Matt 24:36-44 (NIV) Opening scripture
36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
To run a marathon of 26 miles, you must first be able to run a single mile. As the front of your bulletin shows, the two are training for the race. Being prepared is being ready for the task at hand.
If you were going to have a barbeque, you would first fill the barbeque with briquettes and light them in advance. You want them white hot so you can cook on them.
Being ready to start, is being ready to go from the start to the end, to complete the task. Being ready is building the faith that you can accomplish what you started, whether it is a race or a BBQ.
To know what the Lord expects of you is getting ready to serve.
Joshua 3:13 (NLT) The priests will carry the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.”
When the Priests entered the water with the Ark, were they ready to go swimming or were they ready for God to do something big?
Moses instructed them to step into the water, but would they have done it if they did not have faith that Moses was following God’s instructions? They were ready for God to stop the water so they could be victorious in their obedience. Their faith was ready for God to use them.
On your mark, get set, GO! Getting ready, be prepared, now do what you are prepared to do. Are you where the Lord can use you? Are you ready to be used?
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV) 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Do you find yourself a little tongue tied when you know that the Holy Spirit has made an opening, but you don’t know what to say or do? A moment later you kick yourself for not saying or doing what you knew you should have said or done.
Being ready is not as easy as it sounds when we try to do it on our own.
John 14:26 (NLT) But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Just as the Priests had to trust that Moses knew what he was talking about, that his wisdom came from God, so you need to have the faith that the Holy Spirit will guide you through this appointed moment.
We can be ready for this moment and many more like them when we prepare in advance.
Luke 12:35(Bible Basic English) 35 Be ready, dressed as for a journey, with your lights burning.
When you go on a vacation, you plan for it. Cloths are packed, the car is serviced, tickets are purchased and the all important trip to the bank, all this is so you will be ready for your vacation.
Planning and preparation makes you ready and readiness will change your world.
Think of a wedding planner. All the little details need to be done, right? All the big things need to be set in motion right? The minister and bridegroom need to be dressed and on time, but if the bride does not show-up, there will be no wedding. Somebody was not ready, the bride was not ready, and she was not prepared for this very important moment.
If you say you are ready for the test but do not study, you are not prepared and you will be saying to yourself, why didn’t I say this or that.
Your world will be changed because of your readiness or un-readiness.
2 Tim 2:19-22 (NLT) But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Being ready is to be in a place where God can use you. I’m not just talking about being in a physical place at the right time; I’m talking about your spiritual place with the Lord. He needs to know that you will step into the water in faith so He can stop the river from flowing.
He’s not going to stop the river’s flow until you put your feet it.
Your readiness can change your world and the world of others around you.
Luke 3:17 Message He's going to clean house--make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
He is ready and able to change your world, are you ready and willing for Jesus to do that work in you?
