“It is a vital thing to
prepare yourself for what God is going to do decisively. This kind of decisive
coming of God is not something that He must make catch you unawares or
unprepared.”
–Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel
The unprepared. In this past Sunday’s
sermon Pastor Sam spoke of the parable of the ten virgins. All ten were dressed
and waiting for the bridegroom, but when the bridegroom finally arrived five of
the virgins were unprepared to go out to meet him. Though they were in the
right place and in the right attire, they lacked the supply of oil needed to
light their way. (see Matthew 25:1-13) As we engage in Christian ministry and
activity today, we are warned that not everyone who adopts Christian culture is
ready to meet the Christ we claim to serve.
The unaware. The purpose of the life and ministry of John the Baptist was to serve as one
who prepared people for the ministry of Jesus Christ (see Luke 1:5-17). Our pastor shared: “The Holy Spirit took care to fill John the Baptist from his mother’s womb.” In the
same way, the Holy Spirit is present today to make us aware of our need to
renounce idolatry and seek the presence and blessing of the Lord. John the
Baptist exhorted the people of his day to “produce fruit in keeping with
repentance” (Luke 3:8a); we are encouraged to do the same.
v Are we producing fruit
that shows the world we have embraced repentance, or do our lives show a lack
of joyful obedience to God’s word?
v Are we prepared to meet our
Lord Jesus at any time, or are we harboring known sin and self-serving works?
v Are we aware of our need to give
ourselves, completely, to the ministry of the Holy Spirit?
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