Get Ready, Stay Ready [Preparation]

Church, our scripture says:

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (v. 37)

Advent is not just a season to hang up decorations or buy gifts. Advent is about preparation. It’s about making room for Jesus—not just in Bethlehem long ago, but in our hearts right now.

And the Word tells us: just like the people in Noah’s day weren’t paying attention, we can’t afford to be caught off guard. Advent is God’s reminder: Get ready and stay ready!

Somebody shout—“Stay ready!”

Point 1: Preparation Means Staying Awake (vv. 37–39)

Jesus says in Noah’s day, people were eating, drinking, marrying, and going about life as usual—until the flood came. They weren’t paying attention.

Church, preparation means being spiritually awake. Not lulled to sleep by comfort, busyness, or distraction.

Illustration: Have you ever been driving late at night, eyes getting heavy? You know you’re supposed to be alert, but your body wants to drift. Spiritually, that’s how many of us live—sleepy at the wheel of faith.

Application:

To young folks: don’t let TikTok, Instagram, and peer pressure keep you spiritually asleep.

To the working generation: don’t let the grind make you forget your soul.

To elders: don’t grow weary—you’re still called to be awake in prayer, faith, and witness.

Call and Response: “Neighbor, wake up!” “It’s time to get ready!”

Point 2: Preparation Means Living Ready (vv. 40–41)

Jesus says, “Two will be in the field; one will be taken, the other left.” What does that mean? It means God’s kingdom is breaking in suddenly, and we don’t know when.

Preparation is not about panic—it’s about living ready every day.

Illustration: Anybody ever had company drop by without calling first? You either felt proud your house was in order, or embarrassed scrambling to hide the laundry. Living ready means your spiritual house is always clean.

Our ancestors lived ready. They didn’t know when freedom would come, but they kept singing, “Go down, Moses.” They didn’t know when justice would roll down like waters, but they kept walking and praying.

Application:

Don’t just “get ready” for Sunday morning—live ready Monday through Saturday.

Don’t just live ready in church—live ready at work, at school, in your neighborhood.

Don’t just talk ready—walk ready.

Call and Response: Turn to your neighbor and say: “I don’t just get ready—I stay ready!”

Point 3: Preparation Means Expecting Jesus (vv. 42–44)

Jesus says, “You do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Preparation is not just about avoiding being caught off guard. It’s about actively expecting Jesus!

Illustration: When you’re expecting special company, you prepare the best meal, you put out your finest dishes, you set the table with care. You prepare with joy because you know who’s coming.

Advent is about living with holy expectation. Jesus came once in Bethlehem, He comes daily by His Spirit, and He’s coming again in glory.

Application:

Expect Jesus in your prayer life.

Expect Jesus in your struggles.

Expect Jesus in your breakthroughs.

Call and Response: Somebody shout—“I’m expecting Jesus!”

Celebratory Close

Church, Advent is preparation! And preparation means:

Stay awake—don’t get caught sleeping.

Live ready—keep your spiritual house in order.

Expect Jesus—because He’s coming again!

The songwriter said: “Be ready when He comes, He’s coming again so soon.”

But I like how the elders put it: “You gotta be ready, because you don’t know the day, you don’t know the hour, but you know He’s coming back again.”

So we live ready, because:

The Wonderful Counselor is guiding us.

The Mighty God is keeping us.

The Everlasting Father is covering us.

The Prince of Peace is coming again for us!

Call and Response:

If you’re staying awake—say yes!

If you’re living ready—say yes!

If you’re expecting Jesus—say yes!

Celebration: I don’t know about you, but I’m not just waiting—I’m preparing! I’m not just preparing—I’m expecting! And I’m not just expecting—I’m celebrating right now!

Because the Son of Man is coming, and the church must be ready.

So give God praise—because we’re not just waiting, we’re ready!