Will You Work Until Jesus Comes?

Will You Work Until Jesus Comes?

Mark 13:34-37

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.

We know that salvation is a free gift, but those who are saved will be held accountable for their stewardship. 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. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

The Lord has entrusted us to represent Him to a lost and dying world - 2 Corinthians 5:20 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 would like to look at these few verses and ask the question "Will You Work Till Jesus Comes"?

Background - These verses that we will consider this morning are the closing statements in Jesus' Olivet Discourse" - Look back with me to verses 1-4 as we listen to a question posed to Jesus by one of His disciples - Mark 13:1 ¶And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

After this question was asked, the remainder of this chapter is Jesus' response to that question.

1. Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

2. Jesus spoke about the signs of the end times:

a) False Messiahs

b) Wars

c) Rumors of Wars

d) World Wide Turmoil

e) Earthquakes

f) Famines

g) Pestilences and many other troubles

3. Jesus then spoke about the persecution that the followers of Christ would face.

4. He then encourages His followers to endure all the suffering for His name's sake.

5. Jesus then described the power and majesty that will be seen when He returns - Mark 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

When Jesus comes back, He will appear in His unveiled glory. - Zechariah 14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. - The time of Jesus' return will be neither daytime or nighttime. Without the sun, the moon or the stars, there will be no way to discern the time of day. In this total darkness, the Lord Jesus will appear riding the glory clouds. He will appear in the heavens and the whole world will see Him = Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him,