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 ).

8.       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?