Union Hill Baptist Church

            Preparation!

Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.                 

One thing is certain in life, we must make preparations!

Illustrations: My Dad’s last will and testament / every child starts school with a #2 pencil and Notebook paper / Planning our wedding.

Are you prepared?

1. Shall we make an evaluation of the rich man’s preparation!  Luke 12:16-19

    A. Physically, yes.

- Verse 19 tells us he expected to live many more years. (Goods laid up for many years)

- Perhaps that morning he had been out for his morning jog.

- I believe this man was in the prime of his life.

- Physically he was prepared for anything the world could throw at him.

1 Tim 4:7-8 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

    B. Mentally, absolutely.

- Verse 17 tells us that "he thought within himself".

- Perhaps he had a business mind.

- When he said "What shall I do?" he wasn't speaking in worry.

- From an intellectual stand point, this was a good problem to have.

- This gentleman was no idiot.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

- There is nothing convenient about building a barn.

   C. Emotionally, yes.

- Looking again at verse 19 he said "take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry" that's an emotion.

- This fellow was on cloud nine.

- The wind was in his sails.

- Worldly happiness had swept over his life to the point of making decisions for his soul.

* Story about the boy in jail* It's easy to get caught up in emotions.

2 Tim 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

- Nearly half of what is mentioned is emotions.

- Emotions will take you all the way to the pits of hell.

   D. Financially, of course.

- His ship had just come in.

- In verse 18 he is about to make a very significant investment.

- He was going to build greater barns (plural)

Prov 11:28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:

- Notice he said "bestow" that means collect or gather together. (Like, us going to the bank)

James 5:1-2 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

Matt 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

1 Tim 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

   E. Spiritually, NO!

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Ps 49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

- The only thing you carry with you in death is your soul.

- The one precious thing he had neglected!

- It was all about him.

- He didn't offer to feed the poor; he didn't donate any to missions.

- Even more sad than that he trusted his goods to save his life.

Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Prov 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

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A powerful testimony,               John 4:39-42

        1. Influential – Indirect power over men, events or things.

John 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

• Many believed because of this woman simply telling what Jesus had done for her.
• When was the last time you told someone about what Jesus had done for you?

Acts 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Acts 18:9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

Acts 22:14-15 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

• Unfortunately, many Christians don’t know the power of their own testimonies because they never give them.

 

        2. Essential – Of the utmost importance, the basics, the fundementals, something that one cannot do without.

John 4:40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

• They wanted what she got. They saw how needful they were of a savior.
• A testimony is a necessity to a Christian.

Ps 66:16-17 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Jer 20:9 His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones.

• We have to tell

Ps 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

Ps 145:11-12 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

• Listen to His words.

Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

Matt 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Luke 21:13-15 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

 

        3. Eventual – a final result or end.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

- One day it will all be over, you’ll look back and say God’s been good.

- Your testimony is not just one event but a series of events leading up to the day we hear, well done thou good and faithful servant.

Prov 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

Isa 48:10-11 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Rom 5:1-9 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

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                       Just to know.                John 9:1-11, 25

 

Acts 26:27-29 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God , that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

- Salvation is Heart change, not head knowledge.

Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

1. You can know by the Spirit of God.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

- He lives in me.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit : and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

- He helps me.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

2 Cor 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

 

2. You can know by the Son of God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1 John 4:9-10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Rom 5:8-11 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 

3. You can know by the Word of God.

Prov 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Heb 6:17-20 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

John 10:35 "the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken"

- If God can't lie and God's word can't be broken. Listen to what he says about your salvation.

Eph 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Eph 2:5-9 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved ;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

4. For those of you who don't know.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

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                         The Blood of Jesus.                      Heb 9:7-14

1. Always remembered by God.

    a. Was shed.

Matt 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

- To you and I Jesus' Blood was shed 2000 years ago, but to God it was 20 seconds ago and it's still warm and flowing.

    b. Does shelter.

Ex 12:12-14 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

- You better believe that God remembers this ordinance.

    c. Was a substitutionary work.

- He did it all for me!

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Rom 3:25-26 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

2. Always required by God.

    a. To atone for sins. Atone- to make amends or to omit a sin or wrong.

Lev 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

    b. To liberate them in bonds. Liberate- to set free or release.

Zech 9:11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

Isa 42:6-7 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Examples: Liberty bell rang July 8, 1776 / Declaration of independence / Statue of liberty.

 

3. Always redeems to God.

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Ps 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

    a. Personally

2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

    b. Permanently

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

John 10:28-30 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

    c. Positively

- You can wonder if you want to.

Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I have escaped Hell, I'm going to Heaven, I've got this Hope, and it’s all because of HIM.