Luke 12:35-59 Disciples Are Expectantly Hopeful

Luke 12:35-59   Disciples Are Expectantly Hopeful

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.

49  "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50  I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51  Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

57 "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58  As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny."

 

 

"Are you a Christian or a Muslim? I am a Christian, but I am not a fanatic."

Christian cults. Channel 7 spotlight.. Providence. Korean Cult leader.  Michael Usher.   JMS  30 principles of life identifying JMS as the Second Coming of Christ.   JMS is god the Messiah the Saviour and he alone can solve the world's problems.  

Now we can easily recognise a cult. But does that mean all fanaticism is wrong?

The Christian life is to have several motivations. One is the assurance that we have in our pardon through the Lord Jesus Christ.  We know that we have eternal life and the forgiveness of sins through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We know He is the Christ. He is the promised Messiah. He is God the Son come into the world to save us from our sins. And that motivation drives us to love the Lord Jesus. Consequently we are His willing disciples. This gives us hope of eternal life.

CH Spurgeon notes: "If the Gospel were a mere propriety of ceremonies, a truth which would slumber in the creed or lie entombed in the brain. If it were not a spiritual principle which lays hold upon the innermost nature, rules the emotions and fires the affections–if it were not all this it would remain unopposed. But because it is so living and forcible a principle, the powers of evil are in arms to stop its course. The subject then, of this morning's meditation will be the fiery nature of the religion of Jesus Christ! And to bring this clearly before you we shall first and foremost CONSIDER THE HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL. Practically, so far as the most of us are concerned, it begins with a revelation contained in this Book–we come to the Bible, therefore, to find out what the Gospel is. Bending over the pages we are struck with the extraordinary doctrines revealed. We find them far from being matters for the curious and the philosophical, but practical truths, touching upon everyday life and bearing upon common human nature. Truths, indeed, so powerful over humanity that they seem to wear the key of man's heart hanging at their belt. We find in this Book the master Truth of the love of God plainly and repeatedly stated.  Right golden are these words, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." We see revealed to us a love of God so vast as to be incomprehensible! So generous as to be a theme for adoring wonder throughout eternity, since the Father gives up His equal Son that He may bleed and die that we, who are rebellious and undeserving, may live through Him! As we believe the doctrine of Divine love, we feel it to be a Truth which sets the soul on fire with joy, gratitude and love. As we peruse the Gospel, we perceive that Divine love has been manifested in connection with a most astonishing display of justice and severity towards sin.  We see God willing to forgive, but not willing to allow His Law to be dishonored, and therefore giving up His onlybegotten Son to die a death of pain and ignominy, in order that the penalty of a broken Law might be rendered to justice and yet mercy displayed to rebels! We behold the Savior bleeding on the tree as much to manifest the justice as the love of God. And now, as we behold our Lord's passion, thoughts that burn full into our bosom–holy detestation of sin lifts the torch of heart-searching and the flame of true love burns up our lusts. He dies, the Friend of Sinners dies! Murdered by human sin! Who will not, therefore, loathe the murderous thing? It is impossible to read aright in the illuminated volume of the Cross, printed in crimson characters, without feeling our hearts burn within us with an ardor unquenchable."

49  "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50  I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!

 

But there is another motivation to being a disciple of the Lord Jesus; there is our assurance of salvation and there is the expectation of our Saviour's return for us.

This expectation is a driving force. It gives us a hope that overcomes the world. It gives us hope that there is a culmination to all things. That all things are purposely heading towards a final destination. The Sovereign reign and rule of our Lord and Saviour.  The same Saviour who died and rose again is coming back for us one day, and He will set on order all things.

In this parable, the bridegroom has slipped away to get his bride, and we must wait for him to return to the house. We don't know when he's coming back, so we must stay dressed up and keep our lamps burning so we can welcome him when he appears. For sure, the servants of the bridegroom would have been anxiously waiting and watching. They would be filled with joyous anticipation. Is that the way you feel about the Second Coming? Are you excited about it, or is it something that makes you afraid to think about? There really is going to be a wedding feast in heaven–and it will be an experience of joy and celebration. John saw a glimpse of this future wedding celebration when he wrote in Revelation 19:7, 9: Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready ... (remember, the church is the bride) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!"

It will be a time of rejoicing. It's worth getting excited about.

Do you know what the last recorded words of Jesus are? In Revelation 22:20 we read the last recorded words of Jesus: "Yes, I am coming soon." Then notice how the Apostle John responded. He said, "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus." Is that your attitude? Are you as excited as a servant at a wedding celebration as you await the return of your master, your friend?  Maranatha was a Christian way of ending a speech or letter.

1Corinthians 16   21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!  Maranatha!!

Are you longing for His coming? Are you excited about it?

1 It may be at morn, when the day is awaking, When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking, That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory, To receive from the world His own.

Refrain: O Lord Jesus, how long, how long Ere we shout the glad song,
Christ returneth!  Hallelujah! hallelujah!  Amen, Hallelujah! Amen.

2 It may be at midday, it may be at twilight, It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory, When Jesus receives His own.

3 While hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending, With glorified saints and the angels attending, With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory, Will Jesus receive His own. [Refrain]

4 O joy! O delight! should we go without dying, No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying, Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory, When Jesus receives His own.

