Prepared Servants
Notes
Transcript
Open your bibles with me to Luke 12:35-48
Have you ever found yourself immersed in a good novel?
One that the characters and plot have you completed engulfed.
You are curious what happens next.
And maybe you find yourself concerned so much, you brace for what’s coming.
You flip ahead, Maybe you scan all the way to the back of the book,
to make sure you know WHO made it and survived.
What happens at the end.
I don’t recommend you read that way, it’s just a book. Enjoy it!
But, should you do that it, changes the way you read.
Some of the suspense is gone. Some of the air is out.
There is a freedom to enjoy the ride, because you have comfort about the ending…..
But in life, knowing the end matters!
That is similar to Jesus’ point here in this passage.
We began Luke 12 with a warning against Phariseesism.
And now, he speaks of the RETURN of CHRIST.
And at first you may be thinking. Well, how did we get here.
And the reality is, it’s been baked into the cake this entire chapter, and its just becoming more clear now.
NOTHING is covered that will not be revealed! (v.2).
Don’t fear Him who can kill the body, but him who can destroy both body and soul in hell (v.5).
If you acknowledge me before men, then the Son of Man will acknowledge you before the angels of God (v.8).
EAT, DRINK and BE MERRY! BUT GOD says, YOU FOOL, tonight your soul is required of you! (v.19).
Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (v.34).
It’s been hiding in plain sight.
Death is a reality.
Eternity is sure.
Judgement is real. Christ is King,
God’s Kingdom is here, and One day, He will return.
Jesus intends these words to anchor us.
He intends the reality of the future, to shape our how we LIVE now.
Sermon Summary - Living with future hope changes our present perspective.
Jesus intends the reality of His return to alter the way in which we live.
The hope to which we cling. The direction and disposition of our lives.
That we anchor our actions and hope in a future reality that shapes everything about how we live.
35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” 41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
I. We Must Be Ready For The Lord’s Return (v.35-40)
I. We Must Be Ready For The Lord’s Return (v.35-40)
v.35 - Begins with an imperative.
The command is - STAY. It’s literally the VERB - TO BE….Be this way…..
The whole idea here is BE READY!! ….
NOT get ready, but BE READY!!
And it’s carried by 3 participles.
a. BE - Dressed for Action (lit to gird one self).
Pull up the robe, (gird up between the thighs, and prepare to RUN!
With Sleeves rolled up. Calls back the Exodus language from Ex 11.
That Israel must be prepared to leave Egypt at a moments notice; Ready to move into notice.
b. BE - Keeping your lamps burning -
You must be ready to move in the darkness.
Jesus is saying you need to be able to see and act in the cover of darkness.
c. BE - like men, Waiting for their master. -
Looking around for their master to come home from the wedding feast.
They are expectant, waiting, dependent. Looking forward to the arrival of their master.
PURPOSE - SO that they may open the door at once he comes at knocks.
Jesus is leaning into the culture norms.
It’s a parable….. a series of parables.
Jesus is intentionally using distasteful language and realities, to make His point.
He’s teaching.
HE’s addressing a common image in society to provoke thoughtful reflection among the hearer.
This gives way to 2 responses -
Ready (v.37-38)
2. Not Ready (v.39)
Which is then followed by a principle and conclusion in v.40. You must be ready (for) BECAUSE the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
WE MUST BE Ready - (v.37-38)
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
Jesus says “blessed are those servants”- word there for servant is the word for slave. DOULOS.
It’s an oxymoron.
How are slaves blessed. Why would JESUS says this?
They are blessed. Because
They are ALERT (awake) when he comes.
That is They ARE READY!
When he comes, they are able to open the door and let in their master, who is returning from the wedding feast!
And the slave is blessed.
Because when the Master comes, the Master dresses Himself, and reclines them at table, and comes and serves them.
This is role reversal.
Where the master or Lord, becomes the servant.
This is filled with eschatological language.
That’s a fancy word for END TIMES. The return of Christ.
The eschatological hope and blessing mentioned in Luke 13:29
29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.
Promises seen of a coming KINGDOM when Jesus speaks at the Lord’s SUPPER in Luke 22:18-19
It’s seen in passages like Rev 19:9 - marriage supper of the LAMB
Jesus is helping His disciples understand,
they ought to be LONGING for this.
