Luke 12:35-48 - The Coming of the Son of Man - Ready for His return

Well this morning we are continuing on in our sermon series. in the Book of Luke

the passage we look at this morning makes two assumptions.

One is that Christ who is teaching his disciples will leave in some way?

But also that Christ as he teaches his disciples will after having left in some way which they clearly don't understand will return again. We read about this passage actually an Acts chapter 1 verse 9 through 11 a book written by Luke just as this gospel that we are studying was when he needed. Jesus had said these things as they were looking on. He was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight so he left. Just as this passage that we look at it as soon and while they were gazing into the heaven as he went behold two men stood by them in white robes and said men of Galilee. Why do you stand looking into having this Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. So we're talking about this morning. Jesus has returned his second coming and let me be honest about this this morning Christian will Austin get really weird about this topic. Don't be one of those Christians who gets weird about this topic, please.

There's many different beliefs about this not many. There's a couple different beliefs about this some people believe that the church will be raptured. And then sometime later Christ will return for his second coming some people believe he will return after the whole world becomes Christian some people believe he will return in the midst of difficult times and inaugurate a kingdom at that time, but regardless of what you believe about what the return of Christ looks like and how it will happen. Yes or Tatian from today's passage applies to all And then exaltation is be ready. Be ready. Let's look and Luke chapter 12. We're considering versus 35 through 48 this morning. You open up your Bibles turn on your devices or read along using the back of the insert that you find in your Bulletin.

Luke records the teaching of Jesus in regards to this with these words stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning 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 blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes truly I say to you he will dress himself or service and have them recline a table and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second Watcher in the third and finds them awake blessed are those servants but know this that if the Master of the House had known what our the thief was coming you would not have left his house to be broken into you also must be ready for the son of man is coming at an hour. You do not expect Peter said Lord of you telling this Parable for us or for all and the Lord said who then is a faithful and wise manager who is master will sit over his household to give them their portion of food at the proper time. Blessed is that servant who is master will find so doing when he comes truly. I say to you he will send him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, my master is delayed in coming and against the beat the male and female servants in the eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come in a day when he does not expect him and then an hour, he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. Servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserve to beating oversee the light beating. Everyone to whom much was given of him much will be required in from him to whom they entrusted much they will demand the more let's pray.

Father God we thank you for your words. When I asked for your help this morning Father God, would you help me to communicate the truth of your word? In the absence of Christ teaching to be ready in a way that's accurate and helpful. glorifying to you and would you help us hear your word this morning that we might understand it with our minds and embrace it with our hearts. We know full well that apart from the help of the spirit. We couldn't do that. Until we ask help us father. The Lord, would you allow us this morning in this first Sunday of a new year to get a fresh vision of Christ not something new rather. We want to see something old but to see it with new eyes as it were this morning. Would you help us with that? We pray this in Christ's name. Amen. So Jesus begins his teaching be ready with two images. Both of us images convey the idea of readiness. Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning. Both images portray the proper posture for Jesus's disciples. That posture is one of readiness.

I like how this is translated in order translations where doesn't say stay dressed for Action. It says gird your loins girded your loins. That sounds so serious. That's a picture of a time when everybody wore long garments. which Prevented them from being able to move quickly. And so when they had to move quickly, they would take the lawn garments wrap them around their legs and tuck them in so that they could be quick to respond and React to what was going on about them. King James version says let your loins be girded about that's what it's talking about. It's a good translation stage rest for Action because the grammar emphasizes that we are to be in a constant state of Readiness to act. That's the first images II images keep your lamps burning. It is you need to have the ability to move a boat in the dark without delay or without hesitation. I don't know unless the lamp would cause you to hesitate it would have to be lit in some way or prepared and some way to be lit. What Jesus says know when there's no time for that? You keep that lamp burning. You need to be ready both these images convey the idea of expectancy and watchfulness and readiness.

Following those two images Jesus actually gives what I would consider three Parables all with this same idea. All three Parables illustrate Jesus his desire for his disciples To Be watchful and to be expectant for his return verse 36 of the first one be like men who are waiting for their Master to come home from the wedding fee so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and Knocks. I think probably all of us here have experienced a wedding reception that went on just a bit too long. Too many speeches speeches too long, and we just wanted to get over there, but I understand in the days when Jesus was teaching a wedding Feast could easily go on for a couple days even up to a week-long.

