Being Ready (Luke 12:35-48)

 

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit." 
Luke 12:35

[Title Slide] Being Ready (Luke 12:35-48)

 

[Slide] The owner of a stockyard noticed one of his employees asleep at his desk. The boss yelled at him, "If I catch you sleeping on the job again, you're fired!" The clerk jumped up and apologized, "I understand, sir! Won't happen again." Then the boss said, "Now go… take inventory of the sheep."

 

I’ll wait... Are you awake? Did you get the punchline?

 

We’re continuing our study of the gospel of Luke. [Slide] In our passage reading this morning, Jesus encourages the church to be ready, stay awake, keep your lamp light burning. Exactly how do we ready ourselves? How do we stay alert and be ready to serve?

 

The King James Version begins verse 35 by saying let your loins be girded about. To gird yourself is to tuck your loose clothing in tight under your belt, so that your movement is not restricted in any way, so that you are able to work without tripping over your tunic. [Slide] Here’s a guide on how to gird your loins! Lift your tunic above the knees. Pull the loose fabric forward and tight against your backside. Pull the fabric between your legs behind you and then take it in two parts to bring it around your waist to the front and tie it or simply tuck the fabric in your belt. That’s how to gird your loins! Now you’re ready for activity.

 

[Slide] When I go for a bicycle ride, I wear bike shorts. The tight fit reduces friction and protects me from a burning rash. When I was younger, I didn’t have biking shorts. I rode in my jeans and my pant legs sometimes got caught between the sprocket and chain. Dress appropriately for the activity.

 

As a follower of Jesus Christ, what are you wearing?

Does what you're wearing trip you up?

 

The apostle writes,

[Slide] Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry)… get rid of all such things: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another… strip off the old self with its practices and clothe yourselves with the new self, renewed in knowledge according to the image of our creator… [Slide] clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you... Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:5-6, 8-10, 12-13)

 

All kinds of old sinful ways can cause us to stumble in our walk with Jesus. [Slide] Clothe yourself with Christ. Wear love, not hate. Wear patience, not anger or greed. Wear kindness, not abusive language. Wear compassion, not resentment. Wear forgiveness and lay aside the clothing of revenge. Above all wear love which holds all virtues together. I know of no better way to put on Christ, but by prayer and study. If you want to be filled with the love of Christ, spend time in the word of God and spend time with Jesus in prayer and meditation. Then you will be free to serve without hindrance.

 

Be dressed in Christ and ready to serve others in love AND keep your lamps burning. [Slide]. Oil lamps are pretty simple. There’s a saturated rope or cloth wick in a clay lamp filled with flammable oil. To keep your lamps lit you need fuel, wick, and flame. The fuel is the love of Jesus. The flame is the Holy Spirit. You’re the wick.

 

Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25 of ten maidens who were waiting for the wedding procession to comes through town. Five maidens had prepared by carrying enough oil for the night, but the other five ran out of oil. So, they went off to get more, but by the time they came back the wedding procession had come through and entered the banquet hall and the doors were shut and they couldn’t get in. Jesus warned to stay alert and be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour we do not expect.

In Luke 12, Jesus uses the example of a household servant waiting for the return of their master. To talk about slavery today is a sensitive subject. [Slide] Out of cultural sensitivity, Disney changed the name of Boba Fett’s ship from “Slave 1” to “The Firespray.” (You knew I’d get a Star Wars reference in there somehow!) Jesus used household servants as an illustration because it was common. Many early followers of Jesus were slaves. Some were bought from slave traders. Some worked off family debt by indentured servitude. Others chose to be servants to avoid living on the streets.  Jesus poses a scenario, where the master of the house has gone to a wedding.

 

[Slide] Weddings in Jesus day were weeks long affairs. One week was for the family and guests as they poured into town. One week was for the wedding festivities. And another week for family and friends to depart. While the master was gone, the servants had responsibility for the house. They also needed to keep watch for his return. It’s not like he could call when he was getting close. He couldn’t send them a quick text and ask them to turn on the front porch light. No. [Slide] A good servant would each night keep watch with a lamp lit prepared to receive their master when he returned.

 

How expectant are you for the return of Jesus Christ? Our faith celebrates His promised return. In John’s gospel Jesus says,

 

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:2-3)

 

John wrote in his apocalypse,

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Jesus’ return is imagined as a wedding feast, a great celebration! The Church is sometimes called the Bride of Christ. We are betrothed and remain faithful to Jesus like a bride to be for her future husband. Like a bride to be, we wait expectantly, with anticipation, for the day when we shall be together with Jesus forever.

