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9 Nov:
FAITHFUL SERVANTS LK 12:35-48 / Mt 24:45-51
Lk 12:35-38 “Be dressed in readiness, and your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.” “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.” “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.” I have always thought this parable where the “Master” serves his obedient servants rather strange and improbable. But how much more is it improbable to think that a “God” would submit himself to becoming human, even to the point of death? Yet that is exactly what happened. Jesus, left heaven and came here, born of a virgin, was rejected by “His” very own people (Jews/siblings) and allowed Himself to be flogged and crucified. I could, maybe, see being human and dying of old age, but crucified- unimaginable!!!
1. Lk 12:35-38 The Masters time of return is unknown. In this parable - the time is uncertain as to when the master will return. While he is gone the servants continue operating according to the desires of the master. In a similar fashion we do not know when the Lord is going to come back to us. We too need to live our lives in such a way that we are pleasing the Lord until His 2nd coming.
- Heb 10:36 “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
- 1 Pe 1:13-15 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” We are eagerly awaiting His return but while waiting we are to live in accordance with God’s will. (Essop tale: ant and the grasshopper)
3. 2 Tim 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.
4. I Thess 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep…”
2. Lk 12:35-40 Master Waits on the Servants who are Prepared / Ready –
1. Phil 2:7 “(Christ) emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” . 2. John 13:3,4 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” It is hard to imagine the parable Jesus just told us regarding a master serving his servants. It is not what you expect to hear because it is not the norm. It kinda’ makes you wonder if you read it right but you did! In fact, Jesus lives that very parable to prove the truth of it. We need to know and believe that God is going to reward us if we are faithful in our lives.
3. Lk 12:35-40 Being Prepared and Ready is the Correct Mindset: the servants are alert and prepared to welcome the master back home. Our being alert and prepared requires us to know what is pleasing to the Lord and obediently living our lives in accordance with His teachings and example – take you your cross and follow Me.
1. I Pe 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.”
2. I Tim 4:6,8,12 “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.” “…for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” “Let not one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”
Lk 12:35-40 Summary: We need to know the will of the Father, and we need bring our lives more and more into compliance. When our lives are in sync with the Lord we will find more contentment, peace and satisfaction. We will be one of those looking forward to His return and the reward that awaits us!
2 Nov: Why Is There Suffering?
John 16:33 “… In the world you have tribulations but take courage; I have overcome the world.
1. Christians May Suffer Because of Their Christian Walk:
A. Acts 5:40,41 “… and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. So they went on their way rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”
B. 1 Peter 4:16 “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed but is to glorify God in this name.”
C. 2 Cor 1:8,9 “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves, but in God who raises the dead”.
D. Philippians 1:29 “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake
E. 2 Timothy 1:8 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God
F. Rev 17:6 “I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Rev 18:24 “In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”
2. We Live in a Broken World:
A. 1 Peter 1:6 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials”.
B. 2 Cor 11:25 “Three time I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and day I have spent in the deep, I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, robbers,… dangers in city/wilderness/sea”.
C. Mtt 8:23,24 “23 Then he got into the boat, and His disciples followed Him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.”
D. Luke 21:34 “Be on guard so that your hearts will not be weighted down with … the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap, for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of the earth.”
E. Consider All the Miraculous “Healings” Jesus Performed
3. Sufferings Allow Us to Bring Glory to God:
A. John 9:1-3 Man Born Blind: When asked if this man was born blind because of sin Jesus replied: “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
B. John 11:1-4 Lazarus is allowed to die: “So the sisters sent word to Him, saying. ‘Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick. But when Jesus heard this, He said, ‘This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”
C. John 17:1,2,4 “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eye to heaven, He said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.”
4. Our Suffering Grows and Develops Us:
A. James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
B. Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
C. Heb 12:4-13 “… ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He discipline, and He scourges every son whom He received.’ (Prov 3:11,12) It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as His sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? …. We had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. …to those who have been so trained it yields peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
D. 1 Cor 11:32 “But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.”
5. Faithful Obedience Results in Receiving Comfort:
A. Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
B. Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
C. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.”
D. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
E. Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
6. Faithful Obedience Results in Our Eternal Reward:
A. Acts 14:22 “Paul and Barnabas revisited the earlier cities encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’”
B. 1 Peter 1:4,6,7,9 “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, …. May be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. … obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
C. John 14:1,2 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”
D. James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
E. Rev 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, (or do like Job) so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulations for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
26 Oct: Are We Idol Worshipers???
We don’t often think of ourselves as worshipping idols because we think of idols in terms of statues and shrines yet we find this in the Old Testament: Ezek 14:3 God tells the leaders of Israel that they “have taken their idols into their hearts”. And in Jer 2:13 God says, “My people have committed two evils: (a) they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and (b) hewed cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” As a result, Jer 7:19 states they (c) “go after other gods to [their] own harm” and “to their own shame”. And in contradiction to this problem, we find what is pleasing to God: Jer 31:33 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put My law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” The issue, always at hand in our lives is – who are we going to serve. Christ says we can't serve TWO masters. So, who are WE going to serve during the course of our lives???
Consider the first sin: “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Gen. 3:6). Eve thought the fruit could give her what God would not or could not – so she desired the fruit. That desire controlled her heart and determined her behavior. And instead of going to the Lord regarding what she wanted she chose an alternate path to get what she wanted. And that alternate path was a sinful path. This was true of the first sin, and it’s true of all subsequent sin. James 1:14,15 “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death”
Sin begins with desire. We’re sinners because we give in to our sinful desires. That’s why we can’t change ourselves simply by changing our behavior. We need God to change us by renewing our hearts and giving us new desires. Remember what God said in Jermiah – how he wants to write His laws on our hearts? When our hearts change then our minds will change with it:
1 Peter 1:13-15 “Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
Col 3:1,2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
How does our “mind preparation” happen? And why are we preparing our minds? How can we know we qualify as “obedient children”? How can we make sure our conduct is considered “holy”? How do we become children who are raised with Christ?
You may have noticed that my word bolding in the scriptures are focused on two points: we are to know and obey what God wants from us. That we know what types of actions properly represent what God wants. He expects us to talk the talk and to also walk the walk. Paul writes in 1 Cor 11:1 that we are to be imitators of him just as he imitates Christ. If that is what is happening in our lives, as best we can, then we are fulfilling what Peter writes in his letter: 1 Peter 2:9,11 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light …. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly pleasures which wage war against the soul.”
Notice that Peter refers to his audience as aliens and strangers. He is making reference to the fact that we should not consider ourselves as children of THIS world. Jesus said this of His apostles and His followers to include us: John 17:15,16 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even a I am not of the world.”
Our focus and motivation is to be determined by God and His teachings.
Col 3:1,2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” When we live our lives focused solely on the concerns of this world, we are guilty of idolatry. OUR god is whatever we are looking to in to accomplish our goals and trusting it to gain for us what we most desire.
Go back to the first sin. Eve desired to be wise – to be like God and know good and evil. Who put that idea forward and into Eve’s mind? It was Satan. And how did she seek that wisdom? It was by breaking God’s commands and eating the fruit of the tree that was off limits.
Idolatry may not involve explicit denials of God’s existence or character. It may well come in the form of an over-attachment to something that is, in itself, perfectly good. . . . An idol can be a physical object, a property, a person, an activity, a role, an institution, a hope, an image, an idea, a pleasure, a hero—anything that can substitute for God. It can be anything which gives happiness or meaning to our lives and is the first and foremost thing in which we desire.
It is the thing(s) of which we say, “I need this to make me happy,” or “If I don’t have this my life is worthless and meaningless.” Paul describes “covetousness” or greed as “idolatry” (Col. 3:5). Your idol is whatever you’re greedy for. It may be money, approval, sex, or power. David Powlison says, “If ‘idolatry’ is the characteristic and summary Old Testament word for our drift from God, then ‘desires’ is the characteristic and summary New Testament word for the same drift. Both are shorthand for the problem of human beings.”5 In other words, “sinful desires of the flesh” is another way of talking about the idols of the heart.
“For where your treasure is,” says Jesus, “there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). Whatever you treasure most is the thing that has your heart and controls your life. “Whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (2 Peter 2:19). “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24). We serve whatever our hearts desire most. If that desire is for God and His glory, then God is our master. But if our desire is, first and foremost, for example, money, then money is our master, and that’s idolatry.
We excuse ourselves by thinking that we want to be good but are the victims of other factors (circumstances, history, biology, ill health, and so on). But the Bible’s radical view of sin tells us that we are responsible. We always do what we want to do.
But hope is given to us in Romans 7. Paul describes someone who says, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Rom. 7:19).
At first sight this might seem to contradict what we’ve been saying. Here is someone who doesn’t do what he wants to do. But the reason he doesn’t follow his good desires is that his sinful desires are stronger and therefore controlling (Rom. 1:24–26; 7:23–25). Rom 8:9-11 “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
The answer is, says Paul, the Holy Spirit and the new desires He gives: those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. That is why it is so important that we know the will of God and loving Him with all of our heart, mind and strength so that we find the strength through the Holy Spirit to continually grow, develop and become who God wants us to be – we become God’s child, wanting to please Him and finding that abundant life which Christ promised us. We are looking to Him first and foremost regarding all that we desire!!!