Week 2 I Ready I Living Ready I Pastor Kevin Kringel
Ready
"Living Ready"
Week 2
BIG IDEA: Jesus is coming again. Living ready means choosing Him today, walking faithfully with Him, and bearing fruit until He returns.
INTRODUCTION: ARE YOU READY?
Matthew 25:1–13
Connect to Week 1: Last Sunday, we saw the glorious future awaiting God's people around His throne and at the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Rev. 19)
But today, we turn our attention to what happens before the celebration.
Jesus tells a story about ten bridesmaids awaiting the bridegroom.
- All ten anticipated his arrival.
- All ten carried lamps.
- All ten experienced the delay.
- All ten fell asleep.
- But only five were prepared. (filled on the inside)
Expecting Jesus to return is not the same as being prepared to meet Him.
The central question: What does it mean to live ready? And how can I know that I'm ready?
Jesus' surrounding teachings help us answer.
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1. DECIDE: CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE
Joshua 24:14–15
Joshua gathers Israel and reminds them of God's faithfulness. Then he calls for a response.
- God's past faithfulness calls for a present decision.
- Israel cannot serve the Lord while holding on to other gods.
- Readiness begins with genuine surrender to God.
You cannot live ready without first deciding whom you're living for.
Have I truly surrendered my life to Jesus, or am I simply participating in Christianity?
Once we've decided whom we will serve, we have a glorious reason to live with expectation.
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2. LIVE EXPECTANTLY : REMEMBER WHO IS COMING
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Paul offers encouragement to believers grieving those who have died.
- Jesus is coming again.
- The dead in Christ will rise.
- God's people will be united with Him forever.
- Verse 18: Encourage one another with these words.
Our expectation is rooted in hope, not fear. (It’s a wedding, a reunion, victory over death and the grave; it’s not just spiritual, it’s physical and real).
We are not simply waiting for an event. We are waiting for Someone. Jesus!
The hope of His return should change our perspective on suffering, death, priorities, and eternity.
But the promise of His return raises another question. If we truly expect Jesus to come, how should we be living until He arrives?
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3. LIVE READY: LET YOUR LIFE REFLECT YOUR FAITH
Amos 5:18–24
Woe to all of you who want God’s Judgment Day!
Why would you want to see God, want him to come?
When God comes, it will be bad news before it’s good news,
the worst of times, not the best of times.
Here’s what it’s like: A man runs from a lion
right into the jaws of a bear…
…At God’s coming we face hard reality, not fantasy—
a black cloud with no silver lining.
21-24 “I can’t stand your religious meetings.
I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
That’s what I want. That’s all I want.
Israel anticipated the Day of the Lord, but Amos warned that they were not prepared for what that day would mean.
- They expected God's blessing while neglecting His righteousness. (The inside was empty, like the 5 virgins' lamps: an external appearance of fire without an inner supply of oil).
- They practiced worship (sing-alongs) without practicing justice.
- God was not impressed by religious activity disconnected from faithfulness grounded in love. (What’s on the inside? Heart, Motive, Love, not activity)
Readiness isn't simply what we believe about tomorrow. It's how we live today.
What does living ready look like?
- Surrender daily: Choose Christ above competing loyalties. (Joshua 24:14–15)
- Abide in Christ: Remain connected to Jesus through prayer, His Word, fellowship, and obedience. (John 15:4–5)
- Live righteously: Practice justice, integrity, and compassion. (Amos 5:24)
- Remember and share: Pass God's faithfulness to the next generation. (Psalm 78:4–7) (You share what you love and believe to your children)
- Encourage others: Strengthen others with the hope of Christ's return. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
- Remain faithful: Keep following Jesus through seasons of waiting. (Matthew 25:1–13)
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OIL?
Return briefly to Matthew 25:3–4.
What is the oil, and how can I know I have enough?
Jesus does not explicitly define the oil. It illustrates the preparation that distinguishes the wise from the foolish.
READ/REFERENCE: Ephesians 2:8–10; 1 John 5:11–13
- We are saved by grace through faith, not by accumulating good works.
- Our assurance rests in Jesus Christ and His promises, not our perfect performance.
We don't live faithfully to earn salvation. We live faithfully because we belong to Jesus.
The question isn't whether I've done enough religious things. It is whether I genuinely belong to Christ and am continuing to follow Him.
And what does that kind of faithfulness look like when the waiting lasts longer than we expected?
WHEN THE BRIDEGROOM COMES
RETURN TO: Matthew 25:10–13
The bridegroom arrived. The waiting ended. The prepared entered the celebration.
A moment came when preparation was no longer possible.
Final Challenge:
- DECIDE — Choose Jesus today. (The parable of the Virgins shows us there is a door of opportunity that is closing. Whether it is the Lord’s return or our falling asleep in death, we do not put off our relationship with the Lord.)
- LIVE EXPECTANTLY — Hold firmly to His promise.
- LIVE READY — Let genuine faith shape your daily life.
The goal isn't simply to be ready on the day He comes. It's to be faithful every day until He comes.
Invitation
Do you genuinely belong to Jesus? Have you placed your trust in Him? Are you following Him, or merely assuming you are ready?
Today is an opportunity to surrender your life to Christ, renew your commitment, and confidently place your hope in His grace.
Closing declaration:
"We know He's coming. We know His promises are true. And until that glorious day, we're going to live ready!"
1 Thessalonians 4:17: We will be with the Lord forever.