WEBVTT

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 Now while the boys and girls are heading for their class,

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 and perhaps you can turn in your Bibles,

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 we're going to hear in just a moment from 1 Peter chapter 4.

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 And maybe as a reminder, so Bob's going to come and read for us,

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 and then lead us in prayer.

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 And just a reminder to students and young workers,

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 there's a lunch fairly shortly after the service,

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 and then Bob's going to share with us about the person and work of the Lord Jesus.

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 So please do stick around if you've signed up.

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 If you've not signed up, please do come along anyway.

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 And Bob will come and share with us.

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 Thanks, Bob.

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 Our first reading is from 1 Peter chapter 4, verses 7 to 11,

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 and then we'll read from 2 Peter chapter 3.

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 These are two of many passages in the New Testament that remind us that we live in the present,

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 in the light of future events that are sure to take place.

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 1 Peter chapter 4.

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 The end of all things is near.

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 Therefore, be alert and of sober mind, so that you may pray.

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 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

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 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

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 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

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 as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

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 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.

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 If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides.

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 So that in all things, God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

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 To him be glory, be the glory and the power forever and ever.

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 Amen.

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 And our second reading near the end of 2 Peter, 2 Peter chapter 3, at verse 8.

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 Do not forget this one thing, dear friends.

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 With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

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 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.

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 Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

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 But the day of the Lord will come, like a thief.

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 The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire,

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 and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

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 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?

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 You ought to live holy and godly lives.

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 As you look forward to the day of God and speed is coming.

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 That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire,

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 and the elements will melt in the heat.

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 But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.

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 Let's pray.

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 Our Father in heaven, we thank you for these vivid and encouraging pictures of what lies ahead.

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 Lord, so often we look at this world, we look at our lives, we look at the city in which we live,

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 and we see so much that is dislocated and disjointed.

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 And we are promised that a day is coming when all that is wrong will be put right,

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 when all that is evil will be judged and condemned,

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 and that there will be indeed a new heavens and a new earth.

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 We pray that in the light of what the Lord Jesus will one day bring to completion,

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 that today we might live lives that are characterized by holiness and by love and by joy and by service.

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 We pray, too, that we would recognize that the Lord is not slow,

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 but rather he desires that people would come to a living and permanent relationship with him.

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 Lord, we pray that today, if anybody here may be not yet in a relationship with Jesus by faith,

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 that they might recognize that today is an opportunity,

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 an opportunity to repent and to believe,

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 and to recognize the one who has come and the one who will come again.

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 We thank you for those, as we were reminded, the many who serve within this congregation,

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 and we pray that as we serve, we should do so,

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 as those who serve with joy and serve with thanksgiving and serve with a glad heart.

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 We pray for this city in which we are met.

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 We pray for this community in which we are located.

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 And we recognize the beauty of the city, its history, and its heritage.

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 A growing number of people want to call Edinburgh their home,

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 a place to study, a place to live, a place to work.

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 And we pray that we, as your people, and as members of your church,

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 that we would consider ways of reaching this growing population

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 from all different parts of the world, from all different parts of the United Kingdom.

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 We pray that there might be a church in every community,

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 a place where people are welcomed,

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 and a place where people may be introduced or taught in the name of the Lord Jesus.

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 So, Lord, you know each of our own individual lives.

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 You know our story.

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 You know the past.

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 You know today.

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 And you and you alone know the future.

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 In a room with a gathering of this size,

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 there are many issues and cares and concerns.

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 Most are unknown to us,

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 but all are known to you.

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 You know the very heart of each one of us.

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 You know the joys and the sorrows.

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 You know the anxieties and the fears.

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 And we thank you that we can come to you in the name of Jesus,

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 to that throne of grace where we can receive help,

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 where we can receive mercy,

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 where we can receive grace,

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 because this is our time of need.

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 Hear us, O Lord, we pray,

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 not because of who we are,

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 but hear us because we come to you in the name of Jesus.

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 And we ask that you would hear us because of who he is.

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 And we pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Now, before we turn back to Luke's gospel,

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 we're going to sing again another section of a psalm,

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 this time a section of Psalm 113.

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 We're going to sing the first six verses.

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 And again, we can stand as we sing together.

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 Amen.

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 O praise you, servants of the Lord,

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 sing praises to his holy name.

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 O blessed be the name of God,

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 His praise forevermore proclaim.

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 From east to west the praise of God.

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 Each day is to be spread abroad.

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 The Lord is high above the earth,

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 His glory far above the sky.

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 Who else is like the Lord our God,

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 the one who sits enthroned on high.

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 He is the one who stoops down low

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 to look on heaven on earth below.

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 Now, again, if you have your Bibles,

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 if you're using a church Bible,

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 it's on page 1045.

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 It will be in Luke chapter 12,

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 verses 35 to 48.

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 We're continuing to follow the journey of Jesus

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 towards Jerusalem.

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 And the emphasis this morning

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 is to be ready for Christ's return.

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 Luke chapter 12,

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 beginning at verse 35.

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 Be dressed, ready for service,

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 and keep your lamps burning.

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 Like servants waiting for their master

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 to return from a wedding banquet.

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 So when he comes and knocks,

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 they can immediately open the door for him.

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 It will be good for those servants

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 whose master finds them watching when he comes.

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 Truly I tell you,

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 he will dress himself to serve,

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 will make them recline at the table,

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 and will come and wait on them.

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 It will be good for those servants

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 whose master finds them ready,

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 even if he comes in the middle of the night

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 or towards daybreak.

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 But understand this,

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 if the owner of the house had known

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 or whatever the thief was coming,

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 he would not have let his house be broken into.

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 You also must be ready

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 because the son of man will come

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 at an hour when you do not expect him.

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 Peter asked,

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 Lord, are you telling this parable to us

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 or to everyone?

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 The Lord answered,

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 who then is the faithful and wise manager

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 whom the master puts in charge of his servants

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 to give them their food allowance

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 at the proper time?

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 It will be good for that servant

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 whom the master finds doing so when he returns.

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 Truly I tell you,

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 he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

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 But suppose the servant says to himself,

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 my master is taking a long time in coming,

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 and then he begins to beat the other servants,

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 both men and women,

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 and to eat and drink and get drunk.

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 The master of that servant will come on a day

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 when he does not expect him,

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 and at an hour he is not aware of.

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 He will cut him to pieces

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 and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

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 The servant who knows the master's will

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 and does not get ready

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 or does not do what the master wants

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 will be beaten with many blows.

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 But the one who does not know

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 and does things deserving punishment

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 will be beaten with few blows.

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 From everyone who has been given much,

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 much will be demanded.

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 And from the one who has been entrusted with much,

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 much more will be asked.

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 Amen.

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 This is God's word.

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 Let me begin by asking a question.

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 What connects the following three jobs?

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 The soldier on a tour of duty,

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 the fireman or the firewoman,

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 and a first century household servant.

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 One sentence is one answer in two ways.

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 It's the need to be ready.

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 Each of those figures could be called into service

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 at any moment.

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 And they need to be ready

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 because they could face an inspection

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 from the commander or master.

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 Jesus, represented in our stories as the master,

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 has been preparing his disciples,

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 his servants,

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 for the truth that he is going away.

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 He is on this journey to Jerusalem.

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 He will go to the cross to die.

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 Three days later, he will rise again from the dead,

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 and then he will return to the glory of heaven.

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 He has been preparing them for that,

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 but now he prepares them for something else.

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 He prepares them for his certain future return.

