Living in Readiness for Christ's Return
Summary
Life is full of moments that require preparation—weddings, births, new adventures. Yet, as significant as these events are, there is a far greater moment for which we are called to prepare: the return of Jesus. Scripture is saturated with reminders that Christ will come again, and this reality is meant to shape not just our beliefs, but our daily lives. Too often, the busyness and pressures of life push this truth to the background. We get caught up in routines, responsibilities, and even spiritual fatigue, losing sight of the eternal perspective that should inform our priorities and actions.
Jesus calls us to a posture of readiness—not a passive waiting, but an active, alert faithfulness. In Luke 12, He urges us to stay dressed for action and keep our lamps burning, a vivid image of spiritual alertness and passion. This means being present and faithful in the everyday, choosing integrity, prayer, and love even when it’s hard or unnoticed. Readiness is not about waiting for life to become less complicated, but about showing up in the midst of the mess, trusting that God is at work and that our faithfulness matters.
The promise of Christ’s return is not meant to induce fear or speculation about dates and times, but to anchor us in hope and mission. Just as the disciples were told on the Mount of Olives that Jesus would return in the same way He ascended, we are reminded that history is not spiraling out of control. Instead, it is moving toward a moment when Jesus will make all things new. In the meantime, we are called to be witnesses—to keep the light on for others, to shine hope into a weary world, and to invite others into the story of God’s redemption.
This hope transforms how we live. We are not called to perfection, but to faithfulness—showing up as parents, spouses, friends, and neighbors, investing in what matters eternally, and living from a place of grace. We forgive, extend mercy, and bring peace instead of panic, because we know the end of the story. Jesus’ promise to return assures us that suffering, pain, and death have an expiration date. Until that day, we wait with anticipation and purpose, letting the reality of His coming shape our lives and our mission.
Key Takeaways
- Living in Light of Christ’s Return
The reality of Jesus’ promised return is meant to shape our daily decisions, not just our beliefs. It’s easy to let the urgency of the present crowd out the eternal, but we are called to live with a sense of expectancy, allowing the hope of Christ’s return to inform our priorities and actions each day. This means asking ourselves whether our lives reflect readiness for His coming, or if we are merely drifting through routines. [04:47]
- Readiness Is Active, Not Passive
Jesus’ call to “stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning” is a summons to spiritual alertness and engagement. Readiness is not about waiting for a more convenient season, but about being faithful in the present—choosing integrity, prayer, and love even when it’s hard or unseen. True readiness is demonstrated in the ordinary moments, where we show up and serve with purpose. [07:37]
- Hope Anchored in God’s Faithfulness
The promise that Jesus is coming soon is not a threat, but a comfort for those who are weary or suffering. It reminds us that history is moving toward restoration, not chaos, and that our pain has an expiration date. In the meantime, we are called to hold fast to Christ, trusting that He has not forgotten us and will make all things new. [12:46]
- Mission Flows from Anticipation
Knowing that Jesus will return gives urgency and purpose to our mission. We are called to be witnesses, to “keep the light on” for others, and to make hope visible in a world that often feels hopeless. This means being ready to share the reason for our hope, inviting others into our spiritual rhythms, and bringing light into anxious places, not through grand gestures, but through everyday faithfulness. [16:19]
- Waiting with Purpose and Peace
We are not called to wait in fear or anxiety, but with faith and intentionality. Even as the world grows more challenging, we can bring peace instead of panic, because we know the end of the story. Our waiting is active—marked by prayer, grace, forgiveness, and a commitment to invest in what matters eternally, all while anticipating the day when Christ will return and make all things right. [19:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:52] - Preparing for Something Big
[03:48] - The Challenge of Spiritual Alertness
[04:47] - Living Between Two Mountains
[07:37] - Jesus’ Call to Readiness
[09:08] - The Mission: Being Witnesses
[11:15] - “Soon” and the Nature of Christ’s Return
[12:46] - Hope in a Weary World
[14:59] - Faithfulness in the Everyday
[16:19] - Witnessing in Ordinary Life
[17:34] - Bringing Peace, Not Panic
[19:03] - The Promise of Zechariah
[20:10] - The Mountains Are Still Calling
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living in Light of Christ’s Return
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### Bible Reading
Luke 12:35-36 (ESV)
> “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.”
Acts 1:10-11 (ESV)
> “And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’”
Revelation 22:12 (ESV)
> “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 12:35-36, what are the two actions Jesus tells his followers to take as they wait for his return?
