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Are You Ready For Company?

Procrastination Second Coming Spiritual Health

Contributed By: Bren Glass | Date Posted: 2018-07-13

Scripture: Matthew 24:44 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:4

Author: Bren Glass
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ILLUSTRATION

What do you do to get ready for someone to visit your home? Do you clean the house from top to bottom? Maybe even buy new towels and linens or pay someone to shampoo the carpet? What about that unfinished remodeling project? Would that finally get done? We haven’t even talked about what food you’re going to serve or what needs to be done in the yard!

APPLICATION

Most of us would feel like we needed to do something to get ready for an important person to visit our home. What if that person was Jesus Christ? What would you need to do to get ready if He were to return today?

If we have an urgency about getting our house ready for company, shouldn't we have an even greater sense of urgency about being prepared for Christ’s return? 

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Matthew 24:44). 

"But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief" (1 Thessalonians 5:4). 

Eleventh Hour Salvation

Salvation Opportunity Procrastination

Source: "Special Report: Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961," published on AirDisaster.com ; and as reported by Edward K. Rowell in Fresh Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching, via BEACON, January 1997.

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Fred Gates | Date Posted: 2013-10-28

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2

Author: Fred Gates
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ILLUSTRATION

On November 23, 1996, an Ethiopian Airlines B-767 aircraft en route from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Nairobi, Kenya, was hijacked by three Ethiopian males. Demanding the plane divert course to Australia, the pilot tried, to no avail, to convince the hijackers that the place did not have enough fuel to make the flight. Three and a half ours into the flight, with the plane's fuel supply dwindling, it began to lose altitude. The pilot then advised all passengers to prepare for a crash landing. 
 
It was then that Andrew Meekens, a believer from Addis Ababa, purportedly rose to address the other passengers with the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Meekens died in the crash, but a surviving flight attendant reported that some twenty people prayed to receive Christ as Savior in those desperate moments before impact.

APPLICATION

Don't wait for the 11th hour to turn to God for salvation. And don't bank on an Andrew Meekens being there to remind you of your need for salvation.
 
"For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2, NLT).

The Price Of Late Obedience

Obedience Distractions Procrastination

Source: "Dallas teen died speeding to meet parental curfew" by Shon Gables, WFAA News, Dallas, 4/7/13

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2013-05-13

Scripture: Psalms 119:15

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

Eighteen year old Fabian Gonzalez was a bright, talented, motivated high school senior on the brink of graduation. Waiting for him in the fall was a $32,000 scholarship to attend Northwood University. But before he could realize his dreams or explore his full potential, his life was cut short in a tragic traffic accident.

But unlike so many other teen traffic accidents, there were no drugs, no alcohol, no crazy antics. Fabian didn't die recklessly trying to dodge the rules. He died recklessly trying to obey them. WFAA News, Dallas, reports:

His memory brings smiles to the faces of Ricardo and Priscilla Gonzalez. They recall how Fabian never wanted to upset them.

But on Saturday night, just after midnight, in the 4200 block of South Walton Walker Boulevard, Fabian died trying.

Ricardo admits his son was speeding. "He was in a rush trying to get home, because we gave him a curfew," he said.

It's unclear what distracted young Fabian that night last month (April '13) that he should lose track of time and find himself racing to meet his parents' curfew--and expectations. Had Fabian not allowed himself to become distracted, he would likely have left for home in a timely way, driven the speed limit, and arrived alive.

APPLICATION

How easy it is to become distracted and neglect God's will. How difficult it can be to make up for a moral lapse. The time to obey is now, not later. We may have all the best intentions, but when we allow distractions to rob us of our focus, we have no choice but to pay the price that comes with late obedience.

"I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways" (Psalm 119:15).

Burn Out Or Rust Out?

Zeal Procrastination Productivity

Contributed By: David Cranford | Date Posted: 2012-01-03

Scripture: Romans 12:11

Author: David Cranford
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The Regret We Regret The Most

Regret Procrastination New Year's

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2011-12-20

Scripture: Hebrews 3:7

Author: Illustration Exchange
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The Frosty Creep of a Hardening Heart

Hardness of Heart Disobedience Unbelief

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2023-02-01

Scripture: Hebrews 3:15

Author: F. B. Meyer
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Spiritual Amnesia

Backslide Indifference Apathy

Contributed By: Matthew Black | Date Posted: 2022-05-31

Scripture: Romans 8:17 ; John 15:5

Author: Matthew Black
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England’s Darkest Tourist Attraction

Sin Disobedience Spiritual Death

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2016-08-26

Scripture: 2:16 ; Proverbs 8:36

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Christianity Is Inconvenient

Discipleship Laziness Cultural Trends

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2016-05-13

Scripture: Matthew 16:24 ; Galatians 6:1

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Not-So-Sudden Sudden Disaster

Laziness Vigilance Consequences

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2015-01-19

Scripture: Galatians 6:7 ; 1 Timothy 4:15

Author: Craig Larson / Illustration Exchange
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