 

Jesus encourages us to be like that servant who is alert, dressed and ready for service, with the lamp lit to greet their master when he comes home. That master will be greatly pleased with their servant and treat them like a special guest. The master of the house will make themself a servant, seat the servant at the table, and serve them a fine meal.

 

This is remarkable. Normal behavior is for the salve to do what they are told, end of story.  [Slide] Later in Luke, Jesus describes the norm,

“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me; put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? (Lk 17:7-9)

 

Oh, but look out if you’re like the servant that sleeps on the job! Be ready or you may be taken unaware by the thief. Be ready to greet Jesus by keeping your faith burning!

 

How are we to keep our lamps lit? In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the church,

 

 

[Slide] “You are the light of the world. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. [Slide] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Mat 5:14-16)

 

[Slide] The way we are to keep our lamps lit is by doing good works for others that glorify God! Take a moment today to list some good deeds you can do to help others. Make a commitment to do these good works with love. It can be simple like mailing an encouraging letter or card. It could be a visit to someone’s home or to the hospital. It could be bringing a meal or groceries to someone who’s having a hard time. It can be common courtesy on the road or in the checkout line. It can be a kind word and a smile. It can be prayer for all sorts of people struggling with all sorts of challenges. Be a friend to a stranger. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Love others as you love yourself.

 

Peter wants to know if Jesus is speaking to everyone or just apostles. Does this exhortation apply to all humanity, or only those who claim to be followers of Jesus? 

 

Notice that Jesus doesn’t give a straight answer. Instead, he gives yet another parable.  The parable elevates the status of the church from slave to chief steward. The chief steward of the house was responsible for managing the household, taking care of the master’s business, maintenance of property, feeding and care for livestock and servants and their families.

 

[Slide] You may remember that Joseph, the beloved son of Rachel and Jacob. You know, that son who had crazy dreams and wore a coat of many colors. Because his dreams spoke of his brothers bowing down to honor him, and because Joseph was their father’s favorite, they were jealous. So they attacked him, threw him in a dry well, and sold him to slave traders.  Joseph was purchased by an Egyptian named Potiphar, the captain of the guard for the king of Egypt. Joseph soon proved to be a talented and trustworthy slave. Whatever Joseph was given to do, he did it with excellence, and as a result the household of Potiphar prospered. So Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his entire household. He was his most valued and trusted servant. The Lord prospered Potiphar in his fields, barns and home, all on account of Joseph.

 

[Slide] Eventually Joseph would become the right hand of Pharaoh. Only the king of Egypt had higher status than Joseph. And The Lord blessed Egypt under Joseph’s wisdom and skill. They survived a seven-year famine because of Joseph’s insightfulness.  Pharaoh grew exceedingly wealthy because everyone from the surrounding nations, who were not prepared for the famine, came to Egypt to buy grain.

 

The story of Joseph reveals how God’s people are to play a role in this world. We are here to be a blessing. We are here to serve as stewards of all God’s gifts entrusted to us. By being trustworthy stewards, God blesses the world.

 

[Slide] Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Lk 12:32) He also said the Kingdom of God is within you. (Lk 17:21) The kingdom of God is a kingdom that begins in the heart, and must be maintained in the heart, as we serve from the heart. If your heart is filled with Christ, Christ will be present in all you do and say. So keep your lamps lit! The authority of Jesus Christ is yours! The same power God exerted when He raised Jesus from the grave is yours through the Spirit. Disciples of Jesus Christ continue His ministry by giving hope with the gospel, restoring health through prayer and compassionate care, and liberating lives through ministry. We are His witnesses.

 

[Slide] John Newton was a former captain of a slave ship. He was part of a brutal and evil system. He witnessed the worst in humanity. His guilt was great, but when he found forgiveness in the gospel, his life was transformed. He wrote the most beloved of all hymns, Amazing Grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I’m found

‘Twas blind, but now I see.

 

What’s your story of how Jesus changed your life? You are his witness. In what ways were you lost, but when Jesus came into your life, you now feel at home? How were you blind, but now through Christ you can see a whole new world? Prepare your story. Tell your story. Give others hope.

 

The love of Jesus is your fuel. Immerse yourself in the fuel of His love through prayer and study. The flame is the presence of the Holy Spirit. Practice centeredness in Him. The Lord is an unquenchable fire. He will light up your life with Amazing Grace! You are the wick! Shine with the Light of Christ with good works and sharing your faith

 

Be dressed and ready and keep that lamp burning bright!