Many of us have grown accustomed to minor disasters in our lives. We probably have all experienced a fender bender from time to time that caused a small disaster in our life. Maybe we didn't get the grade we wanted in school and it became a disaster to us. Or maybe you were baking a cake and the cake didn't rise. Maybe you went out to work early in the morning and there wasn't any air in your tires -- it can be a kind of disaster, can't it? Maybe you were going out on that special occasion and the zipper popped. Or your battery took a vacation right when you were ready to go on yours. These are all minor disasters.

We also live in a world that has grown accustomed to major disasters, We hear of the starvation in Africa -- the AIDS epidemic -- the drought in the Sudan region. We've seen news reports of the storms and flooding in Europe this winter. We learned of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey this past summer. How many hurricanes have raked the Caribbean Islands these past years? Here in the United States, we remember the Mount St. Helens eruption that took place in 1980, causing a great disaster in the northwest part of the United States -- the Bay area earthquake in 1987 while many of us were at the Feast of Tabernacles -- the Midwest flooding that took place in 1997 which was called the 500 year flood. These disasters will be in our memory for some time, but as time goes by most of them will fade in our memories. But, there is one disaster that everybody is familiar with and haven't forgotten, even though it occurred almost 88 years ago.

Let's begin to look at the Titanic and some facts about its construction. It was a monumental project from the very beginning. They began building the Titanic in 1909 and it left Belfast on April 2nd, 1912. At that time the Titanic was the biggest object ever set in motion by men. It weighed 46,328 tons, the rudder alone weighed 100 tons (think of the hinges it took to swing a rudder of that mass). It had four funnels or exhausts. Each funnel or exhaust could accommodate two locomotives side by side. The Titanic had 159 furnaces that used two tons of coal per mile. It was 11 stories tall and 4 city blocks long. The ship could accommodate 2,500 passengers when fully booked, and a crew of 1,000. It had 16 water tight compartments, and 50,000 horse power "under the hood." Because of the 16 watertight compartments, it really was thought by many to be unsinkable. It was such an incredible hulk that it looked like a permanent fixture.

The captain of the ship, Edward J. Smith, had 40 years of experience at sea, and was considered to be the elite captain of the White Star Line. Passengers were very confident with the captain, and many specifically chose ships he captained to sail on. He was known as being a "captain to millionaires," because he had captained many vessels and voyages with millionaires on board, and got along very congenially with them. This was going to be his very last voyage before retirement, and he had been specifically selected for the Titanic's maiden voyage. The Titanic was twice as big as any vessel that Captain Smith had ever handled before. He was accepted as a captain with an exceptional reputation.

Regarding his experience at sea, Captain Smith himself had this to say: "When anyone asks me how I best describe my experience of forty years at sea, I merely say, uneventful. I have never been in an accident of any sort worth speaking about, I never saw a wreck and I've never been wrecked, nor was I ever in any predicament that threatened to end in disaster of any sort." This gentlemen, after 40 years at sea, had never had any difficulties to speak of.

Notice some of the passengers who were on board that Titanic's maiden voyage. These, were some of the wealthiest people on earth, and this was the largest collection of millionaires in one location for that time. There was Benjamin Guggenheim, mining magnate. John Jacob Aster and his new bride. President Taft's military aide, Major Archibald Butt, returning from a vacation and a visit with the Pope. Isadore Strauss, head of Macy's department store, and his wife. Mrs. Margaret Tobin Brown, later known as the unsinkable Molly Brown, of whom you've probably seen the movie starring Debbie Reynolds. And there were many, many more. Many of the elite people went under an assumed name because they didn't want people to know they were on board. There were also many professional gamblers traveling because of the big money on board.

