Are We Prepared?

Introduction

This morning it is our desire to bring awareness and understanding on how God prepares his people for any time. Even though we are living in some perilous times, some suggest the last days, we should continue to grow in our knowledge of God and how he relates to his people. Why is growing in our knowledge of God important? Why is knowing that God is a God of process and preparation important? When we understand more concerning our gracious God and how brings us into seasons of process and preparation, it brings a sense of peace in the midst of our trials.

Personally I think it is more important to know what God is doing in our lives than what he is going on in the world. Why do I say that? I have come to understand that I am on the potters wheel and the things that I am going through today are preparing me for my tomorrows. One of the things that I believe will make heaven or eternity such a great place is that we will be able to look back at all the trials and tribulation we experienced in time.

Jesus was prepared

Jesus is on the outskirts of town prepared to give himself to a people who had not given themselves to him. Jesus is God but he is still learning some things from a human perspective. From a divine perspective he is prepared to die but from all people but from a human perspective his heart must be broken into to pieces. The Jewish nation were his people. The nation of Israel had been waiting a long time for a king like David who crushed all of their enemies. The Romans were unwelcome occupants of their land and they looked to Jesus to fulfill the OT prophecies and turn the tables and bring about everlasting peace. Why do they believe this is that time?

(Amos 3:7-8)Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets.Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets.

The prophets had spoke of a time of visitation when God would do again what he did in when they were in bondage in Egypt and in exile in Babylon.

1 Point

Jesus is their long awaited messiah king and he is prepared to bring the blessings that were promised but the people were not ready to receive? They made the same mistake many of us make today. They thought they could have the blessing of God regardless of their spiritual condition.

Illustration: Oprah Winfrey says what people call luck is preparation meeting opportunity. If you had not been prepared when the opportunity presented itself you would not have been lucky.

Abraham Lincoln said this about preparation if you give me six hours to cut a tree down I am going to spend four hours sharpening my axe.

The Bible tells us that Esther had to prepare for a whole year before she could go in before the kings. Six month with the oils to remove all the blemishes and spots from her skin and six months worth of perfumes and fragrances to beautify herself. Six months to get the bad out and six months to put the good in.

So, What am I saying?

Jesus can be prepared to move in our situation but we must go through the process and preparation that God has for our lives. God is always preparing us today for our tomorrow. How do I get prepared?

Jesus prepares us

Jesus authorizes two of his disciples to go into neighboring city and retrieve a young colt that is tied and has never been rode before. What does this say?Jesus specific instructions on the handling of the colt is loaded with revelation for us. The colt was prepared when the opportunity came he was in a specific location available for the master’s use. Did we miss that? The colt was in a specific location all tied up. What does this mean to us? Because this colt had a part to play in the plans of God his freedom was restricted and Jesus had to give two of his disciples the authority to go and loose this colt? I still don’t get it?

Point 2

God purpose for our lives is so important he will often hold us up to keep us from limiting what he wants to do in our lives.

Point 3

There are times when the enemy of our soul can be holding up the work of the Lord and he will give his disciples the authority to loose his people.

Illustration

Some of us couldn’t understand why our parents wouldn’t allow us to watch certain programs and go certain places but they knew that God had a plan for our lives and they made sure we would be ready when the master would need us.

Celebration:

People probably walk by that colt a thousand times. I wonder why he still tied up. They asked the question why is that colt not on the road? The colt probably wondered when was he going to get his chance? I’ve been sitting here no one has rode me yet. He probably God discouraged watching all the other little colts riding down the block.

Old preacher use to tell me don’t be in a hurry. God has a plan for you. I was anxious didn’t want to listen. He said God does a minister like a rubber band he keeps pulling and pulling you back so when he releases you into ministry you will have more impact.

Someone hear has said it looks like I take one step forward and two steps backward but what if that’s God preparing you for such a time as this.

I have watched God during this pandemic reveal who he has prepared and who he has not. God was preparing us for COVID years before we got here. My wife was looking under the sink one day and came out with a huge bottle of Germ X that had to have been under there since we moved in the house. Weeks leading up to this God was already dropping little nuggets in my Spirit to pick up some Lysol when they where two in the pack and wipes. I was in a store a couple of weeks ago buying handkerchiefs to cover my face. What am I saying? If you have been walking with God he has been putting you ahead of the game.

Lastly, Jesus people were confused about his identity. They believed he was qualified to be their king. He had demonstrated his power fed them a fish dinner only two fish and some crackers and he had outwitted all religious people that they despised. Surely he was going to be their king. But what they failed to understand was that he couldn’t rule over a sinful kingdom. What they didn’t understand was that the Messianic kingdom is established in holiness. When God’s kingdom comes onto the scene it is great blessings for those who had repented and are walking in holiness but great destruction did not. This mission was to take his own judgement in order to prepare us for his kingdom.

ARE YOU PREPARED????