Be Ready and Be Lit!

When I was growing up as a young boy in Jamaica, concerning the return of the Lord, I would often hear people say… “From mi eye deh ah me knee, dem seh Jesus ah come soon”… meaning from they were children they would hear such a thing, and because of that, some would become skeptical and rather unwilling to hear the Gospel and any mention of the impending return of our Lord and Savior—Jesus Christ.

Regardless of how one may feel or the opinions they may have concerning the truth about one of the last and major prophetical event that is yet to be fulfilled; it doesn’t change the fact, nor will it stop this event from happening. The Word of the Lord is eternal (Psa 119:89), it has been spoken, and it will come to pass, because His Word cannot fail (Isa 55:11; Mt 5:18)!

In response to this truth, that the Second Coming of the Lord is near, how should we as Christian believers behave? What kind of a mindset should we have and what state should we be in? And what are our responsibilities to the lost and unsaved?

The title of my message to you today is “Be Ready and Be Lit!”

Keywords: readiness, watchfulness, alertness, and preparedness.

If we as believers, live a lifestyle with an eternal perspective and not for the immediate moment with all its temporal woes and materialistic inadequacies, it will be evidentially clear that we are living with the expectancy of Christ’ return and that we’re prepared for such an event.

Jesus Christ is our Master and we are His servants, in the parable of the expectant steward we find in our text, Jesus demonstrates that servants should be ready for their master whenever he appears. Those who are not prepared will suffer incredible loss. There is a direct application here to being prepared for the return of Christ the Messiah… are you ready, are you lit?

Being Eternally Minded

A lack of focus on Christ ‘ return; is scarcely being talked about in today’s culture, especially in our churches. “He that has come once is to come again” Charles H. Spurgeon

Too many of us fall victims to the distraction of what we lack materially and temporally, whilst losing our eternal focus.

In the preceding 13 verses of the text (Lk 12:22—34), Jesus told his disciples “do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” Rather instead, they should have a kingdom mindset that God has given to them through Jesus Christ.

What mindset do you have? Is it a kingdom mindset or an earthly mindset?

Have you ever heard the saying… “you’re too heavenly minded to have any earthly good?” Well I’d like to turn that statement on top of its head; because it’s only when we have an heaven-bound eternal kingdom mindset, that we will able to live faithful godly lives here on earth.

Colossians 3:1–2 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Being Found Ready, Waiting & Lit?

Being Found Ready

Luke 12:35 NIV

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,

A Firefighter’s state of readiness: a firefighter’s response time to get ready after receiving the call is under two minutes. His gear & equipment is all laid out for him at his dress station; their responsibility is to get it all on in less than 2:00 minutes.

There’s no time to make preparations when Christ returns; by then it’s too late.

You must be ready to move with Christ when He returns

We’re living in a dark world, it’s night time now—is your lamp lit and filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit

Be eternally minded

Being Found Waiting

Luke 12:36 NIV

like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

We should intentionally be on the look out for Christ’ return.

Just as cops may issue an all points bulletin to be on the lookout… aka “BOLO” for a criminal, or a stolen vehicle; as believers we have been issued with a BOLO for Jesus Christ return, today might be that day when He returns!

When the Lord returns, He wants to find us ready at the door waiting to fulfill His plans and purposes for us.

We’re living in a time of gross impatience, nobody wants to wait on anyone or anything anymore. This lack of patience and an hopeless attitude has brought on a level of anxiety that affects us mentally, physically and spiritually.

One of the serious health crisis we’re faced with today is mental health crisis. A lot of people are suffering from high stress, anxiety and depression levels that is taking a tremendous toll on their lives, especially among young people.

As Christ-followers, we’re encouraged to wait on the Lord and not to be phased by what we see happening around us, because in Christ we have a living hope.

Psalm 27:14 NIV

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

1 Peter 1:3–5 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

What is to come is greater and better than what it was then, and what it is like now.

Being Lit

Back in those days they didn’t have the benefits nor the comforts of electricity, whereby they could just flick a switch or even have the lights on constantly. They used oil lamps, which meant they had to make sure that the wick was prepped and that there was enough oil in the lamp that it could be easily and quickly lit.

As Christian believers we are to constantly radiate the light of the Gospel in our lives daily, fulfilling every purpose God has given to us.

Matthew 5:16 NIV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 9:4 NIV

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

Dunno if its still being used, but our young people have a saying “dat’s lit!” meaning that someone or something is on hot or on fire… Question, are you lit, are you hot and on fire for the Lord?

Readiness Brings Reward

Luke 12:37–38 NIV

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

Twice in this passage it is mentioned that “it will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching…finds them ready”

A blessing for those who are found to be ready

Matthew 24:42 NIV

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Matthew 24:46 NIV

It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

There's a blessed time coming, coming soon It maybe even mornin night or noon The wedding of the Bride united with the Groom We shall see the King when he comes

We shall see the King,

we shall see the King,

We shall see the King when he comes He's coming in power we'll hail the blessed hour We shall see the King when he comes

A Reversal of Roles

Matthew 20:28 NIV

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

When He returns, Christ takes on the role of a servant

The ready and lit servant will be served by the Master

The Lord will honor those who are prepared and awaiting His return, no matter how late the hour of His return may be.

An Unexpected Return

Unexpected means: unknown, no one knows the day nor the time when Jesus Christ will return.

Luke 12:39–40 NIV

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Unfaithfulness leads to a lack of readiness

The unfaithful and un-prepared servant will be taken unawares by Christ’ return.

Revelation 3:3 NIV

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Faithfulness leads to readiness

The faithful servant will be found ready and waiting for the Master’s return.

The faithful believer is always ready.

Revelation 16:15 NIV

“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

No slack time allowed, Christ will come at time when we least expect Him; let us be ready, be alert and be lit!

What’s the Big Idea?

Christ’s return is imminent, it is near and will happen soon. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been hearing this, whether you’ve been hearing this for your entire life or have just begun to hear about it, it will happen. The question is are you ready, is your lamp lit and burning?

Why Does It Matter?

The one who is unprepared and found to be not ready, will suffer loss at the Lord’s return. (Lk 12:46)

How Do We Live It?

By Waiting — Living each day with an earnest anticipation that today might be the day when the Lord returns.

By Working (Col 3:1-17)

Building up yourself in your most holy faith (Jude 1:20)

Live lovingly towards each other (Jude 1:21)

Tell others about the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ

By Watching—the unexpected and unknown nature of Christ’s return should keep us in a constant state of alertness as we wait for the fulfillment of our blessed hope with our hearts ready and our lamps lit and burning on fire for Him.

Let Us Be Ready and Be Lit!