And the Servants of the master who was away at the wedding were to be ready 24 hours a day 7 days a week to open that locked gate door for their Master when he returns. Until this quick Parable reinforces the idea of Readiness and preparedness and it adds additional idea of uncertainty of the Master's return. Who knows what he's going to return could be a day could be a couple days could be a week. We need to be ready for whenever that is. The second Parable and verse 39 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. I think I'm fortunately most of us have had an experience where either a home or our vehicle is broken into and I know as a man one of the things I dream about in those circumstances was I just wish I was there. I wish she came into this house and you didn't realize I was waiting. Or he or she broke into the car and I was home and knew it was happening all I wish that have happened. But that's the problem. We don't know when it's going to occur. And in fact a good Robert receipts is going to pick 8 at time when it's not expected. But we see that we aren't we need to be ready and we can be exposed to potential harm if we're not ready and if we're not present we're not even there. And so again this repairable repeats Jesus's instructions about readiness and the idea of a continual presence of a vigilance.

That's where are safety comes through our Readiness Center vigilance in our presents the third Parable verse 42 through 44 who then is the faithful and wise manager who is master will set over his household to give them their portion of food at the proper time blessed is that servant who has Master will find so doing when he comes a master would leave his home and in doing so he would leave the care of the home care of the whole household to a manager or a steward who was to care for all the people who were still left behind whether that be the Masters family member or the other servants.

We see that the master that's there will come a day when he does not expect him and then an hour, he does not know. But the expectation of that many of the master is that that servant who is managing his household Forum will faithfully and consistently care for the household until the master returns. Whenever that maybe that's the expectation that that's terrible gives us. So we see again the idea of Readiness being at the Forefront of this teaching and then additional extra Tatian to persevere in your duties. So two images and three parables in this teaching all compacted closely all conveying one message. But if it is seiple is to be found faithful, they must be ready for Christ's return. They must be prepared and expectedly waiting they must do so continuously and dutifully and with vigilance here's how I would state it is a main idea of the sermon a faithful disciple is to be ready for Christ's return as faithful disciple is to be ready for Christ's return there for faithful disciples continually dutifully and vigilantly await the Lord's return. Therefore a faithful disciples continually dutifully and vigilantly await the Lord's return. Now in this teaching there's so much there go on for long time. Just talking about this one teaching but I want to dry your tension three implications of that one message that are also made in this teaching. There are at least three implications that arise says Jesus gives us teaching. And really those implications relate to four types of servants in these in the teaching. We see one type of servant who is considered faithful and then three types of servants that display varying levels of unfaithfulness. The three implications here's the first one. And it pertains to the Faithful Servants faithfulness results in blessing and rewards. That's the first implication faithfulness results and blessing and rewards blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes truly. I say to you he will dress himself or service and have them recline a table and he will come and serve them.

Faithfulness in regards to Readiness for Christ's return is met with really what would be considered scandalous blessing and favor. It would be unheard of for a master. To serve his servants while they reclined at the table and your Jesus declare that faithfulness will be lavishly rewarded in such a way. So that's the first implication faithfulness results and blessing and rewards the second implication pertains to two types of unfaithfulness. I need instructions that unfaithfulness in regards to Readiness for Christ's return will result in punishment or discipline unfaithfulness in regards to Readiness for Christ's return result in punishment or discipline to the first type of Unfaithful servant is a servant who says to himself. My master is delayed and coming begins to beat the male and female servants to eat and drink and get drunk the master that servant will come a day when he does not expect him and in an hour, he does not know and will cut him to pieces and put him with the unfaithful. This service on faithfulness is such that he faces ultimate punishment from the master. These things cut into pieces. He's dismember. He's killed.

Only has he cut into pieces, but he will no longer be considered part of the Master's household. He will be put with those who are unfaithful.

That's one type of unfaithfulness.

And there's another type II type of unfaithfulness is less severe than that. This is the servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will and we're told at this Irving will receive a severe beating. discipline as opposed to punishment

this seems more like discipline to a servant who will remain part of his master's household. He's not considered faithful the way the first servant wise, but he's also not killed and dismembered. And put up with the Unfaithful people.

There's a clear implication that unfaithfulness unfaithfulness by Servants of the master is met with discipline and even ultimate punishment. This is a clear warning to those of us who are in the church to those of us who consider ourselves Disciples of Christ. If you are being unfaithful at best you will be disciplined. But at worst you will be recognized as someone who truly isn't part of the Master's household and you face ultimate punishment. Let me speak clearly to you this morning if you're someone who comes to church regularly. You're always here and for all your friends and Associates hear. No, they consider you part of the household of God, but you know in your heart you're not you will not fool the master. He will return at a time that you do not expect it. And you'll be seen for what you are someone who is not part of the household of God. Are you heed that warning this morning showing up here every Sunday? In terms of faithfulness to Christ means nothing. Anyone could do that?

There's a third and final implication that really speaks again to a type of unfaithfulness. That isn't anywhere near as severe as the one who was beating his fellow servants and eating and drinking and being drunk and is less severe than the one who's not doing what he knows. He should be doing who receives a beating. Enter pertains to our knowledge knowledge.

Church of the disciple plays a part in determining our responsibility in regards to faithful Readiness for the Master's return so the final and and the third and final implication. Is that what we know plays into this plays into how the master will respond when he returned Jesus teaches the disciples that the one who did not know and did what deserve to beating will receive a light beating everyone to whom much was given of him much will be required in front of him to whom they entrusted much they will demand the more this seems to me particularly directed at the 12 disciples who with the exception of Judas would become the 12 Apostles of the early church. The application seems to be that those in leadership will be held to a higher standard. But I think it's equally applies to all believers your maturity level in your history in the teaching that you have received as a Believer will be taken into consideration.

And if you have been a Believer for a long time and God has graced you to be in churches where you have been under Godly preaching from God's word for a long time and use that opportunity to study and had access to teaching. The expectation on you will be greater than someone who's a new Christian or who hasn't had that sort of access. And so we have this one message that we are to be ready for Christ's return and there's implications to it. There are blessings for those who are being faithful that is ready for Christ's return. There is no discipline punishment that will be experienced by those who are not being faithful to Christ return even to the fact we're some unfaithfulness will expose someone is not being part of the household of God and they will not receive the blessing of Life Everlasting with God and finally a third implication that our knowledge plays into this. That is why our knowledge increases so does our responsibility.

That's what I want to take that teaching those ideas a faithful disciples ready for Christ's return that he is so continually and dutifully and Vigilant and make some applications this morning. Let me start with this. Jesus is returning. Be ready Readiness is first of all repenting and believing.

the Apostles Creed the first stanza Goes like this, I believe in God the Father Almighty creator of Heaven and Earth is like a catechism this morning. And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified died and was buried he descended into hell and on the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Those are incredible doctrinal truths. What does stanza doesn't end there the last phrase is this from there? He will come to judge the living and the dead. He is returning we are to be ready. If you are believer who is Faithfully serving God. This should be something you look forward to 1st Corinthians. 4:5 says therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time before the Lord comes who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his Commendation from God. This is speaking to Believers that word Commendation to be translated praise. For those of you who are faithful disciples when he comes again, he brings judgment or for his people that judgment will ultimately be praised. We should be excited about it. Jesus is returning we want to be ready, but similarly for those who aren't faithful Disciples of Christ.

This is something that is much more difficult much darker 2nd Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 7 through 9 as Paul describes. To the Thessalonians the second coming of Christ. He says when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels and flaming fire inflicting Vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of Eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. This is serious stuff. Jesus is returning we are to be ready. If you are believing that means you are to be found faithful. If you are an unbeliever this morning, we don't shy away from the great truth of those who do not believe in Christ in a trust their lifetime and Avail themselves of a death. He died for the Forgiveness of their sins. And for the reconciliation to God will not receive eternal life, but it will in fact receive Eternal punishment. Let me encourage you this morning if that's you if you are not a Believer if you have not entrusted your life to Christ, if you have not repented of your sins and turn to Face by turned in faith to Christ and believed in him. Jesus is returning.

Any comes to judge? For his people ultimately that judgment will be praised. But for those who aren't it will be Eternal punishment. That's the first application the rest of the applications this morning. Will be three more apply to the question. What does Readiness for Christ's return look like? What does it look like to be ready for Christ's return does it mean we're to build Fallout shelters in Stockton with freeze-dried food and bottled water. Is that what being ready for the second coming is I see Smurfs around the room, but people do it.

Does being ready for the return of the Lord mean scouring the daily outpourings of news and papers and on the internet searching for signs of his return? What does it mean that Donald Trump had the second commander of Iran's armies killed this past week? And what does that mean is that we're supposed to be doing. Is that what it means to be ready for Christ's return?

Does it mean to organize some sort of political movement that we might win? The culture wars and christianize the world is is that what be ready for my return means does it mean quitting your job neglecting your family so you can go on the streets and preach the gospel to people maybe wear a placard.

Does being ready for the return of the Lord means studying the cosmos the planets in the constellations for a hint of when he might return?

