Living in Anticipation: Ready for Christ's Return

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound anticipation of Christ's return and the readiness it demands from us as believers. The question posed was whether we truly desire Jesus to return at any moment, and the varied responses highlight a deeper issue of spiritual preparedness. Many of us, while acknowledging the truth of Christ's imminent return, find ourselves hesitant, often due to unfinished business with loved ones or unresolved personal issues. This reluctance contrasts sharply with the biblical imagery of a bride eagerly awaiting her groom, symbolizing the church's anticipation for Christ.

In Luke 12, Jesus uses the analogy of servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet. The emphasis is on being dressed and ready, with lamps burning, symbolizing a state of constant readiness and service. This readiness is not just about avoiding sin but actively serving and being prepared for Christ's return. The passage challenges us to examine whether we are like the servants who are ready and waiting or those who have become complacent and apathetic over time.

The message also delves into the serious consequences of not being prepared. Jesus uses strong language to describe the fate of those who know what is right but fail to act. This serves as a stark warning about the accountability that comes with knowledge and the urgency of living a life aligned with God's will. The call is to be vigilant, to live with the awareness that Christ could return at any moment, and to ensure that our lives reflect our faith and readiness for that day.

Key Takeaways:

- Anticipation and Readiness: The anticipation of Christ's return should be a driving force in our lives, prompting us to live with a sense of urgency and readiness. Like the servants waiting for their master, we must be prepared at all times, actively serving and living in a way that honors God. This readiness is not passive but involves a proactive engagement with our faith and responsibilities. [02:06]

- The Consequences of Complacency: Jesus warns of the severe consequences for those who know what is right but fail to act. This highlights the importance of not becoming complacent in our faith, but rather living with the awareness that we are accountable for our actions and inactions. The knowledge of God's will demands a response, and failing to act on it can lead to serious repercussions. [16:54]

- The Role of Servant Leadership: The passage emphasizes the responsibility of those in leadership positions within the church. Leaders are called to be faithful and wise, serving others and setting an example of readiness and service. This is a reminder that leadership in the church is not about privilege but about greater accountability and service. [19:44]

- Living with Eternal Perspective: The message challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing what truly matters in light of Christ's return. This involves letting go of earthly concerns and focusing on our spiritual readiness and the impact of our lives on eternity. It is a call to evaluate our priorities and ensure they align with God's purposes. [18:48]

- Urgency of Action: There is an urgent call to action for those who know what God requires but have yet to respond. The time to act is now, as we are not guaranteed tomorrow. This urgency is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making decisions that align with God's will today. [24:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:20] - The Question of Readiness
- [01:01] - Reasons for Hesitation
- [01:54] - Anticipation of Christ's Return
- [02:40] - The Greatest Day
- [03:02] - Servants Waiting for the Master
- [04:06] - Girding Up for Action
- [05:26] - Keeping Lamps Burning
- [06:10] - Respect and Readiness
- [07:09] - The Master's Response
- [08:04] - Jesus Serving Us
- [09:25] - The Challenge of Apathy
- [10:28] - The Thief in the Night
- [11:47] - Clara's Example
- [13:44] - Living with Eternal Focus
- [15:43] - Accountability and Consequences

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 12:35-48

Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 12:35-36, what does Jesus instruct the servants to do while waiting for their master’s return? How does this relate to the concept of readiness? [03:31]
2. What is the significance of the master serving the servants upon his return, as described in Luke 12:37? [06:53]
3. How does Jesus describe the consequences for the servant who knows the master's will but does not act accordingly in Luke 12:47-48? [15:43]
4. What analogy does Jesus use to describe the unexpected nature of his return, and what does this imply about how we should live? [10:53]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of servants waiting for their master challenge our current state of spiritual readiness? What does it mean to be "dressed and ready for service"? [03:31]
2. Why might Jesus use such strong language to describe the consequences of not being prepared for his return? What does this reveal about the seriousness of spiritual complacency? [16:54]
3. How does the concept of servant leadership, as discussed in the sermon, apply to those in positions of authority within the church? What responsibilities come with this role? [19:44]
4. What does it mean to live with an eternal perspective, and how can this shift our priorities in daily life? [18:48]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel spiritually unprepared for Christ’s return? What steps can you take this week to address these areas? [01:23]
2. Consider the analogy of the thief in the night. How can you cultivate a mindset of constant readiness in your daily routine? [10:53]
3. If you were to evaluate your current priorities, do they align with an eternal perspective? What changes might you need to make to ensure they do? [18:48]
4. How can you actively serve in your community or church to demonstrate readiness and anticipation for Christ’s return? [05:26]
5. Think about a leadership role you hold, whether in church, work, or family. How can you embody servant leadership and set an example of readiness for others? [19:44]
6. Identify one personal issue or unfinished business that might be causing hesitation about Christ’s return. What practical steps can you take to resolve it? [01:10]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to live with a sense of urgency and readiness for Christ’s return? [24:13]