The return of their Lord.
Why wouldn’t we long for that?
I think we wouldn't long for it, because we don’t realize what it means!
I think when we hear that, we are most often puzzled.
We are more concerned with predictions
than the presence of the King who is COMING.
To add to the confusion.
We have bad books written about eschatology.
Like LEFT BEHIND series, RAPTURE!
It’s anchored more in FEAR than biblical truth
Paul doesn’t write like that about the 2nd coming!!
He was excited for the return of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead!!
Jesus desired his followers be EXCITED and long for that day!
And Jesus is saying let the reality of my return govern your present hope!
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
This isn’t describing some pre-trib RAPTURE…..
this is speaking of the Lord’s RETURN!!
It’s NOT two events.
It’s all happening at the same time.
A meeting the Lord in the air, when JESUS IS RETURNING.
OUR HOPE IS NOT to be taking out of the EARTH.
It’s JESUS coming to the EARTH to bring FINAL REDEMPTION!
Our hope is to be with the Lord when HE RETURNS!!
But the return of Christ is everywhere in scripture. IT’s the final hope.
That CHRIST has come in the flesh, THAT…..
He’s died on the cross, He rose again!
He has ascended in the heavens.
He IS KING, HE IS LORD and one day, He is coming again!!
It the day the the TRUMPET will sound - the DEAD and CHRIST will RISE.
The Lord will return, SIN and DEATH will be DESTROYED!!
Believers will be freed from sin and guilt!!
The old nature abolished. The world and it’s fallenness restored!!
SATAN and his DEMON thrown into the lake of FIRE!
Sinners CONDEMNED!
It’s when every sin and vice that has distorted our world will be removed!!
ABORTION ended, SLAVERY gone, PORNOGRAPHY erraticated.
NEGLECT and ABUSE no more.
EVERY EVIL VICE ;
EVERY FORM OF SIN and REBELLION AGAINST GOD and His WORD, IS JUDGED.
EVERY WRONG is RIGHTED by our LORD!!!
This is our HOPE. This is the HOPE of GLORY!!
WHY WOULDN’T we LONG FOR THIS!!
And JESUS says we ought to live in that future REALITY that would govern our present life!!
NOT living for this world, or treasure in this world!!
NOT living to be successful, but living as a servant of CHRIST.
Living in humility. Living like CHRIST!
This is how Christ lived among us!!
And for the Kingdom of God, this looks like the first becoming last.
This looks like serving.
It looks like the MASTER , putting on the attire of the servant, and the role reversal here,
and serving those who are subject to them!
Jesus has told His disciples this.
And he will soon show His disciples this.
5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
This is a beautiful picture of grace and mercy.
This isn’t a begrudging relationship, but one of LOVE.
One of service. One of delight!!
The servant delights int he coming of His MASTER.
And the Master delights in serving his servants!!
THEY ARE LONGING FOR THEIR MASTER’s RETURN!!
And so they are UP, watching, waiting!
And they open the door at once when he knocks!!
Even if (v.38) he comes in the middle of the night.
In the 2nd or 3rd watch.
There was a few ways to divide the night.
But a watchman was always on guard to defend and look for enemies.
They were always alert!! Even in the middle of the night!
Even past the middle of the night!
THEY ARE PREPARED!!
Looking, AWAKE and waiting for the His return!!
Jesus, says this is how you ought to live in light of my return!!
Rejoicing, anticipating, delighting, READY for it!!
CONTRAST - v.39 NOT READY
39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
Jesus is point is NOT that He’s a thief. It’s a parable.
The image works either way.
It’s a word picture, and a vivid image.
And that’s what he wants you to see.
The first is image of SURPRISE!!
To be broken into means- literally to dig through the wall.
That’s how you would break into a house in Palestine…
You wouldn’t climb through a window or a door,
you would dig through the dirt wall to gain entry..
Because know this -
If the house holder, had known when the thief was coming.
He would have stopped him.
Of Course he would have protected it.
Thieves don’t alert you to when they come.
They just come unexpected.
And the only way to prevent them is vigilance.
You can’t be unprepared.
Least a thief come and steal your treasure!
You must be watching and waiting, looking around, entrusting to PROVIDENCE, looking to the Lord and living rightly!!
