Luke 12:35-48 (New Living Translation)
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.
47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
I. Pulled up pants (vv. 35-36)
• The root of hell is grumbling from
• The root of heaven is peace that comes from a good God’s
• We’ve “pulled up our pants” if we don’t
II. Porch lights (vv. 36-37)
• Readiness for Christ’s return is demonstrated by vigilant
• A significant part of the Christian’s judgment is how we
• The vigilant in God’s family are not
III. Pilfering (vv. 38-41)
• We misinterpret
• We accuse Jesus of overreaching into our “stuff” when we underestimate his
• The second return of Jesus is
IV. Pinch-hitting (vv. 42-45)
• Faithful and sensible servants
• Faithful and sensible delegation
• Faithful and sensible delegation recognizes
V. Portfolios (vv. 46-48)
• The Christian’s judgment is an
• Heaven is the same
• Justification provides salvation, not the elimination of
• Burying our gifts can lead to being numbered with
1. Read Luke 12:35-40. Who is Jesus speaking to in these verses (refer to Luke 12:22)? In verse 35, what two things does Jesus tell them to do to prepare for the Lord’s Return? Discuss what this looks like today.
2. Does it surprise you that Jesus, the master, describes himself as serving the servants who are ready in verse 37? Why does Jesus also describe himself as the “burglar” in verse 39? How does this illustration further emphasize the importance of being ready for the Lord’s Return?
3. Read Luke 12:41-48. Peter calls Jesus “Lord” in verse 41 and asks him a question. When is the last time that Peter speaks to Jesus in Luke (refer to Luke 9:33) and how does that relate to the question he asks in verse 41? How can we get sidetracked and focus on the wrong things, even when Jesus is our Lord?
4. Compare and contrast behaviors of a faithful and sensible servant with the servant who is not faithful or sensible (vv. 42-46). What kind of “reward” is given to those who are ready? Will we all have the same experiences in heaven and in hell?
5. According to Jesus, what are the consequences of not being prepared and following Jesus’ instructions (vv. 47-48)? What things/activities can we put in front of preparing for his return?
6. What else stood out to you in the sermon that you have questions about in this passage of Scripture?