Living Ready: Faith and Vigilance in Turmoil

Devotional

Day 1: Focus on Jesus Amidst Chaos

In a world filled with turmoil and uncertainty, it is essential to keep our eyes on Jesus. Just as Peter walked on water by focusing on Jesus, we too can navigate life's storms by maintaining our faith and trust in Him. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, he began to sink. This story serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus is the master of storms, and He will see us through any challenge we face. By keeping our focus on Him, we can find peace and stability even in the most chaotic situations. [52:49]

Matthew 14:29-31 (ESV): "He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'"

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or storm in your life. How can you shift your focus from the problem to Jesus today?

Day 2: God's Sovereignty and Provision

Regardless of the political and social upheavals around us, we must remember that God is sovereign. He holds the world in His hands and will provide for us. Our focus should be on being thankful for what we have and trusting in God's control over our lives. When we acknowledge God's sovereignty, we can find peace in knowing that He is in control, even when everything around us seems unstable. This trust in God's provision allows us to live with gratitude and confidence, knowing that He will take care of our needs. [53:37]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in your life. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in His sovereignty today?

Day 3: Living with Eternal Perspective

Jesus' promise to return gives us hope and a reason to live with an eternal perspective. Our faith is not just for this life but for the life to come. We must live ready, understanding that our ultimate goal is to be with Jesus in eternity. This eternal perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and live with purpose. By focusing on the promise of Jesus' return, we can find hope and motivation to live in a way that honors God and prepares us for eternity. [54:55]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to live with a more eternal perspective?

Day 4: Transformation of Heart and Soul

Living ready involves a transformation of both heart and soul. Our hearts must believe in the gospel message, and our souls must reflect the love, kindness, and gentleness of Jesus. This transformation is essential for living a life that honors God and prepares us for eternity. It is not enough to simply believe; our faith must be evident in our actions and attitudes. By allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us, we can become more like Jesus and live in a way that reflects His love to the world. [01:29:06]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need a transformation of heart and soul? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in those areas today?

Day 5: Vigilance and Watchfulness

Like soldiers on guard duty, we must be vigilant and watchful, always prepared for the return of our Lord. This readiness involves understanding the times, being aware of the signs of Jesus' return, and living a life that reflects our faith and commitment to Him. Being watchful means staying spiritually alert and not becoming complacent in our faith. By living with vigilance, we can ensure that we are always prepared for Jesus' return and that our lives are a testimony to His grace and truth. [01:07:46]

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (ESV): "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a spirit of vigilance and watchfulness in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to stay spiritually alert and prepared for Jesus' return?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we began a new series titled "Living Ready." In a world filled with turmoil, wars, and political instability, it is crucial to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. The story of Peter walking on water amidst a storm serves as a powerful reminder that faith in Jesus can help us navigate through life's challenges. Despite the chaos around us, we must remember that God is sovereign and holds the world in His hands. Jesus promised to return, and we must live in readiness for that day.

The essence of living ready is rooted in faith and trust in God's promises. Jesus' words in John 14, "Let not your hearts be troubled," remind us to find peace in Him despite the troubles we face. His ascension into heaven and the promise of His return give us hope and a reason to live with purpose. We must be vigilant, watchful, and prepared, understanding that our faith is not just for this life but for the eternal life to come.

