Be Ready: Living in Expectation of Christ’s Return

Devotional

Day 1: Be Spiritually Prepared at All Times

True readiness for Christ’s return is not about outward appearances or religious activity, but about having a genuine, Spirit-filled relationship with Jesus. All ten bridesmaids in the parable looked the part, but only the wise brought extra oil, symbolizing a heart prepared and filled with the Holy Spirit. It is possible to attend church, say the right things, and look spiritually active, yet lack the inner reality of knowing Christ. The wise are those who are born again, full of the Spirit, and living in daily dependence on God. Are you truly prepared on the inside, or just going through the motions? [01:01:38]

Matthew 25:1-4 (ESV)
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.”

Reflection: In what ways are you relying on outward appearances or routines rather than a real, daily relationship with Jesus? What step can you take today to deepen your dependence on the Holy Spirit?

Day 2: Christ’s Return Will Be Sudden and Unexpected

The parable of the ten virgins, along with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24, reminds us that no one knows the day or hour of His return. The call is not to speculate about dates or timelines, but to live each day as if Christ could return at any moment. The delay in the bridegroom’s coming tests the readiness of the bridesmaids, and only those who are prepared can respond when the call comes. God’s patience is not permission to delay repentance or spiritual growth; the opportunity to respond is now, not later. [01:04:01]

Matthew 24:36, 42, 50 (ESV)
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only... Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming... the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know.”

Reflection: If you knew Jesus could return today, what would you do differently? What is one area of your life where you need to live with greater urgency and readiness?

Day 3: Spiritual Readiness Is Personal and Non-Transferable

No one can borrow another’s faith or spiritual preparedness; each person must know Jesus personally and be ready themselves. Just as you cannot travel on someone else’s passport, you cannot enter the kingdom on the basis of someone else’s relationship with God. The foolish bridesmaids tried to borrow oil, but it was too late—the door was shut. The call is to take responsibility for your own walk with Christ, to know Him personally, and to obey Him from the heart. [01:07:09]

Matthew 25:8-12 (ESV)
“And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’”

Reflection: Are you relying on someone else’s faith, or do you know Jesus personally? What is one way you can take ownership of your spiritual life today?

Day 4: Readiness Means Living Daily in the Word, Prayer, and Obedience

Being ready for Christ’s return is not passive waiting, but active watchfulness—living each day in the Word, in prayer, and in obedience to God’s leading. Readiness looks like keeping short accounts with God, confessing sin, seeking to grow in holiness, and asking for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. It is about making sacrifices to prioritize time with God, interceding for others, and responding to His promptings, even in small things. Those who live this way shine with the light of Christ and inspire others to faith. [01:11:07]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

Reflection: What is one practical change you can make this week to spend more intentional time in prayer or in God’s Word? How might this help you be more ready and watchful?

Day 5: All for Jesus—Serving, Giving, and Shining Until He Comes

True readiness is seen in a life lived all for Jesus—serving others, sharing the gospel, giving generously, and shining with the light of Christ in every area of life. It means not being complacent or letting others do all the work, but using your gifts, time, and resources for God’s glory. Even in weakness or old age, a life surrendered to Christ can radiate His presence and hope. The call is to go all in for Him, living each day as if it could be the day He returns, and drawing nearer and nearer to Jesus. [01:19:44]

Philippians 2:15-16 (ESV)
“...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

Reflection: In what specific way can you serve, give, or share your faith this week as an act of readiness for Christ’s return? Who might God be prompting you to reach out to or bless today?

Sermon Summary

Looking out at this congregation, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness through the generations—how He has moved in powerful ways in the past, and how He continues to work among us today. From the early days of this church’s founding, through revivals and seasons of spiritual awakening, to the quiet, steady faithfulness of “plodders” who serve year after year, God’s hand has been evident. Yet, as we celebrate the past, we must not become complacent. The call of Christ is not simply to remember, but to be ready—ready for His return, which could come at any moment.

Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 is a vivid reminder that outward appearances are not enough. All ten bridesmaids looked prepared, but only five had the oil needed to keep their lamps burning. The oil represents spiritual preparedness—a living, personal relationship with Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is not something that can be borrowed or transferred from another; each of us must know Jesus for ourselves. The parable warns us that there will come a time when the door is shut, and the opportunity to respond will be gone. The question is not whether we look the part, but whether we are truly ready on the inside.

Readiness is not passive waiting, but active watchfulness. It means living each day as if Christ could return today—cultivating a life of prayer, repentance, and obedience. It is about being filled with the Spirit, keeping our hearts close to Jesus, and serving others with love and generosity. Readiness is seen in the quiet faithfulness of those who pray for their families, who intercede for the church, who give sacrificially, and who invite others to know Christ. It is about keeping short accounts with God, walking in holiness, and shining as lights in a dark world.

The stories of faithful saints—those who have gone before us, and those among us now—remind us that true readiness is about drawing nearer and nearer to Jesus. Whether our lives are marked by dramatic moments or by steady, humble service, the call is the same: to be all in for Christ, to let our lamps burn brightly, and to live in joyful anticipation of His coming. The best is yet to come for those who are in Christ. Let us keep watch, keep our lamps trimmed, and our hearts aflame.

Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual readiness is personal, not transferable No one can borrow another’s faith or spiritual preparedness. Just as the wise bridesmaids could not share their oil, each of us must have our own living relationship with Christ. Relying on family heritage, church attendance, or the faith of others will not suffice when Christ returns. The call is to know Jesus personally and to be filled with His Spirit. [67:09]
2. Readiness means active, daily watchfulness Being ready for Christ’s return is not about passively waiting, but about living each day in anticipation. This involves daily prayer, time in the Word, repentance, and obedience to God’s promptings. True watchfulness is a posture of the heart that seeks to honor Christ in every area of life, not just in moments of crisis or celebration. [70:20]
3. God’s delays reveal our true preparedness The bridegroom’s delay in the parable exposed who was truly ready. In the same way, seasons of waiting in our lives test the depth of our faith and endurance. God’s patience is not permission to delay repentance or spiritual growth; rather, it is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Him and to ensure our lamps are full. [66:15]
4. Faithfulness in the ordinary shines brightest The stories of “plodders”—those who serve faithfully, pray persistently, and love sacrificially—show that spiritual readiness is often forged in the ordinary routines of life. It is in these unseen acts of devotion and service that our lamps are kept burning, and our hearts are drawn nearer to Jesus. [71:35]
5. Living generously and serving others reflects readiness True readiness is expressed in how we use our time, resources, and gifts for God’s kingdom. Serving others, sharing the gospel, and giving sacrificially are tangible ways we live in the light of Christ’s return. Our lives should reflect a wholehearted commitment to Jesus, marked by generosity and love. [77:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[49:25] - Celebrating God’s Faithfulness Through the Years
[50:41] - The Power of Steady, Faithful Service
[51:16] - The Need for a “Faith Lift”
[51:47] - Reading Matthew 25: The Parable of the Ten Virgins
[53:12] - Missing the Flight: A Modern Parable
[54:14] - The Parable Explained: Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids
[55:06] - The Call to Readiness for Christ’s Return
[56:21] - Parables of Readiness: Context and Meaning
[57:33] - Jesus’ First and Second Coming
[58:18] - The Heart of the Parable: Keep Watch
[59:56] - Jewish Wedding Customs and Their Significance
[61:38] - Outward Appearance vs. Inward Reality
[64:01] - The Suddenness of Christ’s Return
[66:15] - The Delay Reveals Readiness
[67:09] - Spiritual Readiness Cannot Be Borrowed
[68:37] - The Door Will Be Shut: Urgency of Response
[71:35] - Stories of Faithful Prayer and Legacy
[74:33] - Repentance, Holiness, and the Spirit-Filled Life
[76:18] - Serving, Sharing, and Generosity as Readiness
[78:49] - Is Your Lamp Lit?
[80:58] - The Glow of a Life Near to Jesus
[82:42] - All for Jesus: A Call to Commitment
[83:15] - Prayer of Commitment and Response
[85:16] - Worship and Closing

Sermon Clips

This parable sits in a pastoral warning context, not a timeline chart, a pastoral warning context. It's about spiritual preparedness, not calendar predictions. There's so many different views and perspectives on the end times, particularly the thousand year reign of Christ, the millennium and how all the events will play out. People have lots of different views. Some in the commentaries I read argue that this parable relates to the rapture of the church. Others would suggest to Jesus' second coming after the tribulation. Some say that these cluster of parables are written solely for Israel. Others say they're for all God's people. But what all agree on is the bridegroom in the parable is Jesus. He is coming again. [00:56:23] (63 seconds) #JesusIsTheBridegroom

You can attend church. You can say the right things and look spiritually active. But if you lack the Holy Spirit and a real relationship with Christ, you're not truly prepared for when Jesus comes. Like the wise bridesmaids who brought extra oil, believers must be prepared for Christ's return. [01:02:38] (23 seconds) #SpiritFilledPreparation

You can't take someone else's passport and expect to travel. In the same way, you can't ride into heaven on someone else's faith. It's your responsibility. It's your choice to know Jesus personally and to obey him. Your parents' faith can't save you. Just attending church can't save you. You can't borrow someone else's faith, salvation, or obedience. You must know Jesus personally, not just know about him. You must know him personally. [01:07:46] (31 seconds) #PersonalFaithMatters

Life can be tough. Life can be hard. Many challenges can come in life. You have maybe got some regrets. You've maybe got some real battles just now in your life. But if you are in Christ, you've got all you need. Because friends, life is short. But eternity, well, forever, isn't it? To be with Him forever. There's no more sin. There's no more suffering. There's no more sickness. There's no more pain. You'll be with Him. You'll be like Him. What a hope for those of us who are in Christ. [01:09:39] (39 seconds) #HopeInChrist

For those of us, our lamps lit, are we really shining? Are we truly shining? Friends, I ask afresh that the Holy Spirit would fill me, fill you, that we would be full of the Spirit of God, shining like stars in the universe in this place, that Christ would be glorified. I encourage you that so many of you are. Praise God. But nearer and nearer, there's more. There's more for me. I know how far short I am from being who I should be, but nearer and nearer to Jesus. It's all about Him. It's always been about Him, to go all in for Him. [01:19:15] (44 seconds) #RejectMaterialism

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