November 24, 2013
Morning Service

Luke 12:35-40

**In the last couple of studies we have seen the parable of the rich man, who was going to build bigger barns to accommodate all his wealth, getting ready for retirement, but leaving God out of his plans.  **The results was that he would die, and leave this wealth to someone else. 

**The lesson was, don’t leave God out of your plans, and don’t fail to give God what is rightfully His from your wealth. 

**Jesus in the next paragraph explains the formula for success, and happiness.  Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.  Jesus said before that your life does not consist of the things you possess, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where no one can destroy them.

**The subject of teaching in this area of scripture concerns how we handle the wealth that God has allowed us to possess.  Notice how Jesus brings this out, as we continue in Lk. 12.

**This is immediately after telling them to be happy they need to seek first the kingdom of God. 

Luk 12:35-48  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. 

Let your loins be girded about,; 

·         The same type of warning was given to the children of Israel when they were ready to depart from Egypt.   The urgency of being prepared.

·         Exo 12:11  And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.

·         In essence, be ready, you will be leaving in a hurry.  Be prepared.

and your lights burning:  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.

·         This expresses the same meaning. Be ready at all times to leave the world and enter into rest, when your Lord shall call you. Let every obstacle be out of the way; let every earthly care be removed, and be prepared to follow him into his rest.

·         Servants were expected to be ready for the coming of their lord. If in the night, they were expected to keep their lights trimmed and burning. When their master was away in attendance on a wedding, as they knew not the hour when he would return, they were to be continually ready. So we, as we know not the hour when God shall call us, should be “always” ready to die.

(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.

·         Is this a picture of me, and my life?  Am I living like the Lord might return tomorrow?  These are the type of questions the Holy Spirit will lay on your heart as you read, and study these types of Scriptures.

·         Encouraging us to be expectant of the Lord’s return at anytime.

 

(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.

·         Now remember He has just reprimanded the rich man that was not rich toward God, and He told them how to be happy, and pleasing to God, by seeking first the kingdom of God.

·         We know He is coming back for the church, but we don’t know when.  We can even discern the signs of the times, but we still don’t have, nor should expect to have a definite date.

·         It’s pretty clear by this parable that Jesus wants us always ready, expecting His return, and about His business.

Now notice His reply to Peter:

(41)  Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?  (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? 

·         Who then?

·         We are all stewards in different capacities, with different gifts to serve the Lord, and His church.

·         Paul considered ministers,  stewards of the mysteries of God.

·         1Co 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

·         Anyone that has been called to teach, or preach the Word of the Lord, should consider himself a steward of the mysteries of God.

·         You see, the mysteries that the Lord revealed to the Apostles, are no longer a mystery, they have been revealed to whosoever will.  Whosoever wants to take time to study the Word of God can have, and understand these mysteries. 

·         Some have a greater desire to study, and find these mysteries, and understand the Word of God, and these are the ones that we find in the five fold ministry of Eph. Four.

·         That is not to say there are not still some things yet to be revealed, because there are.  As Paul said, “1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

NOW LOOK AT THE REWARDS FOR BEING READY:

(43)  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  (44)  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 

(45)  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 

·         We can see a real attitude problem here. 

1.       Mean spirited.

2.      Riotous, and gluttonous life style, with too much drinking.

(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. 

·         His portion with the unbelievers is the lake of fire.

·         Jesus closes with something that James repeats from this teaching:  Jas 3:1  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

(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. 

·         The more we know concerning the Lord’s will, the more accountable we will be held.  That is why you that worship here will be among this lot, for you know a lot.

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

·         Let me assure you, this is not a reason not to study the Word.  You understand.

Father, create in us a desire to know more of Your will, and to be ready upon Your return.