Are You Ready Yet?

Are You Ready Yet?

Every wife has heard those 4 words uttered impatiently from their husband at some point – are you ready yet?  And now it’s time for the church to hear those same 4 words – are you ready yet?

“Finally, they said to each other, “This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone!”  2Ki 7:9

Here we are given the story of 4 lepers in Elisha’s day who decided to try their luck and go up to the camp of their enemies in the hope of finding mercy and some food.  When they arrived at Aram, no-one was there because God had caused their enemies “to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching.”  The whole army panicked and bolted.

The lepers arrive and to their astonishment no-one is there.  So they go from tent to tent eating, drinking wine and carrying out silver and gold and clothing and hide it.  But soon their conscience gets the better of them:

“Finally, they said to each other, “This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone!”  2Ki 7:9

The 4 lepers found food , wine, silver, gold and clothing all for FREE!  They didn’t earn it or deserve it but freely received.

This is a great picture of what of what a person finds when they wander home into Father’s camp.  Jesus told the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 and the son decides to go back home and what does he find?  Similarly he finds mercy, food, wine, celebration, silver, gold, clothing all for free:

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.  And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,  for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”  Luk 15:22-24

Jesus came to reveal the Father and here Jesus tells the story to reveal the love, compassion, mercy and kindness of Father to those who decide to wander back home.  When someone comes home to Father, like the lepers who wandered into the camp, a person experiences true spiritual food and drink and true riches all for FREE!

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”  John 4:14

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  John 6:35

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”  Php 4:19

Christians then are like the lepers (who’s disease was not one of the skin but a much deeper one of the heart) who wandered into the camp of God’s mercy and have found true riches and provision.  We have the bread of life and the living water, we have been given the Father’s cloak of acceptance and approval and the ring of authority on our finger.  But we must also wear the sandals that the Father wants His children to wear.  What are the sandals?

“and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.”  HCSB or “and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace.”  GNB  Eph.6:15

Christians must wear shoes and what are the shoes?  The shoes represent READINESS!  Are you ready yet?

“…be ready always”  1Pe 3:15 KJV

The lepers in our passage so enjoyed the feasting and partying but they soon came to their senses and said:

“This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone!”  2Ki 7:9

It’s time for the church to realise that it is not right to stay at home and keep the good news to ourselves.  If it’s a day of good news then it absolutely must be shared with everyone!  And this is the truth for people who are truly saved.  You are in a day of good news as the angel announced to the shepherds:

“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”  Luke 2:10

So this good news is meant to bring great joy to all people.  But how will it reach all people?  It will only reach all people when God’s people have their shoes on.  When God’s people are ready!  When God’s people realise “This is not right.  This is a day of good news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone.”

“And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”  Rom 10:1

Have you heard the story of John Harper?  John Harper was READY!  And let John Harper’s story stir and remind you to be ready also.

John Harper, his sister, and his six-year-old daughter (his wife had died) found themselves on the great ship, the Titanic. Survivors later reported that as Titanic began to sink, Harper admonished people to be prepared to die. He made sure his sister and daughter were in a lifeboat even as he continued to share the Gospel with whoever would listen. And when he found himself in the icy water with a life jacket, floating near another man, Harper asked, “Are you saved?”

Charles Spurgeon is not one to mince his words and his message below is very sobering and challenging and packed with punch.  Are you ready for it?

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.”  Charles Spurgeon

“If Jesus is precious to you, you will not be able to keep your good news to yourself. You will be whispering it into your child’s ear. You will be telling it to your husband. You will be earnestly imparting it to your friend. Without the charms of eloquence you will be more than eloquent: your heart will speak, and your eyes will flash as you talk of His sweet love.

Every Christian here is either a missionary or an impostor. Recollect that. You either try to spread abroad the kingdom of Christ, or else you do not love Him at all.”  Read more

So let’s be READY!  It’s a day of good news and we must share it with everyone!