During the day the Titanic received six separate warnings of ice and icebergs in the area, The last warning came from the Masaba at 9:40 PM. When the messages were put together, they revealed an ice field ahead of the Titanic 70 to 80 miles long. At 11:40 PM, the Titanic turned too late to avoid hitting an iceberg. On the port side, she sustained damage and water began pouring in. Slightly after 12 AM, on the 15th, Captain Smith ordered the lifeboats taken out. At 1 AM, the bow of the ship was ready to go under. At 2:20 AM, the Titanic turned perpendicular in the ocean and began a 2 1/2 mile plunge to the bottom of the North Atlantic ocean. At 4 AM the liner Carpathia arrived to pick up 705 survivors from the Titanic.

In an effort to maintain calm, the ship's band was assembled and played until band members could no longer stand on the slanting deck as it got steeper and steeper. Rockets were fired in hopes they would be interpreted as distress signals. The California, also of the White Star Line, was only ten miles away, stopped for the evening because of the ice conditions. Their captain didn't want to go through the ice fields at night. Unfortunately, their radio operator was off duty so they had no way of receiving the Titanic's distress call. The California's officers saw the rockets, but weren't sure they indicated a distress, and did not chose to wake their captain, who had retired with orders to not be disturbed. Following the final plunge of the Titanic, those in the lifeboats heard the wails of those in the water for about 10 minutes, and then there was silence. Those in the lifeboats waited, not knowing their own fates.

Now, let's contrast Captain Smith of the Titanic with the captain of the Carpathia who came to the rescue. Captain Arthur H. Rosstren was the captain of the Carpathia. He also was headed to New York when he heard the SOS from the Titanic. His ship was approximately 58 miles ahead of the Titanic, and had gone through the ice fields earlier. Captain Rosstren did not hesitate in taking immediate and decisive action. He immediately turned his ship around and went back through the very same ice fields (through which he had just sailed) at a top speed of 14 knots. He put his keenest observers on deck. Instead of having just two men on deck as lookouts, he positioned the six best men he had.

He also immediately began readying his ship to take on survivors -- all the dining rooms were ready; the doctors were stationed with supplies laid out; the kitchens were to have coffee, tea and food ready. People coming on board were to be identified immediately, given medical attention, then taken to rooms and given hot drinks. The first class rooms were all cleared to be given to survivors -- even the Captain's quarters were to be given to survivors, The captain's orders mobilized his entire ship, crew and passengers.

Captain Rosstren was known as a man of prayer and faith. He could often be seen on his ship in quiet prayer -- he would sort of tip his hat down over his eyes and the crew could see his lips moving. After the rescue of the Titanic's survivors, Captain Rosstren was quoted as saying that, "When day broke and I saw the ice I had steamed through during the night, I shuddered and could only think that some other hand than mine was on the helm during the night." It so happened that, during that night, the Carpathia passed by six or more icebergs that were 200 feet high or higher!

We, at some time in our lives have been envious of those who are of this world. They're wealthy; they prosper; they're able to engage in voyages or cruises. Psalm 73 illustrates what can happen even to those who are wealthy and those we would envy for their riches. David had a problem of envying the rich, because he could see the prosperity of the wicked while he, striving to be righteous, having had troubles continually. David came to understand, however, when he went into the house of God, that. "Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked, For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth then about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish" (Ps.73:1-7). We know in our world today that there are those individuals whom we see, perhaps entertainers or executives, who have more wealth than they could ever spend! Yet there are people who lust have a difficult time making a bare living. Vs.8: "They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily." Yes, they are the people in charge. They control people and they control situations. Vs. 9-11: "They set their mouth against the heavens. [They talk against God, and take His name in vain.] And their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the most High?" There are people who really don't feel they need God--they can buy whatever they want.

Vs. 12-19: "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offered against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. how are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors." There were many like that that night, who were consumed with terrors, when they realized there was no place for them to go except into the cold waters of the North Atlantic.

