Preparing for Sunday, August 8
Aug 4th, 2010 |
This week many of our families are preparing for their children to return to school and for their young adults to return to campus. Our scripture this week is also about getting ready and being prepared for what is happening in our midst and what is yet to come:
32″Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35″Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. 39″But know 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. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” Luke 12:31-40
This passage follows immediately after Jesus’ instructions to not worry and to seek the Kingdom. But then Jesus’ turns the tables a bit and says not to worry because it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom.
- What does it mean to know that God desires to give us the kingdom and therefore, we should not worry?
- How does that knowledge change our understanding of what it means to seek the kingdom of God?
We find great comfort in Jesus’ command to not worry and to not be afraid (which is better translated “do not continue to be afraid”).
- What kinds of actions does Jesus expect of his non-anxious, courageous disciples?
- What fears and anxieties keep you from being that kind of disciple?
This passage encourages us to be ready for Jesus to return!
- What does Jesus expect to find us doing when he returns?
- If Jesus showed up today, would he find you ready and alert?
Hope you are having a blessed week and I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!
Pastor Sherill