Should I Be A Prepper? Series

Sermon Notes May 17, 2015 FBCam

Should I Be a Prepper?

The first time I heard of Preppers was about 4 years ago. I was speaking with a friend about events that seemed to carry prophetic significance. My friend asked,“Are you a Prepper?” I had not heard this term before, so he explained that it was used to describe those who stockpile food and supplies for the event of a future calamity.

I remember at the time thinking that this was a fringe concept, until one day I received an advertisement circular from BJ’s Wholesale Club. There in full color print was a advertisement for survival food - enough to last a family of 4 for 24 months. I discoverd that prepping is not a fringe movement.

There is great interest in this concept. The #1 program on the National Geographic cable network is not about African Safaris. This network’s #1 show is “Doomsday Preppers.”

Discovery Channel Hosts “Doomsday Bunkers”

There are an estimated 3 million Preppers in the US. http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2013/03/23/u-s-preppers-3-million-and-counting-when-modern-society-collapses-unto-itself/

INCLUDING Ron Douglas from Fredrick Colorado. He is pictured with his supplies laid out on his front lawn, enough for one year for him and his family of 6. It took 15 people 6 hours to carry his supplies (mostly from his basement) to the front lawn.

GOALS for this sermon:

1. Is Prepping for earthly survival a Godly response to troubling times?

2. Give believers a God-focused perspective in troubling times.

3. Provide Biblical principles that make every believer more prepared for this life - and the next!

Why Preppers?

There is little argument that these are troubling times.

We are experiencing Moral decay, War, Terrorism, Financial chaos, Massive US and World debt. Some compare America to Ancient Rome and note that as Rome crumbled and fell from internal decay, so America is also poised to enter into ruin.

Preppers support their actions by claiming that they are just trying to be prepared. They use the example of Joseph stored goods during 7 years of plenty. Some like John Heagee, Mark Biltz and Jonathon Cahn find support in supposed warnings from God, such as the Blood Moon theory or the Shemitah cycle.

However, we must be warned that the prepper movement is based in Fear

Scripture instructs us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)

Proponents of prepping almost always prey on peoples fears for their own financial gain.

This is similar to the desire of SIMON the sorcerer. Acts 8:18-21

Christian leaders are warned not to intimidate the flock for financial gain: “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;” (1 Peter 5:2, ESV)

Prepper advocates like Ron Douglas from Fredrick Colorado almost always promote their survival books, videos packaged food.

Many have spent enormous amounts of money and energy making earthly preparations.

Christians should not put their focus on surviving the end times. Instead we should be focusing on being prepared to give an account to the Lord when He returns.

1. Prepping Draws us Away from the Sufficiency and Beauty of Christ

Our Union with Christ liberates us from a focus on earthly things!

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19–20, NKJV)

Jesus is NOT forbidding, Owning and possessing material things, savings, investments, or insurance. Scripture addresses some of these areas. He is not forbidding the ownership of nice things or a limited amount of enjoyment from things of this world. God allows us the enjoyment of things when our focus is placed on him.

HEAVEN is our escape plan!

Have you ever thought “How much will my STUFF be worth someday?” The answer is ZERO !

This weekend I put some of the things that I thought were TREASURES up for sale at a Garrage Sale. Although these items were once important to me, the entire pick-up truck load of stuff netted me only $73! This was both exciting and sad at the same time!

All of our stuff is gonna burn one day! (2 Peter 3:10) "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare."

2. Confidence in our wealth ALWAYS will disappoint.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7, ESV)