November 30, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"Stay Awake" (Matthew 24:36-44)

Lectionary Readings — First Sunday of Advent — November 30, 2025

Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

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Call to Worship (based on Matthew 24:36-44)

Leader: We gather in this sacred hour, not knowing what tomorrow holds,

People: But trusting in the One who holds all our tomorrows.

Leader: Keep awake, for we do not know the day or the hour,

People: We stay alert, watching for signs of God’s coming kingdom.

Leader: In the ordinary moments—working in the fields, preparing our daily bread—

People: We remain ready, for God breaks into our lives when we least expect.

Leader: Like Noah building an ark while others went about their business,

People: We prepare our hearts, even when the world around us is unaware.

Leader: No one knows the day—not the angels, not even the Son,

People: So we live each day in faithful expectation, ready to welcome Christ.

Leader: Therefore, keep awake! Be ready!

People: For the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

All: We worship the God of surprises, who comes to us in unexpected ways. Let us be watchful, faithful, and ready. Amen.

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Opening Prayer (based on Isaiah 2:1-5)

Let us pray:

Gracious and Holy God, we lift our eyes to you, the One whose house stands firm upon the mountain, the One to whom all nations are called to stream. We come this day from many paths, carrying the burdens of our week, longing to hear your word, yearning to learn your ways.

Teach us, O Lord, that we might walk in your paths. Let your word go forth from this place—not just into our ears, but into our hearts, transforming how we live and reshaping how we love.

We dream with you, O God, of the day when weapons of war become tools of peace, when swords are beaten into plowshares, when nations study war no more. Until that day comes in fullness, make us instruments of your peace in our homes, our workplaces, and our communities.

Dispel the darkness that clouds our vision. Call us out of the shadows of fear and division. Help us to walk in your light—the light that guides, the light that heals, the light that unites.

Come, Lord, and meet us in this hour. Speak your truth to our waiting hearts. In the name of Christ, the Light of the World, we pray. Amen.

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[NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon]

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Sermon Outline: "STAY AWAKE"

Based on Matthew 24:36-44

Introduction:

• The season of Advent: a time of waiting and watching

• Jesus speaks about His second coming with urgency

• A call to readiness that echoes through the centuries

I. WAITING (v. 36)

A. The Mystery of Divine Timing

B. The Humility This Requires

C. The Advent Posture

II. WARNING (vv. 37-41)

A. The Pattern of the Past

B. The Problem of Complacency

C. The Suddenness of Separation

D. The Warning for Today

III. WATCHING (vv. 42-44)

A. The Command to Vigilance

B. The Reason for Watchfulness

C. The Illustration of the Thief

D. The Call to Readiness

E. What Readiness Looks Like

CONCLUSION:

• Christ came once in humility (Christmas)

• Christ will come again in glory (Second Coming)

• We live in between, watching and waiting

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Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers