Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Last week we looked at 'do not worry'
• This week - Jesus begins to speak about His return
• Reading of Luke 12:35-48
  
• Short Prayer
• Last week - Jesus told a parable about being ready
• Now Jesus speaks in a different way about being ready - to His disciples (v22)
• They are to be looking, waiting and watching
• Blessed is the one who is ready - v37 & v38
• If you had 24 hours to live - would you be ready?
• Other passages of scripture also speak of being ready
• Mark 13:33-37
• Are you sleeping?
• Do you need to wake up?
• Are you seeking first the kingdom of God
• 2 Peter 3:11-13
• The world is transient - what sort of person will you be?
• Do you long for the new heaven and the new earth
• Looking at v35-40
• Overview:
• What does it mean to be ready?
• What are the rewards of being ready?
• What is the necessity of being ready?

What does it mean to be ready?

• Jesus gives a picture of a wedding ...
• The custom was for the wedding to occur at night with 7 days of feasting
• The servants would have everything prepared
• Blessed are the servants when the master finders them ready
• ... An image of servants being ready
• Similar to the parable of the wise and foolish virgins
• What about us?
• Do we look for His glorious appearing?
• Not to be too heavenly minded to be of no earthly use
• Though ultimately our eyes are not on this earth
• Phil 3:20
• Do we eagerly await the coming of Christ?
• What does it mean?
• To live a life not concerned about what others would think
• Fearing God rather than fearing man
• Confessing the Lord Jesus - v8-11
• Having a light hold on the things we possess
• To seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
• To live an encumbered life – Heb 12:1-2
• What is stopping you from freely worshiping the Lord
• Is there a besetting sin that dominates your life?
• We need the help of God to live a life that is ready

What are the rewards of being ready?

• Is it too much to think of a reward?
• Col 3:23
• v37 - the Master / Jesus will serve us
• Luke 22:27 - Jesus is one who serves
• Will you be in this number?
• Example of John Blanchard
• v37/38 - blessed will be the servants
• Will you receive a reward for being ready?
• Have you been entrusted with privilege and responsibility - are you undertaking these activities?
• 1 Thess 5:4,9-11

What is the necessity of being ready?

• v39-40
• Example of theft
• The New Testament tells us to read the signs of the times
• Jesus tells us to be ready at any time / now
• We must examine ourselves and ask are we true children of God
• Example of missing things - but we cannot miss the Day of the Lord
• Other scriptures:
• 1 Thess 5:6-8
• When Christ returns - what will you be doing?
• Rom 13:11-14
• Eph 5
• Rev 16:19
• When Christ returns, may you be ready