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 The Old Testament spoke of it as the day of the Lord.

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 We hear it also in the New Testament.

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 Perhaps we are familiar with the idea

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 of the second coming of the Lord Jesus.

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 This is what Jesus is preparing his disciples for,

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 saying, be ready.

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 Be ready because Jesus is coming back.

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 Be ready because Jesus will bring history to an end.

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 Be ready because Jesus will judge the living and the dead.

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 Be ready because Jesus will either reward or punish.

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 So when we hear this repeated note to be ready in our text,

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 we need to hear the urgency from Jesus

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 so that we would let that certain future day

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 shape how we live in this day.

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 That it would shape our faith and obedience.

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 It would shape our mission to make Jesus known,

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 and it would influence us to trust in Jesus

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 if we're not already his followers

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 because he calls us to be ready.

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 We'll think about it in three different ways.

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 Here's the first, be ready because Jesus rewards

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 faithful servants.

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 I don't know how many of you have watched Downton Abbey.

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 I imagine many of us are at least familiar with it.

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 Downton was centered on the house of the Earl of Grantham.

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 And living with the Earl and Lady Grantham

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 and some of their children were this team of servants.

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 There was Bates, he was the chief valet,

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 and there was others underneath.

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 And those servants had to be geared up and ready

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 to serve the Earl and Lady Grantham

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 and their family day or night.

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 Downton's quite helpful for reminding us

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 about the way things were in the first century.

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 So the parable in verses 35 to 38

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 is something that would have been familiar

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 to the people of Jesus' day.

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 So the master has gone away.

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 He went away to a wedding banquet.

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 The servants are at home.

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 And there is that responsibility for them

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 to be watchful, to be ready,

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 because sometime in the future,

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 the master would return.

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 They needed to be ready to open the door,

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 to be ready to have the house all set

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 for his arrival.

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 So verse 35 and verse 36 are very familiar.

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 But then you come to verse 37 in our text,

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 and there is a huge surprise.

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 We've said this before.

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 Whenever we're reading a parable that Jesus tells,

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 always look for the surprising

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 and the unexpected piece of the story,

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 because that often leads us

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 to what Jesus is emphasizing.

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 Listen to verse 37.

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 It will be good for those servants

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 whose master finds them watching when he comes.

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 And here's the surprise.

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 Truly I tell you,

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 he will dress himself to serve,

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 will make them recline at the table,

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 and will come and wait on them.

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 Do you notice the reversal that's happened?

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 And what Jesus is saying is

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 that he is the master who is ready and willing

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 to reward his faithful followers

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 in the grace of the gospel

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 and in the promise that is in the Bible

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 of an end of time, eternal feast.

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 It's what heaven is pictured as,

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 and Jesus says he has come to serve.

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 It's a theme we find in Jesus' words in other places.

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 Mark chapter 10 and verse 45.

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 We read,

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 The Son of Man did not come to be served,

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 but to serve,

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 and to give his life as a ransom for many.

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 Jesus is the king of glory.

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 And Jesus is our humble servant king.

00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:29.240
 Jesus came to serve us

00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:32.000
 by suffering in our place,

00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:35.420
 by dying and taking on himself

00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:37.299
 the punishment, the penalty,

00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:39.460
 that our sin deserves.

00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:43.059
 He serves us by taking our spiritual debt

00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:44.399
 and paying it in full

00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:47.759
 and giving us his perfect righteousness

00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:51.079
 and giving us true freedom.

00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.599
 There's another passage

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:58.619
 where Jesus speaks of being a servant

00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:59.279
 for his people.

00:17:59.399 --> 00:18:01.480
 In John chapter 14,

00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:04.519
 I think the words might be up on the screen

00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.759
 or they should be, I think.

00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:07.619
 In John chapter 14,

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:10.500
 Jesus prepares his followers.

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:10.839
 He says,

00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.680
 Do not let your hearts be troubled.

00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.900
 And then he speaks about his father's house.

00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.740
 So this is heaven.

00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:19.819
 My father's house has many rooms.

00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:22.160
 If that were not so,

00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.019
 would I have told you

00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.819
 that I'm going there

00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:25.119
 to prepare a place for you?

00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:27.519
 Jesus goes to make preparation.

00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.680
 And if I go and prepare,

00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:31.079
 I will come back

00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:33.180
 and take you to be with me.

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.779
 So here is the picture.

00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.220
 Jesus is returning

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:38.039
 to the glory of heaven.

00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:40.960
 And he is going to make preparation

00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:44.539
 an eternal home for his followers.

00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.180
 How does he make that preparation?

00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.960
 By going to the cross to die for us,

00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:50.500
 to deal with our sin

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.519
 that separates us from a holy God,

00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:54.359
 by rising again,

00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:56.079
 giving us who trust in him

00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:58.220
 the promise of future eternal life

00:18:58.220 --> 00:19:00.420
 and our return to heaven.

00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:02.440
 Jesus prepares the way

00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:04.980
 and he promises he will return one day

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:07.680
 and he will take us to glory forever.

00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:11.319
 So Jesus picks up this language of serving.

00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:14.839
 And we also have within the word of God

00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:18.700
 this wonderful promise of feasting

00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.640
 within the Bible.

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:22.839
 So we began singing Psalm 23

00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:24.960
 and there in Psalm 23,

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:27.680
 we have the picture of the king.

00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:31.940
 The king who prepares a feast

00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.460
 for his people.

00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:37.840
 The king that gives grace to his people,

00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:39.680
 giving us strength

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:41.420
 for our journey of faith

00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:43.860
 until we are home,

00:19:44.340 --> 00:19:47.700
 dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:51.820
 Jesus rewards faithful servants then,

00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:54.360
 but he also gives us grace upon grace today.

00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:57.759
 Do you know that every time

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.979
 we gather together for worship

00:19:59.979 --> 00:20:02.359
 or every time like last week,

00:20:02.479 --> 00:20:03.579
 as the people of God,

00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:05.799
 we share the Lord's Supper together,

00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:09.179
 it's like we're having this appetizer.

00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:12.299
 Jesus invites us in

00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:15.219
 and Jesus comes to serve us from his word

00:20:15.219 --> 00:20:16.339
 and to give us grace,

00:20:16.439 --> 00:20:17.479
 to feed us spiritually,

00:20:17.719 --> 00:20:20.459
 all the time anticipating

00:20:20.459 --> 00:20:23.740
 this eternal feast that's yet to come.

00:20:24.959 --> 00:20:26.439
 Another way that we can see it,

00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:27.839
 Jesus' first sign,

00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:28.500
 first miracle,

00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.559
 John chapter 2,

00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:32.599
 his first sign that reveals his glory,

00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:36.699
 it was providing wine at a wedding.

00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:39.279
 And we have this wonderful symbol

00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.279
 of here is Jesus

00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:42.579
 and he is the master of the wedding feast.

00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:44.000
 He is the one who provides

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.139
 the overflow of the very best wine.

00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:48.939
 He is the one who has come,

00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:52.219
 the master who comes to bring joy.

00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:55.539
 And what Jesus does in this parable

00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:58.579
 is he promises that to his disciples

00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:00.539
 as he's on the way to the cross.

00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:05.759
 Jesus is preparing an eternal, joyful feast.

00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:08.779
 He is the master who serves us

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:11.319
 in dying on the cross to forgive and to save.

00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:12.940
 And so we have this promise

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:16.380
 that we're invited to be encouraged by,

00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:19.720
 that when we are ready for his return,

00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:22.500
 when we are trusting in him,

00:21:23.320 --> 00:21:24.660
 when we are looking to live

00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:26.500
 in faithful obedience to him,

00:21:26.820 --> 00:21:27.980
 then we're promised a feast.

00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:32.600
 We're promised a life of love and joy

00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:36.140
 that we can hardly even begin to imagine

00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:37.960
 when Jesus returns

00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:40.580
 to establish his people forever

00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:42.080
 in resurrection life

00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:44.779
 in the new heavens and the newer.

00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.779
 So what's the message for us?

00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:49.480
 The message is,

00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:52.740
 because Jesus is coming back again

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:54.199
 as judge and king,

00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:56.879
 and because he does provide reward,

00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.359
 we should be ready.

00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:01.579
 Today, we should be ready.

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:04.439
 Regardless of whatever anyone else is doing

00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:05.099
 in our family,

00:22:05.199 --> 00:22:06.000
 in our friendship group,

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.759
 in our society,

00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.500
 be ready.

00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:11.039
 All the time, be ready.

00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:14.019
 To receive this reward,

00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.960
 how do we receive it?

00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.139
 How are we to be ready?

00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.740
 First,

00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:20.679
 we need to put our faith in Jesus.

00:22:21.199 --> 00:22:22.279
 The first thing we need

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:24.599
 is to be served

00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:26.799
 by Jesus our master.

00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.599
 We need to trust

00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:30.879
 that when Jesus died on the cross for sin,

00:22:31.159 --> 00:22:33.339
 he died on the cross for my sin

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:35.439
 to bring me peace with God.

00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:38.839
 We need to trust and submit to his authority.

00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:41.079
 So we must first be served,

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.559
 and then,

00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.359
 to be ready,

00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:44.939
 we must be serving our master,

00:22:45.699 --> 00:22:47.759
 being ready for his return.

00:22:49.199 --> 00:22:50.399
 What does it look like

00:22:50.399 --> 00:22:52.079
 to be watchful and obedient

00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:54.240
 as we await Jesus' return?

00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:57.919
 That's why we read Peter's letter,

00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:59.539
 1 Peter chapter 4.

00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:00.460
 So remember,

00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:02.879
 Peter heard these parables,

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:05.199
 and these parables stuck with him.

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:07.019
 And as he called on the people

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.640
 to be alert and of sober mind,

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.640
 here's what he said.

00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:11.019
 Here's what readiness looks like.

00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:13.799
 It looks like being a praying people.

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:18.080
 And it looks like loving one another.

00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:22.799
 And it looks like showing hospitality.

00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:26.599
 And it looks like using our gifts

00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:28.419
 to serve other people.

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.740
 In other words,

00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:31.240
 being ready means living

00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:33.079
 the faithful, ordinary Christian life

00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.919
 that he calls us to.

00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:36.099
 But we do that knowing

00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:38.139
 there's this wonderful reward coming.

00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.259
 So be ready,

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:42.199
 because Jesus rewards faithful servants.

00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:45.620
 Then in verse 39 and 40,

00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:47.160
 the picture changes.

00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:49.380
 But the call to be ready remains.

00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.140
 Be ready,

00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:52.120
 because Jesus' return

00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:54.080
 will be unexpected.

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:56.100
 So in verse 39 and 40,

00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:58.200
 there is still a house in view.

00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.539
 So let me read.

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.680
 If the owner of the house

00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.680
 had known at what hour

00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.740
 the thief was coming,

00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.539
 he would not have let his house

00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.480
 be broken into.

00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:09.180
 You also must be ready,

00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:10.799
 because the Son of Man

00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.559
 will come at an hour

00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.819
 when you do not expect him.

00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:15.279
 So now we're picturing a household,

00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:17.240
 and this time the readiness

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.899
 is to be ready

00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:20.579
 for an unexpected visit.

00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:22.500
 Here's the picture of the thief

00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.599
 in the night.

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.200
 We need to be ready.

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.399
 And my favorite picture of this,

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.419
 and it's never too early

00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:29.440
 to begin with Home Alone,

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.159
 is Kevin McAllister,

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.839
 the star of Home Alone.

00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:35.039
 If you don't know the movie,

00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.460
 you still have a few weeks

00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.159
 before Christmas,

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.799
 you need to watch it.

00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.819
 But Kevin McAllister

00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.859
 is a wonderful example of this,

00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:43.479
 because he is on high alert.

00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.479
 He is ready.

00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.339
 He sets all kind of traps

00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.839
 around his house,

00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:48.899
 around his uncle's house,

00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.679
 so that when the wet bandits

00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:51.719
 or the sticky bandits

00:24:51.719 --> 00:24:53.719
 come to rob the house

00:24:53.719 --> 00:24:55.359
 or the toy store,

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:57.079
 they fail.

00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:59.519
 Because he is ready.

00:25:00.199 --> 00:25:00.599
 But,

00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:02.439
 here's the thing.

00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:05.100
 the whole story of Home Alone

00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:06.640
 only works

00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.580
 because Kevin knows

00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:10.000
 the exact time

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:11.059
 when the thieves will arrive.

00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:13.160
 He overhears them.

00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.380
 Now I can't remember

00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.900
 what time it is.

00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.140
 Nine o'clock, I think,

00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.799
 is when the wet bandits

00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:19.100
 are going to come to his house.

00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.539
 So he can be ready.

00:25:21.320 --> 00:25:23.080
 But the truth Jesus brings

00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:25.759
 is that his return,

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.559
 while it is certain,

00:25:28.679 --> 00:25:29.960
 the timing is unknown.

00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:32.720
 So we must be ready

00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.319
 at all points

00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.279
 as a matter of urgency

00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.619
 because we do not know

00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:38.759
 when Jesus will come again,

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.779
 when the Son of Man

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.980
 will come.

00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.759
 Notice the way Jesus

00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.879
 talks about himself there

00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.519
 in verse 40

00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.539
 as the Son of Man.

00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:48.279
 We can skip over it,

00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.759
 but it's important

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.839
 to stop and recognize

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.859
 here is a huge claim,

00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.959
 actually Jesus is making

00:25:51.959 --> 00:25:52.599
 about himself.

00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.199
 The Son of Man

00:25:54.199 --> 00:25:54.899
 as we meet him

00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.899
 in the Old Testament,

00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:57.959
 this figure from the book of Daniel

00:25:57.959 --> 00:25:59.019
 in chapter 7,

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.279
 he is a figure

00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.019
 who appears

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:02.439
 in the throne room of heaven.

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.059
 He is given glory

00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.259
 and authority

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.539
 and power

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.740
 to set up

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.699
 an eternal kingdom.

00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.659
 And so when Jesus says,

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.679
 I'm the Son of Man,

00:26:13.179 --> 00:26:13.799
 he's saying he is

00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.759
 the King of glory.

00:26:15.179 --> 00:26:16.519
 He is the eternal King

00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.579
 whose authority

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.740
 we need to recognize.

00:26:19.199 --> 00:26:19.959
 He is,

00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:21.380
 Acts chapter 17,

00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.680
 Paul tells us,

00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.740
 God's appointed King

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.259
 and Judge.

00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.200
 He is the one

00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.360
 who does have authority

00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:28.200
 over our lives.

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.019
 He is the one

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.940
 who will come back

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.860
 at the end of history.

00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.579
 He will bring in

00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.819
 the new creation,

00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.960
 having judged

00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.519
 and condemned evil

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.920
 and having purified the earth.

00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:40.240
 So because of who

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.059
 Jesus is,

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:44.620
 we must be ready

00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.380
 to meet him.

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.500
 We must be ready

00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:50.500
 for his certain return.

00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.940
 And we need to be careful

00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:54.079
 because the timing

00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:55.059
 is unexpected,

00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.279
 because his return,

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.500
 the time of that

00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.240
 is unknown,

00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:01.140
 we must be careful

00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.900
 not to be complacent,

00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.680
 not to be caught

00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:06.359
 off guard.

00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.180
 A.W. Tozer,

00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:11.160
 who is a Christian minister

00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.819
 and writer

00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:14.539
 in the post-war period,

00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:16.059
 asked the question

00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:17.119
 in one of his articles,

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.059
 what happened

00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:19.879
 to the church's hope

00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:21.599
 in the return of Christ?

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.480
 And he was sort of examining,

00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.359
 in this case,

00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.619
 the West,

00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.720
 Canada and the States

00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.399
 particularly,

00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.859
 but recognizing

00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:30.240
 the danger there is

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.599
 when a society lives

00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.519
 with a great amount

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.539
 of affluence

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.980
 and wealth

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.240
 and security

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.440
 and comfort.

00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.799
 We can easily

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.480
 slip into the trap

00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:40.940
 of thinking,

00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:42.119
 this is it.

00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.379
 We're living

00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:44.379
 the dream right now.

00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:46.140
 Last week,

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.080
 we met the fool

00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:48.620
 who built bigger barns

00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:48.860
 and said,

00:27:49.040 --> 00:27:49.660
 oh, brilliant,

00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.640
 I can store up

00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.120
 for myself,

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.680
 I can eat,

00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.840
 drink and be merry

00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:54.880
 and lost sight

00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:57.280
 of matters of eternity.

00:27:58.340 --> 00:27:59.320
 And there is a danger

00:27:59.320 --> 00:28:00.280
 for us in that.

00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.000
 Again,

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.440
 we can listen

00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.440
 to Peter.

00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.460
 This time,

00:28:05.540 --> 00:28:06.280
 remember what he said

00:28:06.280 --> 00:28:08.120
 in 2 Peter 3.

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:09.959
 He said,

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.539
 remember that

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:12.000
 just because Christ

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.539
 hasn't come back yet,

00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.699
 it doesn't mean

00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:15.219
 he's slow

00:28:15.219 --> 00:28:16.319
 in keeping his promises.

00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.019
 Rather,

00:28:17.679 --> 00:28:18.500
 it's a sign

00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:20.799
 of his merciful patience.

00:28:21.979 --> 00:28:22.979
 That Jesus

00:28:22.979 --> 00:28:24.879
 hasn't come back yet

00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:26.479
 has given us

00:28:26.479 --> 00:28:27.739
 an opportunity

00:28:27.739 --> 00:28:29.199
 to repent

00:28:29.199 --> 00:28:30.199
 and to be right

00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:30.839
 with God

00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:32.839
 even today.

00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:36.899
 But he does remind us

00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:38.659
 that day will come,

00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.919
 will come

00:28:40.919 --> 00:28:41.699
 like a thief

00:28:41.699 --> 00:28:42.299
 in the night.

00:28:42.459 --> 00:28:42.679
 Therefore,

00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.599
 how should we live?

00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:45.339
 This time,

00:28:45.399 --> 00:28:45.720
 the emphasis

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.599
 is on living

00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.740
 holy lives,

00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.179
 godly lives,

00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:51.019
 as we look forward

00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.759
 to the certain

00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:54.279
 but the unexpected

00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.179
 coming

00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:56.779
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:58.879
 Now,

00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.399
 before we move

00:28:59.399 --> 00:29:00.399
 to our last point,

00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.539
 I think it's worth

00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:03.379
 pausing for a moment

00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:04.319
 just to consider,

00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.399
 I guess,

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.599
 a question that might arise

00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.359
 or an objection

00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.379
 that might come

00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:10.819
 because these parables

00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:11.779
 focus on the idea

00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.980
 of Jesus as a master

00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:14.299
 and we are servants.

00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.879
 Maybe we don't like

00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.339
 that idea

00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:17.359
 of serving anyone.

00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.720
 Maybe that runs

00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.660
 counter to

00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:21.460
 what we're looking for,

00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.039
 the pursuit

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.420
 of personal freedom.

00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.559
 There's a couple

00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:26.220
 of observations

00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.860
 I was reading,

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.460
 I was dipping

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.160
 into a book

00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:29.740
 this week,

00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.299
 I don't do this

00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:30.799
 very often,

00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.319
 by a French psychiatrist

00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.660
 and the book

00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.000
 was called

00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.759
 The Weariness

00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:36.460
 of the Self.

00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.200
 Really interesting,

00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.700
 not written

00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.360
 by a Christian

00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:41.500
 but he was arguing

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.380
 for a direct

00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.100
 relationship

00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:43.660
 between

00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:45.460
 the modern view

00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.900
 that we are self-made

00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:49.100
 and we are self-sustaining,

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:49.700
 okay,

00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.440
 so that and the one hand,

00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.579
 direct line between

00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.360
 those realities,

00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.019
 those ideas

00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.600
 and

00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:55.960
 the rise of depression

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.799
 and anxiety.

00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:59.380
 In our day

00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.180
 he was arguing

00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:01.920
 that we're being told

00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:04.000
 nothing is truly forbidden.

00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.360
 You can be

00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:06.620
 whatever you want to be,

00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.079
 you can do

00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:07.940
 whatever you want to do,

00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:08.960
 and we're living

00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:10.200
 with that language

00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.779
 all the time,

00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.880
 but we're also living

00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.559
 with the reality

00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.539
 that actually nothing

00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:15.779
 is truly possible.

00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.279
 And he argues

00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.860
 that's why people

00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:19.579
 are exhausted,

00:30:20.340 --> 00:30:20.660
 anxious,

00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:21.600
 and becoming

00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.360
 distressed,

00:30:22.540 --> 00:30:22.900
 depressed.

00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:26.700
 Bob Dylan

00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.380
 made the point

00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.380
 in one of his songs

00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:29.019
 many years ago,

00:30:29.060 --> 00:30:29.640
 you've got to serve

00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.320
 somebody.

00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.500
 In his song

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:32.720
 he said,

00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.759
 it might be the devil

00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.480
 or it might be the Lord

00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:34.940
 but you've got to

00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.600
 serve somebody.

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:37.000
 Maybe nowadays

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.080
 it might be

00:30:38.080 --> 00:30:38.920
 yourself

00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:40.060
 or it might be

00:30:40.060 --> 00:30:40.440
 the Lord.

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.400
 And the point

00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:42.720
 that Alan Ehrenberg,

00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:43.740
 that psychiatrist

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.120
 was making

00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:44.640
 is when we

00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.980
 live to serve

00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:47.180
 ourselves,

00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:49.680
 it strikes him

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.100
 and perhaps

00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:50.759
 it strikes us

00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.279
 that that can be

00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:51.700
 a recipe

00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.720
 for melancholy

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.680
 and misery.

00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.160
 And what we need

00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:56.920
 to recognize

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:58.600
 is that as Jesus

00:30:58.600 --> 00:30:59.580
 presents himself

00:30:59.580 --> 00:31:01.240
 as a master

00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.100
 over us,

00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.240
 he is a far

00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.960
 better master.

00:31:05.880 --> 00:31:07.120
 He is a master

00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:08.580
 who gives us grace.

00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:10.539
 He is a master

00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.900
 who gives us himself.

00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.759
 He is a master

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.680
 who gives us

00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:16.100
 joy and life

00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.700
 today

00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.819
 and the promise

00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.660
 of a feast

00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:19.279
 of joy

00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:19.840
 and life

00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:20.279
 and love

00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:20.960
 that lasts

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.960
 forever.

00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.660
 So when we

00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.360
 recognize

00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.480
 and submit

00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.799
 to Jesus

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.600
 as a better

00:31:28.600 --> 00:31:29.279
 master,

00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:30.840
 we have the promise

00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:31.259
 of hearing

00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:32.660
 wonderful words

00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:34.319
 and end

00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.180
 to exhaustion

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.980
 and feeling

00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.580
 condemned

00:31:36.580 --> 00:31:37.120
 and feeling like

00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.759
 we'll never be

00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.340
 anybody.

00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.640
 We will hear

00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:40.259
 from Jesus,

00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:41.180
 well done,

00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:42.840
 good and faithful

00:31:42.840 --> 00:31:43.700
 servant.

00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:45.160
 Enter your

00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.799
 masters,

00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.839
 happiness.

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:48.480
 Jesus himself

00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:50.359
 will welcome

00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.099
 his people

00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:52.639
 to that eternal

00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:53.220
 home,

00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.440
 that eternal

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:54.980
 kingdom,

00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.680
 entry into

00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.359
 a world

00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:58.259
 of perfect

00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.680
 love.

00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.740
 And as we've

00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.599
 seen in Luke's

00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:02.240
 gospel,

00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:03.759
 Jesus will be

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.500
 welcoming

00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:06.059
 very unexpected

00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:07.000
 people into

00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.500
 his kingdom.

00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.440
 He's a good

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.940
 master.

00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:10.440
 He welcomes

00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.220
 outsiders.

00:32:11.919 --> 00:32:12.759
 He welcomes

00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.920
 outcasts.

00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:15.440
 He welcomes

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:17.379
 great sinners.

00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.379
 He welcomes

00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:18.960
 the poor

00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.779
 and the sick

00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.660
 and the needy.

00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.879
 And he can do

00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:23.019
 that because

00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.680
 he will go to

00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:24.119
 the cross

00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.819
 to pay for

00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.279
 our sin.

00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.480
 He will go to

00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.940
 the cross

00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.559
 to show us

00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.359
 amazing grace.

00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.000
 There is no

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:31.099
 master

00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:32.039
 like

00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:33.220
 our Jesus.

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:35.579
 One last

00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:36.120
 point is

00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.759
 Jesus tells

00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.180
 us to be

00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.620
 ready.

00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:38.980
 Verse 41

00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:40.140
 to 48,

00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.200
 be ready

00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:43.220
 and serve

00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.500
 responsibly.

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.839
 Peter asks a

00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.319
 question in

00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.000
 verse 41,

00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:49.500
 Lord, are you

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:49.980
 telling this

00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.559
 parable to

00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.860
 us or to

00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:52.319
 everyone?

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.559
 Is this just

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:53.960
 for us

00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.660
 12, us

00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:55.200
 disciples,

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.559
 who you have

00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:56.980
 called to

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.339
 yourself?

00:32:57.380 --> 00:32:57.759
 Is it for

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.079
 the whole

00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.519
 church?

00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.480
 And Jesus

00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.299
 answered is,

00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.480
 yes, it's

00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.160
 for leaders

00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:03.400
 and yes,

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.019
 it's for

00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.759
 Christians and

00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.400
 church members.

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.700
 This is for

00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:08.279
 everybody.

00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:10.539
 And so he

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.420
 returns to

00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:11.900
 give us the

00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:13.019
 picture in a

00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:14.000
 slightly different

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.420
 form.

00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.319
 Verse 42,

00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.639
 who then is

00:33:16.639 --> 00:33:17.139
 the faithful

00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:17.700
 and wise

00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.799
 manager whom

00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.279
 the master

00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:19.779
 puts in

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.220
 charge of

00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:20.740
 his servants

00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.119
 to give

00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:21.440
 them their

00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:22.039
 food allowance

00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.319
 at the

00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:22.960
 proper time?

00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:23.720
 So this

00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:24.059
 time the

00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.420
 picture of

00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:24.799
 the master

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.079
 has gone

00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.660
 away again

00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:25.980
 for an

00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.240
 unknown

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.700
 period,

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.319
 but this

00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:27.619
 time he's

00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.000
 put someone

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.440
 in charge.

00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:28.900
 A household

00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:30.619
 manager is

00:33:30.619 --> 00:33:30.960
 to look

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.420
 after the

00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:31.799
 day-to-day

00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.139
 running.

00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:33.559
 And the

00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.079
 question now

00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:34.420
 becomes,

00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:35.279
 when the

00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.720
 master

00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.599
 returns,

00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:37.839
 will he

00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:38.259
 find that

00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.799
 that servant

00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.180
 has been

00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.920
 responsible

00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:41.000
 and faithful

00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:43.579
 or irresponsible

00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:44.619
 and unfaithful?

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.180
 And that

00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:45.779
 will determine

00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.619
 either reward

00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.019
 on the one

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.359
 hand or

00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:47.799
 punishment

00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.180
 on the

00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:48.400
 other.

00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:50.799
 Let's

00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.400
 focus first

00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:51.680
 on the

00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.200
 faithful and

00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.799
 responsible.

00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.160
 Verse 42

00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:54.759
 and 43,

00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.839
 it will be

00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.440
 good,

00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.379
 43 and 44

00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:57.740
 rather,

00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.359
 it will

00:33:58.359 --> 00:33:58.700
 be good

00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.140
 for that

00:33:59.140 --> 00:33:59.660
 servant

00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:00.559
 whom the

00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.200
 master finds

00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:01.680
 doing so

00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:01.940
 when he

00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.380
 returns.

00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:02.960
 Truly I

00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:03.500
 tell you,

00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.240
 he will

00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:04.700
 put him

00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.160
 in charge

00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:05.660
 of all

00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.000
 of his

00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.579
 possessions.

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.079
 And again,

00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:08.320
 I would

00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:08.760
 suggest that

00:34:08.760 --> 00:34:09.340
 this is

00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.539
 perhaps part

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.960
 of a story

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.219
 that we

00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:12.079
 might expect.

00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:13.340
 If a

00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:13.699
 servant

00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.420
 serves

00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.019
 others

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.820
 well

00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.960
 within a

00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.460
 household,

00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.539
 we might

00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.320
 expect

00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:19.960
 promotion

00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.679
 and reward.

00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:20.819
 reward.

00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.399
 We see

00:34:22.399 --> 00:34:22.599
 it in

00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:22.719
 the

00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:22.919
 Old

00:34:22.919 --> 00:34:23.259
 Testament

00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:23.919
 story

00:34:23.919 --> 00:34:24.440
 of

00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:24.940
 Joseph.

00:34:25.859 --> 00:34:26.299
 In

00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:26.480
 our

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:26.779
 junior

00:34:26.779 --> 00:34:27.139
 youth

00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:27.399
 group

00:34:27.399 --> 00:34:27.699
 last

00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:27.859
 night,

00:34:27.899 --> 00:34:28.159
 we were

00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:28.519
 thinking

00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:28.819
 about

00:34:28.819 --> 00:34:29.039
 the

00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.460
 story

00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:29.839
 of

00:34:29.839 --> 00:34:30.460
 Joseph.

