A Certain Event at an Uncertain Time

Book of Luke  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Introduction to the Text

Now remember, Jesus started teaching at the beginning of chapter 12 and goes through 13:9
Jesus is speaking to disciples/ learners. Peter will asks in our Text if Jesus is addressing him. Kid who ask will this be on the text.
First off, you must abandon the influence of the Pharisees Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
We do this through - Fearing God, Confess Christ, and be taught of the Spirit. v.1-12
Then we asked “What’ll have? What’ll have?” as Jesus warned them about covetousness. v.13-21
Last time in Luke we talk “Fear to meet my Father” in vs. 22-34
Abandon the anxiety and the worry and the fear that comes from being preoccupied with this world so that you can seek the kingdom
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Now we are giving a very strong motivation. Jesus is coming back and we need to live ready for His return!
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Luke 12:35–48 (KJV 1900)
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.
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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?
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;
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.
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.
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.
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Pastoral Prayer

Passages falls heavy upon my life. Am I living to feed and care for those God has given me to care for.
This passage clearly are designed to move us to live in a particular way. Pray, we are able to understand and respond.
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Sermon Introduction

Conversation in the church foyer. One man thought we were talking about going to the mountains to shoot guns and the other thought we were talking about getting signs about Jesus return and going to a college campus. They became very confused when the conversations merged together.
Regardless of where you first heard or from whom you heard the news; it is true Jesus is going to return.
Several of us went to here John Lennox give a talk on Should we fear artificial intelligence. He is a Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University. He holds a chair that was once held by Isaac newton
Hearing this truth from a man on a street corner doesn’t make it false nor does hearing it from a brilliant Christian apologist make it true. But the Word of God is our rule of faith and practice.
He is going to return in the fashion He went up. Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

This parable is something that catches the imagination of the early Christians and becomes a theme in Christian teaching from this day forward.

1 Thess 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
We will be reminded of this truth in this chapter, 17, and 21.

There are 260 chapters in the New Testament, and Christ's return is mentioned no less than 318 times in those chapters. One in 25 verses in the NT.

“The doctrine of the return of Christ, as it appears in the NT, is like a high mountain that dominates the entire landscape.” As the volcano misti would be to those who have visited Arequipa
It was also the theme of some of my favorite songs as a teenager. “I wish we’s all been ready”
A man and wife asleep in bed She hears a noise and turns her head he's gone I wish we'd all been ready Two men walking up a hill One disappears and one's left standing still I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind The Son has come and you've been left behind
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The exhortations here in this passage clearly are designed to move us to live in a particular way. Furthermore, Jesus makes it crystal clear that no one does or will know when He is coming.

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A certain event at an uncertain time.

Luke 12:36 (KJV 1900)
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.

Retell the story

Cultural Understanding of Weddings

Weddings was quite the ordeal. They could take days to end.
Servants had no real idea when the Master would return.
He might come in the 3rd hour. 9 pm - 3 am
They were to live ready.
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Basic overview of the timeline of the end of the world as we know it.

Just as clear as our understanding of the 6 days of creation
Incredible that we are allowed to know this.
This knowledge is to be transformative to the way we live.
Also it is to bring comfort to us. In regard to believers this is the theme of the texts when discussing the end for us.

Let’s work from the end to where we are today.

Its the end of the world as we know it. New heaven and New Earth. Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Great White Throne Judgement Revelation 21
We know from Revelation 20:7-15 that this judgment will take place after the millennium and after Satan is thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet
Satan’s last revolt. Rev 20:7-10 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The 1000 years is called the Millennial Reign. Jesus rules and reigns with us and believers throughout history.
Battle of Armageddon Rev 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Marriage Feast. Rev 19:7-9 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Seven years of Tribulation Revelation 6:1 - 15:1
Judgement Seat / Bema Romans 14:10
Certain Event with an Uncertain Time; rapture (from verse I previously read)
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Live life ready for the return of Jesus.

Luke 12:36 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.
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
All of these are pictures not of trying to determine a date of when Jesus is returning, but living in such a way now so that whenever He returns we are ready for that return.

How to live ready?

Recognize we live in the last days.
Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; This should be put in the Urgent Important portion of your life. [Slide]
Evaluate you life and ask if you are doing what your Master has commanded as you wait for His return.

Recognize we live in last days.

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds
The word imminent means “likely to happen at any moment; impending.”
There is nothing more in biblical prophecy that needs to happen before Jesus comes again

Everyone has wanted to know when.

Mark 13:4 (KJV 1900)
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Jesus’s response Mark 13:32-33 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

We are commanded to live knowing His return is at hand

James 5:8 (KJV 1900)
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

This is the lesson for the disciples and us. Live ready.

Passage often read at gravesides, but should also be read about our kitchen tables as we start our days.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (KJV 1900)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
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Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning

Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

Cultural Understanding of the phrase “loins be girded about”

Phrase goes all the way back to the passover supper. Exodus 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.
Peter uses in relationship to our minds. 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Opposite of what my kids do on a road trip. Waiting for them to put their socks on so we can go into the gas station.

What does not being ready to serve look like in this story?

Luke 12:45 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; Glad my kids just take off shoes.

