WEBVTT 00:00:00.820 --> 00:00:10.620 Luke chapter 12, Oki will shortly come up and preach for us after we've sung our next 00:00:10.620 --> 00:00:14.060 psalm from this passage in God's Word. 00:00:14.140 --> 00:00:25.440 It's on page 1045, Luke chapter 12, verse 35 to verse 48. 00:00:26.140 --> 00:00:28.300 Again, let's hear God's Word. 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:39.500 Be dressed, ready for service, and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, 00:00:40.020 --> 00:00:44.060 so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him. 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:49.340 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. 00:00:50.040 --> 00:00:57.480 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. 00:00:57.479 --> 00:01:05.819 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. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:15.659 But understand this, if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:22.400 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:52.380 Peter asked, 00:01:52.400 --> 00:02:22.400 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:24.400 Amen. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:26.400 Amen. 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:27.400 Amen. 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:41.259 And we'll turn back to that in just a moment. 00:02:41.259 --> 00:02:43.259 But before we do that, we'll say again... 00:02:43.259 --> 00:02:44.179 Evening, everyone. 00:02:45.079 --> 00:02:45.780 Good afternoon. 00:02:46.539 --> 00:02:50.120 It's been a privilege to share the Word of God with you all. 00:02:51.079 --> 00:02:52.479 May God bless us all. 00:02:53.479 --> 00:03:01.479 So the passage that we have read today is talking about what should be our attitude toward the second coming of Jesus Christ. 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:06.519 The teaching about second coming is very important in Christian faith. 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:09.959 This doctrine is included in Apostle's Creed. 00:03:10.519 --> 00:03:17.719 My church recites Apostle's Creed every week, and you may know each line. 00:03:17.979 --> 00:03:19.659 And one line said like this, 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:37.719 When Jesus visited this earth for the first time, he came as a little and weak baby, without any power. 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:44.580 But when he returns to this world, he will be the great judge who comes to judge the living and the dead. 00:03:45.620 --> 00:03:50.460 At his first coming, Jesus was born in a stable and from a poor family. 00:03:51.139 --> 00:03:59.180 But when he comes for the second time, he will have the power and authority over the heaven and earth given by the Father. 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:06.340 Jesus himself prophesied about his return in Mark chapter 13, verse 26 to 27. 00:04:06.540 --> 00:04:07.680 I will read it for you. 00:04:08.420 --> 00:04:14.520 At that time, people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:23.139 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heaven. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:30.360 This is the promise of the Lord, on which we as Christians ground our faith and our hope. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:32.639 Jesus will surely come. 00:04:33.180 --> 00:04:34.360 No doubt about that. 00:04:35.419 --> 00:04:36.560 But there is a problem. 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:40.860 The problem is no one knows the time of his second coming. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:45.339 No one in history knows when he will come. 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:48.120 The angels in heaven do not know. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:51.899 Even Jesus himself had no knowledge about this. 00:04:51.899 --> 00:04:55.239 In Mark chapter 13, verse 32. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:59.259 But about that day or hour, no one knows. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:05.259 Not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 00:05:06.659 --> 00:05:10.199 We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:13.599 And here, Jesus spoke in his human nature. 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:16.139 So there is a tension here. 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:20.459 On the one hand, Jesus' return to this world is certain. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:25.219 But on the other hand, the time when he will come is uncertain. 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:29.599 Jesus will surely come, but no one knows when he will come. 00:05:30.299 --> 00:05:33.939 In this kind of tension, what should Christians do? 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:37.060 And this is the main message of this passage. 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:41.639 We should wait for him, and we should be ready. 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:49.039 We can see here that Jesus then gives several analogies to describe his own return. 00:05:50.039 --> 00:05:54.379 In verse 35, it is said, stay dressed for action. 00:05:55.099 --> 00:05:57.579 It means getting ready to work. 00:05:57.579 --> 00:06:05.579 At that time, the dress that man wore is a long flowing robe, and it can be a hindrance to work with. 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:12.079 So he has to gather up his robes under his belt to leave himself free for activity. 00:06:13.219 --> 00:06:18.599 Keep your lamps burning means that the master can come at any time. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:24.479 He might come at night, so we must be ready and have our lamps burning. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:27.520 Verse 36. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:30.800 Jesus here gives an analogy in waiting for him. 00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:36.660 It's like the attitude of a servant who is waiting for the master to come home from a wedding feast. 00:06:37.460 --> 00:06:41.980 The master might come in the middle of the night or toward the daybreak. 00:06:42.460 --> 00:06:46.060 He will certainly come, but the time is uncertain. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:48.980 So the servant should be ready. 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:56.960 But then Jesus immediately adds that those who are found to be ready will get a great reward. 00:06:58.220 --> 00:07:02.439 Verse 37, it is said, blessed are those servants. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:10.180 Toward these faithful servants, Jesus himself will honor them and serve them at the table. 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:14.160 Can you imagine a situation like this? 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:24.960 Imagine that you are invited to a dinner party at the White House, and the president himself serve you the meal. 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:29.000 I think it's not possible, but just imagine like that. 00:07:29.640 --> 00:07:36.540 Or imagine that you are invited to the palace and served by the royal family members. 00:07:37.080 --> 00:07:38.400 What would you feel? 00:07:39.580 --> 00:07:42.160 We would feel greatly honored, wouldn't we? 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:51.180 If being served by those very important persons, very important people can bring such a great honor. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:58.740 What a greater honor when on that day, when Jesus comes, he will serve his faithful servants. 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:03.460 I am sure that we want to be among those servants, don't we? 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:07.879 And in verse 38, Jesus repeats this blessing. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:15.240 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants. 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:23.500 Then, to emphasize the uncertainty of his second coming, Jesus gives an analogy of a thief. 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:25.959 Verse 39, it is said, 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:46.379 Every time I go with my wife to a strange place or a crowded place, my wife always reminds me to beware of thieves. 00:08:47.199 --> 00:08:48.699 Be careful with your wallet. 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:52.639 She's the one who is always alert about this. 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:54.639 Do you know why? 00:08:54.639 --> 00:09:00.159 Because in her lifetime, she has lost her money several times. 00:09:01.159 --> 00:09:03.659 She is familiar with theft. 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:08.899 I remember a few years ago that the theft happened just near where we live. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:11.460 She was inside a bajaj. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:12.620 You know a bajaj, right? 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:15.980 It's a transportation in India. 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:18.000 It's like, it's not a taxi. 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:19.220 It's a car, basically. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:22.420 But there has no window mirror. 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:23.240 Right? 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:26.340 So she's in bajaj with our daughter. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:32.580 Suddenly, a man riding a motorbike approached her and grabbed her back. 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:35.280 So she's in the bajaj. 00:09:35.280 --> 00:09:40.060 And the motorbike just near the bajaj. 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:42.020 And they grabbed her back. 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:48.700 No one of my wife has a trauma with theft and keeps watching her purse or her back. 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:52.740 Jesus said, you also must be ready. 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:56.800 For the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:02.219 Why did Jesus need to repeat this again and again? 00:10:03.319 --> 00:10:07.179 Because we as human beings are easily unguarded. 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:16.739 I believe that if anyone of us have our house broken in two by thieves, then we will increase our security system. 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:20.239 We have that traumatic experience. 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:23.839 We will keep our eye on our house more closely. 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.799 But that is still good. 00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:32.399 Because that experience makes us more cautious for the next one. 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:34.799 We anticipate the next one. 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:40.240 However, the second coming of Christ cannot be repeated. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:45.799 It will happen only one time throughout the history of mankind. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:49.779 There will be no third or fourth coming of Christ. 00:10:50.979 --> 00:10:53.399 So this is very, very serious. 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:58.639 Now, how can we get ready for Christ's return? 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:01.699 What should we do while we wait for him? 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:06.540 Let us pay attention to the next section where Jesus answered Peter. 00:11:07.800 --> 00:11:11.920 When Peter asked, are you telling this parable for us or for all? 00:11:12.520 --> 00:11:16.100 It seems that he thought to himself, we are your disciples. 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:19.840 How come we are not ready for the Master's coming? 00:11:21.560 --> 00:11:24.280 Jesus didn't directly answer his question. 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:29.000 But we will learn about what our attitude should be toward his second coming. 00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:35.600 If we look verse 42 to 43, I'm sorry that I used the ESV version. 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:40.179 We see again here the relation between a master and his servant. 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:44.539 Who then is the faithful and wise manager? 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:52.039 Whom his master will set over his household to give them their portion of food at the proper time. 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:58.679 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:04.639 Now this time, Jesus uses the word manager instead of servant. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:10.279 I believe that from this story, we develop the concept of stewardship. 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:13.559 Why does Jesus use the word manager? 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:21.460 It could mean that in this time of waiting, there is a task entrusted to each one of us 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:25.000 and that we have to be responsible for this task. 00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:30.919 Since we do not know the deadline, we cannot be careless or unguarded. 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:36.360 In verse 42, the manager is set over the master's household 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:40.899 and he needs to give his fellow servants food at the proper time. 00:12:42.199 --> 00:12:46.279 Then Jesus tells us that there are four kinds of responses 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:49.839 that a servant can give in this situation. 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:58.099 The first response is that a servant who is found faithful in doing his responsibilities. 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:05.980 I think this servant understands that all things in the house are not his. 00:13:07.040 --> 00:13:09.519 They are entrusted to him. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:16.399 He also knows his responsibilities, so all food and drinks in that house are not his. 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:20.139 He can enjoy some of the food and some of the drinks, 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:23.320 but he also needs to share it with other servants. 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:31.760 The second type of response is a servant who misuses his master's trust. 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:33.440 In verse 45, 00:13:33.440 --> 00:14:03.420 This response implies that the servant thinks to himself, 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:06.620 that the master will not return shortly. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:12.880 Then he acts as if he was the master of the house. 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:16.640 He eats and drinks as much as he wants. 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:19.360 He doesn't care about his fellow servants. 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:22.640 He even bids the male and female servants. 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:26.900 These acts are indeed against his master's command. 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:31.039 And verse 46 in our Bible here, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:34.240 they are called as unbelievers. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:35.579 Unbelievers. 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:41.539 The third type of response is a servant who neglects his task. 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:45.639 He is not ready to welcome the coming of his master. 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:48.799 Verse 47 it is said, 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:51.899 And that servant who knew his master's will, 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:56.639 but did not get ready or act according to his will, 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:59.759 will receive a severe beating. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:06.559 We can see here that we cannot just wait for Christ's return passively, 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:08.439 not doing anything, 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:14.419 just get like we have bought a ticket for the train or for the flight, 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:16.600 and we just do nothing. 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.700 We can do anything we want. 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.620 It's not like that. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.799 We have tasks to complete. 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:25.500 So in this third response, 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.839 the servant knows. 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:29.419 He knows his master's will, 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.959 but he neglects it. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:33.299 This is a lazy servant. 00:15:35.199 --> 00:15:40.839 And the last type of response is a servant who neglects his task 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:44.539 because he does not know his master's will. 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.719 Verse 48, 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:57.639 Then Jesus gives an important principle. 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:01.100 Everyone to whom much was given, 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:03.700 of him much will be required. 00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:07.220 And from him to whom they entrusted much, 00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:09.920 they will demand the more. 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:15.840 The third servant receives more severe beating than the fourth servant 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:18.600 because he understands more. 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:24.540 So some commentators say that we should be careful 00:16:24.540 --> 00:16:30.660 with how much we've heard the Bible or the Word of God. 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:35.680 Not how long have we been Christians, 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:38.800 how much of the Word of God that we have heard, 00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:39.940 we obeyed. 00:16:40.900 --> 00:16:42.680 This is a warning for us. 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:51.339 God will not give his judgment based on how much we have heard, 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:55.639 but on how much we have done the Word of God. 00:16:57.339 --> 00:16:59.539 So as a reflection of this passage, 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:03.479 I would like to ask you two big questions 00:17:03.479 --> 00:17:05.379 or two principles. 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:07.559 The first one, 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:11.039 what is our real hope? 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:16.379 Do we really long for the second coming of Christ? 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.420 This passage that we are discussing on 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:24.159 is preceded by the teaching about worry. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:27.879 Do not be anxious about your life, 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.759 about what you will eat, 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.539 or what you will wear. 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:36.420 It doesn't mean that we don't have to think about our future. 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:40.480 We have to remember that Jesus himself is poor. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:43.240 He was the son of a carpenter. 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:48.580 Jesus must know what it feels like to think about what to wear 00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:50.000 or what to eat. 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:53.840 But the meaning of the word anxious here 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:58.840 is to make something the focus of one's life. 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:06.679 So Jesus is saying that his disciples should not focus their life on earthly things. 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:13.640 How many Christians are busy piling up their wealth? 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:18.160 Many people are so worried with their future 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:20.920 that they're working very hard, 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:24.000 so hard to get lots and lots of money. 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:28.799 These people believe that when they have a huge amount of wealth, 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:31.259 they will feel secure. 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:35.579 But Jesus said in verse 29 to 30, 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:40.519 Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.379 nor be worried. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:47.519 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:51.319 and your Father knows that you need them. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:55.440 Then Jesus closed the section with these words, 00:18:55.980 --> 00:19:00.720 Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:04.079 with a treasure in heavens that does not fail, 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:07.779 where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:13.420 It seems that Jesus wants to say this to disciples and to us today. 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:17.980 Do not focus your eyes on earthly things, 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:23.140 but turn your eyes upon Jesus on his second coming. 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:28.420 Now, if we know what the end will be, 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:33.320 we should have a plan about what to prepare 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:35.140 to anticipate the end. 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.120 And that's natural. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:41.500 After my family and I had lived in Edinburgh 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:43.640 for my study for almost four years, 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:46.660 we know that we would soon go back home to Jakarta. 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:50.060 So we had a plan to prepare ourselves. 00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:53.480 We began getting rid of our belongings. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:57.180 My wife, months before we left, 00:19:58.060 --> 00:20:02.380 she posted those things on Facebook, 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:05.160 asking if there was any Indonesian student 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:07.140 who wanted those things. 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:10.600 Then we made appointments with those students. 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:15.540 They came to our house to get our things freely. 00:20:16.580 --> 00:20:19.020 And many things that we cannot take with us to Indonesia, 00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:21.540 we donated to charity shops. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:27.040 Then we planned to enroll our children in Indonesian schools. 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:31.220 So we began teaching them formal Indonesian language. 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:35.480 Every day we tried to read stories to them in Indonesian. 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:38.279 Even we read Bible to them in Indonesian. 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:42.000 Many words they didn't understand, 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.259 but we tried to do that. 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:46.180 So if we know the end, 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:49.639 we will make preparation for that thing. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:54.539 Many unbelievers think that there is no life after death. 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:57.519 For them, the end is nothing. 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.579 So what do they do? 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:02.639 Let's eat, drink, and be merry. 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:05.619 Do whatever you like while you are living. 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.259 But we as Christians, 00:21:08.659 --> 00:21:11.059 we know what the end will be. 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.460 Jesus will return. 00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:15.180 He will surely come. 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:18.519 But what preparations have we made? 00:21:20.159 --> 00:21:23.799 I think that depends on what we really hope. 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:28.319 Do we long for Jesus' return? 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:33.039 And we hope for something or someone, 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:37.659 only if we love that thing or that person. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:41.960 How can we hope for Jesus to come? 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:44.220 How can we long for him to return? 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:46.579 If we do not love him. 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:51.259 Revelation chapter 22, Jesus said, 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:53.900 I am coming soon. 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:55.960 I am coming soon. 00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:59.420 It's like there's a sense of excitement, 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.960 enthusiasm. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.700 I have saved you from death. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:07.099 I have paid you and redeemed you from sin. 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:11.119 I have prepared places for you in heaven. 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:13.539 I am coming soon. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:15.599 Just wait a minute. 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.339 I have a plan to do. 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:20.039 After that, I am coming soon. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.839 He longs to see us. 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:24.700 He desires to pick us up to heaven. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.799 But what about us? 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.159 Do we love him? 00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:32.119 Do we long for his return? 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:36.000 I will be surprised and would be disappointed 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:41.000 if in these days, in these three days, 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:43.559 I will come back to Jakarta 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:47.079 and then my family would be surprised. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.339 Oh, okay. 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.439 Why do you come today? 00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:53.759 Why not next week or next month? 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:56.619 I don't feel they don't want me. 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:59.039 They don't hope for my coming 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:01.039 and they don't love me. 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.399 Do we long for Jesus' return? 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:10.579 Second point, every one of us is a servant. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:13.159 Each one of us is a steward. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:19.339 How much do we realize that all that we have is given by God 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:24.659 and that each one of us will be accountable to him when he comes? 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:30.360 I think most of us, including myself, do not always realize this truth. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:35.880 It's because most of our belongings are obtained by our own toil. 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:41.900 We buy our own car with our own money and we work for that. 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:43.660 This is my car. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.920 This is my house. 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.900 This is my money. 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:55.480 But we need to remember that all our belongings is God's blessings. 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:59.060 Our house is not our house. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.480 God's house. 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.320 Our car is not ours. 00:24:05.040 --> 00:24:06.100 It's God's car. 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:09.259 This wallet is not only mine. 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:14.740 This wallet and all the money inside it is God's. 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:18.660 Paul once rebuked the church in Corinth. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:21.559 1 Corinthians 4, verse 7. 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:24.819 What do you have that you did not receive? 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:30.500 If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:35.079 Sometimes in a commonity in a church, in my church, 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:39.579 we have a joke about the position of being a treasurer. 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:43.319 We often say that no one wants to be a treasurer 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:47.079 because the treasurer does not count his or her own money. 00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:50.639 They count someone else's money. 00:24:51.939 --> 00:24:55.699 But the truth is, all of us are treasurers. 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:59.759 All that we have is entrusted by God. 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:05.079 And when Jesus returns, we will have to make report of what we have done 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:07.279 with all that he has given us. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:11.160 If we're really aware of this truth, 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:15.480 we can be kept from being arrogant, from being proud. 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:19.779 Furthermore, we will have a thankful heart 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:23.859 because nothing that we have that doesn't come from the Lord. 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:28.720 Realizing this truth also keeps us from too much worry. 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:33.700 You probably know a story about one crazy guy. 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:36.579 His name is John Wesley. 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:40.619 One day he was just coming back from a ministry 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:43.399 when suddenly a man cried out to him, 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:46.139 Wesley, there's bad news for you. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:48.759 Your house is burnt down. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.799 Your house is burnt down. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:53.859 Then what was Wesley's reply? 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.079 Praise the Lord. 00:25:57.899 --> 00:25:59.359 That is God's house. 