(Sermon Notes from 08-07-2022)

Sermon theme inspired by Luke 12:35 using an illustration of a runner preparing to race.

TEACHING NOTES:
- Luke 12:35–53 (Bible Exposition Commentary):
     Jesus shifted the emphasis from being worried about the present to being watchful about the future. 
- Luke 12:35–40 (BibleKnowledge Commentary):
     The point was that they had to remain constantly vigilant so that the master would be able to come into the house whenever he might arrive at home. If they are watching (v. 37) and ready (v. 38), their master will serve them.
- Luke 12:35–48 (EvangelicalCommentaryontheBible):
     Luke now speaks of the way disciples should view the interval between Jesus’ ascension and return

The Messiah will come at an unexpected time ... be ready.
- Just like waiting for the gun to go off, we know it's coming  ... but we must be prepared for a quick reaction time. 

KEY THOUGHT
If your're not prepared, you can't react quickly enough.
Once you are prepared, you can't react TOO quickly. - PK

Preparing for a race
- warm ups
- remove sweat suit
- setting up the blocks
- TAKE YOUR MARKS ... getting in the blocks
- SET ... LEANING FORWARD ... ANTICIPATION (regardless of race distance or starting position) 
- GO !!!

If we are going to "be dressed for action" as Jesus instructs us (Lk 12:35) there are several things we can do to prepare. A runner needs to complete their warm ups and get in the blocks to start the ace. Here are a couple of intentional actions which a Christian can take to be ready for action.

Christians: whether it's a sprint or a marathon there is still a position of readiness to run the race.

- Daily Devotions 
	a) Read a Devotional
	b) Read a chapter of the Bible
	c) Pray (using prompts)
	d) Journal: one sentence summary from each a, b & c

Romans 12:12 Prayer Ministry: 
	- Prayer Blast
	- Prayer Calendar with Prompts
	- Monthly Prayer Meeting (12th Day @ 12 noon on Zoom) 
	- NEW: Prayer ministry after worship (begins next week) 

The race you are running determines the (intensity) of start you need. 

KEY THOUGHT
If your're not prepared, you can't react quickly enough.
Once you are prepared, you can't react TOO quickly. - PK

--     --     --     --     --

A detailed description of waiting with lamps lit ...
     “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.  - Matthew 25:1‭-‬13 NIV

_____     _____     _____     _____     _____

Luke 12:32-40
12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
12:33 Sell 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.
12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
12:35 "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit;
12:36 be 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.
12:37 Blessed 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.
12:38 If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
12:39 "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.
12:40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

Genesis 15:1-6
15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."
15:2 But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
15:3 And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir."
15:4 But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir."
15:5 He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
15:6 And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.