As this lesson is being prepared in South Florida we are keeping an occasional wary eye on the local weather channels to see if Hurricane Ike is coming our way.  The local weather TV weather people are telling everyone to be prepared just "in case" the hurricane hits here.  No one is sure whether it will or not but just in case people are heading to the stores to buy water, batteries, generators, putting up shutters, etc. 
Isn't it interesting how people will prepare for potential calamities, sickness, hospitilization and more but won't prepare for eternity?  That's our lesson this morning.

1)  THE BIBLE TELLS US TO BE PREPARED
      a.  Mt 25: 1-13 - the wise and foolish virgins
           1.  Christians are like the wise waiting for the bridegroom 2 Pet 3: 11-18
                a.  to them the coming will be a blessing - 2 Pet 1: 10-11
           2.  The unprepared will try to live on past accomplishments - Mt 25:8, Phil 3: 12-15
           3.  Salvation is not transferable - Mt 25:9, You can't be saved by association - Rev 20: 12-15

2)  THE LORD WILL RETURN
      a.  Jesus will return!  1 Thess 5: 1-11
      b.  No one knows when - Mt 24: 36,42
      c.   watch and be sober - What did Jesus say?  Lk 21: 34-36
      d.  many scriptures tell of the return - Jn 12: 47-48, Acts 17: 30-31, Rom 2: 3-6, 2 Cor 5: 10, 
           1 John 4: 17, Jude 6, Heb 9:27

3)  THE LORD HAS PREPARED A PLACE FOR HIS OWN
      a.  for those who prepared - Mt 25:34, 2 Tim 4: 18, Rev 21:1
      b.  More descriptions  Rev 21 :1,  Heb 13:14
      c.  Jesus talked about His work in preparation - John 14: 1-4

4)  THOSE WHO ARE PREPARED WILL BE SAVED
      a.  diligent in growth - 2 Pet 3: 18, 2 Pet 1: 5-8
      b.  steadfast in prayer - Lk 21: 36
      c.  confess sin - 1 John 1: 9
      d.  maintaining a prayer, watchful attitude - Eph 6: 18
      e.  putting on the whole armor- a prepared soldier - 1 Th 5:8
       f.  to a Christian this is comforting

5)  THOSE WHO AREN'T WILL BE LOST
      a.  the fate of the unprepared - Mt 25: 34
      b.  Rev 20:10, 21:8
      c.  a terrible description - Rev 20: 14; 21: 8
      d.  the names are NOT in the book of life - Rev 20: 15

HURRICANE UPDATE (Saturday evening)  It looks as thought the hurricane won't strike here.  Many will relax and go back to their daily lives.  A Christian, though, can never put theie guard down knowing that the Lord WILL return.  That preparation never ends for the faithful.