Devotional

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Quotes



"be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him it will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes i tell you the truth he will dress himself to serve will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them it will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night" [00:03:26]

"he uses this phrase in verse 35 he says be ready and dressed for service the the term actually literally in greek is it just says gird up your loins okay and the idea is uh you know back then they would have these robes these long flowing robes and you just kind of have them you know just kind of out there and uh just like you know a big bed sheet you and the idea of girding up your loins is what they would do whenever they were getting ready to move" [00:04:29]

"he says that's the way it ought to be it says there ought to be a a watching a readiness um it's the opposite of you know if the master came back and he finds all his servants asleep what does that tell him it shows him that these guys aren't that serious you know these guys it was a lack of respect the whole point of if you got your whole household and all these servants got their lamps burning they're ready they're serving even while you're gone and when you walk in that door" [00:06:10]

"it will be good for those servants whose the master finds ready even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night the the night was divided into three watches it'd be like six to ten ten to two then two to six in the morning and the whole idea is he goes hey even if the master's been gone to this banquet and now it's two three four o'clock in the morning and he comes in and maybe some of the people are sleeping heels but the servants that are still awake the servants that are still doing it this is gonna be really good for them" [00:08:38]

"he says he changes the analogy he says but understand this if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming he would not have let his house be broken into you also must be ready because the son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him so then he changes the analogy to and you know before you're saying servants to a master he goes but now he says it's like a thief is going to break into your house" [00:10:28]

"i just don't know if this is where i want to be when christ returns it's like whoa really and she goes she just says you know i just would rather be at home praying praying for you praying for your church or going out and trying to help someone and do something for them and so that when the master returns i'm found doing that i don't want to be found sitting in a theater watching a play oh and i use that illustration even though i've used it before because that's the only time i've ever heard anyone talk about the return of christ" [00:12:41]

"the lord answered who then is the faithful and wise manager whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time it will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns i tell you the truth he will put him in charge of all his possessions but suppose the servant says to himself my master's taking a long time in coming and he then begins to beat the men servants and the maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk" [00:14:47]

"the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows but the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows from everyone who has been given much much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much much more will be asked" [00:15:43]

"you know it's interesting because i've had people come to me and they go you know francis you know when jesus came jesus was very gentle okay he didn't condemn anyone he didn't use harsh words why sometimes when you preach it just seems so harsh you know when jesus was so gentle because let me read that verse again let me read verse 46 again the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers" [00:16:54]

"i just see jesus talking to these people and it's like you guys wake up man any moment the thief can come back any moment that the master is going to return any moment you've got to be ready this is so so serious because a lot of times we can just sit in church and we hear this stuff it's like okay another good sermon yes i should return you know wait for the return this and that he's like man do you get it do you get how serious this is he's saying if you know what's right you got to do it" [00:17:59]

"and i say that because often times in church the people that have been going the longest and have the most knowledge of the bible tend to be the most arrogant tend to be the ones that are just kind of i don't know it's just kind of judgmental and arrogant when the truth is is do you understand what this verse is saying is if you know you know the will of god you know the word of god you better do the word of god because it's worse for those who know what's right and don't do it" [00:22:08]

"i know he paid the penalty for my sins and i know i'm supposed to give my life for him i know i should get baptized i know i should start walking with the lord but just not yet it's such a scary thing to say because the passage is saying the servant who knows the master's will you know exactly what the master wants you to do at this point in your life but you don't do it you refuse to do it he says that's the person that's really gonna be punished with many blows you know encouraging thing is is there are people" [00:24:13]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?