00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:31.500
 And

00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:31.819
 Joseph,

00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.339
 even when

00:34:32.339 --> 00:34:32.779
 he's sold

00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.039
 to be

00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:33.759
 a slave,

00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:35.859
 is found

00:34:35.859 --> 00:34:37.419
 faithful in

00:34:37.419 --> 00:34:38.059
 Potiphar's

00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:39.019
 household and

00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.440
 eventually

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.219
 receives

00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:41.039
 rewards.

00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:41.539
 We might

00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.219
 expect this

00:34:42.219 --> 00:34:42.719
 part of

00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:43.159
 the story,

00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:45.299
 but again,

00:34:45.359 --> 00:34:45.659
 we need to

00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.139
 pay attention

00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:46.659
 to the

00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.219
 next part

00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:47.420
 of the

00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:47.920
 story and

00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.440
 to see

00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:50.039
 a surprising

00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:52.119
 detail.

00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.199
 As attention

00:34:54.199 --> 00:34:54.779
 turns to

00:34:54.779 --> 00:34:54.980
 one who

00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.859
 is unfaithful

00:34:55.859 --> 00:34:56.039
 and

00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:56.779
 irresponsible,

00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:57.139
 what does

00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:57.440
 it look

00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:57.839
 like?

00:34:58.359 --> 00:34:59.179
 Verse 45,

00:35:00.279 --> 00:35:01.579
 the servant

00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:01.819
 says,

00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.299
 my master

00:35:02.299 --> 00:35:02.579
 has taken

00:35:02.579 --> 00:35:02.960
 a long

00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.319
 time in

00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:03.599
 coming,

00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.379
 and he

00:35:04.379 --> 00:35:04.859
 begins to

00:35:04.859 --> 00:35:05.219
 beat the

00:35:05.219 --> 00:35:05.940
 other servants

00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:06.299
 and to

00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:06.619
 eat and

00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:06.980
 drink and

00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:07.379
 get drunk.

00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:07.739
 So he's

00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:08.099
 abusing

00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.599
 his power,

00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:09.659
 he's drunk

00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:09.920
 and he's

00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.579
 unprepared,

00:35:10.799 --> 00:35:11.039
 and the

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.719
 outcome,

00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:14.239
 verse 46,

00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:15.699
 the master

00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:16.639
 will come,

00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.299
 he will

00:35:18.299 --> 00:35:19.019
 cut him

00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:19.919
 to pieces

00:35:19.919 --> 00:35:21.899
 and assign

00:35:21.899 --> 00:35:22.239
 him a

00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:22.739
 place with

00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:23.559
 the unbelievers.

00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:25.980
 Where's the

00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.279
 emphasis

00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:26.939
 falling there?

00:35:27.419 --> 00:35:28.679
 A severe

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.899
 punishment,

00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:30.619
 perhaps a

00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:31.159
 shocking

00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:31.879
 punishment,

00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:32.500
 getting our

00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:32.859
 attention.

00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:33.699
 This isn't

00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.500
 talking about

00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:34.839
 ordinary,

00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:35.619
 everyday things,

00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:35.980
 this is

00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.719
 talking about

00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.739
 the reality

00:35:37.739 --> 00:35:38.519
 of eternal

00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.539
 judgment.

00:35:40.759 --> 00:35:41.259
 This isn't

00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:41.879
 just a story

00:35:41.879 --> 00:35:42.179
 saying,

00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:43.219
 work hard

00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:43.539
 at your

00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.079
 job,

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:45.480
 so when

00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.139
 head office

00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:46.739
 comes,

00:35:46.819 --> 00:35:47.059
 or the

00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.400
 boss

00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:48.179
 comes around,

00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:48.819
 they will

00:35:48.819 --> 00:35:48.980
 say,

00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.699
 good job,

00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.400
 and they

00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:51.739
 won't say

00:35:51.739 --> 00:35:52.340
 you're fired.

00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:52.659
 No,

00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.360
 this is

00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:54.799
 Jesus is

00:35:54.799 --> 00:35:55.559
 your king

00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.539
 and your

00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:57.239
 master,

00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:59.000
 and he

00:35:59.000 --> 00:35:59.360
 will come

00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:00.059
 back one

00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:00.380
 day,

00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:01.679
 and we

00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.319
 will stand

00:36:02.319 --> 00:36:03.119
 before him

00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.519
 on that

00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:03.779
 day,

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.380
 and he

00:36:04.380 --> 00:36:05.000
 will pass

00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.840
 judgment

00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.900
 on all

00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:07.259
 of our

00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:07.880
 lives,

00:36:08.299 --> 00:36:08.759
 that will

00:36:08.759 --> 00:36:09.159
 lead us

00:36:09.159 --> 00:36:09.460
 to an

00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:09.900
 eternal

00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.840
 destination.

00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:11.059
 salvation.

00:36:12.620 --> 00:36:13.380
 This is

00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:14.200
 life or

00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:14.640
 death,

00:36:15.720 --> 00:36:16.100
 this is

00:36:16.100 --> 00:36:17.120
 heaven or

00:36:17.120 --> 00:36:17.640
 hell,

00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:19.160
 this is

00:36:19.160 --> 00:36:19.559
 eternal

00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.260
 glory or

00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.780
 eternal

00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:21.680
 grief,

00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:23.079
 and he

00:36:23.079 --> 00:36:23.840
 tells us

00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.240
 this and

00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:24.840
 he warns

00:36:24.840 --> 00:36:25.340
 us so

00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:25.579
 that we

00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:26.120
 would be

00:36:26.120 --> 00:36:27.019
 ready,

00:36:27.160 --> 00:36:27.360
 that we

00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:28.120
 would resolve

00:36:28.120 --> 00:36:29.559
 today to

00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.420
 be ready,

00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:33.960
 that we

00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.280
 would be

00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:34.620
 serving

00:36:34.620 --> 00:36:35.559
 responsibly.

00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:36.840
 We come

00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:37.120
 to the

00:36:37.120 --> 00:36:37.960
 end of

00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:39.300
 verse 47

00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:39.960
 and 48,

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:40.860
 and we're

00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.460
 hearing all

00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:41.880
 through the

00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.260
 parables,

00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:42.820
 these themes

00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:44.000
 of responsibility

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.940
 towards the

00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:45.340
 master,

00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.080
 the reality

00:36:46.080 --> 00:36:46.420
 of his

00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:46.800
 return,

00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:47.080
 and the

00:36:47.080 --> 00:36:47.700
 realities of

00:36:47.700 --> 00:36:48.220
 reward.

00:36:49.560 --> 00:36:50.420
 Jesus reminds

00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:50.960
 us that this

00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.920
 final judgment

00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:52.539
 will be

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.420
 fitting,

00:36:54.640 --> 00:36:55.480
 but I want

00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:55.780
 us to

00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:56.519
 recognize

00:36:56.519 --> 00:36:58.400
 the words

00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.120
 of Jesus

00:36:59.120 --> 00:36:59.720
 at the end

00:36:59.720 --> 00:36:59.920
 there,

00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.680
 from everyone

00:37:00.680 --> 00:37:01.700
 who has been

00:37:01.700 --> 00:37:02.500
 given much,

00:37:03.060 --> 00:37:03.900
 much will be

00:37:03.900 --> 00:37:04.380
 demanded,

00:37:04.580 --> 00:37:05.000
 and from the

00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.600
 one who's been

00:37:05.600 --> 00:37:06.340
 entrusted with

00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:06.640
 much,

00:37:06.740 --> 00:37:07.440
 much more

00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.720
 will be asked.

