Be Prepared

This message confronts us with a penetrating question: Are we truly prepared for the return of Christ and the marriage supper of the Lamb? Drawing from Revelation 19:7, we're reminded that the bride of Christ—the church—must prepare herself, not passively wait. The imagery is striking: at this heavenly wedding feast, we'll be clothed in fine white linen representing our good deeds, holy lifestyle, and commitment to Christ. This isn't about earning salvation, but about the reality that how we live matters eternally. The sermon walks us through seven critical areas of preparation: preparing against being unprepared (like the five foolish virgins who ran out of oil), preparing against temptation, preparing against the thief who seeks to steal our joy and purpose, preparing for good works, preparing to minister, preparing to lead by example, and preparing to give a clear biblical testimony. Each area is grounded in Scripture and challenges us to move beyond casual Christianity into intentional discipleship. The basketball analogy resonates deeply—some athletes show up and do what's required, while others arrive early, stay late, and take thousands of practice shots to be ready when the game intensifies. Which kind of Christian are we? The call isn't to perfectionism but to purposeful preparation, recognizing that presenting ourselves approved before God requires daily dedication to seeking Him, studying His Word, and living out our faith authentically.