{"id":967,"date":"2017-12-31T16:40:37","date_gmt":"2018-01-01T00:40:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=967"},"modified":"2017-12-31T17:18:26","modified_gmt":"2018-01-01T01:18:26","slug":"its-2018-are-you-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/31\/its-2018-are-you-ready\/","title":{"rendered":"It&#8217;s 2018&#8211; Are You Ready?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   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\tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-967-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/New-Years-Eve-2017.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/New-Years-Eve-2017.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/New-Years-Eve-2017.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">New Year\u2019s Eve<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">December 31, 2017<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Luke 12:35-40<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It\u2019s 2018\u2014 Are You Ready?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:8.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">\u201cBe dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But understand this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It\u2019s time\u2014 are you ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Take a moment to think about all the situations where those words apply.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If someone is getting ready to leave on a trip, the time will come when you might say to them, \u201cIt\u2019s time\u2014 are you ready?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If someone is graduating from high school or going off to college you might give them a hug and say, \u201cIt\u2019s time\u2014 are you ready?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If someone is preparing to go into court or to go into surgery, if the curtain starts to open on stage or if the chimes signal that the wedding service is about to begin you might turn to someone and say, \u201cIt\u2019s time\u2014 are you ready?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we stop to think about it, my friends, there are any number of situations where it would be very appropriate for us to say to someone, \u201cIt\u2019s time\u2014 are you ready?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Today is one of those situations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In just a matter of hours the 2017 calendar that has been hanging on our wall for the past year will be obsolete.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In just a matter of hours we will have to get used to writing a brand new year every time we fill out a check.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In just a matter of hours we will enter into a brand new and completely unknown chapter in our lives.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Today as we gather here in God\u2019s house on the morning of this New Year\u2019s Eve let\u2019s see how this portion of Luke\u2019s Gospel gives us the opportunity to look into a mirror and say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>It\u2019s 2018\u2014 Are you Ready?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two questions we need to address this morning, two questions that will help us to determine whether or not we are ready for the New Year.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first question is\u2014 why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why do we need to be ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The second question is\u2014 what?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What does it mean to be ready?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Why do we need to be ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let\u2019s see how our text answers that question.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The picture that Jesus paints for us here in Luke chapter 12 centers on a very common event in the lives of the people who first heard these words.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the Jewish culture of this day and age a marriage ceremony consisted of two parts.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When a man and a woman decided to get married they would first speak their vows to each other in the presence of witnesses.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even though they did not yet begin living together as husband and wife, everyone now considered them to be a married couple.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Later, perhaps several months later, the groom would go to the home of his bride\u2019s parents where there would be a glorious wedding celebration.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>After the celebration was over, <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">then<\/b> the groom would bring his bride home and <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">now<\/b> they would begin living together as husband and wife.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">That is the backdrop against which Jesus speaks the opening verses of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBe dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even though the master\u2019s servants did not know when their master would return home with his bride, they did know two things:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>1) Their master would indeed return; and, 2) They wanted to be ready for his return\u2014 no matter when it took place!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">How does that common yet ancient event apply to us prepare to enter into a brand new year?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How does that picture answer the question\u2014 Why do we need to be ready? <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>It\u2019s not difficult to connect the dots here, is it my friends!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ has \u201cgone away.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>After He suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins, after He physically rose from the dead to proclaim His victory over sin, death and the devil Jesus ascended home to heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Before He ascended into heaven, however, Jesus gave to us, His children, a promise.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He promised that one day He will come back for us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Will Jesus fulfill this promise?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He most certainly will!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not only does Jesus fulfill this promise every time one of His children dies and their soul is welcomed into the glory of the heavenly Father\u2019s home, but ultimately Jesus will fulfill this promise once and for all when He turns to this earth at the end of the age.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do we know exactly when Jesus will fulfill this promise and come back for us?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No, we do not!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But we do know those two things:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>1) We know that He is coming back for us; and, 2) We know that we want to be ready for His return\u2014 no matter when it takes place!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">That makes it pretty simple for us to answer our first question for today\u2014 Why do we need to be ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The year 2018 could be the year that Jesus calls you home to heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The year 2018 could be the year that this world as we know it will be destroyed by fire and the children of God will inherit a new heavens and a new earth, the home of righteousness.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">As we prepare t enter into this New Year now is a very good time for us to examine our hearts to see if we are indeed ready for Jesus to fulfill His promise to us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now is a very good time for us to examine the way that we are living our life to see if we are ready for either our own death or for Judgment Day to arrive.