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PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD A lesson from Amos 4:12 & Mt 25:1-13

Prepare to Meet Your God

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Prepare to Meet Your God. A lesson from Amos 4:12 & Mt 25:1-13. Introduction Amos 4:12. Five powerful words A warning for all people A warning always relevant A warning never to be cancelled or ignored The need for preparation is universal Heb 9:27; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor 5:10 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Prepare to Meet Your God

PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD

A lesson fromAmos 4:12 & Mt 25:1-13

Page 2: Prepare to Meet Your God

INTRODUCTION AMOS 4:12 Five powerful words

A warning for all people A warning always relevant A warning never to be cancelled or ignored

The need for preparation is universal Heb 9:27; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor 5:10

Many are interested in going to heaven but few are willing to make the necessary preparation to get there “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.”

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THE CONTEXT & SETTING OF THIS LESSON AMOS 4:12

The context Solemn warning to Northern Kingdom of Israel It’s principle is one we should give attention

today Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 10:11 Those who do not learn from history are doomed to

repeat it

The Time apx 755 B.C. during reign of Jeroboam II

“The Indian summer of Israel” – a brief time of prosperity before their fall

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THE CONTEXT & SETTING OF THIS LESSON

The setting Israel’s material prosperity had not been matched

spiritually (they had forgotten God) Israel had an outward form of worship which had no

influence on their lives (they were superficial) God punished Israel in order to bring about their

repentance by sending a drought, famine, pestilence & earthquake - Amos 4:6-11

God sent Amos to warn Israel Sadly Assyrians destroyed Israel in 721 B.C.

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THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

MT 25:1-13

Understanding the parable itself Virgins = those in the Church or Kingdom Coming of bridegroom = second coming of Christ Lamps = the faith of Christians Extra oil = extra study & preparation that helps

keep our faith burning bright Always be prepared for Jesus’ second coming

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THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS Our name in a Church directory is no guarantee of

heaven Faith in one’s name printed in 1 of 2 directories

The church directory The Lamb’s Book of Life - Rev 21:27

In the Kingdom but not in the Lamb’s Book of Life The parable of the sower - Mt 13:1-23 The parable of the talents - Mt 25:14-30 The parable of the ten virgins - Mt 25:1-13

The foolish virgins were lost because they were unprepared & lacked foresight

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THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

We must be prepared no one can do it for us 5 foolish virgins sought oil from the 5 wise virgins

Character, faith & obedience are not transferable We need to bring our own faith, character & good works

Rom 14:12; 1 Pet 4:4-5 Therefore we must be prepared

Outwardly – “By having our lamps” Obedience – Rom 6:17-18 Faithfully attending worship – Heb 10:24-25

Inwardly – “By having oil in our lamps” Faith without obedience is having lamp without oil - 2 Pet

1:5-9 Many Christians are allowing their lamps to go out Come judgment day we will be without excuse

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THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

Be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ The facts of Christ’s coming

Acts 1:9-11; 2 Thes 1:6-9 The second coming will reveal our true character

The 10 virgins appeared alike till the bridegroom came Christians appear to be alike, but when Christ comes we will

see a separation from the truth & hypocrites Rom 2:16; 1 Cor 4:5; Eccl 12:13-14

There will be no second chances The celebration of the Second Coming will be worth all

the hard work and preparation

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CONSIDER NEW TESTAMENT PASSAGES

Mt 6:19-20; Titus 2:11-15; Heb 2:1-3 Now is the time for preparation for there will be a

day of reckoning & recompenses 2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:12

With all warnings in scripture, how sad it is that majority of people: Live without God Have no fear of God Do not respect God’s authority Live and act as if there were no God

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WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION DO WE NEED?

Scriptural Scriptural preparation is the only way for us to

prepare to meet God One cannot properly prepare to meet God if he’s

not in accordance with God’s own will Mt 7:21; Jer 10:23; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:3

Man cannot mix his ways, or the ways of other men, with the way of God – Rev 22:18-19

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WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION DO WE NEED?

Scriptural preparations consist of: Faith in Christ

Heb 11:6 True Repentance

Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30 Confession of faith in Christ

Mt 10:32; Lk 12:8; Rom 10:10 Baptism for remission of sins

Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38 A life of faithful service

Rom 12:1-2; Rev 2:10

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CONCLUSION

Ask yourself, “Am I prepared to meet my God?”

If not, why not begin your preparation today?