00:37:08.719 --> 00:37:09.019
 The more

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.599
 privilege we

00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:09.879
 have,

00:37:09.939 --> 00:37:10.379
 the greater

00:37:10.379 --> 00:37:10.779
 our

00:37:10.779 --> 00:37:11.639
 responsibility.

00:37:13.379 --> 00:37:14.179
 And I want

00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:14.500
 us to

00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.599
 recognize that

00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:16.859
 because of

00:37:16.859 --> 00:37:17.539
 this truth,

00:37:17.819 --> 00:37:18.299
 that in

00:37:18.299 --> 00:37:19.159
 our world

00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:19.859
 today,

00:37:20.819 --> 00:37:21.539
 there are

00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:22.599
 billions,

00:37:22.879 --> 00:37:23.419
 literally

00:37:23.419 --> 00:37:24.639
 billions of

00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:25.719
 people who

00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.799
 as yet have

00:37:26.799 --> 00:37:27.839
 not heard

00:37:27.839 --> 00:37:29.199
 about Jesus.

00:37:30.319 --> 00:37:31.079
 There are

00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:32.639
 over 7,000

00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:33.639
 language groups

00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.679
 in our world

00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:35.619
 today that

00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.259
 don't have

00:37:36.260 --> 00:37:37.460
 any part

00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:38.000
 of the

00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:39.000
 Bible in

00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:39.520
 their

00:37:39.520 --> 00:37:40.480
 language.

00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:42.280
 In our

00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:43.020
 world today,

00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:44.000
 there are

00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:44.880
 around about

00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:46.500
 700 million

00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:47.620
 believers in

00:37:47.620 --> 00:37:48.360
 the Lord Jesus

00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:49.120
 who will

00:37:49.120 --> 00:37:49.920
 experience

00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:50.800
 persecution

00:37:50.800 --> 00:37:51.780
 for their

00:37:51.780 --> 00:37:52.100
 faith,

00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:52.700
 and they

00:37:52.700 --> 00:37:53.360
 don't have

00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:53.820
 the freedom

00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:54.420
 to have a

00:37:54.420 --> 00:37:55.160
 Bible or

00:37:55.160 --> 00:37:55.780
 to worship

00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:56.400
 in a church

00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:57.120
 like we do.

00:37:58.700 --> 00:37:59.400
 And I want

00:37:59.400 --> 00:37:59.900
 to say that

00:37:59.900 --> 00:38:00.640
 because compared

00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:01.839
 to so many,

00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:03.480
 we have been

00:38:03.480 --> 00:38:05.339
 given wonderful

00:38:05.339 --> 00:38:06.879
 gospel

00:38:06.879 --> 00:38:08.019
 privileges.

00:38:11.219 --> 00:38:12.420
 Those gospel

00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.559
 privileges need

00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:15.059
 to be enjoyed

00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:18.099
 and also we

00:38:18.099 --> 00:38:18.559
 need to live

00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:20.079
 responsibly in

00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:20.920
 light of all

00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:21.379
 that we have

00:38:21.379 --> 00:38:21.879
 been given

00:38:21.879 --> 00:38:22.659
 that we

00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:22.960
 will be

00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:24.359
 fine serving

00:38:24.359 --> 00:38:26.179
 Jesus and

00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:27.239
 his kingdom.

00:38:27.239 --> 00:38:29.879
 So Jesus

00:38:29.879 --> 00:38:30.559
 tells his

00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.039
 servants,

00:38:31.419 --> 00:38:31.979
 his disciples

00:38:31.979 --> 00:38:32.519
 on his way

00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:32.819
 to the

00:38:32.819 --> 00:38:33.219
 cross,

00:38:33.439 --> 00:38:34.679
 be ready.

00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:37.679
 Today is a

00:38:37.679 --> 00:38:38.899
 good stock

00:38:38.899 --> 00:38:39.779
 taking moment.

00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:41.459
 Am I

00:38:41.459 --> 00:38:41.859
 ready?

00:38:43.339 --> 00:38:43.919
 Am I

00:38:43.919 --> 00:38:44.679
 living today

00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:45.299
 for Jesus

00:38:45.299 --> 00:38:45.719
 as my

00:38:45.719 --> 00:38:46.159
 master?

00:38:47.299 --> 00:38:47.899
 Am I

00:38:47.899 --> 00:38:48.559
 engaged in

00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:49.259
 serving others

00:38:49.259 --> 00:38:49.619
 in his

00:38:49.619 --> 00:38:49.959
 name?

00:38:50.959 --> 00:38:51.719
 Is the

00:38:51.719 --> 00:38:52.399
 honor of

00:38:52.399 --> 00:38:52.699
 King

00:38:52.699 --> 00:38:53.339
 Jesus

00:38:53.339 --> 00:38:55.399
 my main

00:38:55.399 --> 00:38:55.959
 concern,

00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:57.260
 my main

00:38:57.260 --> 00:38:57.820
 motivation

00:38:57.820 --> 00:38:58.280
 in life?

00:38:59.500 --> 00:39:00.059
 And if

00:39:00.059 --> 00:39:00.559
 it's not,

00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:02.460
 let this

00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:02.960
 be a day

00:39:02.960 --> 00:39:03.360
 where we

00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:04.519
 can repent,

00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:06.039
 where we

00:39:06.039 --> 00:39:06.720
 can seek

00:39:06.720 --> 00:39:07.860
 renewal,

00:39:08.519 --> 00:39:09.119
 so that we

00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:09.780
 might live

00:39:09.780 --> 00:39:10.880
 responsibly

00:39:10.880 --> 00:39:12.639
 today in

00:39:12.639 --> 00:39:13.440
 light of

00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:14.440
 Christ's

00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:15.079
 certain

00:39:15.079 --> 00:39:16.260
 return.

00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:18.880
 Just like

00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:19.480
 those jobs

00:39:19.480 --> 00:39:20.000
 that require

00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.519
 constant

00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:20.980
 readiness,

00:39:21.679 --> 00:39:22.119
 the soldier

00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:22.619
 on tour,

00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:23.280
 the fireman,

00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:23.820
 the servant,

00:39:24.360 --> 00:39:25.119
 to be a

00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:25.780
 follower of

00:39:25.780 --> 00:39:26.920
 Jesus requires

00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:28.519
 us to be

00:39:28.519 --> 00:39:30.160
 ready to

00:39:30.160 --> 00:39:30.820
 serve him

00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:31.080
 in our

00:39:31.080 --> 00:39:32.220
 lives as

00:39:32.220 --> 00:39:32.900
 we eagerly

00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:33.320
 wait for

00:39:33.320 --> 00:39:34.060
 his return,

00:39:34.680 --> 00:39:35.720
 living today

00:39:35.720 --> 00:39:37.100
 in light of

00:39:37.100 --> 00:39:39.320
 eternity and

00:39:39.320 --> 00:39:39.600
 of our

00:39:39.600 --> 00:39:40.080
 returnal

00:39:40.080 --> 00:39:40.580
 reward.

00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:42.160
 Let's pray

00:39:42.160 --> 00:39:42.540
 together.

