Thesis: To instill in the hearers the essentiality of being in a right state in their relationship with God, imperfect man being made without spot or blemish by our Perfect Savior (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 10:14).
Text: Luke 12:35-48
Introduction,
This week we continue in the Lord’s teachings concerning “warnings;” which is defined by Webster as “cautioning against danger,” we need to keep in mind while we look into these instructions that the gospel is not merely the facts concerning Christ, it consists of . . .
Facts to believe (1 Cor 15:1-4; Heb 11:6)
Commands to keep (Mt 28:20; Acts 3:22)
Promises to receive (Eph 1:3; Tit 1:2; 1 Pet 1:3-5)
Warnings to heed (Mt 10:28; 1 Cor 10:12; Heb 2:1-4; 10:23-31)
And this teaching segment contains many of those so called “warnings.” And the reason for them is God wills that all be saved (1 Tim 2:4), and man for the most part would also prefer to (as we would say) “be saved” yet man also, at the same time prefers to do things “his way,” and the Scriptures plainly teach us that man “being saved”, and “doing things one’s own way” are not the same things, and do not add up to eternal life (Pro 14:12; Jer 10:23).
Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Jer 10:23 I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
Yet God, in His ability to know all things foresaw this problem, and took measures to ensure that some would be able to enter into eternity, He set up things so that God’s righteousness would be imputed to man perfecting him “positionally” (2 Cor 5:21) by that one sacrifice for all time (Heb 10:14). And God also would impute holiness “practically” to man (2 Cor 7:1; Heb 12:14), man’s biblical heart, his seat of emotions, his inner man, his will, would be changed like unto that of God’s; loving the things that God loves, and hating the things that God hates.
Yet this would not happen in an instant, but rather as a process, that begins to take place when one believes (Jn 5:24) and then repents, (determines not to walk after the things they may consider correct, but rather what God states is the correct, that narrow, and seemingly difficult way; Mt 7:13-14) the bible refers to this as the “renewal of the Holy Spirit” and it can be found in Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:23; Col 3:9-10; Tit 3:5, this takes place as one hears or reads God’s word, that life imparting (Jn 6:63) sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), believes it, and obeys it.
Yet it is not Satan’s will that man be saved, thus he has attempted and succeeded, to deceive man in many areas of his life, and he takes special aim at those of the household of faith, for the rest are already blinded by him and firmly in his control (2 Cor 4:4), and he does this in various ways through the 3 basic means of his assaults (the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life), through one’s own desires, tempting individuals to take their desires beyond their God ordered (ordained) limits, thus one needs to be “warned” to “take the more earnest heed” “lest he drift away” “lest he fall” for this certainly is not God’s will, thus the “warnings.”
In our first lesson in this series we looked at “warnings” concerning spiritual things such as hypocrisy; fearing man over God; courage concerning confession of Christ; and blasphemy of the Holy Spirit; In the second lesson we looked at “warnings” concerning the physical things of this world (food, clothes, riches, etc.), how they could cause us to stumble, and how to properly use God’s physical blessings for spiritual gain, “by faith” in other words, using them according to His revealed will, His word (Rom 10:17).
And now in this section we will be looking at “warnings” from the Lord with His second coming in view, in order that we don’t get over confident, or lackadaisical, and fall into perdition (the state of being lost; perishing; 1 Cor 1:18; 2 Cor 2:15) just when that crown is almost won;
Therefore we will break this lesson down into 3 basic sections, and look at . . .
1) Being “ready” in view of the Lord’s coming (v 35-40)
2) Staying “faithful” in view of the Lord’s coming (v 41-46), and
3) Our “responsibilities” in view of the Lord’s coming (v 47-48)
I. BEING “READY” IN VIEW OF THE LORD’S COMING (Luke 12:35-40)
A. (v 35-36)
Luk 12:35 "( Let your loins [waist] be girded about; ASV) Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,
Luk 12:36 and be like men who are waiting for their master (lord) to come home from the wedding (marriage) feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
The Bible teaches that “the marriage (wedding) feast” is taking place now, and has been since the Lord’s ascension into Heaven, when that first gospel sermon was preached in Acts 2 and the 3000 believed and obeyed, (the spread of the gospel is depicted by our Lord in Mt 22:2-10, turn there) . . .