Living ready involves more than just believing; it requires a transformation of the heart and soul. Our hearts must be aligned with the gospel message, and our souls must reflect the love, kindness, and gentleness that Jesus exemplified. We are called to be watchful, like soldiers on guard duty, always prepared for the return of our Lord. This readiness is not just about avoiding sin but actively living out our faith in a way that honors God and prepares us for eternity.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Focus on Jesus Amidst Chaos: In a world filled with turmoil and uncertainty, keeping our eyes on Jesus is essential. Just as Peter walked on water by focusing on Jesus, we too can navigate life's storms by maintaining our faith and trust in Him. Jesus is the master of storms, and He will see us through any challenge we face. [52:49]
2. God's Sovereignty and Provision: Regardless of the political and social upheavals around us, we must remember that God is sovereign. He holds the world in His hands and will provide for us. Our focus should be on being thankful for what we have and trusting in God's control over our lives. [53:37]
3. Living with Eternal Perspective: Jesus' promise to return gives us hope and a reason to live with an eternal perspective. Our faith is not just for this life but for the life to come. We must live ready, understanding that our ultimate goal is to be with Jesus in eternity. [54:55]
4. Transformation of Heart and Soul: Living ready involves a transformation of both heart and soul. Our hearts must believe in the gospel message, and our souls must reflect the love, kindness, and gentleness of Jesus. This transformation is essential for living a life that honors God and prepares us for eternity. [89:06]
5. Vigilance and Watchfulness: Like soldiers on guard duty, we must be vigilant and watchful, always prepared for the return of our Lord. This readiness involves understanding the times, being aware of the signs of Jesus' return, and living a life that reflects our faith and commitment to Him. [01:07:46]
### [67:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[50:26] - Introduction to "Living Ready"
[51:17] - Focus on Jesus Amidst Chaos
[52:10] - Peter Walking on Water
[52:49] - God's Sovereignty and Provision
[53:37] - Living with Eternal Perspective
[54:17] - Jesus' Promise to Return
[54:55] - Transformation of Heart and Soul
[55:27] - Jesus' Ascension and Promise
[56:32] - The Hope of Jesus' Return
[57:25] - Living by Faith
[58:38] - The Purpose of Living by Faith
[59:53] - The Reality of Life and Death
[60:14] - Living Ready for Jesus' Return
[62:46] - Watchfulness and Vigilance

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus command us to do in Matthew 24:42-44, and why is this important?
According to John 14:1-3, what promise does Jesus give to His disciples, and how should this affect their hearts?
In Acts 1:9-11, what assurance do the two men in white apparel give to the disciples as they watch Jesus ascend into heaven?

Interpretation Questions

How does the command to "watch" in Matthew 24:42-44 relate to the concept of living ready for Jesus' return? [01:02:46]
What does Jesus' promise in John 14:1-3 reveal about His care and preparation for His followers? How does this promise provide comfort in times of trouble? [54:17]
How does the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:9-11 and the promise of His return shape the way believers should live their daily lives? [56:32]

