Francis Chan: Could Jesus Really Return At Anytime?

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of being ready for Jesus' return, which should be a constant anticipation in our lives. The Bible teaches us that we are like servants waiting for our master's return from a wedding banquet, and we must be dressed, ready for service, and keeping our lamps burning at all times. This readiness is not just about knowledge or intellectual understanding but about living a life of obedience to God's will.

Key Scripture References

• Luke 12:35-37 - Jesus uses the analogy of servants waiting for their master's return from a wedding banquet, emphasizing the importance of being ready and watching at all times. The master returns to serve his faithful servants, reclining them at the table and serving them.
• Luke 12:35-37 - This passage highlights the idea that Jesus wants us to be like those servants who are ready for action, with our lamps burning bright, indicating a life of obedience and service to God.
• Luke 12:38 - The phrase "it will be good" in this verse emphasizes the reward that awaits faithful servants when their master returns. This encourages us to live a life of anticipation and readiness for Jesus' return.
• Luke 12:39-40 - Jesus changes the analogy from servants to a thief breaking into a house, emphasizing the importance of being ready at all times, as we never know when our master will return. This requires us to live with a sense of urgency and preparedness.
• Luke 12:42-43 - The parable of the faithful manager who is entrusted with his master's possessions highlights the importance of being faithful stewards of God's resources, using them wisely until our Lord returns. This encourages us to live a life of accountability and responsibility.
• Luke 12:45-46 - The warning in this passage emphasizes that those who are not prepared for Jesus' return will be cut off from the kingdom, assigned a place with unbelievers. This serves as a reminder of the importance of living a life of obedience and readiness.

Main Message Continued

The Bible teaches us to live with a sense of anticipation and readiness for Jesus' return. We are called to be like those servants who are dressed, ready for service, and keeping our lamps burning bright at all times. This requires us to live a life of obedience to God's will, using our time wisely until our Lord returns. The reward that awaits faithful servants is a life of intimacy with Jesus, reclining at the table, and being served by Him.

Application

This message encourages us to examine our lives and ask ourselves: "Am I living like one of those servants who are ready for action? Am I keeping my lamp burning bright, indicating a life of obedience and service to God?" We must live with a sense of urgency and preparedness, using our time wisely until our Lord returns. The reward that awaits faithful servants is a life of intimacy with Jesus, reclining at the table, and being served by Him.

Conclusion

This message emphasizes the importance of living a life of readiness for Jesus' return. We are called to be like those servants who are dressed, ready for service, and keeping our lamps burning bright at all times. This requires us to live a life of obedience to God's will, using our time wisely until our Lord returns. The reward that awaits faithful servants is a life of intimacy with Jesus, reclining at the table, and being served by Him.