Be Prepared

Short Talk (SHT179) Be Prepared! © Jane Hulme 2019 Aim of Short talk: Use of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Lectionary: Props: SHORT TALK: “Be Prepared!” To encourage people to be prepared for Jesus returning to earth a second time; this time as King. This is a short All Age talk picking out one issue from the Lectionary Gospel reading of the Sunday main service. The talk stands alone and assumes that the Gospel Bible reading may not yet have been read to the congregation. It could be used for example, for the whole congregation before the children go out to their age specific groups, leaving the adults with a full sermon later. Advent, Jesus, Second Coming, Preparation Matthew 24:36-44 Year A – The 1st Sunday of Advent You will need the following props: • a piece of tinsel, • a packet of biscuits and a teabag, • a thick winter jumper, • a school book. .................................................................................................................. I need four volunteers to come and hold four things for me please. (Receive 4 volunteers and stand them in a line facing the congregation) • I am giving you a piece of tinsel, (Hand to volunteer 1) • a packet of biscuits and a teabag, (Hand to volunteer 2) • a thick winter jumper and (Hand to volunteer 3) • a school book. (Hand to volunteer 4) I have chosen these 4 things because in my mind there is a link between them, which may not be obvious to you yet. • As I explain to you why I have chosen these things, see if you can work out what the link is between them. (Get volunteer 1 to hold up the tinsel) I have chosen the tinsel to remind us that we need to be prepared for Christmas so that we can really enjoy it. (Get volunteer 2 to hold up the packet of biscuits and a teabag) I have chosen the packet of biscuits and the teabag because we need to be prepared when we invite someone around to our house for tea, by making sure that we have teabags and biscuits in our cupboard. © Jane Hulme 2019 2 (Get volunteer 3 to hold up the thick winter jumper) I have chosen the thick jumper because we need to be prepared for the really cold weather coming by looking out our winter clothes. (Get volunteer 4 to hold up the school book) I have chosen the school book because we need to be prepared for our exams by studying hard if we want to pass them! Now can anyone tell me what the link is between a piece of tinsel, a packet of biscuits and a teabag, a thick winter jumper and a school book? (Receive answers) • The link is “be prepared,” which is the motto of the scout and guide movements; • to be ready in any situation. So, I wonder why we are talking about being prepared today on this Advent Sunday? • Well as many of you will know Advent means arrival; • somebody is arriving and that somebody is Jesus. Now we know that Jesus arrived as a baby in Bethlehem at Christmas, but the Bible also tells us that one day Jesus will be arriving on earth once again; (Matthew 14:42) • this time, not as a baby, but as Lord and King over all things. (1Thessalonians 4:16) Jesus told His first followers and He tells us that we need to be ready for that day; • to be prepared so that his arrival doesn’t catch us out. So how can we be prepared for Jesus arriving as King? • The most important way to be prepared is to get to know Jesus, for He came to be your Saviour. • If you don’t know Him yet, why not come on an Alpha course in the New Year [or insert here whatever is available for enquirers in your church] • or pick up a Bible and find the book called Luke. Read it and as you do so, ask Jesus to show you who He really is. Once you have begun a relationship with Jesus, the way for you to be prepared is to do the things that He has asked you to do; • to love Him, serve Him and obey Him. On this Advent Sunday let me encourage you to be prepared so that if Jesus returns in our lifetimes, you are ready! © Jane Hulme 2019 3