Be Ready, for the “Thief” in the Night is Coming

 

Psalm 37:34; Luke 12:35-48 (text)

© November 30, 2014 • Pasig Covenant Reformed Church • Trinity Covenant Reformed Church • Download this sermon (PDF)

Introduction

Dear people of God: You’re probably wondering about the strange title I chose for this sermon. We’ve all heard of the text in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that says, “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” Paul is only quoting Jesus in our text in Luke 12:39, where Jesus compares himself to a “thief in the night” who burglarizes a house.

lamp bibleIn a few of his parables, Jesus actually compares himself to what we call tyrants or even criminals. In Matthew 12:29, he says that he is like a burglar who binds the “strongman” of the house and then plunders his house. The strongman is Satan, and his house is full of sinners who are his captives. In Luke 16:1-9, the master, who represents Christ, commended his dishonest manager for his shrewdness. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus compares God to an unrighteous judge “who neither feared God nor respected man.” In the Parable of the Ten Pounds (Luke 19:11-27), the nobleman, who also represents Jesus, is said to be hated by the citizens of his own kingdom because he was a “severe” man, a very strict ruler. The unfruitful servant said, “I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” The king then comes to his kingdom and slaughters all his enemies.

In our text in Luke Chapter 14, Jesus tells of parables that focus on being watchful and waiting for his Second Coming, “Be Ready, for the ‘Thief’ in the Night is Coming.” In these parables, we will consider three things: (1) The Faithful and Wise are Ready; (2) A The Unfaithful and Unwise are Not Ready; and (3) The “Thief” is Ready for Service.

Read the full sermon here.

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