The Lutheran Hour
-
"Are You on the Alert?"
- Download MP3 No bonus material MP3
-
Text: Mark 13:33-37
-
Dear heavenly Father, during this blessed new season of Advent, please generously fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit, which comes through Your Word. As we anticipate with great joy the celebration of Your Son Jesus’ birth, let each of us with equal eagerness, look forward to the second coming of our Lord. Help us to keep watch at all times, knowing that His arrival could be at just any moment. In Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.
Months of planning go into a wedding, the birth of a baby, a career change, a speaking engagement, or the purchase of a new home. There are many details to determine; from how large a wedding you want to have, to what color you desire to paint your new baby’s room, along with what kind of employment you’d like to pursue, and the kind of floor plan you’d like to have for that new home. However, as important as each of those life changing occurrence happens to be, the question remains; do you, this blessed Advent season, place an equal, or an even greater importance on preparing for Jesus Christ to return, and take you home to heaven? Of course, it’s very easy to make excuses. Someone once said; “He who excuses himself, accuses himself.”
There was once a conversation between two church members. One member said to the other; “You know, we really shouldn’t be out here fishing on Bible study night.” The other church member responded; “Oh well, I couldn’t be at church tonight anyway; I’ve got a sick child at home!” You’ve heard more than a few times, “No, I didn’t get to church, but I was there in spirit. As a pastor, I have found that it is not at all easy to preach to disembodied spirits! The truth is, when you hear the words of Jesus, all excuses go out the window. Jesus once said; “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is.”
Some years ago, a tourist was traveling along the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy. He wanted to especially visit one castle called the Villa Arcanati. When the tourist reached this magnificent castle, a friendly old gardener opened the gate and showed the tourist the grounds, which this old man kept in perfect order. “How long have you been here?” the tourist asked. “Twenty-four years,” replied the gardener. “And how often has the owner of the castle been here during this time?” “Oh, about four times,” he replied. “When was the last time?” “It was about twelve years ago,” the gardener commented. “Never since then?” “Never.” “Who then comes here?” asked the visitor. “I am almost always alone,” he said, -“only once in a great while a tourist comes here.” “But you keep this garden in such fine condition and take such excellent care of the plants, just as though you expect your master to come tomorrow.” “Today, sir, today,” the old gardener promptly replied. Indeed, Jesus may come today. Are you ready? For there is an appointed time, a “kairos,” which is the Greek word for that “fitting season,” when the Lord Jesus will indeed come again. The truth is, you do not know when the kairos is going to occur! The uncertainty of the Lord’s coming is to keep you wide-awake, so you are able to constantly call upon God, in an alert mode.
Jesus said in our text from the Gospel of Mark, “It is like a man going away on a journey, who, upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.” Now here you have a man who has arranged his household so he can leave for an indefinite period of time. One thing, however, that he did in particular-he left strict orders for the doorkeeper to be constantly on the watch. When Jesus left for heaven, He also arranged the household of His Church, to leave to each believer his special task. Now, while other slaves do appear in this illustration, Jesus desires you to be like the doorkeeper, constantly at the door, and on the watch. He said, “Therefore be on the alert. For you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, at cockcrowing, or in the morning-lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.” Jesus uses this nighttime illustration to heighten the unexpectedness of His coming.
Now, according to Roman reckoning, the night was divided into four watches: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 9 p.m. until midnight, midnight till 3 a.m., and finally, 3 a.m. until 6 a.m. The point being that you do not know during which watch He will come. Jesus concludes with these words, “And what I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert.'” Those words resound down through the centuries of time until today. How about you? Are you “on the alert”? Are you ready for Jesus Christ to come again?
I have a friend who is a fireman, and goes to the fire station in Jefferson City, Missouri, overnight at times, to wait for an emergency call. While they are waiting, the firemen go about their normal activities. They play card games, they watch their favorite ball teams play on television, or, they may simply pass the time by telling stories about their lives to each other. However, no matter what they might do, they always keep on the alert and ready for that siren to go off at just any moment. How about you? Are you “on the alert”? Are you ready for that unexpected moment to arrive? Are you like the doorkeeper, who keeps watch, but yet does not fall asleep?
Indeed, if you were to cease watching for Jesus, you would grow dull and unresponsive spiritually. It would be just like someone coming up to you and pricking you with a pin when you’re under a local anesthetic. You might see them do it, but you would not feel it, and your body would not even respond to that sharp point. You would have to admit that at times you are like that. You are dull and unresponsive to spiritual things.
You don’t get the point of constantly being on the watch. You are like a sleeping doorkeeper; -just not ready to receive the Master. You would even have to admit, that there are times when you do not spend any time at all thinking about Jesus, or the possibility of His second coming at just any moment. You don’t think about it, because life seems to keep percolating along from day to day, in a reliable sort of way!
The sun rises and sets just as it always does. The paperboy throws the “Wall Street Journal” into your driveway at the exact same time each morning. The school bus arrives to pick up your children with the precision of that famous “Big Ben” timepiece in London. Indeed, everything in this world appears to continue just as it is. You get up, you go to work; you go to fellowship gatherings, and meetings, and sporting events. Everything just keeps going on as usual. You don’t notice any change, so why should you be at all concerned? Here’s the reason. There are, after all, critical times of danger in your life. For example, after great honors are received, whether at the university, or perhaps you recently received a promotion, or a special award for great services performed by you; then, you should be greatly on your guard. The Bible describes the devil as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. After receiving such honors, he may attempt to do just that! Satan, after all, is a highwayman. A highwayman will not attack a person going to the bank, but will attack on the return with pocket or purse full of money. Just when you think you have it made, or have it altogether, that’s when Satan strikes! He will try to convince you that you are in great shape, and that you have all the time in the world to get serious about God. But do you, really?
The story is told about an old grandfather clock, which regularly struck out the melody of midnight. It was beautifully handcrafted. It had been in the family for years and years. Well, one night, the youngest in the family, Steve, age 8, decided to sleep on the couch in the den, just a short distance from that impressive timepiece. When midnight came, the young lad was awakened to the familiar chimes of that old grandfather clock. Strike 1, strike 2, strike 3, strike 4, and on up to midnight. But, something very strange occurred that blessed night, the old grandfather clock just kept on striking. Strike13, strike 14, strike 15, strike 16. The young lad became alarmed and ran into his daddy’s bedroom. “Daddy, daddy,” he shouted, “something’s wrong.” “The old grandfather clock just struck 16, it must be later than it’s ever been before.” And, indeed it is. It is later than it has ever been before. Are you ready for Jesus Christ to come? Are you “on the alert”? The fact is no one, but no one, will be able to escape the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells you, “Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him.” Even those who have already died will also see Him when He comes. Yes, no one, whether living or dead, will be able to escape the second coming of Jesus Christ!
In the early 19th century, a native of Hanover, Germany, to show his contempt for the resurrection message, provided in his will that great slabs of marble be laid across the grave, bound together with iron bands and covered with a granite boulder weighing nearly two tons. And it bore this inscription: “This grave is purchased for eternity; it shall never be opened.” But, a poplar seed began to sprout within the tomb and pressed its way up toward the light. Gathering strength with the years, it broke the bands, moved the boulder, and opened the grave. The second coming of Christ will open up all graves, including yours! In his last book, De Wette, the well-known Bible critic, wrote these words: He said, “The fact of the resurrection, though it may be shrouded in impenetrable mystery, cannot be questioned, any more than the assassination of Caesar. There’s no question about it! It’s going to happen! Jesus Christ is risen and He’s coming again. The Bible says, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, the dead shall be raised, the mortal shall put on immortality, and we, (that is those who are still living) shall be changed.” Are you ready for that change to take place? Are you “on the alert”? God the Father was certainly “on the alert” when it came to the subject of your sins. When the “kairos,” or fitting season came, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the flesh, that He might die in your place, purely by His grace, as a free gift.
You may recall that shortly after the terrible crash of Air Florida’s Flight 90 in Washington D.C., in January of 1982, that “Time” magazine printed an essay entitled, “The Man in the Water.” The un-named man in the water was a survivor, clinging to the tail section of the plane in the Potomac River. Every time that rescue helicopter lowered a lifeline, he passed it on to another passenger. When the helicopter had rescued all the others and finally came back to get him, it was too late. He had gone under the icy waters. He knew, as he passed the lifeline, especially that last time, that he was giving up his chances for life. He sacrificed his life to a cold death in the river so that others could live. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, gave up His life on the cross so that you don’t have to perish, but can have everlasting life. Just think, Jesus, who is the Son of God, and God Himself, took your place on that cross. His death was substituted for yours! There was once an African who put it this way: “When the story of Christ’s death was first read to me,” he said, “I cursed Judas and Pilate, the Jews and the soldiers. But, when I understood it, I cursed myself, for, I too, am guilty of having crucified Christ.” Consider what He has done! How He rose again on the third day to lock in a location in heaven, just for you. Now, as you take advantage of that resurrection power through God’s Holy and precious Word, the Holy Spirit comes through that Word, and opens up the eyes of your heart, making them filled with expectation for what is to come in eternity, and prompting you to pray and continuously watch for Jesus to come at just any moment.
Concerning the ability of God’s Word to do that for you, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “For our Gospel did not come to you in Word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with full conviction.” And then Saint Paul told God’s people in Thessalonica to “wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.” Those words do come with power, and deep conviction.
In one of the great crises of Martin Luther’s life, when he was standing firmly and alone for a conviction that he refused to surrender, he was confronted furiously by a powerful opponent. Did he realize, asked that opponent, what he was doing, and what power he was defying? Did he expect any force worth mentioning to take up arms and come to his help? “No,” said Luther, “I don’t expect that.” “Well then, where will you be?” thundered the dignitary who had come to challenge him. “Just where will you be?” And to that Luther answered in words that seem to go to the very heart of things, “I shall be where I have always been – in the hands of Almighty God.” Now that’s conviction! You can have that same boldness that Christ is coming again, and indeed, that He may come soon!
Sure, it’s true that the sun rises and sets with regularity every day. Yes, it is true that much of everything you do and experience seems to remain the same. But, yes, it is also true, that God’s Word never changes. And, that Word is clear, for those who are far and near. It tells you, “But when the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne, and all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Indeed, it is all going to happen in just a moment! In the twinkling of an eye, when you least expect it, Jesus Christ will come again. Now is the time to go to that unchanging, all-powerful, precious, blessed, and Holy Word of God every day, as you pray. And then, let that Holy Word of God soak the Son Jesus and His message deeply within you, and you will discover yourself spending more than a little time thinking about Jesus’ coming again in all His glory. Indeed, you will be keeping one eye on eternity, and one eye on your work here on this earth. May that dual spiritual gaze characterize your life each day as you head for heaven. In Jesus’ precious and Holy name. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for November 27, 2005
ANNOUNCER: And it’s time now for Questions and Answers with Pastor Ken Klaus. I’m Mark Eischer. And while we can’t cover all questions on the air, Pastor Klaus does try to personally answer all of them. Today, a question that comes from one of the people who attends Trinity Lutheran Church in Willoughby, Ohio, where you spoke recently.
KLAUS: A great parish with a great pastor. We had a wonderful time together. One of the people said they’ve listened to The Lutheran Hour for a long time and they were wondering, what is the intended purpose of the program. Is it for Lutherans? Is it for Christians? Is it to reach the lost?
ANNOUNCER: In other words, is it for those who are already Christians, or for those who should be?
KLAUS: Exactly. And I am so glad that they asked that question. I’ve wanted somebody to ask that question for long time. I guess finally slipping five dollars to a couple of folks has paid off!
ANNOUNCER: Well, is The Lutheran Hour for believers or unbelievers? Is it for the lost or the found?
KLAUS: And the answer is, with a drum roll, “yes.”
ANNOUNCER: Yes, to which one? Believers? Or unbelievers?
KLAUS: Yes… to both groups. But one thing I’ve found out…. the Holy Spirit is going to do with this program what He wants. He’s going to take it to places I’ve never even heard of. He’s going to use it to touch a problem that never occurred to me when the sermon was written. He’s going to use it to comfort those who are troubled, encourage those who need a spiritual shot in the arm. In short, He uses the Lutheran Hour’s message to tell the Savior’s story to hearts that need to hear it, whether they’re already Christian, or someone who is searching.
ANNOUNCER: And we do hear from folks who were led to the Lord through the broadcast. We also hear from people who thought they knew what the Bible was teaching, but were shocked to find out how wrong they were. Those folks are usually surprised by the absolute simplicity of the Gospel message. I can tell you that there is real rejoicing here in our Response Center when we hear back from somebody whom the Holy Spirit has brought to Jesus through a message that we broadcast.
KLAUS: Absolutely. The Lord can use a message to reach those folks who had no inkling about the Lord and His love, which comes to them through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. But we also hear from Christians who were strengthened in their faith by a particular message.
ANNOUNCER: And that’s because The Lutheran Hour is also for those who already know Jesus.
KLAUS: Correct. Right from the very beginning, The Lutheran Hour was designed to speak to people who already knew what it means to be redeemed by the Christ. I’m sure that right now the vast majority of our listeners are Christian.
ANNOUNCER: And why should Christians tune in?
KLAUS: Simple. Christians need to hear that the Lord loves them, forgives them, cares for them, is giving them eternal life. As the prophet Isaiah says, the Word of the Lord is both seed for the sower and bread for the eater. We reach out with the same Word of hope with which God strengthens us.
ANNOUNCER: But can’t they hear that at their church on Sunday morning?
KLAUS: They can, and they should. The Lutheran Hour was never designed to take the place of regular worship. This broadcast is a poor substitute for all the benefits that come with participation and regular worship with a congregation.
ANNOUNCER: Why do you say that?
KLAUS: Because the Lutheran Hour’s ministry is relatively confined. We can’t commune or baptize anyone through the radio. We can’t perform a wedding. We can’t bury a parent. We can’t call on someone in the hospital.
ANNOUNCER: But there are a great many people who are listening to us right now in nursing homes and from hospital beds. Aren’t we visiting with them in a way?
KLAUS: Well, we are… but only in a general way. We can’t ever replace the personal care and touch of a pastor or congregation. The Lord does use the message to reach parents with sick children; businessmen who are on the road; truckers on the highway; fishermen at a fly-in lake in Canada. He uses The Lutheran Hour to speak to a lot of pastors, priests, and ministers. They tune in to have someone proclaim the Lord’s Word to them. All I know is for many faithful worshippers ours is a blessed addition to their day, which is already being spent with the Lord.
ANNOUNCER: So, what is The Lutheran Hour?
KLAUS: Mark, I pray that we can be the Lord’s voice in the marketplace, pointing souls to the Savior, to His cross and empty tomb. That may mean introducing them to Jesus for the first time, or bringing them together for a weekly family reunion.
ANNOUNCER: That all sounds pretty simple.
KLAUS: God’s plan of salvation is wonderfully, beautifully simple-Christ has paid for all our sins and has risen again to give us new life, by grace alone.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. And we thank our faithful listeners for their support. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music selections from this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by John Leavitt. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC
“Savior of the Nations, Come” arranged by Henry Gerike. Used by permission.
“Come, O Long-Expected Jesus” arranged by Henry Gerike. Used by permission.
“Hark the Glad Sound” performed by Kathryn Peperkorn. From Hark the Glad Sound by Kathryn Peperkorn (© 2004 Christ Lutheran Academy)
“Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” by J.S. Bach. From Christmas Pastorale by Minoru Yoshizawa (© 1993 Lutheran Hour Ministries)
“Hark the Glad Sound” by Chris Loemker. (© 2004 Concordia Publishing House)