Why Wait Up

Passage

Luke 12:35-40

Sermon Summary

Jesus' parable about servants waiting up for their master echoes the many ways he challenged us to be ready for his return. Our job is not to prove ourselves worthy, but to hang our hope on the tether between his first and second coming. Doing so delivers us from the twin dangers of "checking out" or "cranking up."

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. How do you typically feel about Jesus' second coming? Indifferent? Apprehensive? Excited? Why?
3. If you knew the exact timing of Jesus' return, how might you respond to that information (for good or Ill)?
4. Do you tend to be more of a planner or procrastinator? What desires tend to drive that pattern?
5. Choose one of the four areas of life Walter mentioned: money, suffering, work or reputation. How would you like the hope of Jesus' return to change you in that area?
6. What is one aspect of Jesus' return that you especially long for?

Resources Consulted:

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• Luke for Everyone, NT Wright
• Word Biblical Commentary on Luke, John Nolan
• The Message of Luke, Michae Wilcock
• A Walk with God in Luke, RC Sproul
• Luke: The Gospel of Amazement, Michael Card
• Biblical-Critical Theory, Christopher Watkin
• Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Christ, Fleming Rutledge

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