The Parable of the Faithful Servant

Intro

Tonight, We continue moving through our Kingdom Secrets Series, talking about the Parables of Jesus. We’ve made it a long way so far, so let me catch you up.

We looked at the Parable of The Sower, and the way that the world can be a dangerous place for the Christian.

We discussed how important it is to be a light to the world

We looked at how genuine faith in God can move mountains!

and we’ve looked at how God offers us the Vineyard, and only expects us to truly follow Him.

Tonight: We’re going to discuss something so important, that Jesus repeats himself multiple times within a few verses.

“Be on Guard” and “Stay Awake”

Tonight, we find ourselves in what’s called the Olivet Discourse. Basically, this just means that Jesus is teaching this parable on the Mount of Olives.

The Parable of the Tenants, which we studied a few weeks ago, was taught in the chapter before. The tone is similar to that of our last parable.

Let me ask you this. Have you ever told someone something, and you can tell by the glazed over look in their eyes that they are checked out completely? That’s how the people are acting. Jesus is literally giving them all the answers to the biggest questions in life, and they aren’t paying attention.

It’s like they’re sleep walking. They are moving, but they aren’t awake.

Lets read Mark 13 together

Mark 13:3–5 ESV

3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray.

Here: the Disciples are asking when will the “Anti-Christ” come, and when will Jesus come back? Basically, how will we know this stuff is about to happen?

There could be a ton of reasons why they’re asking, but the most likely is just like us. They want to know, so that they can make sure they’ve got everything ready for His return. Many of us today, want to know so that we can act however we want to act, and then ask for forgiveness right before he comes back.

Jesus’s response is to sit them down, kind of like a grandfather would, and say Boy/Girl let me tell you a story. and listen closely so that no one can tell you otherwise.

The first thing He tells them is to:

(1) Be on Guard when things get hard

Because that’s when our Faith will be tested!

Mark 13:9 ESV

9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.

Grandpa - “Son, this life is gonna be real hard, and people are gonna betray you, but don’t let those people destroy your faith, Be On Guard!”

(2) Be on Guard when False Teachers show up

Because that’s when our Spirit will be tested!

Mark 13:21–23 ESV

21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

Grandpas - “Sweety, there are gonna be people that lie to you. Don’t let them break your spirit. Be on Guard”

The Tribulation

I had a great aunt who could paint a picture with her stories in such a way that had me hanging on every word! In the midst of His teaching, He takes a moment to paint the picture of what the end will look like.

Jesus describes it by saying:

Mark 13:24–28 ESV

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

It’s both terrifying and beautiful at the same time!!

A few weeks ago, we talked about what a paradise the Vineyard was.

How it had everything that we could ever need!

This picture that Jesus is painting is so far from that “Vineyard” that He painted just one chapter ago.

and to wrap up that Grandparent like conversation, Jesus tells His disciples to:

(3) Be on Guard to avoid falling Asleep

This is where i really want us to focus tonight

Let’s read Vs. 32-37 together

Mark 13:32–37 ESV

32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

In this main section of Scripture, I’m really gonna be asking yall more than i’m telling you, and i really want you to think about it!

In Vs. 34:

It says that the “man” is “leaving Home”. Jesus is foretelling that He will leave this world, and leave the Church (His family) to us. Do you think that it would be hard to trust someone else with the safety of your family?

The second thing is that - We also see that the “servants” all have specific “work”.

Guys - We as Christians are the servants that He’s talking about. What is this work? What is the work that God is calling you to, and are you doing it?

(Leader notes) - We are each given a specific giftings within the kingdom of God that we are to use to worship the Lord.

Finally we see that phrase “Stay awake” again (Vs. 35).

Much like the “Builder” from the Parable of the tenants. Jesus is going to return, and no one knows when. How should knowing this guide how we live our lives?

When we know that our parents will be home soon, should we (not do we) wait until we here their car door shut to try to do our chores?

Some of yall are laughing, but how would it be if you had your headphones on, or if you had fallen asleep when they get home.

That’s Jesus’ warning!

In verse 36, Jesus tells us not to fall asleep, not to be distracted by all of the stuff that is constantly begging for our attention.

We are to live in such a way that if Jesus returns at any moment, we’re ready!

We can’t live with this mentality that we “have time” or we “can live for Jesus later”. That’s what Jesus means by being asleep. Living like Jesus isn’t #1, but something that’s there when we need Him.

So let me ask yall two questions to close.

Would you say that most of your peers are “awake” or “asleep”?

Rhetorical Question to conclude: Are you “Awake” or “asleep”