Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8 )

1. Example of Lois and Eunice( 2 Tim. 1:3-5; 3:14-15 ).

2. Includes chastisements & admonitions( Eph. 6:4 ).

B. OTHERS IN CHRIST( Heb. 5:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:2 ).

C. THOSE OUTSIDE THE LORD( Rom. 10:13-15 ).

1. It is thru preaching God offers salvation( 1 Cor. 1:21 ).

2. Early Christians knew the importance of teaching( Acts 5:42 ).

D. HOW DO WE GET READY FOR THIS?

1. Put our task in perspective( Phil. 2:12-13 ). We are God's chosen tools.

2. Study( 2 Tim. 2:15 ).

3. Proceed from milk to meat( Heb. 6:1-3 ).

4. Set a goal( James 5:19-20 ).

5. Understand how serious our task is ( James 3:1 ).

III. TO BE DIFFERENT( Rom. 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17 ).

A. DOES NOT MEAN WE STRIVE TO BE DIFFERENT. WE STRIVE TO BE RIGHT. THIS WILL MAKE US DIFFERENT ENOUGH( 1 Pet. 4:1-4 ).

B. AS PECULIAR AS SALT( Mat. 5:13 ).

C. THIS WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS( John 15:18-20 ).

D. ARE WE READY?( Mat. 5:10-12 ).

CONCLUSION: ARE YOU READY FOR JUDGMENT?