Preparing for Christ’s Coming: Living in God’s Presence

As we gather in this early Advent season, we are reminded that preparation is not just a seasonal activity, but a daily posture for those who follow Christ. Advent, meaning “to come,” is a time to intentionally remember and celebrate both the first coming of Jesus and to prepare our hearts for his promised return. This preparation is not about fear or stockpiling for the end times, but about cultivating habits that keep us awake, alert, and open to the presence of God in our everyday lives. The kingdom of God is both now and not yet, and we are called to live in that tension with hope and faithfulness.

The call to prepare is rooted in love—loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. This love is not abstract; it is made real in acts of compassion, hospitality, and justice. Feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned are not just good deeds, but ways we encounter Christ himself. In doing these things, we are not only preparing for Christ’s coming, but living as if he is already among us, because through the Holy Spirit, he truly is.

Preparation also means recognizing the “thin places” in our lives—those moments and spaces where the veil between heaven and earth seems especially transparent. These are not always grand or dramatic; often, they are found in the ordinary, unhurried moments when we become aware of God’s presence. In these thin places, we are transformed, anxiety and frustration give way to peace, and we become more like Christ.

We are reminded that doubt and imperfection are part of the journey. Even the disciples doubted, yet Jesus commissioned them to go and make disciples, promising his presence always. Our preparation, then, is not about achieving perfection, but about faithfully living into God’s grace, gathering in community, reading scripture, praying, and serving others. As we begin this Advent journey, may we be refreshed and renewed, knowing that Christ goes with us into every moment and every place.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Preparation is a Daily Posture, Not a One-Time Event Advent reminds us that preparing for Christ is not limited to a season, but is a continual, intentional habit. Each day offers an opportunity to be awake and alert to God’s presence, celebrating both the first coming of Jesus and anticipating his return. This daily preparation shapes our hearts to recognize the movement of God in the ordinary and the extraordinary. [13:03]
• 2. Love is the Foundation of Readiness for Christ The greatest commandments—to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbor as ourselves—are the core of what it means to be prepared. True readiness is not measured by religious activity or end-times anxiety, but by the depth and authenticity of our love, expressed in tangible acts of mercy and justice. In loving others, we encounter Christ himself. [25:19]
• 3. The Kingdom of God is Both Now and Not Yet We live in the tension of God’s kingdom being present and still coming. This means we are called to be observant and open to the ways God is at work around us, even as we long for the fullness of Christ’s return. Our faithfulness in the present is itself a form of preparation for what is to come. [16:56]
• 4. Thin Places: Cultivating Awareness of God’s Presence Thin places are those moments when the distance between heaven and earth seems to collapse, and we sense God’s nearness. These can be found in ordinary life when we slow down, become unhurried, and open ourselves to God. In these moments, transformation happens, and we are reminded that heaven touches earth in the here and now. [35:33]
• 5. Imperfect Faithfulness is Enough—Christ is With Us Even in our doubts and imperfections, Christ calls and commissions us. The promise of his presence is not contingent on our perfection, but on his faithfulness. As we gather, pray, serve, and love, we are assured that Christ goes with us, guiding and empowering us to live as citizens of his kingdom.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [12:08] - Early Advent: Why Prepare Now?
• [13:23] - The Meaning of Advent
• [14:34] - Advent as the Church’s New Year
• [15:18] - The Purpose of Preparation
• [16:56] - The Kingdom: Now and Not Yet
• [17:34] - Jesus’ Words on Readiness (Matthew 24)
• [19:14] - Rethinking Apocalypse and End Times
• [21:29] - A Story of Beans, Rice, and True Preparation
• [24:04] - Loving God and Neighbor: The Greatest Commandments
• [25:44] - Living Out Love: The Sheep and the Goats
• [28:38] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
• [30:14] - The Great Commission and Our Doubts
• [33:50] - Thin Places: Experiencing God’s Presence
• [37:05] - Everyday Preparation and Closing Prayer
• [43:21] - Christ Goes With Us

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 22:34-40 (ESV) — > But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 25:31-40 (ESV) — > “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 24:36-44, what does Jesus say about the timing of his return, and what does he command his followers to do in response?
2. According to Matthew 22:34-40, what are the two greatest commandments, and how do they summarize the law and the prophets?
3. In Matthew 25:31-40, what kinds of actions does Jesus say are evidence of being ready for his coming?
4. The sermon mentions that preparation is not about fear or stockpiling, but about being awake and alert to God’s presence. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate this difference? [22:38]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes that “no one knows the day or hour” of his return? How might this shape the way Christians live day to day? [17:34]
2. The sermon says that loving God and loving neighbor is the foundation of readiness for Christ. Why is love, rather than religious activity or fear, the true measure of preparation? [25:19]
3. In the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25), why does Jesus identify himself with “the least of these”? What does this reveal about how we encounter Christ in daily life? [26:53]
4. The pastor talked about “thin places” where God’s presence feels especially near. Why might ordinary, unhurried moments be important for spiritual transformation? [35:33]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to see preparation as a daily posture, not just a seasonal activity. What is one habit you could start or renew this Advent to help you stay awake and alert to God’s presence each day? [13:03]
2. Think about the two greatest commandments: loving God and loving your neighbor. Is there a specific relationship or situation in your life right now where you sense God calling you to deeper love or compassion? What would a practical next step look like? [25:19]
3. The pastor shared a story about people stockpiling beans and rice out of fear for the end times. Are there ways you find yourself preparing for the future out of anxiety rather than trust in God? How could you shift your focus to preparation rooted in love and faith? [22:38]
4. Jesus says that when we serve the hungry, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned, we are serving him. Who in your daily or weekly life might be “the least of these” that you could reach out to this week? [26:53]
5. The idea of “thin places” is about slowing down and becoming aware of God’s presence. When was the last time you experienced a “thin place”? What could you do to create more space for these moments in your routine? [35:33]
6. The sermon reminds us that doubt and imperfection are part of the journey, and that Christ is with us even when we struggle. Is there an area of your faith where you feel weak or uncertain? How can you invite God’s presence into that space this Advent? [30:39]
7. As we begin Advent, what is one way you want to be “refreshed and renewed” in your walk with Christ? How can the group support you in this? [38:14]