Mat 22:2 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,
Mat 22:3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
Mat 22:4 Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat(tened) calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast."'
Mat 22:5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,
Mat 22:6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
Mat 22:7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
Mat 22:8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
Mat 22:9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.'
Mat 22:10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.
1. This is a picture of the coming of the kingdom of Christ on earth, the rejection of it by the Jews, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the bringing in of the Gentiles to the church, all of which already has and is currently taking place, Christ returning from this feast in our verse, (Luke 12:36), depicts His 2nd coming at the end of time to take His people home to Heaven, at which time this realm will be done away (Mt 24:35; 2 Thess 1:7; 2 Pet 3:10), and the Final Judgment will take place (Mt 25:31-46; Rev 20:11-15), thus the final separation between the redeemed and the lost will be made, and the ushering in of the new creation and the eternal age will commence (Rev 21:1-22:5).
2. The garments of the 1st century were flowing, likened unto robes, and when one was to go to work or into battle they would tie up (gird up) their loose fitting clothing in order that they could move quicker without being burdened or snagged by the clothing.
a. We in like manner ought to gird up the things that hinder us from effectively engaging in spiritual battles, or effectively serving the Lord, as the Hebrew writer stated in Heb 12:1-2a …
Heb 12:1 Therefore let us also . . . lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2a looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith . . .
3. Also Christ exhorts here for one to keep his “lamps burning;” In the ancient wedding feasts, the proceedings would go on long after the daylight hours, and the servants of the bridegroom would await the arrival of their Master from said feasts with “lamps burning” in other words with “the lights on,” not having to light the lamps or turn on the lights when He comes.
a. The point being made is that servants of Christ are to be ready day or night for the 2nd coming of their Lord, and they are to be actively doing His will, and have all things just as ordered by the Master, looking for their Lord, being ready to open the door at His first knock.
B. (v 37)
Luk 12:37 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.
And those that are ready, and waiting, and looking, day and night for their Master; those will be figuratively served by the Lord Himself, this seems to be similar to the washing of the disciples feet in John chapter 13
1. But the meaning is different, there it denoted humble service, which they and we are to imitate, here it denotes the receiving of the blessings in Heaven, which were prepared by the Lord’s sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension into Heaven, (John 14:2-3).
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
C. (v 38)
Luk 12:38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
This is believed to be talking about the Roman watches (guard duty) of that day, of which there were 4, which began at 6:00 in the evening, and ended at 6:00 in the morning, and they were divided into 3 hour increments, thus this speaks of from 9:00 at night until 3:00 in the morning.
1. During the 1st watch would be the time that everyone was going to bed, and in the 4th watch would be the time in which everyone would be waking up, so this speaks of the time that everyone is likely to be sleeping (spiritually that is), but that faithful servant of the Lord never actually sleeps spiritually, but does all things according to his Masters will, as brought forth in 1 Thess 5:5-9 (look there) . . .
1Th 5:5 for you are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;
1Th 5:6 so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night: and they that are drunken, are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
D. (v 39)
Luk 12:39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would (have watched and) not have left his house to be broken into.
But those that are spiritually asleep, those blinded by Satan, the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4), those that are without God and without hope (Eph 2:12), will look at the 2nd coming of the Lord as that likened unto a thief, He will take away everything that they believe is theirs (which is actually God's; Ps 24:1) . . .
Psa 24:1 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,
1. And not only will He dissolve everything which they lived for (those things of a physical nature), He will also at that Day take them (their spirits in their new incorruptible bodies) and cast them in the eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels (Mt 25:41, 46; Rev 20:15).
