Jesus Ready
Notes
Transcript
I didn’t realize that phrases could have different meaning to other people than they do for me.
When you are planning on leaving or getting ready to go some where and you ask that infamous question, “Are you ready to go?”
Apparently there is more than one definition for the phrase.
I didn’t realize this until I go married.
My background (Military) help define this phrase for me.
For my wife’s background was different. Raised with 3 sisters and one bathroom.
Share the story of Shelly and I
I don’t ask “Are you ready?”
Are you “Rod Ready” vs “Shelly Ready”
Are you “Rod Packed” vs “Shelly Packed”
This is not that one way is wrong and the other way is right.
It just helps me to know if we are READY or not!
When we get ready there are things that help .....
We set a time to leave (We know the time!)
This is so it’s not a sudden thing that comes upon us.
We predict the time we need to leave.
We are aware of when we need to leave.
For some events there is this sense of “excitement”
For others “no so excited” (Leaving family/grandkids to come back home).
Some of these events we have to fight to stay awake (Usually driving late at night).
Most times we leave only to turn around about 1/2 mile down the road because we forgot something. (Meaning we were NOT READY.)
Sometimes it was unexpected (The trip got cancelled).
Being ready is important!
Being ready for whatever it may be (Party, meeting, concert, dinner) is because we know the time and location. (Sometimes we don’t know!)
Today is the First Sunday of Advent!
We take these next few weeks to reflect what we are getting ready to celebrate: The Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Today we are going to look at being “Jesus Ready.” (Rod Ready and Shelly Ready)
Jesus talks about an event that will take place and He is longing for us to “Be READY!”
Matt. 24:36-44 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
A couple thousand years ago they celebrated an event that they were anticipating for many years and it finally came.
Over the next few weeks we will be getting ready for Christmas (Getting Ready to celebrate/remember).
Divinity entered humanity to extend salvation for all.
But today we are also anticipating another event where our savior will return to Rapture His Children (Followers).
This is what Matthew is referencing in Chapter 24:36-44
Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
“But” conjunction word used to connect what was said earlier (Matthew 24:3 “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”)
“that day and hour” Matthew helps us to understand it is concerning a specific day and hour!
We can know the signs that will precede it but the day and hour (NO!)
Jesus tells us that “no one knows” (Matthew 24:24 “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”)
To help make His point Jesus uses a familiar story for those of that day, NOAH!
Matthew 24:37 “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Jesus is saying, you want to know how this will all go down, Look at Noah!.
Noah’s time, they didn’t know the specific day or hour!
For 120 years they were hearing Noah tell of this event coming.
Jesus tells us they all focused on life opposed to prophecy.
Matthew 24:38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,”
The important aspect of this verse is that the message is about judgement coming, not because people are engaged in evil acts but because they conducted normal activities of life without considering the approach of divine judgement.
This is what we find today ..... People living out their daily lives without considering the 2nd coming of Christ and Judgement!
Look at what Matthew 24:39 “and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
The people of Noah’s day was “unaware!”
Two Greek words:
Ouk - Not
Ginosko - Understand
The people didn’t understand!
receiving knowledge by perceiving (NOT)
Until the flood came! (TOO LATE)
Jesus says, “so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Jesus then gives them 2 example to help makes His point,
Matthew 24:40-41 “Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.”
It will be sudden and unpredictable! (Taken and one left)
Matthew 24:42 “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”
“Therefore” - These things being said .... (referencing previous verses)
Jesus gives a command, “Stay awake!”
Greek (Gregoreo) - Followers of Christ are exhorted to be watchful and alert either to dangers or for opportunities. (Be Looking!) (Eyes Open!)
Matthew 24:44 “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
“Therefore”
“must be ready”
“Must” (Ginomai) - to become, to be ready
“be ready” (Hetoimos) - state of readiness, to be ready, ready!
Not “Rod Ready” “Shelly Ready” but “JESUS READY!
Ready Ready!
We don’t know the time (Hour or the day) But we need to be Jesus Ready!
It will be sudden and unpredictable!
What is unclear to us - When the Lord will return!
What is very clear to us - many will be unprepared!
Noah’s story clarifies this!
Jesus is reminding us “BE READY!”
Continue to live ......... Just remember what you’re living for, who your living to see; Jesus!
Stop looking for the day and Hour
Stay awake!
Be ready, ready ..... Be Jesus Ready