When You Stay Ready, You Don't Have to Get Ready

This sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparedness in the Christian life, drawing from 1 Peter 1:10-16. Pastor Bernard challenges believers to understand that life is filled with battles and trials, but these should not catch us off guard. The message centers on two main commands: to have hope and to be holy. By preparing our minds for action through discipline and self-control, and by living holy lives that reflect God's nature, believers can stand firm when challenges come. The sermon stresses that our living hope, rooted in Christ's death and resurrection, should transform how we live daily. Rather than waiting until trouble arrives to get ready, Christians must "pre-decide" to live according to God's word and maintain non-negotiable commitments to faith, hope, and holiness. This preparation enables believers to face any circumstance with confidence because their hope is completely set on Christ.