Scripture: “For the Lord himself will descend from the heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thessalonians 4:16-18

Theme: Are we prepared for the return of Jesus?

Scene: A beautiful day. Two people meet one is dressed in casual clothes for an August Day (P2). P1 is dressed for winter.

P1:“Hey INSERT P2's REAL NAME HERE. How are you?”

P2: “Hi INSERT P1's NAME HERE. Beautiful Day Isn’t it?”

P1: “Yes indeed! Merry Christmas!”

P2: “ Wait a minute! It’s August! Why are you dressed in Winter (Christmas) clothes?”

P1: “ I noticed the weather. They predicted a 40% chance of snow!”

P2: “That prediction was for North Carolina in August? I don’t think so!”

P1: “ They indicated that it was 28 degrees and the wind was 15-25 mph from the NNW. I thought I might go up to Boone and see what the snowskiing was like!”

P2: “ Have you lost it? 28 degrees for a high in August? In North Carolina? That was Fahrenheit, wasn’t it? Would you explain how you came to this conclusion?”

P1: “Last August, the RRBC Choir had a night of S.N.O.W. in August. So I thought I would be prepared!”

P2: “ Wait! Wait! Hold it! The night of S.N.O.W. last August...S.N.O.W. stood for Summer Night of Worship not for the white stuff that falls from the sky in winter. But that doesn’t explain the 28 degree forecast. “

P1: “ The Bible says that people know the weather by the sky and that they also will be able to know Jesus is coming by the signs of the times.”

P2: “ If you think it will be 28 degrees and snowing in August by the sky, then you may also need some additional study about when Jesus is coming!”

P1: “Do you really think so?”

P2: “I know so....in fact these conclusions make me think that you may need some additional help in other areas...as soon as possible! Is there more to your conclusions?”

P1: “Yes! Next I checked on the Ground Hog. He saw his shadow.”

P2: “Really?”

P1: “Yes. That means there is six more weeks of winter!”

P2: “ I should have known! Is there more?”

P1: “ Yes. Then I got on the internet and went to www.weather.com. . That is the Weather Channel’s web site. That is where I saw the forecast. “

P2: “You entered Wilson, North Carolina and you received a forecast of Snow and 28 degrees for this date in August!”

P1: “Actually, No!”

P2: “Oh Boy!...Here we go! What exactly did you actually enter?”

P1: “I just entered the city.”

P2: “Wilson?”

P1: “Not exactly. I entered Barrow and hit return. There is only one Barrow!”

P2: “Barrow??? But Barrow is in Alaska. It is commonly known as Santa’s Home. It is the town which is on the North Pole!”

P1: “ And the forecast said 28 degrees and a chance of snow. So I prepared by dressing for the snow!”

P2: “I can see that!”

P1: “ I also brought an umbrella!”

P2: “For the snow?”

P1: “Noooo! That would be silly!”

P2: “ So then why are you carrying an umbrella?”

P1: “Because Jesus is coming today!”

P2: “And He’s bringing rain??”

P1: “ No. When Jesus comes, the Bible says that the saints will meet Him in the sky!”

P2: “ And you are going to take an umbrella to heaven. Are you expecting it to rain there? Did you get that off of the weather channel also?”

P1: “No!. The Bible says that the Son is always present and He shines brightly and I burn easily. Plus bright lights bother my eyes and I wasn’t sure if we could have sunglasses in heaven. After all, we can’t wear them to church. What would Pastor Eddie think if he got up to preach his sermon and he looked out there and everyone was wearing sunglasses?”

P2: “ Oh Brother!”

P1: “Are you my brother in Christ?”

P2: “Yes. I think it is time to pray for you! We will let Pastor Eddie teach the folks about God! Why don’t you come with me!”

P1 and P2 walk off arm I arm like Brothers in Christ. They walk a few steps and have the following conversation.

P1: “ And we are going to pray?”

P2: “Yes indeed! And when we are done, I might even call the church office and make an appointment for you with Pastor Eddie!”

P1: “Do you think Pastor Eddie is prepared for the Snow today and the Sonshine in heaven?”

P2: “ I am sure he is!”

Display Scripture on Screen: “For the Lord himself will descend from the heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thessalonians 4:16-18

THE END

Study Questions:

1- Are you prepared to go heaven?

2- Are you ready to meet Jesus in the sky today?

3-What would you say to Jesus if you had a chance?

4-What would you wish you had done better on earth? Develop a plan to do that better.