Once a farmer was lying in bed and he listened and counted as his old grandfather clock began to chime the hours at midnight. Due to a malfunction, the clock struck thirteen times. He jumped to his feet and woke up his entire family saying, "Wake up! It's later than it's ever been before!"

It's later than it's ever been before! 

 

AN EXPECTANT HOPE WILL ENTHUSE YOU TO RELIABILITY

 "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."

 

Dressed for action: You know how Romans wore togas: flowing robes which are always getting in their way. They could not walk without being tripped up, so that, if a man has a piece of work on hand, he just tucks in his toga:  like rolling up your shirtsleeves and preparing for work. That is the way to wait for the Lord, ready for service.

Lamps Burning The picture is that if the Master is late, we are to be sitting up waiting for Him. We don't slacken off and grab some sleep, we are always expectantly waiting, even if it seems like His coming is 2000 years late.  Really it isn't, and His return has never been closer.  When the King comes, have your lamps burning, to meet the royal Bridegroom and escort Him to His home! If we are to watch for the Lord as we ought, it must be with lamps burning. Are you making your light to shine among men? Do you think that your conduct and character are an example that will do your neighbors good and are you trying to teach others the way of salvation?

Ready For Action   When Jesus returns will He find you hard at work?

Jesus says in verse 43: "It will be GOOD for that servant whom the Master finds doing so when He returns." (Luke 12:43) What will be so good about it? Jesus says in verse 37 that He will dress as a servant and serve them! I believe He's speaking of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb we read about in Revelation 19. It's exactly what Jesus did at the Last Supper. On the night before He was crucified, He took off his robe and took a servant's towel and went around washing the disciple's feet. Can you imagine the King of the Universe serving you?

 

AN EXPECTANT HOPE WILL ENTHUSE YOU TO DEPENDABILITY

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.

If you don't consider the near return of the Lord Jesus, then you could become

An Abusive Bully

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,

An Alcoholic Binger  and to eat and drink and get drunk. Where the things of this world take up all our thoughts and imaginations.

 

AN EXPECTANT HOPE WILL ENTHUSE YOU TO LOYALTY

49  "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50  I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51  Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

DEVOTION TO JESUS MAY ALIENATE YOU FROM OTHERS!

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and when the angels announced His birth they said, "Peace on earth, goodwill to men." But..the truth about Jesus divides humanity, into those who Love Him and those who do not.  Jesus divides humanity into just two groups. When He spoke of a family of five being divided, they weren't divided into three groups, or four groups, or as five separate individuals, but into two groups. Jesus said it would be, "two against three, or three against two" or He could have said "four against one." The point is that Jesus divides the entire world's population into two groups. Jesus is not intentionally dividing them, but people choose themselves which of the two groups they will join. Remember Jesus said, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters."  Are you a Christian and are you a fanatic?

 

AN EXPECTANT HOPE WILL ENTHUSE YOU TO ACTIVITY

54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

"When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? The Jews missed the signs of Christ's First Coming And You Could Miss Being ready for His Second Coming. There were over 300 Old Testament Scriptures predicting the first coming of Jesus. There are over 1,000 scriptures predicting the events of the Second Coming of Christ. The Bible isn't hard to understand once you have the key. The key is all the Bible is about Jesus. The Old Testament says: Someone is coming. The gospels say: Someone has come, and His name is Jesus. The Epistles and Revelation tell us: Someone is coming again–get ready!

 

AN EXPECTANT HOPE WILL ENTHUSE YOU TO AUTHENTICITY

57 "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58  As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny."

If You Are Looking for His coming you keep short accounts.  It's what you do with mastercard debt. You can pay late and pay 23% interest per month.. or you can keep short accounts and pay up each month and pay no interest each month. The Lord is saying keep short accounts… Many years ago a fellow said to me he was convinced the return of the Lord was close so he bought a brand new car entirely on credit and a boat and a new tv and .. I said, you can't afford that.. He said I won't have to pay for it when the Lord returns next month.. He paid for it. With much interest.  But the Lord is speaking to you about relationships. There are debts we owe in relationships that we need to get sorted out early.  "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." In this context, Jesus isn't talking about lawsuits with one another; He is using a parable to communicate the importance of being reconciled with God. Don't wait until you are before the Judge to plead your case–settle it out of court. Each of us stands accused and guilty The Bible says we are sinners by nature and by choice. If you want to relate to God on the basis of your own goodness you would have to be absolutely perfect and sinless because God is Holy and sinless. So each of us stands accused and guilty–we are going to have to face the Heavenly Judge–your case is already on the docket. Hebrews 9:27 says: "It is appointed unto man once to die, and after that–the judgement." That's the bad news. But the good news is that God has given you an opportunity to settle your salvation case before you lose it in court. Make sure that you are reconciled before your case comes before the Judge. Here's the wonderful offer:

The Judge offers you a perfect lawyer and a pardon. In other words, the only way to avoid standing before the Eternal Judge will demand absolute perfection of us is to settle our case out of court. He offers to pay the penalty for us.  He has already paid it!  What are you going to do with His perfect payment for your sin?

Are you looking for Him? Are you longing for Him? Are you  living for him,  Learning of His Coming, Looking for His Coming, watching, are you working, are you warning? Like John can you say, "Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus!"