Ready Or Not Here I Come Sermon by James Bryant, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:7

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Ready Or Not Here I Come

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Ready Or Not Here I Come

Contributed by James Bryant on Jun 24, 2001 (message contributor)

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Scripture: Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:7

Denomination: Baptist

Summary: This is not a childhood game. We better be ready!

READY OR NOT HERE I COME

Matthew 24:3 & 27

(3) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

(27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Have you ever heard someone say, “READY OR NOT HERE I COME?”

As a child I played a game called Hide & Seek and would often get caught trying to hide.

I recently had a conversation with a customer at work about Christ soon return.

The phrase came up, “READY OR NOT HERE I COME.”

And folks, that is just the way it’s going to happen upon his return.

“READY OR NOT HERE I COME!”

THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN DO TO DELAY HIS COMING

Christ will not delay his coming by waiting on you to get ready.

Those who are ready will enjoy Heaven.

 A New Body

 A Mansion to live in

 See Loved Ones

 Perhaps Go Fishing

But those who are not prepared will suffer Eternal Torment in Hell!

 Suffering of Being Burned by Fire

 Hearing People Hollering & Crying

 Realizing There’s No More Second Chances

 Suffer Realizing Those In Their Family That Is Headed There

Hell is a real place!

All too often we put too much emphasis on Heaven instead of Hell.

I have learned that Jesus spoke of Heaven only once, He spoke of Hell eleven (11) times!

There is nothing we can do to delay his coming.

In fact, the Book says that the days will be “shortened” instead of lengthened.

Jesus is saying that if you are not, you better get ready.

Because, “READY OR NOT HERE I COME!”

How many of you are ready today?

WE DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHEN JESUS WILL RETURN

Many have tried to predict when he will come but all have been wrong.

One said 1988 (NASA Engineer wrote a book on 88 reasons how I know. Sept. 10)

Some said 1999

Some said year 2000

But not one has got it right. Nor will anyone get it right.

But he is coming, “Ready or Not.”

 The same Christ who died some 2000 years ago is coming back!

 This same Christ who died so that we might live, is coming back!

 Year 2001 or 2021he’s coming back!

 Saved or not saved, he’s coming back!

 Ready or not Ready, I said he’s coming back!

HE’S COMING WILL BE SUDDEN

The Bible says he will return as a thief in the night (1st Thessalonians 5:2)

How many of you have ever had a thief to come in the night?

Marcia and I had a thief in the night to go through our vehicles last week.

And let me tell you, we had no idea what was going on while we slept.

That is exactly the way it will be when Jesus returns.

He’s coming as a thief in the night!

THERE WILL BE MANY NOT READY WHEN JESUS RETURNS

Matthew 24:43

(43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Don’t you know that had I known a thief was coming to our house to go through our vehicles that I would have locked the doors?

Many will not be ready.

 Friends of mine

 Family of mine

Many people will not be ready

MANY WILL BE CAUGHT UNAWARE / SURPRISED

What an awful feeling it is to be caught unaware.

1. Pop quizzes in school

2. Surprise Birthday Parties

3. For some; In-laws showing up unaware for dinner

It is awful to be caught unaware.

Many will not be ready when Jesus returns as well.