00:39:45.420 --> 00:39:46.300
 Lord God,

00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:46.980
 we thank you

00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:48.080
 that when

00:39:48.080 --> 00:39:48.620
 Jesus came,

00:39:48.680 --> 00:39:48.920
 he didn't

00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.560
 leave us in

00:39:49.560 --> 00:39:50.500
 any doubt as

00:39:50.500 --> 00:39:52.580
 to how the

00:39:52.580 --> 00:39:53.080
 history of

00:39:53.080 --> 00:39:53.500
 the world

00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:54.360
 will play out

00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:55.300
 and how it

00:39:55.300 --> 00:39:55.820
 will draw

00:39:55.820 --> 00:39:56.519
 to a

00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:57.019
 close.

00:39:57.960 --> 00:39:58.360
 That gives

00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:58.820
 us peace

00:39:58.820 --> 00:39:59.160
 when we

00:39:59.160 --> 00:40:00.039
 can be

00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:00.900
 so anxious

00:40:00.900 --> 00:40:03.760
 about wars

00:40:03.760 --> 00:40:04.460
 and fighting

00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:05.000
 or perhaps

00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:05.539
 the climate

00:40:05.539 --> 00:40:06.099
 crisis.

00:40:06.320 --> 00:40:06.539
 Lord, we

00:40:06.539 --> 00:40:06.940
 thank you

00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:07.360
 that this

00:40:07.360 --> 00:40:08.099
 world is in

00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.660
 your hands,

00:40:08.740 --> 00:40:08.960
 that you

00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:09.980
 will bring

00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:10.320
 it to an

00:40:10.320 --> 00:40:10.800
 end when

00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:11.740
 Jesus returns.

00:40:13.740 --> 00:40:14.300
 And Lord,

00:40:14.340 --> 00:40:14.940
 we recognize

00:40:14.940 --> 00:40:15.680
 again that

00:40:15.680 --> 00:40:16.780
 Jesus was

00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:17.740
 so clear that

00:40:17.740 --> 00:40:18.740
 all of us

00:40:18.740 --> 00:40:19.460
 will stand

00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:21.220
 before his

00:40:21.220 --> 00:40:22.220
 judgment seat

00:40:22.220 --> 00:40:24.480
 and that we

00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:25.179
 must be

00:40:25.179 --> 00:40:25.740
 ready.

00:40:27.199 --> 00:40:27.579
 And so we

00:40:27.579 --> 00:40:28.920
 pray that you

00:40:28.920 --> 00:40:29.780
 would, by

00:40:29.780 --> 00:40:30.400
 your spirit,

00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:31.480
 allow us to

00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.659
 examine ourselves,

00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:34.300
 that you would

00:40:34.300 --> 00:40:35.079
 allow us to

00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:35.980
 reflect on how

00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:36.780
 good a master

00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:37.880
 Jesus is,

00:40:39.159 --> 00:40:39.440
 that you would

00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:40.039
 allow us to

00:40:40.039 --> 00:40:41.320
 reflect on the

00:40:41.320 --> 00:40:42.320
 call to live

00:40:42.320 --> 00:40:43.179
 as servants,

00:40:44.280 --> 00:40:44.900
 so that each

00:40:44.900 --> 00:40:45.460
 one of us

00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:46.199
 would be found

00:40:46.199 --> 00:40:47.779
 faithful,

00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.059
 and to be

00:40:49.059 --> 00:40:49.799
 watchful,

00:40:50.439 --> 00:40:50.980
 to be found

00:40:50.980 --> 00:40:51.779
 trusting in

00:40:51.779 --> 00:40:52.519
 Jesus, our

00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:53.279
 Lord, our

00:40:53.279 --> 00:40:54.299
 King, our

00:40:54.299 --> 00:40:55.619
 Saviour, our

00:40:55.619 --> 00:40:56.460
 Master, our

00:40:56.460 --> 00:40:56.859
 Friend.

00:40:57.619 --> 00:40:58.379
 We pray in his

00:40:58.379 --> 00:40:59.139
 precious name.

00:40:59.639 --> 00:40:59.899
 Amen.

00:41:02.579 --> 00:41:03.079
 And now we'll

00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:04.539
 close with a

00:41:04.539 --> 00:41:05.039
 hymn, we will

00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:07.019
 feast in the

00:41:07.019 --> 00:41:07.859
 house of Zion,

00:41:08.759 --> 00:41:09.579
 a great hymn

00:41:09.579 --> 00:41:10.500
 reminding us of

00:41:10.500 --> 00:41:11.099
 that eternal

00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:11.500
 promise.

00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:12.039
 So let's again

00:41:12.039 --> 00:41:13.919
 stand as we

00:41:13.919 --> 00:41:15.379
 close our time

00:41:15.379 --> 00:41:15.739
 together.

00:41:16.199 --> 00:41:46.179
 we will feast

00:41:46.179 --> 00:41:48.299
 in the house of

00:41:48.299 --> 00:41:51.399
 Zion, we will

00:41:51.399 --> 00:41:53.000
 sing with our

00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:54.179
 hearts restored.

00:41:55.659 --> 00:41:56.699
 He has done

00:41:56.699 --> 00:41:58.319
 great things,

00:41:58.379 --> 00:41:59.179
 we will say

00:41:59.739 --> 00:42:02.179
 together, we

00:42:02.719 --> 00:42:05.239
 will feast and

00:42:05.239 --> 00:42:07.179
 weep no more.

00:42:07.179 --> 00:42:15.000
 be burned by the

00:42:15.000 --> 00:42:16.000
 fire.

00:42:16.000 --> 00:42:21.500
 He is the Lord,

00:42:21.559 --> 00:42:24.539
 our God, we are not

00:42:24.539 --> 00:42:27.940
 consumed by the

00:42:27.940 --> 00:42:28.500
 flood.

00:42:28.500 --> 00:42:29.820
 upheld, we will

00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:33.820
 upheld, we will

00:42:33.820 --> 00:42:33.860
 be

00:42:33.860 --> 00:42:37.820
 gathered up, we will

00:42:37.820 --> 00:42:40.920
 feast in the house

00:42:40.920 --> 00:42:43.739
 of Zion, we will

00:42:43.739 --> 00:42:47.039
 sing with our hearts

00:42:47.039 --> 00:42:47.820
 restored.

00:42:47.820 --> 00:42:53.580
 Lord, we will feast and

00:42:53.580 --> 00:42:57.640
 we will feast and weep no more.

00:42:57.639 --> 00:43:00.420
 Christ as new

00:43:00.420 --> 00:43:00.940
 Lord, we will

00:43:00.940 --> 00:43:07.960
 ausp tener

00:43:07.960 --> 00:43:10.379
 on the

00:43:10.379 --> 00:43:10.619
 earthstage and

00:43:10.619 --> 00:43:11.739
 dile

00:43:11.739 --> 00:43:14.259
 for eis

00:43:14.260 --> 00:43:34.900
 afraid for the promised morning oh how long God of Jacob be my strength we will feast in house of

00:43:34.900 --> 00:43:53.539
 Zion we will sing with our hearts restored he has done great things we will say together we will feast and weep no more

00:43:53.539 --> 00:44:14.900
 every vow we've broken and betrayed you are the faithful one from the garden to the grave

00:44:14.900 --> 00:44:34.340
 bind us together bring shalom we will feast in the house of Zion we will sing with our hearts restored

00:44:34.340 --> 00:44:47.059
 he has done great things we will say together we will feast and weep no more

00:44:53.059 --> 00:44:59.059
 we use these words from the end of second Thessalonians chapter 2 as we close may our Lord

00:44:59.059 --> 00:45:07.860
 Jesus Christ himself and God our Father who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement

00:45:07.860 --> 00:45:16.659
 and good hope encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word amen