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LUKE 12:35-37

"WAITING FOR THEIR LORD"

Intro: Every man has a conception of life as a whole, there is an end to which we are  moving.
       The ultimate goal is the inspiration of the immediate. To Some  amassing wealth, to 
       others pleasure. To the Christian "a man who waits for his  Lord."

I. WHAT IS THIS CONCEPT OF LIFE?
        A. A period of life not ending with death, but with the coming of the Lord.
        B. Boundaries of life changed.
                1. Not birth and death.
                2. When I met Christ, when He shall come for me.
                        a. "To me to live is Christ." "Those things which were gain to  me." 
                           "For our citizenship is in heaven."
        C. The goal is always out of sight.
                1. The ultimate will be when I see Him face to Face.
                2. "And I shall be satisfied when I awake."
                3. The things I do now always, overshadowed by the fact that--I might not 
                   complete them.
                        a. NO other goals that would cause me to desire to postpone His
                           return, ready and willing to leave all at a moment's notice.
        D. All fear is gone.
                1. No panic in midst of catastrophe.
                2. No despair in hour of defeat.
                3. The-glory of the hope lighten the darkness.
                4. Fear cannot master me.
        E. The end could always be the next moment.
                1. The life that is never disturbed is the life that is always waiting to be
                   disturbed.
                2. The life that is always disturbed is the life seeking never to be disturbed.
                        a. My life poised toward God, plan, purpose.
        F. Disciples trained forty days in this concept.
                1. After resurrection suddenly appearing in midst.
                        a. His constant presence, though unseen. He came to me when I opened
                           my heart to Him. He is coming again, I know not when to receive me.

II. THE ATTITUDE OF THOSE WITH THIS CONCEPT.
        A. Waiting for the King of Glory.
        B. "Let your loins be gird about and your lights burning."
                1. Not stargazing  "Ye men of Galilee why stand ye?"
                2. Not inactivity.
                3. Loins girded sign of bond servant, serving King.

III. WHAT IS THE CHARACTER PRODUCED?
        A. Separation and submission. Separated to His will,' submitted to His purpose.
                1. If when I am preaching I expect I might be interrupted by the coming of the
                   Lord.
                        a. This may be my final message.
                        b. I might not even finish.
                        c. What a difference it makes.
                2. If you transact your business with conscious.
                        a. Not less diligent more diligent that it conforms.
        B. Cheerfulness.
                1. Problem - some who claim to hold this doctrine most cheerless people.
                2. Is He coming?  The joy that this consciousness brings...
                3. When you see me downcast, you know for the moment I was unconscious of this
                   truth.
        C. Avoided reference to calendars, almanacs, mathematical calculations.
                1. Brought dispute.
                2. If you did know, please don't tell me.