Title: The Prepared Life/Luke 12:40-44
content prepared life
▣ Luke 12:40-44
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If we live without any preparation as we encounter in this world, nothing will bring good results. There is a saying in the old sayings, '有備無患' (有備無患). A person who prepares everything and lives will not be embarrassed by anything and can overcome it well. In today's text, there is a saying, 'Be ye ready'. The word 'reserve' means 'arm up, prepare, save'. As we live in this one world, there are many things we need to prepare for every day. Among them, we would like to share the grace with you while pondering the three most important contents of the Bible.
First, we must prepare to meet the Lord and live.
“Therefore also be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect” (verse 40). At that time, the Son of Man will come to this earth, and no one knows when. But the Bible says that the time will be known. ① It is a time when many people come and go quickly and knowledge is added (Daniel 12:4) ② It is a time when wars, famines, earthquakes, and plagues spread throughout the world (Luke 21:10,11) Even when He returns to the earth, we must prepare to meet the Lord and live. According to 1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober and watch, your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” he said. Today, we must have the spiritual armament to overcome this Satan's work.
Second, you must be ready for the mission to say 'Amen' whenever you call.
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here I am. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8) It must be ready for God to write. We should rejoice in God's work. When we do that, we believe that God will make our work well. In order for us to prepare for our mission, ① we must have a willing heart (Isa 6:8) ② We must be able to feel the value of how precious God’s work is. ③ You must have a strong passion. As the saying goes, 'Serve the Lord with zeal' (Romans 12:11), you must work with passion that ignites the fire of God's work. ④ You must carry out your mission until the very end. We must carry out our mission until the day God calls us. In order to carry out this mission, one must be filled with the Holy Spirit, full of faith, full of God-given wisdom, live a good life, and receive praise.
Third, we must prepare and live the heavenly reward.
“Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and I will repay each one according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Paul says in Philippians 3:14
“I am pursuing the goal, for the reward of the above calling of God in Christ Jesus,” he said. As for how much God rewards, Matthew 10:42 says that even giving a bowl of cold water to one of the smallest children does not lose the reward. Let's do a lot of rewarding things. Surely you will reap what you sow.
“Whatever a man sows, that he also will reap” (Galatians 6:7). Revelation 2:10
He said, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Dear saints, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become wise saints who live fully prepared to welcome the Lord, live as missionaries who can say 'Amen' at any time, and live with the heavenly reward.