Living in Expectation: Preparedness for Christ's Return

The call today is to live with a deep awareness that Jesus is coming again. This is not a distant theological idea, but a present reality that should shape every aspect of our lives. Throughout history, God’s people have been urged to be transformed, steadfast, and holy—not simply for their own sake, but because the return of Christ is certain and imminent. Jesus is coming back for a church that is pure, alert, and ready, and his return will be sudden and unmistakable. No one will miss the event itself, but many risk missing out on what it means to be found ready and faithful when he comes.

To be watchful, as Scripture commands, is to live with the vigilance of a night guard—alert, undistracted, and prepared, even when the world tempts us to spiritual drowsiness. Jesus doesn’t just tell us to watch, but to watch and pray. Prayer is the means by which we stay connected to God’s heart, keeping our focus on him rather than on ourselves or the distractions of the world. It is in prayerful communion that we are reminded of what truly matters and are empowered to live in readiness.

The timing of Christ’s return is unknown—he will come like a thief in the night, suddenly and without warning. Yet, for those who are awake and prepared, his coming will not be a surprise. The call is not just to be saved, but to live as those who are saved: with urgency, purpose, and a focus on spiritual growth. This means sharing the gospel, living out Jesus’ teachings, remaining spiritually alert, and distinguishing between what is temporary and what is eternal.

The parables of the wise and foolish virgins and the diligent servants remind us that preparation cannot be borrowed or delegated. Each person must cultivate their own relationship with Christ, keeping their spiritual “lamps” filled and their lives aligned with his purposes. God’s patience in delaying his return is an act of mercy, giving more time for repentance and for the gospel to reach every nation. But this window will not remain open forever. The day of the Lord will be dreadful for those who reject him, but for those who revere his name, it will be a day of joy and fulfillment.

Let us not be cloud-watchers, passively waiting, nor have our heads in the sand, living as if his return is irrelevant. Instead, let us live every day with the expectation that Jesus could return at any moment, ordering our lives in such a way that we are found faithful, holy, and ready to meet him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True watchfulness is a lifestyle of spiritual alertness, not just a moment of anticipation. Like a night guard, we are called to remain vigilant against spiritual complacency, distractions, and the subtle drift of our hearts. This means regularly examining our lives, guarding against temptation, and refusing to let the darkness of the world lull us into spiritual sleep. [55:27]
• 2. Prayer is the essential companion to watchfulness. It is not merely presenting our requests, but entering into communion with God, listening for his heart, and allowing his priorities to shape our focus. In silence and surrender, we move from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, which is the only way to remain truly alert and prepared for Christ’s return. [58:23]
• 3. The urgency of Christ’s return should transform our daily living. If we truly believe he could come at any moment, we will live with purpose, pursue spiritual growth, and make the gospel central in our conversations and actions. This urgency is not about fear, but about aligning our lives with eternal realities and refusing to waste our days on what is temporary. [65:45]
• 4. Preparation for Jesus’ return is personal and cannot be outsourced. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins teaches that spiritual readiness—symbolized by oil in the lamp—cannot be borrowed from others. Each of us must cultivate our own relationship with Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill, cleanse, and transform us, so that we are ready to respond when he comes. [77:13]
• 5. God’s patience in delaying Christ’s return is an act of mercy, not neglect. Every day that passes is another opportunity for repentance, for prodigals to return, and for the gospel to reach the lost. Yet, this window will not remain open forever; the day of the Lord will come suddenly, and only those who have ordered their lives in readiness will enter into his joy. [84:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Introduction to the “To Be” Series
• [02:10] - Why We Must Be Watchful
• [04:00] - The Biblical Meaning of Watchfulness
• [07:00] - Watch and Pray: Staying Focused
• [10:00] - The Uncertainty of Christ’s Return
• [13:00] - Living with Urgency and Purpose
• [15:00] - Spiritual Growth and Gospel Witness
• [17:00] - Distinguishing the Eternal from the Temporary
• [19:00] - Avoiding Cheap Grace
• [21:00] - Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
• [24:00] - The Necessity of Personal Preparation
• [27:00] - Parable of the Diligent Servants
• [30:00] - God’s Patience and the Call to Repentance
• [33:00] - Living Ready: Final Encouragement

Bible Reading

Matthew 24:36-44 (ESV) — > “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Matthew 25:1-13 (ESV) – Parable of the Ten Virgins — > “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. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 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.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

2 Peter 3:8-13 (ESV) — > “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable of the ten virgins, what was the key difference between the wise and foolish virgins when the bridegroom arrived? (Matthew 25:1-13)
2. According to 2 Peter 3, why does God delay the return of Christ? (2 Peter 3:8-9)
3. What does Jesus compare his return to in Matthew 24, and what is the significance of that comparison? (Matthew 24:42-44)
4. The sermon described watchfulness as being like a night guard. What are some things a night guard must do to stay alert, and how does this relate to spiritual watchfulness? [55:27]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it important that spiritual readiness cannot be borrowed or delegated, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins? How does this challenge common assumptions about faith and community? [01:17:13]
2. The sermon says that God’s patience is “mercy in motion.” How should this understanding affect the way believers view the delay of Christ’s return? [01:24:25]
3. What does it mean to “live as those who are saved,” and how is this different from simply being saved? [01:04:02]
4. The sermon warns against being “cloud-watchers” or having our “heads in the sand.” What do these metaphors mean, and how can they show up in a Christian’s life? [01:12:36]

Application Questions

1. The sermon calls us to live with urgency and purpose because Jesus could return at any moment. What is one area of your life where you have lost a sense of urgency or purpose? What practical step could you take this week to realign that area with eternal priorities? [01:05:45]
2. Prayer is described as the essential companion to watchfulness. How is your current prayer life helping (or not helping) you stay spiritually alert? Is there a specific way you could deepen your prayer life this week—perhaps by setting aside time for silence and listening to God? [58:23]
3. The parable of the ten virgins teaches that preparation is personal. Are you relying on someone else’s faith or spiritual habits to “carry” you, or are you cultivating your own relationship with Jesus? What is one thing you could do to take more ownership of your spiritual growth? [01:17:13]
4. The sermon warns against “cheap grace”—claiming forgiveness without repentance or transformation. Are there areas in your life where you have settled for cheap grace? What would true repentance and transformation look like in that area? [01:10:50]
5. The sermon says that God’s patience is an opportunity for repentance and for the gospel to reach others. Who in your life needs to hear the gospel or see it lived out? What is one way you can intentionally share or show the gospel to them this week? [01:24:25]
6. The call to watchfulness includes distinguishing between what is temporary and what is eternal. Is there something temporary that has been taking up too much of your focus or energy? How can you shift your attention toward what is eternal? [01:07:18]
7. The sermon describes being spiritually alert as regularly examining our lives and guarding against temptation. What is one practical habit you could start (or restart) to help you stay spiritually awake and ready for Christ’s return? [55:27]