A Call to Watchfulness
Jeremy Bell
Luke 21:34-38
March 21, 2021
Sermon Video/Audio
Luke 21:34–38
[34] “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. [35] For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
[37] And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. [38] And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. (ESV)
“This warning (“watch yourselves”, v.34) and the next warning (“stay awake”, v.36) involve being prepared and remaining faithful for that day when the Son of Man comes and the kingdom comes in its fulness.” ESV Study Bible
I. Watch Yourselves (verses 34-35)
A. Dissipation
B. Drunkenness
“It appears fair, but is filthy; it appears pleasant, but is pernicious; it promises much, but performs nothing.” — Matthew Henry
C. Cares of This Life
“Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me.” — 2 Timothy 4:12
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” — Augustine
II. Stay Awake (verse 36)
“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” — Luke 18:8
III. Being Near Jesus Doesn’t Mean Being With Jesus (verses 1-6)
“Judas had never truly believed in Jesus, and Jesus was aware of this, though apparently none of his other disciples realized. Judas’s pattern of dishonest behavior was evidence of his unbelief. But here (with the consent of Judas’s sinful heart), Satan entered into Judas and thereby he exercises much greater influence over his actions, prompting him to go to the chief priests with a plot.” — ESV Study Bible
Questions For Discussion/Application (Care Groups):
- Re-read the text, Luke 21:34-38. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- Explain: While we don’t know the day or time of Christ’s return, it is important that Christians in every generation have a heart of readiness/preparedness for his return. What this means practically is that we don’t want to have a carefree or casual attitude about living for Jesus. We don’t want to live life with an attitude that “sin is no big deal.” We also don’t want to live life in such away that we are only concerned about the burdens are cares of life. We want to live our lives all out for Him!
- What does it look like to watch ourselves as Jesus commanded (verse 32)?
- In what ways can the “cares of life” have the effect of drawing us away from a close walking with Christ?
- What does it look like for us practically to heed Jesus exhortation to “stay awake” as we await the coming of the Lord?
- How can we grow in living life all out for Christ?
- What role ought prayer play in helping us to remain watchful and stay awake as we await the coming of the Lord?
- What is the difference between merely being “near” Jesus and being “with Jesus (see point #3 above)? How can we help our children to understand the difference?
- Consider taking time to pray that God would help us to remain watching and to stay awake as we await the coming of the Lord.
Questions For Discussion/Application (parents with younger children):
- Re-read the text, Luke 21:34-38
- Explain: While we don’t know the day or time of Christ’s return, it is important that Christians have a heart of readiness/preparedness for his return. What this means practically is that we don’t want to have a carefree or casual attitude about living for Jesus. We don’t want to live life with an attitude that “sin is no big deal.” We also don’t want to live life in such away that we are only concerned about the cares we have. We want to live our lives all out for Jesus!
- Ask: What does it mean to live life all out for Jesus?
- Explain: How does a child live for Jesus?
- They take time to pray.
- They ask Jesus to forgive them when they sin.
- They ask God to help them at all times.
- They do devotions with their family.
- They obey their parents (Eph. 6:1)
- And more!
- We need to give the Lord our all! Jesus needs to be the center of our lives as we wait for Jesus’ return.
- Coloring Sheet can be found here.
- Pray: Ask Jesus to help us live wholeheartedly for Him!