Living Ready: Embracing Faithfulness and Spiritual Preparedness

Today’s gathering began with the powerful witness of baptism, as we celebrated the stories of men, women, and students who have been made new by Jesus Christ. Each testimony reminded us that the gospel is not just a set of beliefs, but the very power of God to transform lives—turning anger into patience, emptiness into peace, and confusion into purpose. These changed lives are living proof that God is still at work, calling people out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

In a world that often feels especially dark and heavy, we are reminded of our deep need for community, worship, and prayer. We prayed together for those who are grieving and hurting, asking God to help us not be overwhelmed by evil, but to overcome evil with good and grace. This is our calling as followers of Christ: to be agents of hope in a broken world.

Turning to Matthew 24 and 25, we explored two parables Jesus told about readiness for His return: the faithful and unfaithful servants, and the ten virgins (bridesmaids). Both stories drive home a single, urgent point: live ready. The focus is not on predicting when Jesus will return, but on being prepared—living each day in faithful obedience, not procrastinating or assuming there will always be more time.

Preparation is not something to be put off. Procrastination robs us of the life God wants us to enjoy now—His peace, joy, and fruitfulness. Just as a smoke alarm or a spare propane tank is useless if neglected, spiritual readiness cannot be borrowed or delayed. Each of us is responsible for our own response to Christ. When the door to the wedding feast is shut, it will not be opened again. Grace is available today, but not forever.

So, what does it mean to live ready? It means recognizing the spiritual battle around us, fighting for the souls of our children, investing in kingdom causes, bringing others to hear the gospel, and waking up from spiritual sleepwalking. Above all, it means knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior—today, not someday. The invitation is open now: don’t wait, don’t delay. Respond to the love and grace of God while there is still time.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faithfulness is a daily choice, not a future plan. The parables of the servants and the bridesmaids both show that readiness for Christ’s return is proven in everyday obedience, not in last-minute efforts. Living ready means being faithful with what God has entrusted to us right now, not waiting for a more convenient season. The cost of procrastination is the life of peace and fruitfulness God wants to give us today. [44:18]
• 2. Spiritual readiness cannot be borrowed or inherited. The foolish bridesmaids thought they could rely on the preparedness of others, but each person must have their own relationship with Christ. No amount of family heritage, church attendance, or proximity to faithful people can substitute for personal faith and surrender to Jesus. When the moment comes, only your own readiness will matter. [48:50]
• 3. The opportunity for repentance and grace is limited. Jesus’ parables warn that when He returns, the door will close suddenly and finally. There will be no second chances or appeals after that moment. Grace is abundant and available now, but it is not guaranteed tomorrow—so respond to God’s invitation while it is still open. [51:56]
• 4. Recognize and engage in the spiritual battle around you. Evil is real and increasing as the return of Christ draws near, and our struggle is not against people but against spiritual forces. Our weapons are prayer, the Word of God, and speaking the truth in love. Rather than being overwhelmed by darkness, we are called to be light-bearers, actively resisting evil and standing firm in faith. [54:14]
• 5. Invest your life in what matters for eternity. This means fighting for the souls of your children by giving them a biblical worldview, investing your resources in gospel causes, and bringing others to hear the good news. Don’t settle for spiritual sleepwalking—wake up, live intentionally, and make your life count for the kingdom. The time is short, and only what is done for Christ will last. [55:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:30] - Baptism Stories: Lives Made New
• [06:16] - Testimonies of Transformation
• [11:22] - Gratitude and Prayer for Our Church Family
• [14:44] - Praying for a Broken World
• [16:00] - Introduction to Matthew 24-25
• [18:30] - The Danger of Procrastination
• [22:00] - The Return of Christ: Frequency and Importance
• [28:00] - The Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servant
• [36:34] - Stewardship and Readiness
• [38:20] - The Parable of the Ten Virgins
• [41:12] - Ancient Wedding Customs Explained
• [44:18] - Be Faithful Today, Not Someday
• [48:50] - You Can’t Borrow Spiritual Readiness
• [51:56] - The Door Will Close Suddenly
• [52:34] - Five Ways to Live Ready
• [54:14] - Recognizing Spiritual Warfare
• [55:55] - Investing in Eternity and Waking Up
• [58:38] - Invitation to Respond to Christ

Bible Reading

Matthew 24:45–51 (ESV) — > “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 25:1–13 (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. 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.”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servant, what specific responsibilities did the master give to the servant, and what was the outcome for each servant when the master returned? ([36:34])
2. In the parable of the ten virgins, what was the key difference between the wise and foolish virgins, and how did that affect their participation in the wedding feast? ([38:20])
3. According to the sermon, what does Jesus emphasize as the main point of these two parables? ([43:00])
4. What does the sermon say about the timing of the bridegroom’s arrival and the closing of the door? Why is this significant? ([51:56])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus use the image of a delayed master or bridegroom in both parables? What does this teach about our expectations and attitudes toward Christ’s return? ([45:32])
2. The sermon says, “You can’t borrow spiritual readiness.” What does this mean for people who rely on their family’s faith or church attendance instead of their own relationship with Jesus? ([48:50])
3. The closing of the door in the parable of the ten virgins is described as sudden and final. What does this suggest about the opportunity for repentance and grace? ([51:56])
4. The sermon mentions that evil is real and increasing as Christ’s return draws near. How does recognizing spiritual warfare change the way we live as Christians? ([54:14])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Faithfulness is a daily choice, not a future plan.” What is one area of your life where you tend to procrastinate spiritually? What would it look like to be faithful in that area today instead of waiting for a “better” time? ([44:18])
2. Have you ever tried to “borrow” spiritual readiness—maybe by relying on someone else’s faith, or just being around church things without a personal relationship with Jesus? What steps can you take to make your faith your own? ([48:50])
3. The parable warns that the door to the wedding feast will close suddenly. Is there anything you feel God is inviting you to respond to right now, but you’ve been putting it off? What’s holding you back? ([51:56])
4. The sermon challenges us to “see the spiritual battle around you.” Where do you see evidence of spiritual warfare in your life, family, or community? How can you use prayer and God’s Word to stand firm this week? ([54:14])
5. “Invest your life in what matters for eternity.” What is one practical way you can invest your time, resources, or influence in something that will last for God’s kingdom? ([55:55])
6. The pastor encouraged us to “fight for the souls of your children” and give them a biblical worldview. If you have children or young people in your life, what is one thing you can do this week to help them know Jesus better? ([54:52])
7. The sermon ended with an invitation to “wake up your spirit” and not just go through the motions. Are there any signs that you might be spiritually sleepwalking? What is one step you can take to wake up and live intentionally for Christ? ([57:56])