The Bible tells us that there are other things more important than wealth and riches. : "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36-37). I am sure there were many that evening who would have given all the millions they had just for a seat on a lifeboat. It didn't happen that way; they couldn't buy a seat. What makes this disaster perhaps even more tragic than it was, more poignant, was the fact that there were actually 500 empty seats in the lifeboats when Captain Rosstren arrived to take on survivors.

1. Rules for passenger safety were inadequate. There were too few lifeboats on board the Titanic. Instead of designing lifeboat space on the docks, the designers put in money making ventures (outdoor cafes and shops for people selling wares and goodies). There was not enough room left on deck for all the lifeboats they should have had on the Titanic. She was not primarily built for safety.

1. Complacency regarding the Titanic. I want to define "complacency". "Complacency" means self satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies. Could that happen to us? It certainly could. God tells us, through Peter, how to be a successful Christian. It includes being diligent. Peter mentions diligence a couple of times. "And beside this, giving all diligence," [giving all diligence, not complacency] add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance: and to temperance patience" and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity." [We are to add these things, beginning with faith, to our lives as we grow in God's truth and become more converted in God's Church.]. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give, diligence to make your calling and elections sure: for if you do these things, you shall, never fall" (2 Peter 1:5-10). We are given instructions not to be complacent in our spiritual lives. Proverbs, the 27th chapter, has something to say about being diligent and not being complacent. "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herd" (Proverbs 27:23). Anyone who is in charge of something is to be diligent to know the state of what is under his control. Notice in Proverbs 22:29: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."

If we are diligent, we are going to stand before Jesus Christ, because He is King of kings. and we will stand before other kings also. "And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father" (Rev. 2:26-27). We are told to be Overcomers, that means diligence, not complacency. The first stop to disaster for the Titanic was complacency. The first stop to disaster for us is complacency about our calling.

2. Idolatry. The Titanic was the pride of Britain! She was claimed to be unsinkable by newspapers. It was stated -- and quoted in some literature--that even God couldn't sink the Titanic! That is blasphemy against God! When the Titanic was found and the remains investigated, it was discovered that the damage done to its hull was actually no more than the surface area of a human body. That is all it was -- just a small area -- but the rent went down along the side of the hull, tearing into the bulkheads. Just as a small stone slung by David brought down Goliath, so a small tear in the Titanic's hull sunk it. We should be careful with our words lest we blaspheme God,

The Titanic became an idol to those poeple. "Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the, LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low" (Isaiah 2:8-12). The attitude of being lofty and prideful and placing things before God will bring us down! Vs. 20: "In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats." There is coming a time when all the idols of men will be cast aside, because men will realize that they can affect no benefit -- only God is able to save men!

Isaiah 40 tells us of the magnitude of God and His greatness as compared to what He has created. "Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and mated out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being His counselor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and shewed to Him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering."

"Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that strrtcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; He maketh the judges of the earth as vanity" (Isaiah 40:16, 21-23). He humbles all those who are lofty and high in their own eyes.

Ezekiel was inspired to record a message which was meant to be read to modern day Israel. He couldn't deliver his message to all of Israel back then because of the captivity. "In the day that I lifted up Mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands: [We have been brought out of spiritual Egypt, as they were brought out of physical Egypt] "Then said I unto them, cast ye away every man, the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. But they rebelled against Me, and would not hearken unto Me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out My fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. Yet also I lifted up My hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands; Because they despised My judgments, and walked not in My statutes, but polluted My Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols" (Eze. 20:6-8, 15-16). That is pretty much a condemnation of Israel today as well as then: we have gone after our idols, whether they be physical things or things of the mind or persons -- whatever we have placed higher and mightier than God. Today, there are a lot of people who are worshiped in our society.

3. Wealth blinded them. There is something about money that makes people think they are invincible. They don't feel they have to go by the same laws the average person has to go by. They feel they have a special status and don't have to be under the laws of the land. They play politics and get their own way. All it takes is a certain amount of money in the right pockets and they are free, Wealth can blind people in many ways. Many people are placing a lot of hope in the stock market today. Several years ago my daughter (then in high school) came home to "report" that she had learned in school that the stock market can't crash because there are safeguards now in place. Will the safeguards hold when fear overcomes greed in the stock market?

