The Importance of Being Prepared for Christ’s Return

Main Point:  Not to be fearful of the chaos occurring around us, But to focus on the importance of being prepared so we can live our Christian lives in expectation of the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Which is the hope of our faith.

Opening Scripture:  2nd Timothy 1:7 NKJV.  God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.  

The Parable of the ten virgins
Matthew 25:1-13 NKJV. In a way the parable is a lesson about the value of preparedness over planning when it comes to the future. Jesus tells us that it is very important for us to be prepared for living the Christian life, while we wait for his return.

• The biblical approach to the future involves prayer and preparation more than prediction or planning. We don’t plan the future, much of what happens to us is beyond our control. 
  • What we can do though is be prepared to deal with it when it comes. 

Proverbs 16:9 NKJV. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
Proverbs 19:21 NIV. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

• This is a crucially important truth for us to understand. We should spend more time seeking to discern the purpose of the Lord for or lives and family than devising plans about what we think God wants us to do. 
• God does the planning; we do the preparing.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

• Preparing involves calling upon the Lord, coming to God in relationship, praying, and seeking the Lord with all your heart.
  • God wants us to be wise and not foolish in living the Christian life. He wants us to make good decisions for our self and our family.
  • Being watchful means being ready at all times whether we are awake or asleep. When we trust God we can sleep in peace and not fear. 

Summary:

• We must be ready at all times for Christ’s return and not be fearful of the chaos taking place around us. Being prepared and ready involves the performance of good works, abstinence from bad behavior, love for our enemies, love for other Christians, the forgiveness of others, having unhesitating faith, loyalty to Jesus, and love for God.
  • This is God’s plan for our life which when followed leads to love, joy, peace, and hope which so many of us our seeking. 
  • Be prepared for our saviors return, be ready when he comes back to get his bride, the church! Ready or not here He comes!!!! Be Ready.