You snooze, you lose

by Pastor Steve

Big idea:
True disciples live with readiness and responsibility, faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to them

We are all called to active and faithful stewardship

Luke 12:41-48
Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.


Read the context before Luke 12:41-48 which is Luke 12:35-40

Luke 12:35-40
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants 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. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: 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. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”


Peter asked in reference to above verse

- Stay dressed for action
- Keep your lamps burning
- Awake
- Ready

This instruction to be awake and ready is for every disciples whom Jesus has entrusted to serve, basically is for all of us, be his wise manager, being given with significant authority over my masters property. Provide spiritual norishing to foster spiritual growth and care to those around our sphere

As disciples of Christ, we are all called to active and faithful stewardship over the time, talents, resources, relationships that God has entrusted to us for disciple-making

Faithful disciple-makers don't snooze, but actively help disciples to follow Jesus, be transformed by Him, and commit to His mission

"Active stewardship and not passive waiting"

Readiness isn't passive waiting for Christ return; it is active stewardship of the work of disciple-making

Matthew 25:21
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’


We do not know when the lord is coming back. I'm entrusted with disciple making. What am I to do about it?

# Application 1
Start discipling someone now; don't wait for the "perfect time"

Christian often hit the spiritual snooze button and Neglect the urgency of making disciple

3A's to start disciple-making:
1) Ask the Lord for names
2) Approach the person
3) Adjust your schedule (out of sight, most likely is out of mind)

There must be commitment and reserve solely for disciple making purpose. There is no perfect time to start cause it'll never come

Whether you're faithful or not, you'll be called to give an account

Luke 12:45-46
But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.


Luke 12:45-46 is meant to deliver a punch of the message, is meant for disciples who lost the sight of urgency

When disciples lose sight of Jesus' impending return, they drift from faithfulness into destructive behaviour

The danger of disciples who "snooze" on their calling is neglecting their responsibility and missing the opportunities to care for those entrusted to them

If you snooze, you lose:
- the joy of seeing God transform lives (3 John 4)
- the growth of your own faith (Hebrews 5:14)
- the ability to make an eternal impact (2 Timothy 2:2)
- the opportunity in kingdom partnership (Matthew 28:20)

Discipleship Is not just another task or another good thing to do

Eternal consequences are at stake and God holds us accountable based on the knowledge, time, resources, talents given to us including pushing disciple making to later

Luke 12:47-48
“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.


We are to account to Christ for what He has called us to do

# Application 2
Don't procrastinate, feel the urgency

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.


Don't procrastinate and feel the urgency!

Jesus isn't looking for people who just believe in Him. He's returning for faithful disciples who steward their time, talents and resources and relationships well for His kingdom purpose. Let us live watchfully and faithfully and be ready for Jesus' return by actively engaging in the work of disciple-making