1.  There are “Reading Readiness Tests”, as well as similar tests for math, English, and other subjects.

2.  These tests lets the person know where they are at in any given subject and what they are ready to advance to.

3.  We need to know what we are ready for.

B.  It is more important for us to take a “Spiritual Readiness Test”, so that we may be ready for eternity.

C.  II Timothy 4:6-8 - “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.”

He was ready because he got ready and because he kept himself ready.

A.  Romans 1:15 - “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.”

1.  He was ready to preach.

2.  He was ready to go on missions for the Lord.

B.  Acts 21:13 - “Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

1.  He was ready to die.

2.  Not for himself.

3.  Not for material gain.

4.  But for the cause of the Lord.

C.  In II Timothy 4, Paul was ready. He was ready for an accounting with the Lord at the judgment.

1.  cf. Philippians 1:23 - “But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better.”

2.  II Corinthians 5:10 - “For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

A.  He severed all earthly loyalties that would keep him from following Christ.

1.  He did so immediately when he learned the truth.

Galatians 1:15-16 - “But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood.”

Acts 22:16 - “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.”

a.  It was not, when I can.

b.  It was not, I will do it but slowly.

2.  He did so completely, regardless of cost.

Philippians 3:7-8 - “Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted lost for Christ. Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ.”

Galatians 1:14 - “And I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”

3.  He did so continuously, by following through.

a.  He started. - Acts 9:20 - “And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.”

b.  He continued until death - II Timothy 4:7 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”

c.  Why, for what - Philippians 3:13-14 - “Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

B.  He was fruitful in his work, but it was for the glory of God.

1.  I Corinthians 3:6-9,11 - “I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.

Vs. 11 - For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

C.  He was victorious in self-denial

I Corinthians 9:27 - “But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to other’s I myself should be rejected.”

Galatians 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who love me, and gave himself up for me.”

1.  He did not say it was easy.

D.  He was faithful in spite of opposition and adversity.

1.  In II Timothy 4:6-8 Paul said a fight had to be fought, a faith had to be kept, a course had to be finished.

2.  II Corinthians 11:23-28 - He had endured countless problems.

3.  Philippians 3:13-14 - He pressed on, though his past could have held him back.

4.  Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things in him that strengthened me.”

A.  The Bible describes the terrible discomfort of those who are not ready.

1.  Matthew 22:11-14 - “But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the out darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Garments were usually provided; if so they had been spurned.

2.  Matthew 25:1-13 - Partial preparation was not adequate for the foolish virgins who had lamps but no oil.

B.  The Bible also describes the beautiful blessings and comfort of the prepared: