The Son of Man Is Coming at an Hour You Do Not Expect (Luke 12:35-40)

In Luke 12, verse 40 Jesus said, "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus wants us prepared to serve Him. Our waist must be girded so we’re ready to act quickly, but we need to be able to see where we’re going! We live in a dark world and the light we need to see comes from God’s Word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119, verse 105).

What is the blessing for those servants who are ready for Christ’s return? In an unbelievable reversal of the servant illustration Jesus says that he will serve the servants who faithfully served him.

Jesus compares the way he will return with the way a thief will rob people. A thief does not announce his arrival. He comes when it is unexpected. The same is true with Jesus: the only way to be on guard against a thief is to live in constant readiness, and the only way to be prepared for Jesus’s return is to live in constant readiness.

View all of Pastor Scott LaPierre's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scott-LaPierre/e/B01JT920EQ

Receive a free copy of Pastor Scott's book, "Seven Biblical Insights for Healthy, Joyful, Christ-Centered Marriages": https://www.scottlapierre.org/subscribe/

Here's the accompanying podcast episode: https://www.scottlapierre.org/coming-at-an-hour-you-do-not-expect/

00:00 Sermon Lessons for Coming at an Hour You Do Not Expect

03:57 Lesson 1: Christ wants us ready to __________ ______.

07:25 Lesson 2: focusing on Christ’s return provides victory ________ ______.

12:05 Lesson 3: we need God’s word to see where __________ __________.

20:27 Lesson 4: Jesus will __________ __________ who faithfully served him.

32:58 Lesson 5: __________ ____________________ is supposed to believe they’re the last.

Family Worship Guide for The Son of Man Is Coming at an Hour You Do Not Expect

Directions: Read the above verses at the end of the lessons and then answer the following questions:

Day one: what are the two illustrations Jesus uses to encourage us to be ready for his return? What does it mean – spiritually speaking – for our waist to be girded? In what way does the Jews participation in Passover serve as a type of our readiness? How does focusing on Christ’s return provides victory over temptation and sin? What temptations can you resist better by focusing on Christ’s return?

Day two: why is a lamp such a fitting metaphor for God’s word? In what ways does the parable of the wise and foolish virgins resemble the teaching in Luke’s gospel? What does it mean to be awake spiritually speaking? Why do you think Jesus serves those who have faithfully served him? In what ways does this truth encourage you to live differently? Second to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, describe some of the most obvious times during Jesus’s earthly ministry that he served others.

Day three: why did the New Testament writers of the first century write about Jesus returning soon, even though he hasn’t returned in the last 2000 years? Using 2 Peter 3 what are some of the reasons Jesus hasn’t yet returned? What does it mean that Jesus’s return is imminent? What does it mean that Jesus will return as a thief in the night? In what ways does this encourage you to live differently?

For Scott LaPierre's conference and speaking information, including testimonies, endorsements, and contact info, please visit: https://www.scottlapierre.org/conferences-and-speaking/

If invited for a speaking engagement, you can expect:
• Professionally prepared and delivered messages
• A handout with lessons and discussion questions
• Copies of Pastor Scott's books to offer as gifts to increase registrations (if you desire)
• Advertising of your event on Scott's website and social media (if you desire)
• Facebook ads and/or a Facebook event page so the event can serve as an outreach (if you desire)
• Prompt responses to any communication
• Prompt replies to phone calls, emails, and/or text messages