Introduction
Sermon on 7th February 2021 by Ps Justin
The watching servants is a parable of Jesus. What is a parable? It is a metaphor, a narrative comparing two things. It is figurative and applicable to us Christians. Jesus, during his earthly ministry, taught heavily in parables. There are about 35 parables in the New Testament, in the books of Mark, Matthew and Luke.
And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Matthew 13:11-13 tells us that parables tell us the secret things of heaven. Parables have a two-fold purpose: (1) to reveal the truth to those who wanted to know, and (2) to conceal the truth from those who were not interested.
If you have a humble heart and hunger for the truth, you have a mark of a true Christian. For those who want to know, more will be given. John 8:31-32 tells us that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Free refers to the bondage of sin. A person can be healed but not saved. A person can hold on to pride, anger, envy and other things not pleasing to God. We will only know the truth if we abide in His word. Walk in the light; walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide us in the truth.
Message
Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning, and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. – Luke 12:35-40
Luke 12:35-40 is about watchfulness. The master went to a wedding feast and told his servants to wait for his return. No one knew when he would return. Just like no one knows when Jesus will return. Luke 12:37 tells us that blessed are those who are ready for Him when Jesus returns. We are supposed to be watching and alert when He returns.
Luke 12:39 tells us that the Son of Man will come like a thief, unexpectedly. Revelation 16:15 confirms this.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. – Matthew 24:36
Mark 13:32 tells us that even the Son does not know when that time will come – Jesus Himself does not know. Only the Father knows.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. – Mark 13:32
Therefore, we need to be ready, be prepared and be involved.
1. Always be ready
Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning. – Luke 12:35
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. – Luke 12:40
A lamp cannot be bright if the wick is not trimmed. In Matthew 25:1-13 the 5 wise virgins carried vessels with oil but the 5 foolish ones did not. When the wedding feast started, the foolish virgins knocked on the door but the Lord replied He did not know them.
The eye is the lamp of the body (Matthew 6:22). Be holy.
2. Always be prepared
Be prepared as a child of the most high God. Put your focus on Jesus Christ. You have to prepare your mind your action. Fill your mind with things that are holy (Philippians 4:8). Guard your heart.
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weight down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will close on your unexpectedly like a trap. – Luke 21:34
3. Always be involved
If you are not committed, or passionate, you are not involved. Be involved by praying and reading the word. Faith without works is dead.
Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. – Mark 13:33
Put on Christ Jesus.
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. – Romans 13:14
Closing
We are in the last hours now. Live out the gospel. We are the watching servants.