You must be ready

The unit begins with two images of preparedness. The first image, the girding up of the loins, pictures readiness. Long garments in the ancient world were drawn up around the loins whenever anyone wanted to move quickly.

We have to be in a state of ready-ness to act.

when we are in a state of readiness our heart is in it.

Our actions are in it

w are looking be aware.

B. Keep your lamps burning

We are reminded of the 10 virgins

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps[a]and went to meet the bridegroom.[b] 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

I think that we must always be filled with God’s light and ready to give an answer for the hope with in us.

C. ready to open the door when he knocks

Luke 12:36 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

they were doing what they were suppose to do.

actively waiting for their master

The three pictures of call the disciple to labor with one eye toward heaven, looking for Jesus’ return. The disciple eagerly anticipates the coming of God’s kingdom with an awareness that the master will evaluate the servant’s faithful response and issue a call to additional service.1

Actively Waiting for the master

II. Servants or volunteers

Luke 12: 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.

Servant:

Lexham Theological Wordbook δοῦλος

δοῦλος (doulos). n. masc. slave, bondservant. Describes a person who is the property of an owner, or a state of being controlled by someone or something.

In Graeco-Roman literature, a δοῦλος (doulos) is a person whose social status is characterized by subservience; its use is primarily legal and demonstrates little connection with the religious sphere. This secular usage appears in the NT in the parables of Jesus (e.g. Matt 13:27; Luke 20:10) and in the exhortation sections of several epistles (e.g., Col 4:1; 1 Tim 6:1). In many cases, however, NT authors employ doulos in ways that subvert its common usage. For example, Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave (doulos) nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28). Within the body of Christ, social dichotomies are erased. Members of this body are now characterized as “slaves (doulos) of God” or “slaves (doulos) of Christ” (e.g., 1 Pet 2:16; 2 Pet 1:1; Rev 1:1; 22:3).

δοῦλος doúlos; gen. doúlou, masc. noun. A slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other (; ; , ). Generally one serving, bound to serve, in bondage (, ).

(I) A slave, servant, spoken of involuntary service, e.g., a slave as opposed to a free man (eleútheros [1658]; ; ; ; ). Also generally a servant (, ; ; ; ; ; Sept.: ; ; ). In , having taken “the form of a servant,” means appearing in a humble and despised condition.

(II) Metaphorically spoken of voluntary service, a servant, implying obedience, devotion (; ). Implying modesty (); in praise of modesty (; ). Spoken of the true followers and worshipers of God, e.g., a servant of God, either of agents sent from God, as Moses (; see ) or prophets (; ; Sept.: ; ), or simply of the worshipers of God (; ; ; Sept.: ; ); the followers and ministers of Christ (; ); especially applied to the Apostles (; ; ; ). Used instead of the personal pron. in the oriental style of addressing a superior (; ; Sept.: , ; ). In respect of things, one such as the servant of sin who indulges in or is addicted to something (; , ; ).1

1 Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

* servants belong to their master.

we are characterize as slaves of Christ.

Volunteer: offering something that is not required nor is an obligation.

Volunteer

work side by side with others.

work together toward a common goal.

people give back to their community through volunteer.

In the kingdom of God we are all servants.

III. Blessing to those who are ready

A. servanthood is a path of love. We serve God and God serves us. All of that is based I think in love.

Luke 12:38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!

* We are to live in a state of being ready.

God promises blessing for those of us who live ready.

It is a way of the kingdom.

Luke 12:39 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

If you knew when the thief was coming you would be ready for them.

We don’t know… you will not know when.

Luke 12:40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

You will not know when

Dressed for action

Your light burning

Waiting for the masters return

Servants must be ready for action allowing your light to shine, waiting for Christ’s return no matter when.

YOU: APPLICATION (TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO AND WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD)

Conclusion:

Conclusion

Roman 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves,[a]you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?