And the 2nd image is that of LOSS.
NOT in the sense that Jesus steals.
But when he comes. He is coming in judgement.
And he is coming to punish sin, and evil!
CONCLUSION
40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
CONCLUSION - You must be READY -
NOT Become READY!! YOU MUST BE READY! (v.40)
REASON - because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do NOT expect.
The Son of Man is how Jesus speaks about Himself.
We’ve seen this through Luke. It’s apocalyptic language.
It comes from Daniel 7.
So there are some things we do know about the Lord’s return.
We can know that it is good for those who hope in Christ.
We can know the Lord is coming to destroy sin, and to punish evil.
We can know for those who are living rightly it will be their joy!
And for those living in wickedness, it will be of judgement.
We can know much, BUT there is somethings that are simply a mystery.
We don’t know when the Lord will come.
And therefore, we must be prepared!!
We must be governed by that future REALITY to change the way we LIVE in this present moment!
TO BE PREPARED!! WE MUST BE READY!
II. We Must Be Faithful and Not Foolish Managers (v.41-46)
II. We Must Be Faithful and Not Foolish Managers (v.41-46)
41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
Peter asks a question. Essentially who are you talking to?
US, the disciples, or them the crowd?
There has been back and forth throughout.
He was speaking to his disciples.
He speaks to the crowd, as a man interrupts.
Jesus addressed his disciples and then the crowd again.
So, WHO are you telling this parable for?
And Jesus doesn’t directly answer his question.
And in doing so, show us TWO responses.
One of FAITHFULNESS and one of the FOOL.
Who then is the FAITHFUL servant (v.42). who is the believing and reliable (PISTIS) and wise manager.
The term there SERVANT is NOT DOLOUS.
It is OIKONOMOS. literally HOUSE (oikos) LAW (nomas).
The law keeper of the house.
Who was given authority to oversee a house and estate in the absence of his Master.
He was to care for the family and care for the house.
This is isn’t a position of power but one of service.
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
V.43 - they are blessed, and the word there SERVANT is DOULOS, who is obedient when his master comes.
He is serving well.
He is caring for the needs of the house and the estate.
To Him, more is given to him (v.44) .
He was faithful with little and more is given.
He is set over ALL HIS POSSESSIONS.
This is escalation.
He received a GREATER treasure and GREATER reward that is now HIS!
Jesus has been hinting at this -
To NOT be rich in possession, but instead be RICH towards GOD (Luke 12:21).
To NOT lay up treasure on earth, but better treasure in HEAVEN (Luke 12:33).
28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
and in the Parable of the Ten Minas Luke 19 - Of the good servant, who was faithful with little, was given authority over much more!!
And Peter’s just over there, going, but Jesus who are you talking to?
Are you talking to US, the disciples?
In which, the Apostle Paul would say.
He is a minister. A SERVANT of CHRIST.
And More is required of stewards that they be found faithful (1 Cor 4:1-2).
And certaintly those who teach will be judged with a greater strictness (James 3:1)
And that is true.
Those who feed Christ’s church must be faithful stewards.
They must be above reproach.
They will be held to a high standard. A STRICTER judgement.
And Jesus just sort of lets this hang.
BUT - CONTRAST - v.45 - of UNFAITHFULNESS
45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.
That SLAVE (servant) says to himself.
Literally - to His heart. My master is delayed.
He begins to question. He DOUBTS.
He doesn't live in faith. HE isn’t prepared.
He isn’t ready. And now lives in disobedience!
And he begins to BEAT the other male and female servants.
This is WICKED! He lives recklessly.
He lives without responsibility. He is eating and drinking and being merry (Luke 12:19) .
He’s a BAD steward. He’s living as a fool!
Here is a man given responsibility to oversee and look after and tend, and manage.
But instead, he squandered it.
the QUESTION may come, WHY did he do this?
And some say, it is because of the delay.
But that’s a short-sided way of thinking.
The problem ISN’T timing. The problem is what’s in his HEART.
This is a HEART issue, and his HEART is exposed as wicked and evil, through his own actions.
And the implication then (v.46) is that the MASTER of that servant will come (again)
when he does NOT expect, in an hour he does NOT know, and destroy HIM!…
It will NOT be good for HIM on that day…..
