"Prepare To Meet Thy God"
I. Why?
1. Because the meeting is inevitable: therefore, preparation to meet 'God will not be in vain. Matt. 25:31-32; Rev. 1:7; Rom. 14:10.
2. Because, due to our sins against God, we are not prepared to meet Him. Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Ezek. 18:20.
3. Because the meeting will be a time of reward and punishment; this life is the seedtime of eternity. John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:12-15.
4. Because man, as he is, is not prepared to meet God; he must make some changes. John 3:3-5; Matt. 18:3.
5. Because our own good deeds and good moral life will not in themselves prepare us; we must submit to 'God's will. Tit. 3:5; Eph. 2:8-9.
6. Because God's requirements are rigid. Matt. 7:1314; 1 Pet. 4:17-18; Matt. 15:13.
II. When?
1. Preparation can only be made in this life; there will be no opportunity or hope after death. Luke 16:19-31.
2. Preparation should be made now; yesterday is but a memory; tomorrow only a probability. Isa. 55:56; 2 Cor. 6:1-2. Forget not the brevity of life; do not procrastinate. Matt. 25.
3. Preparation should be made as you have opportunity; do not fill your life with wasted years, lost opportunities and buried intentions.
III. How?
1. According to God's way and not yours or mine. Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12.
2. Through Christ by obeying His will. John 14:6; Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Pet. 1:22; Matt. 7:21.
3. You must be taught; no Christian without teaching. Matt. 28:19; John 6:44-45.
4. You must have faith (John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom. 10:17), repent of your sins (Acts 3:19; 17:30), be baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) and then render steadfast obedience unto Christ in faithful worship and service. 1 Cor. 15:58; Matt. 10:22; Rev. 2:5; 3:5.
The above sermon outline was taken from the bulletin of the DeQueen Boulevard church in Port Arthur, Texas. Brother Bill Crews is the editor. It is worth passing on.