Jeremiah Wright’s sermon, “Ready or Not,” delivered at Trinity United Church of Christ, reflects on the nature of God’s arrival and sovereignty. He begins by evoking nostalgia, reminiscing about childhood games [03:18], a time of imaginative play before the digital age. This sets a contrast for the sermon’s central theme: “Ready or Not, Here God Comes.”
Wright emphasizes that God operates on:
God’s Own Time: God’s arrival isn’t contingent on human preparedness. He cites historical figures like Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, and Herod [13:46] to illustrate this point. He also notes how societies, including America, are often “unready” for significant changes, such as a Black man becoming president [17:50].
God’s Own Way: God’s methods are often unexpected. Instead of appearing as a powerful ruler, He arrived as a vulnerable baby in a manger [18:15]. The sermon references biblical accounts to support this, including God’s appearances to:
Abraham and Sarah: Genesis 17 details God’s covenant with Abraham and the promise that Sarah would bear a son.
The Red Sea: Exodus 14:21-29 describes God parting the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape.
The Lion’s Den: Daniel 6 recounts how God sent an angel to protect Daniel in the lion’s den.
God’s Terms: God’s terms challenge the status quo and human understanding [23:39]. Mary’s song, also known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), is cited as an example of how God elevates the lowly and brings down the powerful.
God’s Sovereignty: Wright concludes by affirming God’s ultimate authority: “God is Sovereign” and acts according to His will [28:14]. He emphasizes God’s self-sufficiency and faithfulness to His promises [28:44].
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