Envision this with me - a fierce hurricane is headed this way and we've been ordered to evacuate. (Some of you have been there!) You have to go immediately. You can only take five items with you. What will you take? (Make a list.) Now look at your list. What can you live without? What on that list would be worth risking your life for? What would be worth dying for?

Now, what would be worth missing heaven for?

Our passage is in the context of the Second Coming of Christ. A lot of attention is given to that eventuality today. But what is more important than when it will happen is, will you be ready when it does happen?

This passage speaks to our readiness when he comes. But I believe it also speaks to our readiness to serve him whenever and wherever. The passage address our willingness or unwillingness to 'let go'.

It is good for us to ask ourselves, "What's holding me back? What is preventing me from giving my all to God? What is preventing my serving him more?"

Years ago, we were staying at my in-laws when, in the middle of the night, my father-in-law started having chest pains. He feared a possible heart attack, so he woke us all up and said he needed to go to the hospital. We threw on our clothes and headed for the door but we couldn't find mom. She was in the bathroom fixing her hair. In the shock of the moment she had a momentary lapse of priorities. You may say, "How could she do that?" But you don't really know how you would react in an emergency until it happens.

How will you react when the trumpet sounds? What will you do? What will be your first thought? What will be of concern to you?

"Wait Lord! I don't want to leave the stove on."

"Wait Lord! I want to make this last bank deposit."

"Wait Lord! Let me make this putt."

"Wait Lord! Let me fix my hair." You don't want to go to heaven looking a mess do you?

Are you ready to slip out of this world at a moment's notice?

Missionaries are sometimes required to leave a country on short notice. People in hurricane or flood areas are required to do the same. In those few moments, you really find out what is important.

When the trumpet blows, will there be something more important for you to attend to? What about other circumstances? Like when the Lord asks you to do something? Or when temptation comes?

When Jesus called, Matthew left his tax table - James and John left their nets. Another man said, "Lord, let me first bury my father." Jesus pretty much said, "Forget it! Anyone who puts anything before me is not worthy of me. Anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not worthy."

When temptation presented itself to Joseph he resisted. When the temptress took hold of his shirt and insisted, he slipped out of the shirt and ran. What will you do?

Are you ready to slip out of this world at any time? Someone said that we should wear this world as a loose fitting garment - ready to slip out at any moment. That's good advice.

What's your excuse for not serving God more?

What's your excuse for not praying more?

What's your excuse for not being deeper in the Word?

What's your excuse for not winning souls?

What's your excuse? We all have reasons, but will they be good enough when we stand before Jesus?

It's time to go forward!