March 10, 2013
Morning Service

Luke 12:31-48

 

Review:

Last Sunday evening we looked at the parables from the beginning of Matt. 5 & 9.  We also went to Luke.  We are trying to view these parables in the time frame, as they were delivered by the Lord.

·         We finished with the rich man who foolishly thought that by building bigger barns he would take care of his good fortune.  He never considered sharing with the poor, or giving to God’s work.  The lesson:  be willing to share what we have with those in need.

Listening to a radio program the other day, and the host said it always amazed him when he would ask people how much money do you think one should make a year to be rich? 

 

This is actually a rant of mine.  We need not but to look at some of the pictures that these help groups  post to recognize that we are still a blessed nation.  It tears your heart out to see these little runny nose kids dying of starvation, when we throw away so much every meal.  The widow’s mite.

·         We have people complaining about their living conditions, and wealth, that have cell phones, big tv’s, cable tv, eat out at restaurants all the time, and don’t give to the Lord’s work to help the truly in need.  They are just as bad as the rich man who didn’t share his wealth with the poor.

We finished Sunday evening with the parable that the Lord told His disciples to watch for His return.

Warned us not to get caught up in the cares of this world, and not recognize the signs of His coming.

 

This morning we want to look at the explanation of this parable of the wise, and foolish servants.  Luk. 12:42-48.

Luk 12:31-40  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

·         This is the parallel scripture that was in the sermon on the mount.  Matt. 5-6-7.

·         After teaching them not to be anxious for their needs Jesus tells them to seek first the kingdom of God, and then He will take care of their needs.

·         You suddenly find out that your needs are not as great as you thought they were before you put God first in your life.  When putting Him first, you find you don’t need all the THINGS, of this world, and He will certainly put a roof over your head, food in your belly, and clothes on your back.

(32)  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

·         Then the challenge.

(33)  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.  (34)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

·         The admonition from the Lord is to be busy doing the things of God, and placing your treasures where you want your heart to be.  In heaven.

(35)  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;  (36)  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.  (37)  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 

(38)  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.  (39)  And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.  (40)  Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

 

-----------------------------recording stops-------------------------------------------------

 

·         The Apostle Paul has already told us that the true disciples of Christ would not be taken by surprise upon the Lord’s return.  Why?  Because they are busy working, and watching.

1Th 5:4-5  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  (5)  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

NOW NOTICE PETER’S QUESTION;

Luk 12:41-48  Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 

·         We might consider Peter’s question like this, Lord is this watching, and being dedicated to Your ways just for us, or for all Your disciples?

(42)  And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 

 

·         Well, Peter, in which category

 

-----------------------------recording resumes-------------------------------------------------

 

do you find yourself, the faithful, and wise, or the unfaithful, and stupid?

(43)  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 

·         All the things mentioned above that pertain to doing the things of God.

(44)  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 

·         That will be the reward of the faithful. 

(45)  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

·         Apathy sets in.  People become complacent.  Quit going to church, quit praying, quit reading their bibles, quit visiting the sick, quit helping those in need.  They die spiritually.

and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 

·         Go back doing the things they did before becoming a Christian.

(46)  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 

·         And that portion is the lake of fire, that the lost will be cast into at the final judgment.

(47)  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

·         It’s not hard to understand the meaning or lesson here.

(48)  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.

·         And I believe this is where the statement, ( shall have their part in the lake of fire) comes in.  Their part will not be as great as the ones who knew to do right, and didn’t do it.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

·         That is why you have heard me say, you will be held accountable for more knowledge than others.  The reason being is you know more of what God’s will is for mankind.

This is a good thing, not a bad thing.  You must just get sold out to God, and do the things that God would have us do.

 

This is where your joy will come from, when you are totally sold out to God, and the things of this world disgust you to no end.  Where the things of God are to you like finding a treasure in a field, a pearl of great price.  To be able to picture your mansion in heaven, and nothing in this world will keep you from attaining it.

 

Father help us to have the dedication that You would expect from Your children.  Amen.