Be Ready

With the rapid changing of times. The new age movement being introduced into the churches today. The idea that feelings trump knowledge. The idea’s that all paths lead to God. Our rapidly degrading view of the character of God. It is important that we heed the warning set before us by our Lord and savior.

Perseverance

We were never promised that this world would be easy, what we are promised is that God will be with us through it all.

Are you ready to go the distance. Even though we are 2,000 yrs removed from the ascension of Jesus, are you still living sold out for Him in expectation of His return.

Dress for Action

v.35

Dressed for action. Being girded, tucking in the robe so your are ready to move. Think of it as on the balls of your feet.

1 Peter 1:13

1 Peter 1:13 ESV

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.

Keeping your minds on the end, be focused on Jesus, the author an finisher of your faith.

Be studying your bible, know what you believe and why you believe it.

Are you sober minded, or are you drunk on this world?

Is your mind ready for action? Are you focused on the job that God has given you in this world to do? Or are you to comfortable?

Does this world have you under it’s spell where you have convinced yourself that you are doing enough for Jesus, but in reality you are living for yourself.

How much time do you spend worrying about the things of this world, compared to how much time you worry about reaching people in this world.

Keep Your Lamps Burning

v.35

They would need to continue filling their lamps.

The Parable of the Ten virgins.

One way a lamp is used in the NT is to show the people that we belong to God, that our lives are so drastically different than those around us that we stand out like lights in the darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Letting you light shine means living to bring God glory.

Even though time may pass, don’t stop showing the glory of God to the world around you.

I sometimes start a new project with vigor, but as time drags on we lose our enthusiasm. This is why Paul describes our lives as a race, a marathon that is set before us.

Don’t lose your enthusiasm for Jesus. Don’t let your lamp dim down.

Open the Door

v.36

The idea is that they are waiting anxiously by the door to hear the sound of the masters knuckles on the door.

Jesus reuses this imagery in:

Revelation 3:20

Revelation 3:20 ESV

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Jesus is doing exactly what He said in Luke. He is speaking to the Luke warm church. Who aren’t paying attention. Who aren’t cold or hot and have been lulled to sleep by their wealth and whom God wants to vomit out of His mouth.

Jesus is asking, are you paying attention, when I knock will you be there ready to open the door, ARE YOU READY.

Reward

There is reward for following and punishment for forsaking.

An Unexpected Hour

v.38-40

2nd watch is 9 p.m. to midnight.

3rd watch is midnight to 3 a.m.

When the master arrives and see’s us doing what He wants, he is excited.

Yes it might feel like the night is dragging on, but be vigilant, be watching, be ready for the master.

The Master Serves Us

v.37

We are unworthy servants who by our deeds deserve only the payment of hell.

But God is so good, that when we are alert, are paying attention to the signs of the time. When we take time to spend with Him in reading, in prayer. God rewards those servants by serving them.

Luke 22:27

Luke 22:27 ESV

27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Even though Jesus is greater. He is the one who serves.

This should give us a servant heart, where we desire to serve other because that is what our God does.

Punishment

This is given after Peter asks is this for us or for all. Peter and the apostles, they are the one’s who the manager set over his household. Today, pastors, teachers in bible studies or youtube. They are the one’s whom Jesus is speaking to.

Beating Male and Female Servants

v.45

This is hyperbole used to show that some teachers, some who are in charge will misuse the power that they are given.

You must check what anybody teaches against scripture. Not did they use a bible verse, but did they rightly handle the word of truth.

If your not a teacher doesn’t mean you aren’t held to a higher standard.

Ezekiel 34

v.47

Those who hear the word, who sit in church have more expected of them.

The servant who knew His masters will receive a severe beating. The one who did not know recieved a lighter beating.

An Unexpected Hour

v.46

Don’t let this world lul you asleep, into complacency where you won’t be ready when the Master returns.

The church of Sardis was asleep and Jesus warned that He would come at an hour they wouldn’t expect.

Revelation 3:3

Revelation 3:3 ESV

3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

Jesus is saying you are spiritually asleep, you need to wake up or you won’t know what hour God will come against them.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4

1 Thessalonians 5:2–4 ESV

2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Jesus is coming at an hour when they won’t be ready, like birthing pans on a woman.

Don’t be asleep or else you will not be able to stand in that day.

Be awake, be ready, be serving the Lord today with all you have. Do not be lulled to sleep by the pleasures of this world forgetting that you should be living for the glory of God and to further His kingdom.