Mat 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Mat 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Rev 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
a. If they truly believed God and His word, they would have believed and obeyed the gospel from the heart to the best of their God given abilities, and not let their house be broken into; but hindsight is 20/20, today is the day of salvation, let us access the grace of God in this life while we are able.
2. And as disciples of Christ, we have been “warned” time and time again in God’s word, there is no reason for us to be likened unto the unbelieving world (turn back to 1 Thess 5:1-4) . . .
1Th 5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
1Th 5:2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1Th 5:4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
E. (v 40)
Luk 12:40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Therefore likened unto those in this parable that have been girded, have their lamps burning, and are always watching for their Lord, we must always be spiritually “ready,” putting on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18), looking for and earnestly desiring That Day (2 Pet 3:10-13) . . .
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy living and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
1. And That Day will come at a time that know one expects, because actually no one knows, except the Father as revealed in Mt 24:36-39 . . .
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knows no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only.
Mat 24:37 And as were the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of man.
Mat 24:38 For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.
2. There have been those throughout time, and even today, that assert they know when Christ is coming again based upon certain passages of scripture, well, Christ knew the scriptures perfectly and He did not know when “That Day” would come, thus neither do they, they are merely charlatans looking for the praise, and the money of men.
a. Therefore let us ignore such individuals and “be ready” ALWAYS for the coming of our Lord! Looking for and desiring That Day to come, for That Day should not overtake us as a thief.
II. STAYING “FAITHFUL” IN VIEW OF THE LORD’S COMING (Luke 12:41-46)
A. (v 41)
Luk 12:41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"
This is a very interesting and revealing statement which Peter makes here, his understanding is that sometimes Jesus speaks of “some things” may not be for all the followers of Christ, but “only” for the apostles or other specifically selected Christians.
1. And it could be that would include the promise of the Comforter (John 14:26; 16:13), which is the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5), which is the baptism in the holy Spirit, which is Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2:28-29, which is “only” of a miraculous nature (Acts 2:16-18) . . .
Act 2:16 but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:
Act 2:17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 Yea and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
a. Some of which were prophesied to be “done away” “cease” (1 Cor 13:8-10) . . .
1Co 13:8 Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there beknowledge, it shall be done away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
1Co 13:10 but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.
b. Take note that “dreams” from God are not spoken as being “done away”, it is likely, and I believe that God still speaks to individuals through dreams even to this day.
c. But when “that which is perfect” would come, which could be a reference to God’s completed revelation to man, that “perfect Law of Liberty” (Ja 1:25).
Jam 1:25 But he that looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continues, being not a hearer that forgets but a doer that works, this man shall be blessed in his doing.
2. My favorite section to see this differentiation between the apostles and others is John 14:21-26 (turn there) . . .
Joh 14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said unto him, Lord, what is come to pass (how is it) that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loves me not keeps not my words: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, while yet abiding with you.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.
a. So we see 3 classes in this text . . . 1) those that keep Christ’s word based on their love for Him will receive the indwelling of the God, 2) those that keep not the words of Christ don’t love Christ thus there is no speaking of the abiding of God in them 3) there is the Comforter, the Holy Spirit in His miraculous measure, Who would empower and enable the apostles to remember all Christ told them and would deliver to them the rest of the body of the Truth, which they could not handle/bear at that time,, therefore the Holy Spirit does dwell in Christians today just as He did in the 1st century, when we mind the “things of the Spirit” (Rom 8:5, 9a), that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), that life imparting (Jn 6:63), powerful word of God (Heb 4:12). The Father, Son and Spirit all dwell in the Christian “by faith” (Eph 3:17), God said it, we believe it, through “the Faith” as we abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9), he that abides not in the teaching has not God.
b. Let us therefore “learn not to “go beyond” the things which are written” (1 Cor 4:6) in that no one of us be “puffed up” and make divisions based on doctrines concocted by human wisdom instead of the word of the living God.
