PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD
A lesson from
Amos 4:12 & Mt 25:1-13
INTRODUCTION AMOS 4:12
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Five powerful words
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The need for preparation is universal
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A warning for all people
A warning always relevant
A warning never to be cancelled or ignored
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
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“Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.”
THE CONTEXT & SETTING OF THIS LESSON
AMOS 4:12
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The context
Solemn warning to Northern Kingdom of Israel
 It’s principle is one we should give attention today
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Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 10:11
 Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it
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The Time
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apx 755 B.C. during reign of Jeroboam II
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“The Indian summer of Israel” – a brief time of prosperity
before their fall
THE CONTEXT & SETTING OF THIS LESSON
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The setting
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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
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Sadly Assyrians destroyed Israel in 721 B.C.
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
MT 25:1-13
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Understanding the parable itself
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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
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
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Our name in a Church directory is no guarantee of
heaven
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Faith in one’s name printed in 1 of 2 directories
The church directory
 The Lamb’s Book of Life - Rev 21:27
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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
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The foolish virgins were lost because they were
unprepared & lacked foresight
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
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We must be prepared no one can do it for us
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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
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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
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Be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ
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The facts of Christ’s coming
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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
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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
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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
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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
WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION
DO WE NEED?
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Scriptural preparations consist of:
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Faith in Christ
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True Repentance
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Mt 10:32; Lk 12:8; Rom 10:10
Baptism for remission of sins
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Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30
Confession of faith in Christ
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Heb 11:6
Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
A life of faithful service
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Rom 12:1-2; Rev 2:10
CONCLUSION
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Ask yourself,
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“Am I prepared to meet my God?”
If not, why not begin your preparation today?