Ignoring the Warnings There are consequences to ignoring
- Slides: 10
Ignoring the Warnings There are consequences to ignoring the warnings.
Introduction • The R. M. S. Titanic received numerous iceberg warnings. • 6 warnings on April 11 th from ships where the Titanic was going, 5 warnings on the 12 th, 3 warnings on the 13 th, and 7 warnings on the 14 th (the day she struck the iceberg) • Her experienced sailors and captain already knew about the seasonal threat of ice.
Introduction • Yet, the crew arrogantly ignored the warnings. • One sailor reportedly remarked, “God Himself couldn’t sink this ship!” • As a result, 1, 514 people died early next morning, April 15 th, 1912. • Many today tend to view life as though their ‘ship’ were unsinkable.
Man Is Warned About Eternity • Satan does not like man to think about his eternal state • Death is inevitable (James 4: 13 -14) • All will be judged (Hebrews 9: 27) • (Acts 17: 30 -31; Romans 14: 11 -12; 2 Corinthians 5: 10 -11) • What would it be like not to be prepared for the Judgment Day? • We must prepare!
Signs You Are Not Prepared For Eternity • • • (Heb. 5: 11 -14) You don’t find spiritual matters very exciting Is church boring to you? Do you talk to your friends about Jesus? Do you regularly read your Bible and pray? Do you read material designed to lead you towards a greater spirituality?
You don’t understand the Bible any better than you did last year Do Biblical discussions intimidate you? Do you know where to find things in the Bible? • Of course, there will always be difficult subjects to understand (2 Peter 3: 16). • Yet, the Bible as a whole can be understood (cf. Psalm 19: 7; etc. )
You are unable to teach others about Jesus and His New Testament • Do you never feel knowledgeable enough to teach people about elementary principles (Hebrews 6: 1 -2)? • Do you ever volunteer to teach at church? • Do you say, “I’ll worry about that when I get older”? • Do you constantly need edification, otherwise you will fall away?
You think the line that separates ‘right’ from ‘wrong’ is blurry • Do you try to justify sin? • Are you reluctant to take a stand on moral issues? • Is the line always blurry? • Are you always ‘pushing the envelope’? • Do you reason around what is clearly stated in the Bible?
How To Prepare For Eternity • Recognize the reality of Satan and the danger of sin (1 Peter 5: 8; etc. ) • Realize you are invincible only with God’s help (Revelation 3: 17; etc. ) • Pray (1 Thessalonians 5: 17; etc. ) • Study (Acts 17: 11; Psalm 119: 11; etc. ) • Get Involved • Find a mentor or spiritual role-model • Encourage others (Hebrews 10: 24 -25)
Conclusion • The world recognizes that the crew members of the Titanic were foolish to not heed the warnings. • Yet, many ignore God’s warnings. • Make sure you are ready and heed the warnings • No one knows when the door to eternity will open (cf. Matt. 24: 36) (2 Peter 3: 11). • Are you prepared?
