Texts: Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5

Series: Are You Ready?

What time is it? This powerful question echoes through Pastor Matt's sermon as he weaves together memories of his adolescent basketball career with the urgent message of Advent readiness. Drawing from Matthew's Gospel and Paul's letter to the Romans, Pastor Matt reframes the traditional "end times" narrative into a compelling call for present-day kingdom living. Rather than fostering fear about future events, he says these texts illuminate an invitation to spiritual alertness – much like a bench player ready to enter the game at any moment. Through the powerful metaphor of baptism, Pastor Matt explains how we "put on Christ" and embrace the disciplines of kingdom living: worshiping together, studying Scripture, nurturing faith through prayer, and actively pursuing justice and peace. He highlights the baptisms within Sunday's service as an opportunity for us all to renew our baptismal commitments, reminding us that the resurrection has already changed everything. The time for kingdom living isn't in some distant future – it's now. Just as basketball players ask "What time is it? Game time!" Pastor Matt challenges us to live intentionally as citizens of God's kingdom today, working toward Isaiah's vision of a world transformed by God's peaceful rule.