Because He forgot of a coming return…..Don’t fear those who can destroy the body, but the one who can throw into hell (Luke 12:5).
The MASTER of the servant will .
(1) Cut him into pieces (Psalm 50:22)
Literally be cut into two. (Much like AGAG - 1 Sam 15:33)
A fitting response to unfaithfulness and covenant breaking (Jer 34:18)
and (2) I will put him with the unfaithful. ….The non-believing!
This is a picture of rejection.
Matthew adds color to this - to say this is for the Hypocrite.
They are punished in the place of weeping and gnashing of TEETH (Matthew 24:51).
You know, some people read this and they say, WOW that sounds harsh.
I can’t believe Jesus would speak this way.
And we would only say that because we have a distorted view of what’s right and wrong.
THIS GUY has wronged people.
He’s treated without regard.
He’s BEATEN those without cause.
He’s mistreated those entrusted into HIS CARE.
He had been entrusted to care for the MASTER’s estate.
For HIS family. For HIS house.
For the things most precious to the MASTER Of the HOUSE.
AND THE MASTER RETURNS and He’s abusing people!
He’s doing the opposite of CARE.
He’s destroying life, NOT building others up.
He’s taken advantage of people. He’s hurting people!!
….He’s been destroying this MASTER’s things!!
And Jesus says, this man is going to PAY!!
And what is coming is VINDICATION.
What is coming to true justice.
RIGHTs - wronged. JUDGEMENT rendered!
THIS Guy isn’t getting off anymore for HIS for WICKEDNESS!
A SUDDENLY and without warning.
What he FORGOT to fear could happen…..DOES HAPPEN!
The MASTER RETURNS and executes JUSTICE and JUDGEMENT!
And such is the DAY of the LORD.
A day of WRATH, A DAY OF DISTRESS and anguish, a day of darkness and gloom (Zeph 1:14-18).
The Lord will make right the sin and evil of our world.
When the Lord will execute JUDGEMENT on HIS ENEMIES and defend HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE.
When God rights the wrong of evil.
When SATAN is bound. Evil is judged.
It’s going to come quickly!
IT going to come by surprise!!
UPON both the FAITHFUL SERVANTS - they will be BLESSED….
BUT THE UNFAITHFUL SERVANTS, they will be judged!!
And Peter’s going - Lord, are you telling this for us or for all?!?
Do you mean those shepherds and leaders who neglect the care of soul?
Who are false teachers and will judged more strictly by the Lord?
And certaintly who to that man who ABUSES one of God sheep.
Whoa to that shepherd who neglects the care of the Lord’s church, for his own gain.
Who parades in righteousness, but lives in wickedness.
His deeds will be uncovered. His evil will be exposed.
Those who are WOLVES among the flock,
will RECEIVE their just condemnation, and it will NOT be sweet.
It will be SEVERE.
God reserves the harsh punishment for those who knew the most, but lived in blatant disobedience and rebellion.
And Jesus sort of lets it hang.
III. We Must Steward Wisely What We Have Been Given (v.47-48)
III. We Must Steward Wisely What We Have Been Given (v.47-48)
There are TWO responses - to this point.
The FAITHFUL SERVANT and the UNFAITHFUL SERVANT.
But unfaithfulness is demonstrated in more ways than one.
And I SENSE that is what Jesus describes here in verse Luke 12: 47-48)
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
In VERSE 47 - You see that servant -
Who KNEW his master’s will.
But he disobeyed in willful and conscience objection! …
He did NOT get ready.
He did NOT act according to the will of His master.
And the result is he will be punished, with a SEVERE BEATING.
The word there is DERO, different from the beating in v.45 and 48.
And it means to be struck with a severe heavy strike.
There are some that argue this is speaking to the servant that beat the other slaves.
However, I see this NOT as a continuation of his punishment from verse 46,
BUT rather intentional warning against a posture of blatant disobedience to God’s command,
ESPECIALLY among those who have been entrusted with care and oversight.
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
So I take Jesus to be now showing in principle TWO types of disobedience.
ONE blatant and one Accidental.
The blatant, receives a SEVERE punishment….
Jesus continues in Luke 12:48
48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating…
The one who did NOT know, but still disobeyed recieved a lighter punishment.
