“Have a Disaster Plan.”

Introduction:

1. An actual statement in a real-life, but non-religious, setting.

2. Advice offered for understandable reasons.

a. Catastrophic events in nature

b. Upheaval within nations

c. A system unraveling

3. Instruction that gets our attention for spiritual reasons.

a. James 4:14

b. Ephesians 5:15, 16

c. Luke 12:40

4. A plan in either realm consists of the same elements.

Discussion:

1. “A small go-bag in case you need to leave the neighborhood.”

a. Luke 12:19-21

b. What to take along?

i. A good name (Prov. 22:1)

ii. Honorable relationships (Eph. 6:2)

iii. Faith and hope in God (1 Pet. 1:20, 21)

c. Matthew 6:19-21

2. “A way to receive communication from the outside world.”

a. Disaster reveals necessity of information from without oneself.

b. The Lord’s word and prayer

i. Good news that abides (1 Pet. 1:24, 25)

ii. That we may be competent (2 Tim. 3:15-17)

iii. Let him ask God (James 1:5)

c. Acts 20:32

3. “A meeting place in case your family is apart at the time.”

a. Rendezvous: to meet at an agreed time and place

b. A need God has recognized

i. At the entrance of the tent of meeting (Num. 10:3)

ii. When the church comes together (Heb. 10:25)

iii. With the Lord (1 Thes. 4:17)

c. Colossians 1:5

Conclusion:

1. Not that we regard life as dominated by disasters, but that we live so as to be prepared for one.

2. Have what you need ready to go.  Have a means of grasping reality.  Have a place where separation can be ended.

3. “To fail to plan is to plan to fail.”