2. According to Acts 1:10-11, how do the angels describe the way Jesus will return?
3. In the sermon, what are some reasons given for why people might lose sight of Jesus’ return in their daily lives? [03:48]
4. What does Jesus mean when he says, “I am coming soon,” as explained in the sermon? [11:15]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it look like to “stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning” in everyday life? How might this posture affect someone’s choices and priorities? [04:47]
2. The sermon mentions that the promise of Jesus’ return is meant to bring comfort, not fear. Why might this be comforting for someone who is weary or suffering? [12:46]
3. How does knowing that Jesus will return “in the same way” he ascended (Acts 1:11) shape the way believers view history and their own lives? [07:37]
4. The sermon talks about “mission flowing from anticipation.” How does the hope of Christ’s return give urgency and purpose to the way Christians live and share their faith? [16:19]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon describes how easy it is to let the busyness of life push the reality of Jesus’ return to the background. What is one specific routine or responsibility that tends to distract you from living with an eternal perspective? How could you remind yourself of Christ’s return in the middle of that routine? [03:48]
2. Jesus calls us to be ready, not just when life is easy, but in the middle of the mess. Think of a current challenge or “messy” situation in your life. What would it look like to show up with faithfulness and integrity there, even if no one notices? [04:47]
3. The sermon says, “Readiness is not about waiting for life to become less complicated, but about showing up in the midst of the mess.” What is one area where you’ve been waiting for things to get easier before acting in faith? What step could you take this week to move forward anyway? [04:47]
4. The idea of “keeping the light on” for others was mentioned as a way to witness. Who in your life needs to see hope or experience the love of Christ right now? What is one practical way you can “keep the light on” for them this week? [09:08]
5. The sermon encourages us to bring peace instead of panic, especially as the world grows more challenging. When you feel anxious about the future or the state of the world, what is one practice (prayer, scripture, conversation) that helps you anchor yourself in God’s peace? [17:34]
6. Forgiveness and mercy are highlighted as ways to live in light of Christ’s return. Is there someone you need to forgive or show mercy to, even if it’s hard? What would it look like to take a step toward that this week? [14:59]
7. The sermon says, “We are not called to perfection, but to faithfulness.” Where do you feel pressure to be perfect in your Christian life? How can you shift your focus from perfection to simply being faithful in the small things? [14:59]
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Devotional
Day 1: Living Ready for Christ’s Return
Jesus calls us to live with a posture of readiness, staying spiritually alert and prepared for His return at any moment, not letting the busyness of life dull our anticipation. This means being faithful in the present, showing up in our daily responsibilities with integrity, and keeping the fire of faith alive even when it feels routine or unnoticed. Readiness is not about waiting for a perfect moment but about being present and obedient in the here and now, letting eternal realities shape our daily decisions. As you go about your day, consider how your priorities reflect your hope in Christ’s promised return and how you can keep your spiritual lamp burning. [03:48]
Luke 12:35-36 (ESV)
“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can “keep your lamp burning” today—whether in prayer, integrity, or serving others—so you are living ready for Christ’s return?
Day 2: Anchored in the Promise of His Return
The promise of Jesus’ return is certain, just as the angels declared to the disciples at His ascension, and this hope anchors us in our mission and daily life. Rather than speculating about the timing, we are called to remember our purpose: to be His witnesses, sharing the story of Jesus and living out our faith with hope and urgency. This perspective shifts our focus from fear or complacency to active participation in God’s unfolding story, knowing that history is moving toward the day when Christ will make all things new. [07:37]
Acts 1:10-11 (ESV)
“And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’”
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the hope of Christ’s return, and how can you be a witness to them this week through your words or actions?
Day 3: Holding Fast to Hope in a Weary World
In a world filled with pressure, suffering, and uncertainty, Jesus’ repeated promise, “I am coming soon,” gives us hope and strength to remain faithful and steadfast. This assurance reminds us that our struggles have an expiration date, and that Jesus, the victorious King, will return to make all things new—wiping away every tear and righting every wrong. In the meantime, we are called to trust His promises, anchor our lives in Him, and let this hope shape our responses to hardship, fear, and the temptation to despair. [12:46]
Revelation 22:12, 20 (ESV)
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. … He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Reflection: When you face discouragement or fear, how can you remind yourself today that Jesus’ return is certain and that your suffering has a limit?
Day 4: Faithfulness in the Everyday
Waiting for Jesus’ return is not passive; it’s an active, purposeful faithfulness in the ordinary moments of life—showing up as a parent, friend, neighbor, or coworker with grace, prayer, and integrity. We are called to invest in what matters eternally, to forgive when it’s hard, to extend kindness when it’s not easy, and to be a blessing because we have been blessed. This daily faithfulness is not about perfection but about trusting Jesus, being present, and letting our hope in Him overflow into every relationship and responsibility. [14:59]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Reflection: In what ordinary task or relationship today can you intentionally choose faithfulness and grace, knowing you are serving Christ as you wait for His return?
Day 5: Waiting with Purpose and Inviting Others
As we wait for Jesus’ return, we are called to shine hope into the world, to “keep the light on” for others, and to invite them into the story of God’s redemption. This means being ready to share the reason for our hope, offering prayer and encouragement, and creating space for others to encounter Jesus through our lives and community. Our waiting is marked by anticipation, purpose, and a desire for more people to experience the goodness of God, knowing that one day Christ will stand on the Mount of Olives and make all things right. [19:03]
Zechariah 14:4-5 (ESV)
“On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. … Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.”
Reflection: Who can you invite into your spiritual journey this week—whether through a conversation, an invitation to church, or a simple act of kindness—so they too can experience the hope of Christ’s coming?
Quotes
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