Session 5: Keep Serving Faithfully
Question 1:
When have you seen a determined “see-it-to-the-end” attitude on display?
THE POINT
Serve Christ faithfully as you wait for His return.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
The clock said 13:19 in the third quarter, and the Houston Oilers were so far ahead of the Buffalo Bills (35-3) that the fans began streaming out of the stadium. It was January 3, 1993, in Buffalo, New York, so why stick around and watch your team get trounced, especially when the weather was chilly and rainy?
But the game wasn’t over. Had those crushed Bills fans stuck it out, they would’ve seen something quite amazing. In less than seven minutes, the Bills had scored twenty-seven points, coming within four points of the Oilers. But the game was still not over. A tie put them in overtime, and the Buffalo Bills won the game 41-38.1
As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” On that cold day in January, a lot of Bills fans had given up on their team, but had they remained faithful and stuck it out, they would’ve seen one of the greatest comebacks in football history.
For followers of Christ, “It ain’t over till it’s over” applies to the return of Christ. We’re called to serve Him—and continue serving Him—until He calls us home.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Matthew 24:42-44
42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. 44 This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Verse 42 is the central turning point in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. The message is clear: People living prior to Christ’s return must be ready for His coming. We’re commanded to be continually alert. It’s a call for continual expectancy.
Christ essentially repeats the truth of the uncertain timing of the Lord’s coming we read earlier in verse 36: “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.” Jesus also said He will return “at an hour you do not expect.” This is a way of saying that not only will Christ return at a time that is concealed from us, but it will also be at a time that seems least likely.
To get this picture right, we must remember that the alert position of the Christian isn’t one of terror-stricken fear and nervous apprehension. It is the alert watching of eager and joyous expectation for the coming of the One we love and serve. The phrase “your Lord” is significant. It draws attention to the fact that we don’t belong to ourselves. Rather, it’s our Master and Creator who will return. When we follow Jesus, we acknowledge that He is Lord. We are His.
Jesus compared His return to a thief in the night. A thief doesn’t send a letter saying when he’s stopping by to rob a house. His principal weapon is surprise. Therefore, a homeowner who has valuables in his house must maintain a constant vigil. Jesus was referring to that surprise element when He compared His return to a thief’s arrival. Just like the burglar, Jesus won’t advertise the time of His arrival. Of course, that would be the extent of Christ’s similarity to a thief. A thief steals what isn’t his; Jesus will return to claim that which is His own.
We must practice vigilance in our spiritual lives. If we’re taken by surprise, it’s not because God hasn’t warned us; it’s because of our own negligence. Believers have less excuse for carelessness than “the homeowner” Jesus described, who hadn’t been forewarned that a thief was coming. We know Christ is coming; we just don’t know when.
Question 2:
What does it look like to be alert and ready for Christ’s return?
Jesus often used the phrase “the Son of Man” to refer to Himself; the self-designation identified Him as God’s Messiah. When Jesus used this title, He was assigning a prophecy from Daniel 7:13-14 to Himself. Daniel also prophesied that “a son of man” (v. 13) would come suddenly to earth. We see this is Jesus, who was now referring to His return in a sudden, unexpected moment.
Matthew 24:45-47
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
Being alert and ready for the return of Christ calls for faithfulness. Christ used the familiar household imagery of a master and servant to capture the disciples’ attention on the importance of remaining faithful to what God has called us to do. A good servant is one who remains faithful, and as Christ-followers, we’re His servants. When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, we recognize that we belong to Him and are obligated to serve Him in every way.
The picture of the wise and faithful servant illustrates the principle that we should always be ready for His return. That readiness includes being found doing what we’re called to do at the time of Christ’s return. The believer’s life, breath, energy, and gifts are trusts from God to be used in His service.
The servant in this parable is no ordinary servant. Often a well-to-do household had a servant who was a manager, overseeing the master’s estate and his other servants. Such a high-level servant could oversee giving rations to other servants if the master wasn’t present. Part of what God entrusts to us is the stewardship of others’ lives and the responsibility to selflessly love others. “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Christ called us to be faithful with whatever He has entrusted to us. A wise servant of Christ always sees obedience as his or her primary duty.
The master is certain to return at some point. A wise servant maintains the character of readiness and faithfulness to the task in front of him. As a result, the master will entrust his faithful servant with all of the possessions because the servant was faithful with some of his possessions.
Question 3:
What are some obstacles that prevent us from faithfully serving Jesus?
A little later in this discourse, Jesus would deliver the parable of the talents (see Matthew 25:14-30). Whether we think we’ve been given much or little, we’re to use what He has given us for the sake of His kingdom. What He has entrusted to us is His; we’re merely stewards of what He has placed in our hands.
The reward for faithfulness in the responsibilities we’ve been given is more responsibility! That may sound strange to a person without a biblical worldview, but there’s great joy that accompanies such responsibility. In the parable of the talents, those who were given more, those put in charge of many things, were told they would “share your master’s joy” (Matthew 25:21).
May we be found faithful to the work of God.
Engage
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
In Matthew 24:42, Jesus tells His disciples to “be alert.” Read the verses below that also speak to being alert and ready for action. Highlight words or phrases that stand out to you.
“Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).
“Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).
“Be alert 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” (Luke 21:36).
How do these verses add to your understanding of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24? Journal your thoughts.
Matthew 24:48-51
48 But if that wicked servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and starts to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The faithful servant is now contrasted to the wicked servant. While the faithful servant aimed to be ready for the master’s return, the wicked servant took his chances, assuming the master would come later. Such thinking would embolden the servant to act selfishly and abusively toward others. Since he thinks his master will be gone for a while, he feels free to indulge himself in any way he desires.
Surely such an evil servant would plan to clean up his life at the last minute before his master returns. But this risky move is dangerous and could easily result in the servant being trapped. This will be the sad case for far too many at the return of Christ. During the end times, unbelievers will remain openly rebellious against God. Regardless of the signs of Christ’s return, some who don’t believe will care nothing for God’s truth. Some may be aware of their lost condition, but they will assume they still have time to focus on their own interests before Christ comes in judgment.
Question 4:
How would you describe the difference between the faithful servant and the wicked one?
The evil servant ignores his master’s instructions and assumes the rights of authority for himself. We’re all called to obey and serve God, but the wicked servant likely is a picture of an unbeliever who refuses to take seriously the call to follow, obey, and serve.
The fact that the wicked servant isn’t a true believer is underscored by Christ assigning this servant to judgment and hell. While the word hell isn’t used in this verse, the concept is present. To “cut him to pieces” means to cut a person in two, a form of judgment used regularly in ancient times.
Hell is an uncomfortable subject, but we can’t deny its place in God’s Word. We must acknowledge that judgment, condemnation, and punishment await those outside of a relationship with Christ. With that acknowledgment should come a desire and motivation to point people to Christ. None of us knows exactly when Christ will return. Once He does though, our opportunity to share Him will be gone—and so will their opportunity to accept Him.
Question 5:
What choices can we make now to be ready for Christ’s return?
LIVE IT OUT
We proclaim Christ, the One for whom we are waiting, as we serve those around us. Our love and obedient service for Christ can lead others to be prepared for His return. How can you serve Him faithfully this week?
Support through prayer. Commit to pray specifically and regularly for a ministry in your church or your city that shares the gospel and serves people in the name of Christ. Pray for the Lord to open doors and hearts to reach people for Christ (see Colossians 4:3).
Build others up. Reach out to someone you see serving Christ faithfully and encourage that person in the work he or she is doing. Consider sending a note or taking the individual out for coffee.
Invest your resources. What do you have that you can use to serve others? Who can you help financially? To whom can you open your home? Where can you invest your free time? Make a plan to share these blessings with someone else.
Studying what the Bible says about the end times and the return of Christ can be interesting and informative, but at the end of it all, our primary focus needs to be on what Christ has called us to do right now. We’re called to serve Him—and continue serving Him—until He calls us home.
1. Vic Carucci, “Un-Bill-Ievable!” Pro Football Hall of Fame, January 1, 2005, https://www.profootballhof.com/news/bills-greatest-comeback/. [Lifeway Adults (2021). (p. 111). Bible Studies for Life: Young Adult Personal Study Guide - CSB - Spring 2022. Lifeway Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
Question 1:
When have you seen a determined “see-it-to-the-end” attitude on display?
THE POINT
Serve Christ faithfully as you wait for His return.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
The clock said 13:19 in the third quarter, and the Houston Oilers were so far ahead of the Buffalo Bills (35-3) that the fans began streaming out of the stadium. It was January 3, 1993, in Buffalo, New York, so why stick around and watch your team get trounced, especially when the weather was chilly and rainy?
But the game wasn’t over. Had those crushed Bills fans stuck it out, they would’ve seen something quite amazing. In less than seven minutes, the Bills had scored twenty-seven points, coming within four points of the Oilers. But the game was still not over. A tie put them in overtime, and the Buffalo Bills won the game 41-38.1
As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” On that cold day in January, a lot of Bills fans had given up on their team, but had they remained faithful and stuck it out, they would’ve seen one of the greatest comebacks in football history.
For followers of Christ, “It ain’t over till it’s over” applies to the return of Christ. We’re called to serve Him—and continue serving Him—until He calls us home.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Matthew 24:42-44
42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. 44 This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Verse 42 is the central turning point in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. The message is clear: People living prior to Christ’s return must be ready for His coming. We’re commanded to be continually alert. It’s a call for continual expectancy.
Christ essentially repeats the truth of the uncertain timing of the Lord’s coming we read earlier in verse 36: “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.” Jesus also said He will return “at an hour you do not expect.” This is a way of saying that not only will Christ return at a time that is concealed from us, but it will also be at a time that seems least likely.
To get this picture right, we must remember that the alert position of the Christian isn’t one of terror-stricken fear and nervous apprehension. It is the alert watching of eager and joyous expectation for the coming of the One we love and serve. The phrase “your Lord” is significant. It draws attention to the fact that we don’t belong to ourselves. Rather, it’s our Master and Creator who will return. When we follow Jesus, we acknowledge that He is Lord. We are His.