They plea only ignorance.
This distinction between SIN with knowledge and SIN without knowledge is a OLD TESTAMENT principle seen in passages like Numbers 15:22-26 and Deut 17:12.
Jesus isn’t trying to teach case law….
and how to function in society….he’s talking in parables.
He’s using the current cultural context to make his point…a retributive justice principle….
those know what they are supposed to do…..
they’ve been given a job, they don’t do it.
They suffer the consequences….
but the person who doesn’t understand will suffer, but NOT to the same degree.
This is why we have a variety of degrees to punishment….
MURDER, manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter,
because MOTIVE, knowledge, ignorance…..MATTER
YOU MUST BE prepared for my return.
AND YOU are responsible for what you do!
Even those in ignorance will NOT be excused.
It WON’T be as great a punishment, but they will be punished.
Let the future reality govern you present life.
And then Jesus give a guiding principle -
…Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
In short, those who have been given responsibility will be measured on what they have been given.
And the MORE that has been entrusted more will be required of them.
That is CERTAINLY TRUE with TEACHERS and LEADERS.
Consider - 1 Co 3:10-15; 1 Co 4:1-5; 1 Tim 4:12-16; 2 Peter 2:1-2, 13.
That PASTORS and LEADERS have an obligation,
and a stricter judgement because of the responsibilities they have been given!!
They ought to steward that careful and wisely.
With great wisdom and patience.
KEEPING A CLOSE watch on their doctrine and their lives.
Being a careful shepherd the the Lord’s flock entrusted into their care.
It’s also seen in passages like Acts 20:26-35.
Of which, this would have certaintly be true of the DISCIPLES. The 12.
Luke 8:10 - who had been given the secrets of the KINGDOM of God.
Luke 9:1 - who had been given authority to cast out demons.
Luke 12:32 - who had been given the kingdom as members of the little flock of God.
They are to steward what God has entrusted them wisely!!
But it’s also seen of Israel and the people in the crowd as well.
There are judged for what they know.
And because they have recieved, they are know accountable. Luke 10:12-14 - when Jesus pronounces WOE’s on various
JEWISH CITIES for their UNBELIEF!!
And even if they claim they didn’t know,
they will still be judged, just with lesser punishment,
for their lack of faith.
This why Mark 13:37 - JESUS says to EVERYONE
37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
This is a word, YES, to the SERVANTS and MINISTERs and LEADERS, they have been given much….
But in another. It’s a word to EVERYONE!!
The the crowd too is liable to what they have been given.
The gospel they have heard preached.
They can’t plead ignorance.
And even if they were ignorant, they is still a just consequence for their lack of faith.
The evidence of God and CHRIST work are all around!
The passage uses the master-servant relationship as its framework,
but this reflects the broader kingdom principle that ALL men have been entrusted with something:
TIME, talents, resources, relationships, spiritual gifts, knowledge of the gospel itself.
The degree to which someone has been given these things determines the degree to which they’re accountable.
That’s true for non-believers….
that’s true for those who have NEVER heard the gospel.
That’s true for those who profess faith but live as unfaithful servants.
They will judged and punished to the degree they culpable.
But NO one is getting off, when the Master returns!
And there is Peter - JESUS. WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?
US OF ALL?
And I sense that Jesus’ answer is YES!!
CONCLUSION:
It’s interesting that Peter is the one asking the question.
I think he GOT the point.
In fact turn 1 Peter 1:3. I think that in this passage.
You see that PETER is writing and he pastors us in what this means.
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
PETER GOT IT!
And the lesson HE LEARNED he now teaches US!!
What it means to WAIT HOPEFULLY and GIRD UP YOUR LOINS,
and to LIVE WISELY with our lamps burning!! WAITING OUR BLESSED HOPE!!
Peter essentially gives us two principles here on what he’s been taught and how to live faithfully in light of the 2nd coming of JESUS.
the FIRST is that we FORSAKE SIN -
We fight against it!
We recognize it in us.
It’s NOT that we aren’t tempted by it, but that we fight to FORSAKE IT!!
v.14 - DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THE PASSIONS OF YOUR FORMER IGNORANCE!!
That we recognize those tendencies within us toward sin.
We put it to death.
That when we we are tempted to gossip.
