"PREPARING TO MEET GOD" JOEL 2:1-17; AMOS 4:12
Introduction: This is a prophecy of the great and terrible day of the Lord, the judgment. A subject most do not think about neither do they want to think about it or hear it. There are many scriptures in the Word of God concerning preparedness and the need and urgency to being prepared to meet the Lord.
Preparing-To make ready beforehand for a specific purpose, as for an event or occasion. To make things or oneself ready, make arrangements, make preparations.
Isaiah 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
There are so many people unprepared to meet God, many are unsaved and many of the saved are not serving the Lord according to His will.
(I) A CALL FOR ATTENTION:{vs 1 Blow ye the trumpet} A call to get the attention of the people.
· Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Many people have their attention on unimportant ungodly earthly things.
Attention: To focus on a particular subject; concentration, give heed, notice.
· We are living in a day that HELL is not often spoken of and the judgment of God has been downplayed, whether you are saved, born again or lost unsaved all will stand before the judgment of the Lord one day!
We all should be called to give our attention to:
1. THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE...... James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

2. THE SURENESS OF DEATH... Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, ... 2 Samuel 14:14 For we must needs die, and [are] as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect [any] person:

3. THE SEVERITY OF THE JUDGMENT… Romans 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat
of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body,
according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.
The Lord our God has given us each a life to live and opportunities to
use, how prepared are you to stand before Him with your life and the
opportunities He has given you? Are you saved, are you washed in
the Blood of the Lamb, are prepared for heaven? Are you serving God
with your life, living for Him, witnessing for Him, are you prepared
to stand before the Lord with your life?
(II) A CAUSE FOR ALARM: {Let all the inhabitants tremble}
Alarm = 1. A sudden fear caused by the realization of danger. 2. A warning of existing or approaching danger.
Every household, every family, every parent, every man woman boy and girl should be alarmed, tremble because of:
1. THE CONDITIONS OF THE PRESENT AGE:
· 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous
times shall come. Perilous = Full of or involving peril; dangerous
· We live in a day of permissiveness, a day when right is called wrong and wrong is called right.
· Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
2. THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF HELL
· Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,
We should be alarmed by our awareness of hell to think
that one member of our family could die lost without God
and go there Parents are your children saved, children
are your parents saved, husbands are your wives saved,
wives are your husbands saved?
· There is too much emphasis placed on unimportant things with families these days. (Brand of clothes, Bank accts, Money making, Material possessions etc.)
· Hell is real, the pain is real, the screams are real, the desires are real and if we could talk to any one in hell right now, they would tell us that it is very important to be alarmed.
3. THE COMING OF JESUS: Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little
while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
How will the Lord find you when He comes?
Will He find you saved? Will He find you serving Him?
Will He find you careless and unconcerned?
1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Are you ready? Do you need to get some things in order?
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
(III) A CALL TO AWAKE: {Awaken -To rouse from sleep; waken, To stir the interest of; excite, To stir up, To revive.}
· Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
· 1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.
1. Awakened to our condition before God: How do you stand before God?
2. Awakened to our calling from God: Are you being true to your calling?
3. Awakened to the commands and charge of our Lord: