IF JESUS WERE TO COME TODAY

““The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”” Mark‬ ‭13:34-37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of my favorite TV shows as a child was Magnum P.I. One of the main characters of the show was Jonathan Higgins. He was the "majordomo" of Robin Master's estate. A majordomo is a person who speaks, makes arrangements, takes charge and/or acts on behalf of someone else. Robin Master's was a very wealthy man who owned several estates. In his absence (which was all the time) Higgins was entrusted with the day to day operations of the estate. He was so faithful to his job that it became suspected that he was actually Robin Masters. Everything was always in tip top shape in case the estate owner were to return unannounced. 

That is the picture that Jesus paints here in Mark 13. God expects us to be faithful stewards. 

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 

The Greek term “steward” describes a household manager in the ancient Greek world who handled the finances and the estate on behalf of the estate owner. Stewards are held accountable for how they use finances or material possessions of he owner.

One day we will stand before Christ at The Judgment Seat and give an account for how we manage our time, talents and treasures in this life. 

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Lord has entrusted us to represent Him to a lost and dying world.  

2 Corinthians 5:20 says “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…”

He has given us everything we need in order to successfully work for Him. But are you successful in your work for the Lord? Are you a faithful steward?

There is an old hymn that we sing called "We'll work till Jesus comes".. and we should! But can you honestly say the words "I will work until Jesus comes?" Do you really believe that He is coming? He promised us when He went away that HE WOULD RETURN? And here in these verses He tells us to WATCH and BE READY!! But are you really working till Jesus comes or are you just doing what you want to do and living your life for yourself? 

I hear people say that they are not qualified to work for God.  If that is the case - consider these Biblical characters...
~ Noah was a drunk
~ Abraham was too old
~ Isaac was a daydreamer
~ Jacob was a liar
~ Joseph was abused
~ Moses had a stuttering problem (Moses stuttered)
~ Gideon was afraid
~ Samson was a womanizer
~ Rahab was a prostitute
~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
~ David was an adulterer and a murderer
~ Elijah was suicidal
~ Jonah ran from God
~ Naomi was a widow
~ Job went bankrupt
~ John the Baptist ate bugs
~ Peter denied Christ
~ The disciples fell asleep while praying
~ Martha worried about everything
~ The Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once)
~ Zacchaeus was too short
~ Paul was too religious
~ Timothy had an ulcer
~ Lazarus was dead! 

So... what is your excuse? You may say I can't... but in through Christ, YOU CAN!! 

Martin Luther said we should "Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning and is coming back tomorrow" 

Let us come to a place in our lives where we can say if we knew Jesus was coming back at midnight we wouldn't have to change a single thing that we had planned for today! 

Three times in these 4 verses Jesus says WATCH. This word "watch" literally means to stay awake. We are not to work for a while and watch for a while. We are to watch while we work! We are to be vigilant in our service to the Lord. Everything we have belongs to the Lord. He has entrusted us with the task of "managing" or being good "stewards" of all that is at our disposal. 

There are 3 things we must give to the Lord right now while we are on earth - 1- Our time, 2- Our talent, and 3- Our treasure.

One day, whether as a result of the Rapture of you leaving this walk of life by way of the grave you will stand before Jesus. At that Judgment Seat of Christ He will be Master and you will be Steward. You will give an account of your stewardship. 

Would you like to hear your Master say these words to you... "Well done thou good and faithful servant." 

If you long to hear those words, then you must be on guard and work diligently til Jesus comes again.