Hello Family and Friends,

Here are my sermon notes from this last Sunday, July 26, 2015

Title of Sermon – “Messiah is Returning”

Alternate title could be: “Watchfulness.”

Theme is: Being Accountable and Being Prepared for the End times. The scripture message is not so much about the signs of the times and what to look for, but what we should be doing in the meantime. You could also say the Theme is about Accountability & Reliability – you could also add Creditability and Responsibility. These are words that have become somewhat foreign to our society.

The scripture message Answers the question “Will believers be reprimanded for doing nothing?” The answer is, “Yes.”

The lesson reminds us that: Good stewardship should grow out of a person's relationship with Christ Jesus, a fervent desire to obey him, and the knowledge that God will hold all people accountable.

Waiting for the Lord has requirements: Action, Faith and Vigilance. Waiting does not mean sitting around but serving the Lord (that means work).

The scripture message says: Be prepared for Jesus' return. 

Was presented July 26, 2015

Written by: Bill Ferguson

Scripture Reading …................................ Luke 12: 35 - 48

Referring Scripture...... Revelation 16: 10 - 15

Responsive Reading Psalm 93 …..813

The Words of God for the people of God, thanks be to God! 

     The teaching about the end times in Luke does not entail a detailed description of what will occur but a secure conviction that the Son of Man will return in judgment. This knowledge should motivate Christians to be faithful servants and stewards, to do what God has commanded them to do, and to use their talents and resources effectively. Thus Luke placed Jesus' teachings about the end times near his teachings about the wise use of possessions (see Luke 16:1). Listen. Good stewardship should grow out of a person's relationship with Christ Jesus, a fervent desire to obey him, and the knowledge that God will hold all people accountable. The scripture message is saying: Don't let the various theories and debates about the end times distract you (us) from the ultimate significance of the Messiah's return. Listen, Jesus will return and will hold everyone accountable. We can be ready for his return by living in obedience to his commands. Christians are to be more concerned about their character than they are with their authority and reputation. Accountability, creditability, responsibility and reliability are words that we all should be very familiar with. Unfortunately these ingredients are often missing from society. As humans we have a tendency, when things go horribly wrong, to place the blame on anything but our selves. For instance we blame the shooting of innocent people in church on a flag. When someone commits a violent crime we blame the environment or the weapon used.

     In verse 35-36, Jesus warns; “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.” Because of the certainty of Jesus' return, and because he will be coming in the future, waiting for Jesus' return requires three important ingredients, you want to write them down. They are: action, faith and vigilance. Listen. God's people must be dressed for action, and be working with their lamps lit. “Dressed for action,” depicts a person ready to do whatever the master may call them to do at any time, whether it be run, travel, fight, or work.

     Listen to Jesus’ words in verse 37-38: “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.”  Listen, Servants who are watching for their master's arrival will be rewarded. Even more commendable is the fact that they were ready even in the second or third watch of night (anytime between 9:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M.). The master will be so pleased upon his arrival that, for those servants, he will dress to serve them. Such a welcome will await those who are ready.

     Look at verse 39-40; “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would have not let his house be broken into.” This parable describes the need for constant vigilance as believers await the kingdom. A homeowner does not know when a burglar is coming to break in, if he did he would have been ready. Likewise, God's people must be ready all of the time. Look around at what’s happening in the world – our society - today.

     The Messiah's return at an unexpected time is not a trick by which God hopes to catch his people off guard. In fact, God is delaying his return so that more people will have the opportunity to welcome Christ Jesus into their lives and to follow him. Christians have time to live out their faith and to reflect Jesus' love as they relate to others. The question is: Are you and I sharing the Gospel message? Are we serving the Lord (waiting)?

     Today's message is clearly about being ready and waiting - vigilance. To be ready for Messiah's return means living in two worlds at the same time. How’s that Brother Bill?  One, the world of time and space where God's people care for God's creation – the here and now; the other, is a world made new at Jesus' coming for which the preparation includes prayer, worship, witnessing and Bible study. Listen. Preparation for our Lord's return is one of the main purposes for Sunday school, Worship and Bible study. Some of us might ask: How can we be ready for Messiah's return?  Scripture tells us how to be ready. (in Luke 12:1) People who are ready are not hypocritical, but sincere; (in Luke 12:4-9) not fearful, but ready to witness; (in Luke 12:25-26) not worried, but trusting; (in Luke 12:33-34) not greedy, but generous “where your treasure is there will be your heart”; (in Luke 12:37-38) not lazy, but diligent. Beloved, may our lives be more like Jesus' so that when he comes, we will be ready to meet him joyfully.

Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us when we stumble, and forgive us for not using the talents you have given us. Guide us Father to do thy will and walk closer to thee. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.