3. We need to keep in mind that we are “commanded” to obey (observe) all that the 1st century disciples were commanded (Mt 28:19-20a)
Mat 28:19 Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
Mat 28:20a teaching THEM to observe (obey; NIV) all things whatsoever I commanded you. . .
a. Yet we are not promised all that which was promised to them, and specifically that of a miraculous nature, (Mt 28:20b)
Mat 28:20b . . . and lo, I am with YOU (not “them,” note the change in pronouns) always (Gr. “all the days”), even unto the end of the age. (Possibly a reference to the apostolic age of miracles)
b. Which was purposed to deliver and confirm God’s New Covenant (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:4), the Truth (John 17:17), of which Christ promised “all of it” would be delivered in the 1st century through certain selected men (John 16:13), that which we commonly refer to as “the Faith” which has been once and for all time delivered by the power of God (Jude 3).
Jud 1:3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
c. The giving of certain gifts unto men was purposed by God to be temporary in nature (Dan 9:24; Micah 7:15; Zech 13:2; Jn 9 :1-4; 1 Cor 13:8-10), they would only be manifested “till” the unity, the oneness, the entirety of the Faith, that body of knowledge was complete (Eph 4:8-14).
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he says, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 TILL we all attain unto the unity (“oneness”; Strong’s) of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
d. Keep in mind that I am not asserting that God cannot perform a miracle today, I am sure He has, could, and will, but what I am asserting is that God is not performing miracles with the frequency; the multiplicity that He did when He was bringing forth the New Covenant, basically those miracles established it as the Truth, the Truth that makes one free, not necessarily the Truth that makes one a miracle worker, but it is possible, all things are possible with God, yet not probable.
B. (v 42)
Luk 12:42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager (steward), whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time (due season)?
In the context the Lord is speaking to His disciples (v 1, 22), which includes the apostles, specifically Peter (v 41), who had a leading role in the early church, yet we, as His disciples are commanded to obey all He commanded them (Mt 28:20), and in a similar context, the Lord addresses this warning to “all” (Mk 13:31-37).
Mar 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Mar 13:32 "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Mar 13:33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
Mar 13:34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.
Mar 13:35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—
Mar 13:36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.
Mar 13:37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
But in this case instead of answering Peter’s question directly the Lord proceeds to continue to teach them by means of another parable.
The apostles and other selected Christians were stewards over the church in the 1st century (1 Cor 4:1; 1 Pet 4:10),
And the authority they had was that which was already bound and loosed (Mt 16:19; 18:18 NASB), settled forever in heaven (Ps 119:89), it was miraculously delivered, and written down, and is that which we call the NT, it is only under that unchanging standard that we are able to be united together in Christ (John 17:20-21).
Governments, elders, deacons, evangelists, teachers, husbands, wives, and even children are also stewards in their God given roles, even though many governments today have tried to deny God’s sovereign rule over them, but that is what we are here for, as salt and light to keep our Father always in view, all Christians are stewards, and are to be grounds and pillars, upholding that one Truth (1 Tim 3:15), contending earnestly for that once and for all delivered Faith (Jude 3), without which no one could or can be saved (Rom 1:16).
The question is then set forth “who is the “faithful and wise steward” who will be blessed when the Master comes?” Verse 43 gives us the answer . . .
C. (v 43)
Luk 12:43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
And here is the answer, the one that is a doer and not a hearer only (Ja 1:22), the one that doeth (that is continually doing) the will of the Father (Mt 7:21), this is speaking of our “practice” not our “perfection,” our perfection comes from Jesus (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 10:14), our practice shows forth whose child we truly are, God’s or Satan’s (1 Jn 3:4-10), faith without works (the obedience of faith; Rom 1:5; 16:26) is, and will always be, dead (Ja 2:17).
D. (v 44)
Luk 12:44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all (that he has) his possessions.
This is likened to Joseph being set over all that Potiphar and the pharaoh had in Gen 39 and 41;
And also the faithful Christians pictured in Mt 25 in the parable of the talents are spoken of as being “set over many things” and are allowed to “enter thou into the joy of thy (their) Lord” at the Lord’s 2nd coming, which again refers to the eternal rewards in heaven.
And really we only are given figurative statements concerning such, this is one of the areas that we must look forward to “by faith,” yet it is based upon solid evidence (God’s word; Rom 10:17).
E. (v 45)
Luk 12:45 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,
But here is the flip side, Christ hasn’t came yet, and this steward mistreats and misuses that which is put in his care, this could be taken literally, (the beating of the servants and the drunkenness) but it is probably figurative to show they disobeyed God’s directives from heaven, and were inflicting spiritual destruction upon themselves and those whom they taught.
1. We need to be faithful in the roles that God has assigned us, according to God’s will, not ours
a. Contextually this probably refers to the multitudes of false teachers in the various religions of men who are teaching many gospels and many Faiths, wherein the Bible plainly teaches there is but one faith, the Faith (Eph 4:4-6; Jude 3), and there is no other gospel (Gal 1:6-9) . . .
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 one Lord, ONE FAITH, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
Jud 1:3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for THE FAITH which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
Gal 1:6 I marvel that you are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ UNTO A DIFFERENT GOSPEL;
Gal 1:7 WHICH IS NOT ANOTHER GOSPEL only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preaches unto you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be anathema.
a. Today, specifically it would be the gospel that condones sex outside of marriage, multiple marriages while one’s spouse is living, the gospel that condones sodomy, lesbianism, transgenderism, baby-killing (abortion), money loving (greed), and other worldly lusts as approved of God, Jude speaks of our days (Jude 4-19) . . .
Jud 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Jud 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—
Jud 1:7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Jud 1:8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
Jud 1:9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
Jud 1:10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
Jud 1:11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
Jud 1:12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;
Jud 1:13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Jud 1:14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
Jud 1:15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
Jud 1:16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
Jud 1:17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:18 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions."
Jud 1:19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
b. The bottom line here is Christ’s servant (steward) sees that Jesus isn’t coming right away, thus he lives according to the flesh, the world, instead of according to the Spirit, the gospel, this is going to pose a big problem, note that the “practice” of this individual (in Lk 12:45) changed, we “practice” the will of whose children we are (1 Jn 3:4-10), be it the devil, or God.
F. (v 46)
Luk 12:46 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 (unbelieving; NASB).
Here is another verse that teaches us that no one knows when the 2nd coming of Christ will take place, or it may be speaking of Christ’s coming at our individual death.
a. Therefore we see the urgency of these “warnings” from the Lord, and God’s provoking us through His word to “practice” His will, before it is too late.
b. These unfaithful servants are pictured as being “cut asunder” (ASV; KJV) literally this means to be cut in 2 pieces, it is an expression of fearful punishment; probably referring those that are described as receiving the “anathema” (accursed) of God in Gal 1:6-9 . . .
Gal 1:6 I marvel that you are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel;
Gal 1:7 which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preaches unto you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be anathema.
c. No, these wont be saved because they claimed to follow Christ, they will be more harshly treated because they twisted God’s word to their own and other’s destruction (Mt 15:14; 23:13; 2 Pet 3:16), that is why James speaks of not many being teachers because they will receive a stricter judgment (Ja 3:1), they claimed that God (Who is not the Author of confusion; 1 Cor 14:33) was the Author of confusion and followed “their interpretation” of God’s word instead of what it clearly and plainly states.
d. Therefore in light of these facts; let us be “faithful” to God by believing and obeying His understandable word (Eph 3:4), from the heart (Rom 6:17), allowing God to work in us (Phili 2:12-13), with the 2nd coming of Christ, and our own physical deaths always in view, for “practice” does not make “perfect”, Jesus makes “perfect” (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 10:14), but “practice” does show forth whose children we are (1 Jn 3:4-10).
III. OUR “RESPONSIBILITIES” IN VIEW OF THE LORD’S COMING (Luke 12:47-48)
A. (v 47)
Luk 12:47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive (many stripes) a severe beating.