We gain an insight in Timothy as to what wealth is without God. Wealth actually blinded those people on the Titanic. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content, But they that will be rich fall into temptation', and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." [Many people have been drowned and ruined -- perdition means ruin or loss, physically or spiritually and eternally -- because of the improper emphasis on wealth. There have been those who have left God's church because they got a better job and more money, but they had to work one Sabbath a month. The first thing you know, they've lost God's truth. We know there are many prominent athletes in our society with a great deal money, they can buy drugs, illicit sex and everything else, and they end up destroying their careers. They drown in the lifestyle of their wealth. "For the love of money is the" [a] "root of all evil - which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through, with many sorrows." [There have been many sorrows come to people,, because wealth became more important than their relationship with God.] "But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (I Timothy 6:6-12).

Notice a further admonition found in the 8th chapter of Deuteronomy. "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping His commandments, and His judgments, and His statutes, which I command thee this day, Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwell therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD your God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. [All of us who are in the House of God were brought out of spiritual Egypt, which is a type of sin, and out of the house of bondage! Sometimes people let wealth and other things that come into their life cause them to go back into that bondage from whence God called them.] "Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers know not, that He might humble thee, and that He might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end. And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand has gotten me this wealth. [What do we hear today in our society? We speak of how we created the stock market, we created the wealth, we are the ones who designed all these different structures and ways of doing things. In reality, it is God who brought us into this land of milk and honey. All we had to do is dig a little and it was there for us. We think we are the ones who did this.] But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day" (Deuteronomy 8:11-18). Our true blessings come from God!.

There is a group of individuals in the last era of God's Church of whom He prophecies that would be blinded by wealth. Brethren, I make no apologies in saying that we are in the Laodicean era of God's Church. We have seen what has happened in the last number of years. We are in that time! "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" [This is talking about Jesus Christ, the beginner of the creation of God, He is the one who is giving the faithful witness here.] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wort cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked [God is showing that they are spiritually unable to accomplish anything, They are rich physically and that has blinded them to see that they are. spiritually wretched. That is very easy to do. Many times we think that because we're blessed physically, it must mean we are great spiritually. That is not really so, brethren.] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3,14-19).

4. Improper safety regulations. It was obvious after the disaster of the Titanic that there had been shortcuts taken, i.e. there was no double hull, there weren't enough lifeboats, there had been no safety drills for crew or passengers. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Phil. 2:3-4). We are to be concerned about other people, with their well being. Those who built the ship were to be responsible for the well being of those who would sail on her -- but they were not responsible, and they did not provide safety regulations.

"He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth gifts shall live" (Proverbs 15:27). The owners of the White Star line wanted prestige and wanted to make money, and so they commissioned the Titanic, designed to attract a special group of people. In some respects, through the greediness of gain, they took short cuts and it did trouble their own house, because many of their own people on the Titanic, who worked for the White Star Line, died.

"He that hates a gift shall live." Somebody who doesn't want to take a bribe, somebody who will not use inferior materials in construction, will live. After last year's earthquakes in Turkey and the tragic collapse of so many apartments and other buildings, the shortcuts of many contractors were revealed. Many buildings had been built with interior concrete and only 1/3 of the required steel rods installed during construction.

5. Inferior materials were used in the Titanic. In 1986, the Titanic was found by using modern deep sea equipment, actual metal samples were retrieved for examination. It was found that there were flaws and impurities in the metal used in the construction of the Titanic. in addition, because of the flaws and impurities, the freezing waters in which the Titanic was sailing caused many of the ship's hull rivets to crystallize. Had the rivets held better, the Titanic might have floated longer and more people would have been rescued.