Application Questions

Focus on Jesus Amidst Chaos: In what ways can you keep your eyes focused on Jesus when you face personal storms and challenges? Are there specific distractions you need to minimize to maintain this focus? [51:17]
God's Sovereignty and Provision: How can you cultivate a heart of thankfulness and trust in God's sovereignty, especially when you encounter political and social upheavals? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's control over your life? [53:37]
Living with Eternal Perspective: How does the promise of Jesus' return influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to live with a more eternal perspective? [54:55]
Transformation of Heart and Soul: Reflect on areas in your heart and soul that need transformation to align more closely with the love, kindness, and gentleness of Jesus. What specific actions can you take this week to work on these areas? [01:29:06]
Vigilance and Watchfulness: Like soldiers on guard duty, how can you stay vigilant and watchful for Jesus' return? Are there spiritual disciplines or habits you can adopt to help you stay prepared? [01:07:46]
Living Ready: What does it mean for you personally to "live ready" for Jesus' return? Are there any areas of your life where you feel unprepared, and how can you address them? [01:00:14]
Community and Accountability: How can your small group support each other in living ready for Jesus' return? Are there ways you can hold each other accountable in your spiritual growth and readiness? [01:12:42]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You know, when we think about it today, we realize that God is our king. How many of you know that? Jesus is our king, and we bend our knees to him, and so at the end of the day, it's all about him, and we keep our eyes focused. Because, you know, no matter which way the world goes, no matter which way the country goes, if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, you're going to be okay." [51:17] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So when things go awry or things don't go the way that you expect it to go, just keep your eyes on Jesus. That's all. Understand that he's in control. God is sovereign. Understand that he holds this world in the palm of his hands. So whether there's food on the table or there's not and he will provide for you, God is still in control. Understand that here today. Amen." [53:37] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So the question is, living by faith, and we talk about living by faith, about this consistent life of faith that we have, keeping our eyes on Jesus and so on. But then the question now arises, which I want to answer in the next couple of weeks, and to what end? If we're talking about living by faith, if we're talking about the fact that, you know, as we go through day after day, I'm trusting God, I'm believing God, no matter what comes, I'm having faith and keeping my eyes focused, I'm focused on Jesus, to what end? What's the purpose in that?" [59:03] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So, the Word of God tells us that we ought to live ready. So, live ready for what? You know, as we go through in the next few years or however long it might be, we are going to face some difficult times. You are going to face some difficult times. But in the midst of those times, you must still be ready and prepared because Jesus said, if I go, I will come again. And He has gone up into heaven and He has promised that He will come back." [01:00:14] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So the point is even though I felt that way, I'm a little bit wiser now and I'm understanding of the Bible and the Scriptures today but I'm also mindful of what is happening around us. So while there's this expectancy and the hope that Jesus will come again and it may be imminent anytime now, I also understand it may not be in my lifetime. It may not be in your lifetime. It may be at some point. But the fact remains that if we believe the Word of God and Jesus said, if I go, I will come again in my Father's house and many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. Then He has to be telling the truth because a little bit later in John chapter 14 He says, I am the way, I am the truth and I am the light. So He can't be lying to us. Amen." [01:04:40] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "But faith is a so consistent, abiding trust in God. Knowing that no matter how the chips fall, no matter what happens in my life, I can still believe and trust God, because He's going to see me through. And I can know. You know, I spoke into, I spoke to the church, the other church, the Nigerian church that comes here last Sunday. And they had an anniversary, 35 years, 35 years of ministry. And I said to the pastor, I said listen, you know, in 35 years of ministry, you may have gone through some stuff. You may have had some difficulties, you may have had some mountains to climb, you may have gone through some valleys, the floods may have come, but you know what? 35 years later, you're still here. And you're still strong. Amen? What does that tell me? It tells me that you have overcome. And if you've overcome in 35 years, the next few years are going to be a piece of cake. It's going to happen. And that's who we are as believers. All kinds of stuff happens around us. But we're still here. And we're still going strong." [57:25] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So, if that reality means something is going to stop, then what's beyond that? And that is the question, because we have to live ready for that. You know, we need to live with faith in this way. Now, it's easy to say, you know, why can't I live? Que sera, sera, whatever will be, whatever will be, come see, come saw, whatever happens every day, one day at a time, sweet Jesus, we take it. And it's easy to say that. You know, some people live that way. But the truth is, if we're living by faith, there must be a purpose for it. There must be a purpose and an end game or an end goal that we have. And that is what we have to be ready for and be prepared for." [59:53] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So, the Word of God tells us that we ought to live ready. So, live ready for what? You know, as we go through in the next few years or however long it might be, we are going to face some difficult times. You are going to face some difficult times. But in the midst of those times, you must still be ready and prepared because Jesus said, if I go, I will come again. And He has gone up into heaven and He has promised that He will come back." [01:00:14] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So, the Word of God tells us that we ought to live ready. So, live ready for what? You know, as we go through in the next few years or however long it might be, we are going to face some difficult times. You are going to face some difficult times. But in the midst of those times, you must still be ready and prepared because Jesus said, if I go, I will come again. And He has gone up into heaven and He has promised that He will come back." [01:00:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So, the Word of God tells us that we ought to live ready. So, live ready for what? You know, as we go through in the next few years or however long it might be, we are going to face some difficult times. You are going to face some difficult times. But in the midst of those times, you must still be ready and prepared because Jesus said, if I go, I will come again. And He has gone up into heaven and He has promised that He will come back." [01:01:00] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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