Are You Ready? 

Introduction

I.	“Are you ready to Go?”
A. 	Most of us have said this to a family member as we are about to go somewhere together.
B. 	If we have not said it, we have heard it from others.
II. 	Last week sixteen teenagers from a high school in Pennsylvania were on a trip to Paris.
A. 	Their flight, TWA, Flight 800, exploded shortly after takeoff.
B. 	These youngsters were ready for their flight, but they may not have been ready for their deaths.
C. 	Their untimely deaths should cause us to consider our lives and whether or not we are ready for death.
III. 	The voice from heaven said, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’”  “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors for their deeds follow with them.”  Rev. 14:13.
IV. 	In this lesson we will consider the uncertainty of the time of death, how to be “in the Lord” and the importance of doing so while there is time.

Body
I. 	The untimely deaths of the students from Pennsylvania, along with their fellow-passengers, remind us of the brevity of life and the uncertainty of the time of death.
A. 	The account of the rich but foolish man illustrates the uncertainty of the time of death.  Luke 12:13-21.
B. 	This account is to help us have the right attitude toward material things, but it illustrates clearly the uncertainty of the time of death.
C. 	Unlike the rich man, we should be prepared for even an unexpected death.
D. 	Truly, we do not know what tomorrow may bring.            James 4:13-14.

II. 	Only those who are “in Christ” are prepared for death.
A. 	Remember, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”     Rev. 14:13.
B. 	We are new creatures in Christ.  II Cor. 5:17.
C. 	We are in Christ and thus new creatures only if we are obedient to the Lord’s teaching.  
1. 	Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to the obedient.  Heb. 5:9.
2. 	The obedient are the ones to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matt. 7:21-23.
3. 	Believers are commanded to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins.  Acts 2:38.
4. 	Those acting upon the revealed will of God are baptized “into Christ.”  Gal. 3:26-27.
5. 	Those who abide in the teaching have the Father and the Son.  II John 9.

III. 	The importance of obeying promptly is emphasized by the examples of those who obeyed in the first century.
A. 	Those on Pentecost obeyed upon hearing the first gospel sermon preached.  Acts 2:14-36.
1. 	Peter told the devout Jews that the events they had witnessed were prophesied by Joel.    2:14-21.
2. 	He preached the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.    2:22-35.
3. 	He declared Jesus, whom they had crucified, to be Lord and Christ.   2:36.
4. 	Those who believed this asked Peter what they must do, and they were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins.  Acts 2:37-38.
5. 	Those who received the word obeyed it.  Acts 2:40-41.
B. 	Philip preached to the Samaritans, and they appear to have obeyed as soon as they believed.  Acts 8:12.
C. 	The Ethiopian was taught about Jesus as he rode in the chariot, and when they came to water he was ready to be baptized.  Acts 8:36-39.
D. 	The Philippian jailer was taught the truth after midnight and was baptized the same hour.  Acts 16:33-34.

Conclusion
I. 	You know enough examples from your own experience to recognize the brevity of life and the uncertainty of death.
II. 	You know that the scriptures teach believers to repent and be baptized in order to be saved.
III. 	You know that those who obeyed in the first century often did so 	as soon as they heard the truth.
IV. 	These are examples to you so that you will understand that this is, 	indeed, “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF 	SALVATION”—  II Cor. 6:2b.
V. 	 Are you ready?

Prepared by:
	David Arnold
	July 21, 1996