Inferior materials were a cause of the tragedy of the Titanic and are also a cause of many of the problems and tragedies that have occurred in the Church of God in the last number of years. Paul tells us, "For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. [We are to take heed what we build in our lives after God lays the foundation.] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire " (I Corinthians 3:9-15).

We are going to have to give account for what we build in our lives. The materials we have used to build our spiritual life are going to be tested, just as the materials of the Titanic were tested -- and failed. "Foreasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (I Peter 1:18-20). We were redeemed by Christ, not by anything inferior whatsoever. The fifth great cause of the Titanic disaster was inferior materials.

6. Improper operating procedures. The Titanic was going too fast for known iceberg conditions. During the course of the Titanic's journey, it maintained a speed of 21 knots or over. The captain was attempting to set a speed record on her maiden voyage. It is known, and was known in the 1900's that you should not maintain top speed in iceberg fields, and especially at night when it's difficult to see.

Do we have a fear of violating God's operating procedures? "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Pro.1:7). Do we fear to be involved in improper operating procedures for human beings? Hosea depicts a causal factor of the great tragedy in the Church of God in the past few years. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge. [How many times have we rejected knowledge? Captain Smith had knowledge of what were the proper operating procedures, but he ignored them. Just as sometimes we reject the operating procedures God has given us to live by.] I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou least forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me; therefore will I change their glory into shame"(Hosea 4:6-7). Isn't that what happened to the Titanic? It had great glory -- the whole world was amazed by it. It also had a tragic shame.

Look at one more scripture regarding improper operating procedures. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Use the Bible for proof! God's word gives and defines operating procedures that are correct and proper. Use God's Word -- apply the instruction manual He inspired.

"Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time. your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:34-36). We are to be watchful spiritually and watchful of what is going on in the world, praying always to God that we will be accounted worthy! We should pray and ask God to help us. That He will correct us so that we can be accounted worthy to have a part in His kingdom.

Notice another warning to God's people. "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. [That happened to the people on the Titanic. It was midnight and they were having a good old time. They had passed a glittering dinner evening, and many were gambling. They were thinking of their peace and safety, everything was going well, they had encountered no problems. It came upon them suddenly, and they did not escape.] "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day. We are not of the right, nor of darkness, Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thess. 5:1-6). That's what they should have done. They should have been watching and been sober, vigilant in the ice field conditions.

Who will heed warnings? Who is God looking to? In Isaiah we read, "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest? For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD, but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word" (Isaiah 66:1-2). That is the kind of individual who will heed warnings. Brethren, God gives favor to those who heed warnings. Hebrews the 11th chapter lists many people of God who did heed warnings; many were spared.

Could the United States of America be hit by a spiritual iceberg and sink? Yes. Our nation has already been hit and the bow is under water,, but we don't realize it because the band is still playing! The band is playing and we have entertainment all around us that keeps us going and thinking everything is okay. Our politicians tell us what we want to hear, that things are great in America. The economy is fantastic! Warnings are also going unheeded!

Could the Church of God hit a spiritual iceberg and sink? The Worldwide Church of God has already hit an iceberg and is sinking! That has happened. Ironically, 1986 was the same year that saw the wreck of the Titanic discovered 2 1/2 miles down under the North Atlantic and and a new captain -- Joseph W. Tkach -- come on the scene for the WCG. Perhaps we should have understood better then. A great deal of notoriety was brought on about the Titanic. People were analyzing what really happened, and there were lessons there for us then, if we had eyes to see.

Today we find ourselves in one of the lifeboats. We have to ask, "how come there are so many empty seats in the lifeboats? Where are the people who should be filling them?"Our status, brethren, is one of awaiting rescue. We are waiting to be rescued, We need to heed the lessons from the Titanic disaster before it's too late. We should deeply appreciate that God has provided a way of escape for us. Let's do our part to keep the lifeboat we're on headed in the right direction until we are rescued by our faithful Captain, Jesus Christ.