The Gospel of Luke: Woke and Alert | Thief | Return | Christ

Описание: Sermon Notes Jan 4th, 2026
Luke: 12: 35-48
“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Luke: 12: 35-48
The people of God are the Family of God. The word to focus on in this passage is “Awake.” The enemy is active in our lives in many ways that can cause us to be lulled to sleep, believing that he is not there. The enemy has devices and schemes he applies to God’s people.
We are to stay awake for the eventual return of Christ. “Stay dressed for action” or “Gird up your loins” is the phrase used here - meaning there is action to be completed.
Jesus describes the people who are in this parable as eagerly preparing for His return. They are so ready that when there is a knock on the door, they immediately open the door because they’ve been waiting. The knock on our door doesn’t wait for our old age. We cannot afford to be unprepared.
Jesus called those who are awake “Blessed.” Those who are awaiting the knock and are in an alert posture for the master's return are actually served by the master! He will return that blessing of service back to those who are ready. We serve a God who delights to attend to us!
The caution here is that we should be following Christ because we love Him. Not just when it’s convenient, or because everyone else is.
Lastly, we should stay awake in our “assigned lane.” Peter has to ask: “Jesus, is this parable for the crowd or for us?” And Jesus answers “whatever lane you are in, just be ready!” Whatever task or lane He has appointed us to walk, we are to do our job and be ready. For those who misuse their authority or who don’t do what they’re supposed to do, there will be consequences. There are two ways this plays out. 1) Debauchery - the master isn’t here and he ain’t coming back, so I have to get my own comfort. And 2) injustice - the master isn’t here to protect you, so give me what you have.
But here is what this posture forgets - the master is coming back! And there will be accountability!