DRESS FOR SUCCESSDRESS FOR SUCCESSLuke 12:35-48Luke 12:35-48

Call to Faithful Stewardship 12:35 “Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning; 12:36 be like people waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 12:37 Blessed are those slaves whom their master finds alert when he returns! I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, have them take their place at the table, and will come and wait on them! 12:38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, blessed are those slaves! NET Bible® ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved. NET Bible® ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved.

Luke 12:35-48 (NET Bible)

12:39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 12:40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 12:41 Then Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” 12:42 The Lord replied, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 12:43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he returns. NET Bible® ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved. NET Bible® ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved.

Luke 12:35-48 (NET Bible)

12:44 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions. 12:45 But if that slave should say to himself, ‘My master is delayed in returning,’ and he begins to beat the other slaves, both men and women, and to eat, drink, and get drunk, 12:46 then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 12:47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating.

NET Bible® ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved. NET Bible® ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved.

Luke 12:35-48 (NET Bible)

12:48 But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

NET Bible® ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved. NET Bible® ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org All rights reserved.

Luke 12:35-48 (NET Bible)

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1)1) When Jesus returns he’ll expect to catch me When Jesus returns he’ll expect to catch me __________________.__________________.

2)2) What is the real business Jesus wants me to be What is the real business Jesus wants me to be planning and executing?planning and executing?

3)3) So let’s say Jesus arrives back on Planet Earth So let’s say Jesus arrives back on Planet Earth tonight. Will I get the Royal Treatment or the tonight. Will I get the Royal Treatment or the Raspberry?Raspberry?

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Jesus Said It So Often: Jesus Said It So Often: His Return Will Take Everyone By SurpriseHis Return Will Take Everyone By Surprise

If you knew a thief was in the neighborhood, you’d If you knew a thief was in the neighborhood, you’d secure your home. Right? secure your home. Right?

V. 39 V. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

So the only way to be ready for a Savior whose So the only way to be ready for a Savior whose timetable is unknown is to always __________. timetable is unknown is to always __________.

V. 40 V. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Service Is Our Business. Our ‘Traveling Clothes’ Aren’t Service Is Our Business. Our ‘Traveling Clothes’ Aren’t Shorts And Tank Top …But Coveralls Shorts And Tank Top …But Coveralls --Matthew 25:31-46--Matthew 25:31-46

Loving God is expressed in Service Duds.Loving God is expressed in Service Duds. I was hungryI was hungry

and you wore an apron.and you wore an apron. I was hungry I was hungry

and you wore a canteen.and you wore a canteen. I was a stranger I was a stranger

and you wore hostess garb.and you wore hostess garb. I needed clothes I needed clothes

and you looked like Mr. Goodwill himself.and you looked like Mr. Goodwill himself. I was sick I was sick

and you showed up looking like a paramedic.and you showed up looking like a paramedic.

Jesus’ Dress Code For Travel To The Forever City:Jesus’ Dress Code For Travel To The Forever City:

Neighborly lifestyle. Remember the Samaritan?Neighborly lifestyle. Remember the Samaritan?Luke 10Luke 10

Backpack for bearing other’s burdens. Backpack for bearing other’s burdens. Galatians 6.Galatians 6.

Coins in your pocket for the needy along the way. Coins in your pocket for the needy along the way. Matthew 6Matthew 6

Pockets full of love for the whole gamut of humanity. Pockets full of love for the whole gamut of humanity. I Corinthians 13I Corinthians 13

And The Master Servant? What Will He Do For Such And The Master Servant? What Will He Do For Such Well-Dressed Travelers?Well-Dressed Travelers?

He’ll once again gird himself to tenderly care for us. He’ll once again gird himself to tenderly care for us. V.37 “…he will dress himself to serve”V.37 “…he will dress himself to serve”

Go ahead, recline…Go ahead, recline…get ready for some tender-loving-care. It will be mighty fine!get ready for some tender-loving-care. It will be mighty fine!

But such care only comes to those who are continuously But such care only comes to those who are continuously ready. ready.

V. 38 “… and finds them alert, blessed are those …”V. 38 “… and finds them alert, blessed are those …”

WHO IS THIS PARABLE INTENDED FOR, PETER ASKS?WHO IS THIS PARABLE INTENDED FOR, PETER ASKS?

And The Master Servant? What Will He Do For Such And The Master Servant? What Will He Do For Such Well-Dressed Travelers?Well-Dressed Travelers?

And you managers who tend to others (Elders, Pastors, And you managers who tend to others (Elders, Pastors, etc?) …it is up to you to keep your charges on track. etc?) …it is up to you to keep your charges on track.

V.43 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work V.43 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he returns.”when he returns.”

The reward for work well done…more work to do! Yippee!The reward for work well done…more work to do! Yippee!

The alternative to faithfulness is your worst nightmare: Cut The alternative to faithfulness is your worst nightmare: Cut to pieces and assigned to the plight of unbelievers. to pieces and assigned to the plight of unbelievers.

You wouldn’t like it.You wouldn’t like it.

And The Master Servant? What Will He Do For Such And The Master Servant? What Will He Do For Such Well-Dressed Travelers?Well-Dressed Travelers?

If you know God’s will and wishes for your lifeIf you know God’s will and wishes for your life…get to it.…get to it.

God expects each of us to devote what we have to his God expects each of us to devote what we have to his purposes. purposes.

V.48 “…From everyone who has been given much, much V.48 “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.”with much, even more will be asked.”

So What Am I Waiting For?So What Am I Waiting For?(Success Comes in Cans)(Success Comes in Cans)

I can I can take inventory of what skills, insights, possessions, take inventory of what skills, insights, possessions, opportunities and tools I have.opportunities and tools I have.

I can I can look around at friends and foes to get a reading on look around at friends and foes to get a reading on where I can be of service.where I can be of service.

I can I can make a plan or just jump up and get to it.make a plan or just jump up and get to it.

I can I can reflect on the great ways God has served my needs reflect on the great ways God has served my needs and respond to others out of gratitude…and duty.and respond to others out of gratitude…and duty.

I believe that Jesus is I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Christ, the Son of the living God.the living God.

I trust him as my Lord I trust him as my Lord and Savior. and Savior. C

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1)1) When Jesus returns he’ll expect to catch me When Jesus returns he’ll expect to catch me __________________.__________________.

2)2) What is the real business Jesus wants me to be What is the real business Jesus wants me to be planning and executing?planning and executing?

3)3) So let’s say Jesus arrives back on Planet Earth So let’s say Jesus arrives back on Planet Earth tonight. Will I get the Royal Treatment or the tonight. Will I get the Royal Treatment or the Raspberry?Raspberry?

GO andGO andDRESS FOR SUCCESSDRESS FOR SUCCESS

Luke 12:35-48Luke 12:35-48