Here I Come, Ready Or Not! Spiritually Asleep!

HERE I COME READY OR NOT!

BE READY --- MAKE PLANS --- BE VIGILENT

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.

READY:

With preparation. Easily secured.

Complete, in a fit state.

Willing, inclined to resolve, within reach.

A plan, prepared, vigilant, alert, urgent.

I. THERE IS A PREPARED PLACE FOR A PREPARED PEOPLE.

A. As a child we would play Hide and Seek.

One would cover their eyes and count backward, Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one --- and then we would yell to the top of our voice.

READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!

Then the search would begin.

B. Well, the world and the media laughs at the church and the Bible when we teach that Jesus is coming again. They call us escapist, dooms dayers and many other names, but Jesus is coming again, He promised and we must be ready.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

II. IT BECOMES OUR CHRISTAIN DUTY TO BE READY FOR THE

SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST.

A. Jesus is returning for His church!

B. There is a church without spot or blemish.

C. Many see the faults, sins, and weaknesses of the church, they fail to realize the church

is not full of perfect people, it is a group of people that have been forgiven.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

D. WE MUST BE READY AND PRAY. THIS IS MORE THAN PASSIVE SITTING IDLY OR DRIFTING FAR FROM THE SHORE.

Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

III. TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES.

A. Today many take heed about others and exempt themselves from evaluation

and accountability FOR SELF ACTION.

B. YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HYPOCRITES AND EXCUSE YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU ARE BETTER THAN THEY ARE.

C. They shall stand before the Judgment Bar of Jesus, but remember you will be there standing before the same judge.

D. Good people go to hell just like bad people. You must be born again.

Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers

and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

IV. WHAT DO WE CONSIDER IMPORTANT?

DO WE SEND MIXED MESSAGES?

A. Is what breaks our hearts --- what breaks God’s hearts?

1 Cor. 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

B. Are we chasing butterflies and rainbows and not having the rightful priority system?

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

C. Do we tend to be lazy procrastinators?

V. SAUL WAS GIVEN TO SPIRITUAL SLEEP.

A. Any King knows that you have to be alert and ready.

Where are the watchmen?

1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

B. While King Saul and his men were asleep, David was able to take his spear and his canteen of water.

1 Samuel 26:12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

C. The spear represents power, Saul was loosing his power, he was spiritually asleep.

D. Saul also lost his personal water supply, his essentials for life was lost.

E. NOT ONLY HAD SAUL FAILED TO BE ALERT AND READY, THOSE AROUND HIM FAILED THE KING.

1 Samuel 26:16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.