Jay Grant’s sermon on Luke 12:35-48
Sermon notes:
Luke 12:35-48
YOU MUST BE READY
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.
God’s Call To Stay Alert
“Awake O sleeper and arise from the dead and Christ shall shine upon you, giving you light. Be careful how you walk, not as the unwise but the wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil. And do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord. Do not be drunk with wine for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:14-18
“Do not sleep as others do, but keep wide awake, alert, watchful, cautious, on your guard and let us stay sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6
“The end of all things is at hand, therefore, be of sound judgment, alert and sober, for the purpose of prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7
“Be sober of mind, alert, vigilant, and cautious at all times, for your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
“Therefore be on the alert for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42
Some Helps In Staying Alert
1. Don’t leave the house in the morning without disciplining yourself to spend time with God (or coming to morning prayer)
2. Do not look at your I-phone, computer or cell first thing in the morning; this is a setup, a certain distraction
3. A reminder prayer list is good – worship God; “Lord I need You today. I surrender myself anew to You. I want to stay close to You. I set my heart toward You. Pray – family/friends
4. Find a comfortable place for your time with God (but not where you sleep); side room, garage, beach, back yard, Upper Room (include prayer/worship/the Word)
5. Connect with other believers during the week – Bible studies/cell groups/prayer
6. Seek to focus on the Lord throughout the day; “Set your mind on God and the things above, and not on the things of this world.” This will take some effort
7. Find a couple of significant verses that stir you; inspire you; speak to you
Two Significant Verses For Me
I have fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
“I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God. This is truly the way to worship Him. And do not be conformed to this world, (don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world NLT), but be transformed, be the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of the Lord is, that which is good, acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1,2