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:02.200 I lose one responsibility. 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:07.759 According to his world standard, he must have been crazy. 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:14.940 But he certainly understands this truth that all that he has come from God. 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:22.539 Lastly, if we realize, if we really understand the concept of stewardship, 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:25.700 we would be kept from being envious, 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:28.720 from the sin of envy. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:33.519 Once I heard a preacher who made a surprising statement. 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:40.940 He said that he took pity on people who are greatly blessed by God. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:44.279 Oh, what a pity. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:49.660 He took pity for people who are greatly blessed by God. 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.559 What? 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:51.539 How come? 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:54.240 Then he quoted this verse. 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:57.360 Because to whom much was given, 00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:00.360 to him much was required. 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:05.819 So don't feel envious or jealous with other people who have more. 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:09.299 Be thankful with what we have. 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:11.179 Be responsible with it. 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:15.339 In every grace lays responsibility. 00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:19.719 In every grace lays responsibility. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:25.759 So if we feel ourselves to have been more blessed than other people, 00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:28.079 don't ever be proud. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:31.279 Do not ever despise others. 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:36.339 Because that means we have more responsibilities. 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.619 We have more blessings. 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.659 We have more responsibilities. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:45.000 And what we have done with all those blessings. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:50.699 To whom much is given, to him much is demanded. 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:54.039 When Jesus comes as the great judge, 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:57.079 and we all stand before him in his court, 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:59.480 Jesus will not ask, 00:27:59.699 --> 00:28:00.960 how much do you have? 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:05.259 Or what is the highest position you have in this world? 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:09.960 Because all that we have comes from him. 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:14.539 All that we have is his grace, his blessings. 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:17.519 But he will surely ask, 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:21.799 what have you done with all my blessings? 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:27.059 Some of us perhaps have a great wealth, 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:29.059 a lot of money. 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.220 Praise the Lord. 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:34.620 But what have we done with that wealth? 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:40.000 Do we spend it only to satisfy our desires, 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.940 our own pleasures, 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:44.240 buy luxurious things? 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:47.900 Do we use our money for God's work? 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:51.840 Some of us are healthy. 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:53.259 Praise the Lord. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:55.800 But what we have done, 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:59.140 what have we done with the health? 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:02.040 We have talents, abilities. 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.360 Praise the Lord. 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:07.100 But what have we done with all those blessings? 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:10.980 Let us pray that God uses what we have 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.599 according to his will. 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:16.219 May each one of us, 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.439 we can ask, 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:20.719 how can we glorify God's name 00:29:20.719 --> 00:29:22.579 with all we have? 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.519 To close this sermon, 00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:27.639 I want to ask you and myself 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:29.079 a classic question. 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:32.819 What if Jesus comes today? 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:36.539 Are we ready to welcome him? 00:29:37.939 --> 00:29:41.000 There is a story of Robert Moshane. 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:43.099 You know him very well. 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:46.500 He was a great preacher in Scotland from Dundee. 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:49.399 Once he spoke to a group of pastors 00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:51.740 and he ended with this question, 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:55.439 do you think Christ will come tonight? 00:29:57.720 --> 00:30:00.700 And some of the pastors answered quietly, 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:03.400 I don't think so. 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.420 And Moshane said, 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:09.140 I think he might come tonight. 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.559 For the Son of Man is coming 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:14.180 at an hour you do not expect. 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:17.360 What if Jesus comes tonight? 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:21.620 Well, if he doesn't come tonight, 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:24.420 we should ask that question again tomorrow 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:26.200 and the next day, 00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:27.519 and the next day. 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:30.259 Let us focus our life 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.859 on his second coming. 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:34.500 Let us use all that God 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:36.059 has entrusted to us 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:37.500 to serve him 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:40.119 and let us do his will. 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:43.079 May God help us 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.700 so that when he comes, 00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:46.779 he will find us ready 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:48.160 and faithful. 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.539 Amen. 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.079 Amen. 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.119 Amen. 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.680 Amen. 00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.000 Amen. 00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.940 Amen.