Preparing to Meet the Lord
Frank emphasizes the importance of preparing to meet the Lord, likening it to a bride getting ready for her fiancé. He references James 1, urging believers to count trials as joy, as they develop patience and faith. He also cites Micah 6, highlighting God's requirements: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Frank warns against being double-minded or two-faced in faith, stressing the need for genuine preparation through trials. He explains that God's tests are for our growth and readiness for His return. Frank encourages believers to reconcile with others and to show mercy, as this reflects God's character. He illustrates the significance of humility and warns against pride, which can hinder our relationship with God. The message culminates in the reminder that we will all face the judgment seat of Christ, where our actions will be revealed. Frank urges believers to take advantage of the time given to prepare, emphasizing that today is an opportunity to align with God's will and to seek reconciliation with others.
Outline of Main Points
- Preparation for meeting the Lord
- Scriptural references: James 1 and Micah 6
- Importance of counting trials as joy
- God's requirements: justice, mercy, humility
- Warning against being double-minded
- Significance of reconciliation and mercy
- Consequences of pride
- Facing the judgment seat of Christ
- Call to action: use the time given to prepare
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
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.
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