The 1st century disciples, and everyone that has had God’s once and for all time delivered word since then, knows the Lord’s will, but many, explain it away, and try to use human reasoning, instead of living by faith, according to it (Rom 10:17), it does, and will, cost them dearly.
1. They say killing babies in their mother’s womb is not murder (Rom 13:9), because they don’t become a living soul till they take their first breath! So they kill the baby half out of the mother before it takes its first breath!
a. They say sodomy, lesbianism, transgenderism are not abominations, that will keep one out of Heaven (1 Cor 6:9-10), but rather they are a choice, that everyone should be aware of and have, even little children in public schools! I certainly don’t want the government schools exposing my or anyone’s little children to those unnatural, detestable, ungodly, abominable acts.
b. They say marriage is not one husband one wife for life (Rom 7:2; 1 Cor 7:39), but rather it’s something between two men, two women, or whatever, so they can fulfil their perverted lusts and get government benefits because of it.
c. They don’t say money loving is the root of much evil (1 Tim 6:10), but rather it’s something that is more important than the lives of those made in the image of God, so let us lie, release bioweapons, bomb, and manipulate sovereign nations to align with our will, forcing our satanic agenda upon them.
d. Most of the various sects of Christendom are ever changing, adjusting to the people, the world, and the times, in other words, accepting their sins as approved of God! Yet the bible teaches that the Faith has been once for all time delivered (Jude 11:3), it is not a ever changing entity, God’s word endures and abides forever (1 Pet 1:23), and it will be that standard by which they all will be judged on the Last Day (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12), whether they believe it or not (Mt 7:21-23).
e. They know it, yet they deny it, thus these will receive a “severe beating,” they will be beaten with “many stripes.”
f. This also teaches us that there are degrees of punishment.
3. Note that 2 unfulfilled conditions are brought forth in this verse . . .
1) This person “made not ready” for the Lord’s 2nd coming, by girding, burning lamps, watching and so forth (i.e. “being ready”).
2) “Nor did according to His will” (this entails the rest, “all” that Christ commanded in the NT; Mt 28:20; Acts 3:22-23) not just what one picks or chooses to be comfortable for one’s self, we need to understand that “Thy will” not “my will be done” applies to every aspect of our lives, we are to be holy (set apart “to” God and “from” the world) in every part of our lives (1 Pet 1:15).
1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.
a. Being “holy” is being “faithful” living according to the gospel in every aspect of our lives, because we have to? No! Because we want to, because we have God’s laws written on our hearts (Heb 8:10), because we love Jesus (Jn 14:15), because we have the love of God poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given to us (Rom 5:5; Eph 1:13).
B. (v 48a)
Luk 12:48a But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will (be beaten with few stripes) receive a light beating.
But the person that “knew not” (“who did not know”) about being ready for the Lord’s 2nd coming, and “did not know” that they had violated the Lord’s will, will be tormented of a lesser degree before the Judgment at the end of time.
1. All accountable individuals have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), in Romans the main thrust of that epistle is “all have sinned, and all need the gospel,” it is the only way God will redeem man, it doesn’t matter who or what they are (Rom 6:23) . . .
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
a. Mankind is destined to eternal punishment, destruction at the end of time, because they follow self, instead of God, some even make up their own version of God (Pro 14:12).
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.
b. God’s grace and mercy are manifested in the gospel of Christ (Tit 2:11; 3:5), it is that lifesaver God has thrown out into the world to save whosoever will, yet most won’t (Mt 7:13; Luke 13:23-24), 1/3 of the world claim Christ, 2/3 don’t.
c. The point here is, like the sin of ignorance as seen in Lev 5:17 under the Law of Moses, all that are accountable are guilty, God loves the whole world (John 3:16), but most won’t receive His love, and those that don’t know of it, are merely receiving their wages for serving themselves as God, for all creation is made by Him and for Him (Col 1:16), for His glory (Isa 43:7), not for you or me.