Cultural Understanding of the phrase “your lights be burning”

The another picture is of a disciple who is ready at all times.
Loins girded emphasizes posture. This emphasizes “at all times”
If you were expecting a midnight visitor, you would keep an oil light burning so that when he knocked on the door, you could see to let him in.
Another vivid picture of this can be seen in Matthew 25 where a group of 10 young ladies wait for their bridegroom.
This truth highlighted with Luke 12:39 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.
Transition: This passage clearly are designed to move us to live in a particular way.

Evaluate you life and ask if you are doing what your Master has commanded as you wait for His return.

Peter interrupts and asks “is this on the test” or “who are you talking to” Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
Jesus, as he often does responds with a question. Luke 12:42 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?
Saying “if the shoe fits, wear it”

Is he speaking to you? Do you desire to be a wise steward. Are you mastered by your Master?

Believers have the mindset and an outlook in which we are bent to do the will of Jesus. We seek first the Kingdom.
We desire to do what He has given for us to do. We do this as we wait his return. I imagine Peter sets up straight. Peter will have much to do as he awaits the Lord’s return.
So if Jesus is going to tell you now what it means to be ready, we ought to be all ears.

Who is living ready?

Luke 12:42-43 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? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
He's the one, when the householder goes away, gives to the household their food at the proper time.
Jesus is saying to Peter, “Peter, I'm going to go away, and in the hands of you disciples I'm going to leave My sheep. And while I'm away, here's what I want you to do. I want you to feed My sheep. I want you to feed them the Word of God. I want you to care for their souls. I don't want you to use them; I want you to serve them. I want you to always be thinking about them. I always want you to be thinking about their spiritual wellbeing. I don't want you to get rich off of them. I don't want you to take advantage of them. I want you to live your life in such a way that you’re feeding them, you’re shepherding them, you’re serving them, you are looking out for their wellbeing. That's what it means for you, Peter, to be ready.”
I feel this on such a deep level. You may think I am just preaching a sermon. But I am going about my chores/assignment doing what the master told me to do while I wait for him.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV 1900)
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Do you understand your assignment?

“Understand the assignment” slang by teenagers of giving 100% to do what you are supposed to do.
I want to do my assignment of always having a a mindset, an attitude, and a practice of always looking out for the well-being of the flock.
Do you know your assignment?

You are those who have been given much.

Luke 12:48 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.

Be ready: It is by not looking out for ourselves, but by being concerned for the wellbeing of one another.

Remember what not being ready looked like Luke 12:45 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 are called to..

Care for one another
Love our neighbors and that includes everyone
Give special attention to those with whom we serve

What's going to be the basis on which we are evaluated when the Lord comes? Did we do what He said?

Luke 12:47 (KJV 1900)
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.

Language of the great commission

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things (do) whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This is more than a nice story. This is foreshadowing an actual, historical event.

Two widely separate events separated by over 1000 years.
Great White Throne Judgement
The Judgement Seat (Bema) of Christ
As believers we live in constant consideration of the second for ourselves and the first for those around us.
Today you need to recognize you are headed to one.

Biblical understanding of Bema

Bema seat is seen in stories of the Bible Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
An actual seat not just a place of authority. John 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
This type of seat would have also be used during olympic type games. 2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

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Avoided discussion. (maybe more than other topics today)

Concern it could be a cause of confusion. Are we saved by grace or by works? This is very clear in Scripture.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit
We should understand how this works in our lives. On graduation day you do not expect to hear the moderator dismiss a student from school.
It is not a time of punishment where believers are judged for their sins. (That is far removed from here)

Confusion over the purpose; shame

As many of you I was told this was the time that the movie of my life was shown.; The story of my life looks like the Jesus Movie - thankfully He taped over my life and gave me His.

All believers will stand here someday.

Romans 14:10 (KJV 1900)
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Sin is forgiven, but it is never small

Two extreme options of this time.
Shame, condemnation. Punishment for sin. (against God’s promises)
“Scripture teaches that for the believer God’s justice has already been fully and forever satisfied at the Cross in relation to the believer’s sins. If God were to punish the believer judicially for his sins for which Christ has already rendered payment, He would be requiring two payments for sin and would therefore be unjust. Such a concept (punishment for sin) erroneously disparages the all-sufficiency of Christ’s death on the cross.” Hoyt
All equal rewards. No sorrow. Participation Trophy Ceremony (goes against God’s teachings)
Neither of this reflect the Jesus teaching here.
Here are few reasons why we believe this.
Sin, even in the life of a believer, has consequences.
Loss of Fellowship With the Lord. Known sin in one’s life causes a loss of intimate fellowship with the Lord with the consequent loss of His joy and peace (Ps. 32:3-4).
Discipline for sin from the Lord in this life. We should not think of discipline as punishment. Discipline from God is the gracious work of a Father to train and develop His children. Heb 12:5-11
Teaching of the loss of rewards at the Judgement Seat. 1 Cor 3:13-15 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Conclusion

Luke 12:36 (KJV 1900)
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.

So we must ask ourselves some hard, but needed questions today?

Believers
Are we living as men who are waiting for our Master’s return?
Is this shown in how you treat your fellow servants?
Are we faithfully doing what the Master would have us to do, which is too fed those around us?
Unbelievers
After the great taking away, rapture, when we are standing before the Lord on this day will we find you there?
Will you be part of the small and great? Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
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And for the hope of His return, Dear Lord, Your Name we praise; With longing hearts we watch and wait; For that great day of days!”
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