We instead speak well of others and build up.
When tempted towards lust,
we pursuit purity instead.
That we are tempted to covet,
we consider the blessing and providence of God!!
Don’t live in the way you once were!!
LIVE IN THE WAY OF THE REDEEMED MAN, REDEEMED WOMAN!!!
That when we are tempted to live in sin and as a bad steward of mercy.
We are righted to live faithfully instead!!
“Be killing Sin or It will be killing you!” - John Owen
And the 2nd way - is FIGHT FOR HOLINESS!
5 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
This holiness is to leak into every part of our lives.
That’s in our public lives.
In our private lives. In our vocations. In our recreation!
In our homes and how we treat our family and our kids,
and how we LIVE AS WAITING on this coming hope of CHRIST’s RETURN!
And don’t do it because JUST BECAUSE God says so!!
Peter says you do it, because GOD is SO!! -
He hasn’t just said BE HOLY!! AS HE. IS. HOLY!!
You may be asking….
Where is the GOSPEL in this text?
And the reality is We are very near the implications of the gospel.
THAT FOR THOSE WHO TRUST in JESUS have a glorious HOPE AWAIT them….
AND NOT LIVE AS AN UNFAITHFUL SERVANT, LEAST YOU BE JUDGED AS ONE!
And those who reject JESUS, have a reality of coming JUDGMENT!
That the time of repentance and faith in JESUS is NOW.
The time to align your life to the way of CHRIST is now!!
JUDGMENT IS COMING!
But in another sense - the gospel is the very motivation of this text.
It is what compels us to live this way!!
It’s the love of CHRIST and the GRACE WE HAVE received!!
Which really, gets back to the question - WHY would Jesus call any slave blessed?
And He does it three times in this passage of scripture.
And the answer is because they were aware and awake at their masters return.
And they lived in such a way that honored HIM!!
And at HIS RETURN.
He was BLESSED, because HE RECEIVED the blessing of his MASTER’s KINGDOM on HIMSELF.
HE’s BLESSED because HIS MASTER comes and SERVES HIM -
and HIS MASTER WELCOMES HIM to the FAMILY TABLE AND TO THE FAMILY FEAST!! (v.37)
He’s BLESSED BECAUSE His Master’s return meant GREATER TREASURE and GREATER BLESSING!!
MORE IS GIVEN TO HIM (v.44).
AND HOW MUCH MORE WE WILL RECEIVE
as those who have been faithful when JESUS RETURNS!! ….
The blessing of a GREATER hope,
and the blessing of GREATER treasure!!
HE’s BLESSED because
He’s loved and has been entrusted!!
He’s BLESSED because He has stewarded well only what GRACE COULD AFFORDED HIM!!
AND His MASTER is coming, at moment you DON’T know!!
So the only way to prepare is LIVE READY as if he can return at any moment.
And to live wisely.
Live expectantly of a coming inheritance, and a coming blessing.
NOT just for the little that we’ve been given now.
That he wouldn’t live as a fool, for bigger barns.
And wouldn’t live as though He doesn’t have a LORD in worry and doubt, and unbelief!
Instead, he would know and Believe, I’ve been given this little sliver of responsibility.
I’ve been BLESSED.
My LORD has been good to me.
AND one day, he’s going to come again.
THIS ISN’T ALL THERE is!! He’s coming!!
So I want to live in a way that pleases HIM,
live BETTER and LIVE for what’s coming, when my LORD’s return!!
And in the same way, this is how we’ve been blessed in CHRIST.
He’s saved us! He’s served us!!
He’s given HIS LIFE FOR US.
INVITED to be a part of HIS KINGDOM and coming inheritance!!
AND ONE DAY HE WILL RETURN TO FINALLY FINISH HIS WORK OF REDEMPTION!!
We’ve been given the gospel….
and the question is,
HOW then are we living while waiting that coming future hope!!
How are you stewarding those things.
And reality, there is only 2 options - FAITHFUL OR UNFAITHFUL!!
You are either being FAITHFUL or your are NOT.
The emphasis….
While you are waiting, you must be prepared!!
You must be ready and vigilant. Be active, be prepared.
Let the FUTURE hope govern you future life. Because….
Sermon Summary - Living with future hope changes our present perspective.