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now is a very good time for us to look into a mirror and ask, \u201cAre you ready?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That thought then leads us to our second question for tonight\u2014 What does it mean to be ready?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Again, Jesus answers that question by referring to something which was very familiar to the people who first heard Him speak these words of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our Savior says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBe dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning\u2026It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I see three things here that help us understand what it means to be ready for Jesus\u2019 return.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">First, Jesus says to His disciples, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBe dressed ready for service.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we said a moment ago, the servants did not know when their master would return from the wedding celebration.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Did that mean that they could put on their night clothes, sit back and take the rest of the day off?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not at all.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus Himself says that they needed to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBe dressed ready for service.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The same holds true for us, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just because our Lord and Master is \u201caway,\u201d that does not mean that we can sit back, take it easy, do whatever we want and live our life whoever we choose.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Being ready for Jesus\u2019 return includes being <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdressed ready for service.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What kind of <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cservice\u201d<\/i> are we to be about doing until Jesus returns for us?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Scripture answers that question quite clearly!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201cBeing dressed ready for service\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> means that like the Thessalonian Christians we are to turn away from the idols of this world and actively <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cserve the living and true God\u201d<\/i> (1 Thessalonians 1:9).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBeing dressed ready for service\u201d<\/i> means that we follow the encouragement of the apostle Peter when he says to us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cEach one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God\u2019s grace in its various forms\u201d<\/i> (1 Peter 4:10).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, my friends, we are to see the year 2018 as a year in which we strive to always be <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdressed ready for service\u201d<\/i>\u2014 both <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cservice\u201d<\/i> to our God as well as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cservice\u201d<\/i> to each other.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready\u2014 ready to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cserve\u201d<\/i>?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Secondly, Jesus reminds us that being ready for His return means that we are to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ckeep your lamps burning.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These words automatically remind me of what Jesus says to us in Matthew 5:16, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIn the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Part of being ready for Jesus\u2019 return it to make sure that we are letting the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201clight\u201d<\/i> of our faith shine brightly for others to see!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In order for that to happen, our faith needs to be nourished.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The only way for our faith to be nourished is through regular use of God\u2019s holy Word and God\u2019s holy Sacrament.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">This means that the year 2018 needs to be a year when we are in church on a regular basis, when we receive Holy Communion on a regular basis, when we come to Bible class and bring our children to Sunday school on a regular basis.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready to make sure that the year 2018 is indeed a year in which you follow your Lord\u2019s encouragement to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ckeep your lamps burning\u201d<\/i>?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Finally, part of being ready for the day of our death, part of being ready for the Christ-Child\u2019s return to this earth is found in verses 37 and 40 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIt will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes\u2026You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Picture the face of someone that you love dearly, but have not seen for a very long time\u2014 a child, a grandchild, a very dear friend.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now imagine that when you get home from church today that person calls you on the telephone and says that they are going to stop by and visit you sometime on Saturday.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would you immediately start making sure that everything was ready for their visit or would you say to yourself that you have plenty of time to get things ready so why start now?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When Saturday arrived would you anxiously look out the window every time you heard a car or would you just sit and watch television and wait for them to ring the doorbell?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Part of being ready for Jesus\u2019 return is remaining spiritually alert.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We know that Jesus will most certainly come back for us, we just don\u2019t know exactly when.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore we need to make sure that we don\u2019t allow ourselves to get distracted by the things of this world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need to make sure that we don\u2019t say to ourselves, \u201cI have plenty of time to get ready to meet Jesus\u2014 later.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need to make sure that no matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, no matter who we are with; we are both ready for Jesus\u2019 return as well as watching for Jesus\u2019 return.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It\u2019s time\u2014 are you ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we stop to think about it there are any number of situations where it would be very appropriate for us to speak those words\u2014 including today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we gather around here in God\u2019s house on the day that we are preparing to enter into a brand New Year, let\u2019s remember that now is indeed a very appropriate time for us to look into the mirror and say, \u201cIt\u2019s 2018\u2014 are you ready?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/New-Years-Eve-2017.mp3\">New-Years-Eve-2017.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; New Year\u2019s Eve December 31, 2017 Luke 12:35-40 It\u2019s 2018\u2014 Are You Ready? &nbsp; &nbsp; \u201cBe dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.&nbsp; It will be good for those [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/967","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=967"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/967\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}