P REPARE TO M EET Y OUR G OD A lesson from Amos 4:12 & Mt 25:1-13

I NTRODUCTION A MOS 4:12 Five powerful words A warning for all people A warning always relevant A warning never to be cancelled or ignored The need for preparation is universal Heb 9:27; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor 5:10 Many are interested in going to heaven but few are willing to make the necessary preparation to get there Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.

T HE C ONTEXT & S ETTING OF THIS L ESSON A MOS 4:12 The context Solemn warning to Northern Kingdom of Israel Its principle is one we should give attention today Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 10:11 Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it The Time apx 755 B.C. during reign of Jeroboam II The Indian summer of Israel – a brief time of prosperity before their fall

T HE C ONTEXT & S ETTING OF THIS L ESSON The setting Israels material prosperity had not been matched spiritually ( they had forgotten God ) Israel had an outward form of worship which had no influence on their lives ( they were superficial ) God punished Israel in order to bring about their repentance by sending a drought, famine, pestilence & earthquake - Amos 4:6-11 God sent Amos to warn Israel Sadly Assyrians destroyed Israel in 721 B.C.

T HE P ARABLE OF THE T EN V IRGINS M T 25:1-13 Understanding the parable itself Virgins = those in the Church or Kingdom Coming of bridegroom = second coming of Christ Lamps = the faith of Christians Extra oil = extra study & preparation that helps keep our faith burning bright Always be prepared for Jesus second coming

T HE P ARABLE OF THE T EN V IRGINS Our name in a Church directory is no guarantee of heaven Faith in ones name printed in 1 of 2 directories The church directory The Lambs Book of Life - Rev 21:27 In the Kingdom but not in the Lambs Book of Life The parable of the sower - Mt 13:1-23 The parable of the talents - Mt 25:14-30 The parable of the ten virgins - Mt 25:1-13 The foolish virgins were lost because they were unprepared & lacked foresight

T HE P ARABLE OF THE T EN V IRGINS We must be prepared no one can do it for us 5 foolish virgins sought oil from the 5 wise virgins Character, faith & obedience are not transferable We need to bring our own faith, character & good works Rom 14:12; 1 Pet 4:4-5 Therefore we must be prepared Outwardly – By having our lamps Obedience – Rom 6:17-18 Faithfully attending worship – Heb 10:24-25 Inwardly – By having oil in our lamps Faith without obedience is having lamp without oil - 2 Pet 1:5-9 Many Christians are allowing their lamps to go out Come judgment day we will be without excuse

T HE P ARABLE OF THE T EN V IRGINS Be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ The facts of Christs coming Acts 1:9-11; 2 Thes 1:6-9 The second coming will reveal our true character The 10 virgins appeared alike till the bridegroom came Christians appear to be alike, but when Christ comes we will see a separation from the truth & hypocrites Rom 2:16; 1 Cor 4:5; Eccl 12:13-14 There will be no second chances The celebration of the Second Coming will be worth all the hard work and preparation

C ONSIDER N EW T ESTAMENT P ASSAGES Mt 6:19-20; Titus 2:11-15; Heb 2:1-3 Now is the time for preparation for there will be a day of reckoning & recompenses 2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:12 With all warnings in scripture, how sad it is that majority of people: Live without God Have no fear of God Do not respect Gods authority Live and act as if there were no God

W HAT T YPE OF P REPARATION D O W E N EED ? Scriptural Scriptural preparation is the only way for us to prepare to meet God One cannot properly prepare to meet God if hes not in accordance with Gods own will Mt 7:21; Jer 10:23; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:3 Man cannot mix his ways, or the ways of other men, with the way of God – Rev 22:18-19

W HAT T YPE OF P REPARATION D O W E N EED ? Scriptural preparations consist of: Faith in Christ Heb 11:6 True Repentance Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30 Confession of faith in Christ Mt 10:32; Lk 12:8; Rom 10:10 Baptism for remission of sins Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38 A life of faithful service Rom 12:1-2; Rev 2:10

C ONCLUSION Ask yourself, Am I prepared to meet my God? If not, why not begin your preparation today?