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“Are You Prepared?”
I Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36

December 3, 2006 - Kim M. Henning

We live in a time when it appears that we are always being ‘shocked’.

Listen to some of the music that is sometimes called, ‘heavy metal’, and you would have to agree that some is nothing less than shocking.

Go to the movie theater. Mel Gibson is coming out with a movie this week, “Apocalyptio.” It promises to be one of those action-packed thrillers capable of sending a chill up one’s spine.

The world come of age certainly has this ability to shock us with news that is real, with humor some think is funny. Sometimes I ponder disconnecting the television and canceling our internet provider so I could settle into a less disturbing world.

And long about that time I pick up the Bible and read what Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.” Do you think some people gasped when Jesus said that? Jesus said, “People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Do you think some parents covered their children’s ears upon hearing that? Jesus said, “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and great glory.”

We call this teaching of Jesus, the Apocalypse.

Long about the time we think that this world is all there is to live for, Jesus tells us of a time when all of this will be shaken.

Long about the time we think that we should be stabilizing our lives with our investment and retirement plans, Jesus says that one day people will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world.

Long about the time we think that all that is real is this (clasping hands) and this (building) and this (money) and this (my image), Jesus promises that the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and great glory.

And the question the church must ask—“are you prepared?”

I know that’s heavy. But it needs to be asked and I ask it even of myself. If Christ comes today or tomorrow, ‘are my affairs in order?’ My money, yes—but also my relationship with God. Have I/you put-in-order my/your relationship with God? Have I/you ‘done with your life’ what you have always meant to accomplish as a disciple of Jesus Christ? ‘Are we prepared?’

Every once in a while, I have a dream. Now understand, it’s a dream but it’s a recurring dream. I’ve had this dream more than once. The dream takes me back to college. In this dream, I register for classes on the first day of the semester and I attend the first class. I receive the syllabus, the assignments. .

But then, something goes awry. For reasons I can’t explain from my dream, I don’t attend classes—something else always seems to be more important. This is a dream, understand. I do not do the required reading. I keep putting-it-off.

And then I walk into class one day and the final exam is placed before me and I don’t have a clue. I start perspiring. My mind goes crazy. And then, with a jolt, I wake up and I’m thankful it was a dream because in reality it is frightening to be unprepared.

Rick Warren says that the purpose of our lives on earth is to prepare us for heaven.

So in a small we ask, ‘are you prepared for Christmas?’ Not the gifts. Not the shopping. Not the lights outside. Even pagans do those things. But are you prepared for the living Christ to come into your home? To come into your heart? Are you prepared for the Christ to make some life style decisions with you? If Christmas is Christ, are you prepared to respond to the love and the generosity of God?

That is the small question. The bigger question: ‘are you prepared for Christ’s return?’ Jesus said, ‘be ready.’ There will be signs.... People will faint...... Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.’

The Apostle Paul said that his coming will be ‘like a thief in the night.’

The question we ask is, ‘are you prepared?’ And to answer a question with a question, ‘how do we prepare?’

Jesus said, “look at the fig tree and all trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”

Keep your eyes open to the signs of the times. How do we prepare? To begin, Jesus says, “Take a look at a tree.” In the spring, sap starts moving. When the sap starts moving, the soil warms, buds will appear. The sun will warm those buds and they will open. And you will see leaves beautifully green....”

Keep your eyes on the signs of the times. Even the mightiest of trees does not live forever. What do you mean to do with your mortality? Even the most beautiful of trees on the outside is ‘as good as dead’ without sap flowing on the inside. Whose spirit, whose breath, whose life is flowing inside of you? Naturalists will tell us that the world of nature frequently discloses signs of what has been or what will be. If we know the signs of nature, do we recognize the signs of God?

How do we prepare? Jesus said this: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Heaven and earth will pass away. What is that? Our computers we thought were so important: puff! Our automobiles that we could not live without, puff! Our Play Stations 3 that are being clamored over, puff! Puff. Puff. Puff.

Heaven and Earth will pass away. But my words will not pass away. To prepare for the coming of Christ, Christ says, ‘absorb yourself into my word.’ “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” “I am the resurrection and the life.” “I am the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.” Meditate upon that. Think about that. Love the words of Jesus. Hang onto the words of Jesus. Use his words as a foundation for life.

How do we prepare? Jesus finally said, “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life..... be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The story we tell of Jesus Christ is true and real. The lives we live are also real. There are no dress rehearsals. Moment by moment, we decide how to live, who to trust and what is ultimate in life.

I know this.....the days are surely coming....

I know this.....we must never let down our guard....

I know this.....each day must be lived as a witness....

“Think about his love,

think about his goodness,

think about his grace that’s brought us through

for as high as the heavens above, so great is the mercy of our Father’s love,

great is the mercy of our Father’s love.”