Sermon

Series: The Stories Jesus Told #3

Ready or not here I come!

1. What’s the one thing in your life where you felt the most ready to do? 

1. A Test
2. Marriage or starting a family (this is a big thing) 
3. A trip
4. A job or an order. 

2. There are different personality types out there.
3. How many of you have ever thought about the end of the earth?
4. Imagine if we could know ahead of time and be prepared. 
5. The Bible and especially many of Jesus parables are full of warnings about being ready. 

Luke 12:35-48

"Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

39 "Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."
41 Peter asked, "Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?" 42 And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.

44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.

47 "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.


The Facts:   I. Jesus Will Return

• When do you think Jesus will return?
• The times we live in should be signs of that.
• The entire book of revelation although hard to understand is full of the predictions of when Jesus will return and what the signs will be. 
• Eschatology has three theories.  PRE, MID, POST and my favorite is PAN.

II. Many people won’t be ready

• The fact is that according to these parables many won’t be ready. 
• Maybe because life is too much fun.  Matt 24:36-41 
• We live in the best but also most dangerous world the world has ever known.
• The best part makes us forget that at some point, time will come to a close.

III. There will be a reward for those who are ready.

• I wonder what it will be? 
• I’m not suggesting that we all won’t go to heaven but those that are ready will do better. 
• What will you be doing when the Lord does return? 

What to do: I. Don’t kid yourself

• You might be saying PJ don’t kid ‘yourself’ it’s not going to happen.
• The Bible often says to be Sober!  The scriptures are full of this stuff so don’t say it won’t happen to me.  It is better to live a life that reflects being ready than one that isn’t.
• It is easy for the human mind to believe whatever it wants.

II. Do something to get ready for the Lord.

• If the end was upon you what one thing would you take with you.
• If I predicted it would happen at the end of this service what regrets about life would you have?
• Let there be NO THING I mean NO THING at all that would cause you to look back.  Remember Lot’s wife!  Luke 17:28-35

1. No material possession
2. No earthly relationship
3. No ambition
4. What might cause you to look back?

• Live as if today was the last day of your life and live as if you will be here 120 years.

GO Question 

Topic :  Kebereadyan. Ready or not her I come!
 
Ice Breaker: When do you wish Jesus to come?      
 
Read Luke 12: 35-48
1. In verse 35 and verse 40, Jesus wants us to be  ready, what do you think Jesus wants us to be ready for?

2. Jesus said that many believers will not be ready.  Are you surprised? What are the common reasons which make us being not ready for his return?
 
3. Jesus promised that those who are ready will be rewarded.
     Why is it hard for people to believe his promise ?
 
Read Matt. 24: 36-41
 
4. PJ said many forget that at some point in time will come to a close, do you agree with him? Why?
 
Read Luke 17: 28-35
 
5. No one knows the day or hour when Jesus will return. PJ suggested we should live as if  today was the last day of our lives? What kind of life would that be? Please give example.
Do you think you still need to buy life insurance?
   
Please pray for members to need prayer.

GO Question by Wieli / GO Central