Prepared - Dressed

I. Introduction

A. Continuing the series on preparing the arrival of Christ.

B. Scripture Reading Luke 12:35-40

C. There are 300 verses in the OT proclaiming and promising the first coming of Christ. In the NT there are over 2400 for the second! Holy Spirit wants us living as expectant people!

D. Is the weather right for the second coming?

Matthew 16:2–3 (NIV) “He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”

In Matthew 24 Jesus begins to talk about the end of the age. Mostly he is talking about the end of the their current age in 70AD at the destruction of the temple. Yet he does move his explanation to something that can only be the end of time.

Can we know the time, no. Can we discern a season, yes.

Are we at the end of an age or the end of time? The season would tend to point to at least one or the other. Yes signs like wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, and the like but also a great falling away and deception. (30 million Christians departed over the last 10 years.) (Matt 24:6-7 / 1 Timothy 4:10)

II. Dressed and Ready!

A. Dressed with what? Righteousness acts

Revelation 19:6–8 (NIV) - ““Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)”

Your salvation isn’t based on your righteousness acts. You are saved by His righteous work on your behalf. We then make a decision to be clothed with Christ’s righteousness.

Romans 13:14 (NIV) “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Yet in Revelation it talks about our righteous acts or perhaps Jesus righteous acts through us. It says the bride makes herself ready.

We still have to say yes to the righteous acts and each time we serve we get more of our wardrobe. Ladies, the way you clothes shop in the kingdom is by serving!

B. Dressed for what? Service

Luke 12:35 (NIV) - “Be dressed ready for service…”

When we’re prepared for Christ’s return we don’t stop serving and retreat from life.

We are to keep engaged, dreaming, planning, for the kingdom business right up until the return.

Our mindset should be Jesus could come back at anytime but we will plan and serve generationally. He finds us serving upon his return.

C. Are you Dressed or Naked?

Revelation 16:15 (NIV) - “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

Some will be meeting Jesus underdressed because they got salvation but they didn’t live their life in service.

It is disrespectful to show up to a wedding underdressed.

Are you dressed and ready? How are you serving your family, church, and community?

Family - Out serve everyone in your family, do more chores, spend more time, minister to each other. Life group as well.

Church - Building and Grounds, Safety Team, Kingdom Kids, Youth Ministry, Worship, Greeters, Cornerstone, Helping Hands, Media, Prayer Team.

Community - Community Care Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, and Angel Keepers, Jail ministry, Friends of the Cards, Celebrate Recovery, Missions.. Also - Abundant Life Pregnancy, Family Peace Project, etc..

III. Conclusion

A. Will we meet Jesus wearing a life of service to others or will we meet Him naked in a meaningless life of selfishness.

B. Good news. There is at least some time to ready. Find your areas of service and get dressed for the big day.