How to Be Prepared Matthew 24:45-51

We are all familiar with the benefits of being prepared… Observed in our educational experiences Noted in the Boy Scout’s motto: Be Prepared! Experienced through inadequate preparation There can be serious consequences when we fail to adequately prepare

I. We need to Review the Context and Focus of the Text “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:42–44, NKJV)

A. This text is about God’s people, Israel It was given to a Jewish audience in a Jewish city It was given to those expecting a promised kingdom It was given by their Jewish Messiah as their King It was given before the church age began or was known

B. This text has a focus on judgment “and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:39, NKJV) This chapter indicates events before Christ’s return It describes the sign and nature of His coming The illustration of the fig tree indicates nearness The illustration of the flood indicates judgment

C. This text urges preparedness The application is for watchfulness during the tribulation This passage narrows in on the generation going through the tribulation “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (Matt 24:33–34, NKJV)

II. We need to Recognize the Value of Being Prudently Faithful “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.” (Matthew 24:45–47, NKJV)

A. The prescription for “this” generation The identity of the characters: -The Master = Jesus the Messiah -The servants = Israel’s leaders [not all believers] The identity of the behaviors: -The faithful and wise –good leaders & shepherds -The evil servants –Pharisees and evil shepherds

B. The principles for our generation How can we be prepared? What do we need to have? What do we need to know? [critical biblical content] -Where do we come from? -Who are we? -Why are we here? -Where are we headed?

III. We need to Recognize the Consequences of Being Faithless “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:48–51, NKJV)

A. There is always potential for negligence The context would suggest this is not a believer The behavior indicates a loss of expectancy The results are radical consequences

Matthew 8:10-12 (NKJV) “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.””

Matthew 13:40-43 (NKJV) “Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Matthew 13:49-50 (NKJV) “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 22:12-14 (NKJV) “So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.””

Matthew 25:30 (NKJV) “And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

-The association with “hypocrites” is a serious indictment “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:2, NKJV)

Matthew 6:5 &16 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:5, NKJV) ““Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:16, NKJV)

Matthew 7:5 &15:7-8 “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5, NKJV) “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.” (Matthew 15:7–8, NKJV)

B. There is always potential for faithfulness Everyone should take the opportunity to trust Christ Everyone should take the opportunity to live for Christ We should know the truth and accept the truth!

But do we live out the truth we know? Do you know enough biblical truth to be watchful? Do you know enough biblical truth to be prepared? Do you know enough … to serve effectively? Do you know enough ... to share with others? Do you know enough ... to please God? How much do you know? Enough to be prepared?