2. I think it’s important to note that judgment is coming to our country, but it is not because of the baby-killers, sexual perverts and greedy of the world, but it is because of the baby-killers, sexual perverts and greedy of the church, because they don’t shine God’s light of righteousness, they don’t preserve like salt, therefore God will make them stop being seemingly associated with Him, by taking them out of this world, so the gospel can continue in purity, in other nations, like the China house church movement, the Eastern orthodox church of Russia, etc.
C. (v 48b)
Luk 12:48b Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted (commit) much, they will demand (ask) the more.
Therefore God’s stewards are responsible to do the best according to their God given abilities and with their God given powers, this would include the apostles, and other miraculously gifted Christians of the 1st century, and it would include you, and it would include me, no one is going to slip through the cracks (so to speak) into Heaven (turn to Mt 22:11-14) . . .
Mat 22:11 "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.
Mat 22:12 And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
Mat 22:13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen."
1. I believe this person didn’t “put on Christ” in the waters of baptism (Gal 3:27), he was “called” by the gospel (2 Thess 2:14), but he wasn’t “chosen” by his obedient response to the it, he knew it was the Lord’s will for him, but he chose otherwise, yet many say that baptism isn’t part of God’s plan of salvation, it is merely an outward sign of an inward faith, this person knows the truth concerning that matter.
a. And if the one immersed lets his God given talents, his possessions, his life, lie dormant, or squanders them selfishly, he will also bring upon himself the condemnation of God (Mt 25:14-30).
b. And if one is in a Christian leadership role yet teaches the sins of the world approved of God, he also will bring the condemnation of God upon himself (Jude 3-19).
c. The gospel of Christ is serious matter, and it is God’s will that we be responsible according to our abilities, and “know” what our “responsibilities” are, in view of the Lord’s coming (Mt 7:21-23; Eph 5:15-17; Rev 21:8).
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?'
Mat 7:23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who practice evil!'"
Eph 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Eph 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
Conclusion,
1. First we looked at being “ready” in view of the Lord’s coming (v 35-40), we are to be about our Father’s business continually, as our practice, not as the world, being spiritually asleep, but having our lamps of faith lit, looking for, and forward to, the coming of the Master’s return.
2. And then we looked into staying “faithful” in view of the Lord’s coming (v 41-46), some look at the religion of Jesus Christ as if it were some ambiguous “whatever I wantism,” but that is simply not the case, it is not what I will or you will, but what the Lord says, and His Will and Testament is plainly set forth and is that which we call the New Testament, and one is to walk faithfully according to it, showing ourselves as a child of God instead of a child of the devil, until our individual deaths, or until the Lord comes to take His faithful home.
3. And lastly the Lord spoke on our “responsibilities” in view of the His coming (v 47-48), “opportunity” plus “ability” add up to “responsibility”, and I would say that ours is great, and being an ostrich, putting one’s head in the sand, will not excuse anyone; for along with the hope of Christ’s 2nd coming also comes about the Judgment Day, Why? Not because of some injustice from God, but because of sin (Rom 6:23) . . .
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
5. And that gift must be “received” “appropriated” through the grace that has appeared bringing salvation to all people (Tit 2:11), this speaks of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
6. And God’s mercy which is shown therein, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit through the once for all time delivered and confirmed Faith (Tit 3:5), and one’s obedience, from the heart, to it (Rom 6:17). . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17) this how the Father plants the word, the seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), within the good ground, that good, honest and open heart.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and that we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4), belief (faith) is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15)
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
And one is not to stop there, but rather continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life
that is likened unto Christ’s (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1)
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ to others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), if you are ashamed of Christ and His words, He will be ashamed of you on That Day (Luke 9:26), this is how God propagates His kingdom (Mt 28:19-20).
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), it is the point where one is to be dead to the practice of sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And finally one is to . . . Live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), and “knowing” what being “holy” is, “separated” “set-apart” “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), doing, practicing the will of the Father, being “doers” of the word (Ja 1:22) in order that you won’t have your name blotted out the book of life (Rev 3:5), that we may enter into the eternal phase of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:10-11)
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
2Pe 1:11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.