What does it mean to be ready for Christ's return? What does it look like? Let me take you back to the main idea of this sermon a faithful disciple is to be ready for Christ's return there for faithful disciples. Continually dutifully Envision live lie awake the Lord's return I think within the teaching itself. We see what this is supposed to look like. We are supposed to be awaiting his return continually and I think that speaks to persevering. I'll suggest you though. Certainly, one of the things that means in terms of persevering is persevering in the means of Grace and spiritual disciplines of a disciple. You know how you can be ready for Christ's return be in your Bible daily.

Thinking about that this morning. I hope that on the day Christ returns if I'm still alive. It was a day. I read my Bible. I didn't skip a. Small morning cuz I was too tired or because I watch Netflix the night before and had to sleep longer than I wanted to.

It means being regularly in prayer daily in prayer communicating with her father persevering in the means of Grace. Anna fellowshipping in of coming to church

I hope that if he comes on a Sunday it was a day I didn't decide to skip church. better not be because I'm the pastor but for you, too. That won't exclude you.

from the Eternal blessings of salvation, but I hope you didn't you done, today you skip church cuz there was a sale at the brunch at your favorite restaurant.

You want to persevere in these means of Grace want to persevere In Worship? 1st Corinthians 11:26 as it pertains to communion for as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. That's something you want to be doing perseveringly. Until his return and we do want to be evangelizing. We don't want to be sharing the gospel with people. What about persevere in these means of Grace and in the spiritual disciplines of a disciple? So that's the first thing that's what it looks like continual speaks to persevering in the means of Grace dutiful speaks to obedience. You want to be ready for the return of the Lord then do what he has called you to do and the way he is called you to do it. You don't have to do something special.

My job is to pastor this church. I demonstrate my Readiness for his return by doing that as Faithfully as I can.

You know, what if you are a mother with young children?

And the Lord returns and you're in the middle of changing a diaper.

You are being faithful to what he has called you to do your ready for his return.

If you are at work when Christ returns and you are typing in cold or adding up numbers or managing something or cleaning something for the glory of God you are demonstrating that you're ready for his return.

if you are a young person and the Lord returns when you're in the middle of an exam. Praise God right could happen.

I know some of you wish that.

But if you're studying and accomplishing your work at school because God's called you to be there in to do that. You're demonstrating that you are ready for his return. if you are a senior who's a grandparent and you're at home and one of those afternoons that you wish you were able to get out of your home, but you can because you're unable to or you don't want to drive in the weather. But you're praying for your children and your grandchildren and your church.

You are ready for his return you're being faithful to what he's called you to do. We don't need to go out and do special things to demonstrate that we're ready for his return. We need to do the flea be obedient so that we're doing what he has called us to do in the way he's called us to do at whatever that is. Finally this morning. In regards to vigilance. I think that speaks to anticipation. What was Christmas Christmas was the initiation of the consummation of our anticipation, but the second coming is the consummation of our anticipation? The second coming is when he returns and everything that we hope for is consummated. And we are to anticipate that day. We are to look forward to it. Second to last verse in the Bible Revelation 22:20 says he who testifies to these things says surely I am coming soon.

And then John Wright's amen come Lord Jesus. That prayer should be in every one of our hearts come Lord Jesus. We anticipate and look forward to return. We look forward to you consummating all that you have promised as result of all that you have already done. We anticipate that it's a what is it mean? To be ready for his return. What does it look like? It looks like persevering in God's means of Grace and in spiritual disciplines of a disciple. It means dutifully being obedient to what he has called you to do and doing it in the way he is called you to do it and it means to be Village Italy watching in anticipating his return. That's what being a faithful disciple is let's pray. Father God we thank you for your word this morning. We thank you for this great truth. That is somewhat a mystery to us father God about the return of Christ and then we don't know all there is to know about that. We know clearly from your word that we that we intend to be a faithful disciple are called to be ready. Father God would you graciously and mercifully by your spirit? Help us to be ready for your return? Would you impress on each person's heart what that means for them what faithfulness in regards to Readiness to return looks like for them? Particularly, those who don't know you I pray father God your spirit would open their eyes to the glory of the Gospel. I being ready for your turn first and foremost means repenting of our sins and believing in you, but for each one father God by your spirit, I pray you would impress upon them that they are to be ready that you would encourage them to pursue. Whatever that looks like for them. And father God, would you help us all to have on our hearts a great anticipation? Vision Village Italy watching in anticipating your return. I pray this in Christ's name.