1. What does the Scripture say?

The principle: This is the discipline of sitting before the text and reading it carefully and in detail. Read it through fully a few times. Read it in a few translations. I use the Layman's Parallel Bible and Alfred Marshall's Interlinear. Read around it so you set it in the context of what has come before and what comes afterwards. Then read each verse. How is the passage structured? How do the things said relate to each other? What answers and questions does to text offer you. Mark each thing you observe with a verse reference. Don't reach for commentaries yet (you will be tempted to)- that comes next. Pastors often skip this stage or spend very little time here because they think they already know what the passage says. Most of the time THEY DON'T.



I thought this week the blog may take us on a journey of sermon preparation for the benefit of our preaching group (we discussed these 6 questions when we last met) and any other preachers who may find it helpful. This passage on simple reading ought to cause every breathing human being to immediately stop whatever they are doing and pay attention to Jesus.



So, firstly, I have spent a good initial chuck of time asking this first of the six questions of Luke 12:35-48 and there is no way to do this both thoroughly and quickly.

I have done nothing more than let the text ask questions of itself. I greatly enjoyed the journey so far through this passage. This is worth doing JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT and not just for sermons. Pick a passage and give yourself and hour and apply the principle shown below to it.

Pray before you start and ask God to teach you and to speak.

What does the Scripture say?

1. Be dressed for service (v 35)
2. Keep your lamps burning (v 35)

Why?

1. So that you can immediately open the door for him (v 36)
2. So that you can receive something that is good (v 37)

What is the ‘good’?

1. He will wait on the servants and have them recline at the table (v 37)

What are the conditions on this?

1. That he may find us ready (v 38)
2. That he finds us ready even if he is delayed once or twice (v 38)

What must we do?

1. Be watchful so that nothing is stolen by the thief (v 39)
2. Be ready because he will come when we do not expect him (v 40)

What is Peter’s question?

1. Is the parable for us or for everyone? (v 41)

How does Jesus answer?

1. With another question (v 42)
2. The question is part of another story (v 42-46)

What is the question Jesus asks?

1. Who is the faithful and wise manager?

What is the manager tasked with?

1. Giving the food allowance (v 42)
2. Giving it at the proper time (v 42)

Will doing the task be worth it?

1. Yes. It will be good if we are found ‘doing’ when the master returns (v 43)

What will we get?

1. Put in charge of all his possessions (v 44)

What is the choice we are given?

1. To listen to what we say to ourselves (v 45) or
2. To do what we have been asked to do (v 42)

What prompts the servant to make the wrong choice?

1. The delay of the master (v 45)
2. The servant’s violent temperament (v 45)
3. The servants desire to indulge himself and his needs (v 45)

How will he be found out?

1. The master will come on a day and at an hour when he is not expected (v 46)
2. The servant will lack awareness (v 46)

What will happen?

1. Cut to pieces (v 46)
2. Assigned in the place with unbelievers (v 46)

What divides the types of servants?

Those who know the masters will but….

1. Don’t get ready (v 47)
2. Don’t do it (v 47)

What is the consequence?

1. Many blows

Those who do not know his will….

1. Deserve punishment (v 48)
2. Don’t get so many blows (v 48)

How does Jesus conclude?

1. With an expectation and standard (48)

What is the standard?

1. Much given so much demanded (v 48)
2. Much entrusted so much more asked (v 48)