Jesus compared His return to a thief in the night. A thief doesn’t send a letter saying when he’s stopping by to rob a house. His principal weapon is surprise. Therefore, a homeowner who has valuables in his house must maintain a constant vigil. Jesus was referring to that surprise element when He compared His return to a thief’s arrival. Just like the burglar, Jesus won’t advertise the time of His arrival. Of course, that would be the extent of Christ’s similarity to a thief. A thief steals what isn’t his; Jesus will return to claim that which is His own.
We must practice vigilance in our spiritual lives. If we’re taken by surprise, it’s not because God hasn’t warned us; it’s because of our own negligence. Believers have less excuse for carelessness than “the homeowner” Jesus described, who hadn’t been forewarned that a thief was coming. We know Christ is coming; we just don’t know when.
Question 2:
What does it look like to be alert and ready for Christ’s return?
Jesus often used the phrase “the Son of Man” to refer to Himself; the self-designation identified Him as God’s Messiah. When Jesus used this title, He was assigning a prophecy from Daniel 7:13-14 to Himself. Daniel also prophesied that “a son of man” (v. 13) would come suddenly to earth. We see this is Jesus, who was now referring to His return in a sudden, unexpected moment.
Matthew 24:45-47
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
Being alert and ready for the return of Christ calls for faithfulness. Christ used the familiar household imagery of a master and servant to capture the disciples’ attention on the importance of remaining faithful to what God has called us to do. A good servant is one who remains faithful, and as Christ-followers, we’re His servants. When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, we recognize that we belong to Him and are obligated to serve Him in every way.
The picture of the wise and faithful servant illustrates the principle that we should always be ready for His return. That readiness includes being found doing what we’re called to do at the time of Christ’s return. The believer’s life, breath, energy, and gifts are trusts from God to be used in His service.
The servant in this parable is no ordinary servant. Often a well-to-do household had a servant who was a manager, overseeing the master’s estate and his other servants. Such a high-level servant could oversee giving rations to other servants if the master wasn’t present. Part of what God entrusts to us is the stewardship of others’ lives and the responsibility to selflessly love others. “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Christ called us to be faithful with whatever He has entrusted to us. A wise servant of Christ always sees obedience as his or her primary duty.
The master is certain to return at some point. A wise servant maintains the character of readiness and faithfulness to the task in front of him. As a result, the master will entrust his faithful servant with all of the possessions because the servant was faithful with some of his possessions.
Question 3:
What are some obstacles that prevent us from faithfully serving Jesus?
A little later in this discourse, Jesus would deliver the parable of the talents (see Matthew 25:14-30). Whether we think we’ve been given much or little, we’re to use what He has given us for the sake of His kingdom. What He has entrusted to us is His; we’re merely stewards of what He has placed in our hands.
The reward for faithfulness in the responsibilities we’ve been given is more responsibility! That may sound strange to a person without a biblical worldview, but there’s great joy that accompanies such responsibility. In the parable of the talents, those who were given more, those put in charge of many things, were told they would “share your master’s joy” (Matthew 25:21).
May we be found faithful to the work of God.
Engage
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
In Matthew 24:42, Jesus tells His disciples to “be alert.” Read the verses below that also speak to being alert and ready for action. Highlight words or phrases that stand out to you.
“Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).
“Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).
“Be alert 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” (Luke 21:36).
How do these verses add to your understanding of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24? Journal your thoughts.
Matthew 24:48-51
48 But if that wicked servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and starts to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The faithful servant is now contrasted to the wicked servant. While the faithful servant aimed to be ready for the master’s return, the wicked servant took his chances, assuming the master would come later. Such thinking would embolden the servant to act selfishly and abusively toward others. Since he thinks his master will be gone for a while, he feels free to indulge himself in any way he desires.
Surely such an evil servant would plan to clean up his life at the last minute before his master returns. But this risky move is dangerous and could easily result in the servant being trapped. This will be the sad case for far too many at the return of Christ. During the end times, unbelievers will remain openly rebellious against God. Regardless of the signs of Christ’s return, some who don’t believe will care nothing for God’s truth. Some may be aware of their lost condition, but they will assume they still have time to focus on their own interests before Christ comes in judgment.
Question 4:
How would you describe the difference between the faithful servant and the wicked one?
The evil servant ignores his master’s instructions and assumes the rights of authority for himself. We’re all called to obey and serve God, but the wicked servant likely is a picture of an unbeliever who refuses to take seriously the call to follow, obey, and serve.
The fact that the wicked servant isn’t a true believer is underscored by Christ assigning this servant to judgment and hell. While the word hell isn’t used in this verse, the concept is present. To “cut him to pieces” means to cut a person in two, a form of judgment used regularly in ancient times.
Hell is an uncomfortable subject, but we can’t deny its place in God’s Word. We must acknowledge that judgment, condemnation, and punishment await those outside of a relationship with Christ. With that acknowledgment should come a desire and motivation to point people to Christ. None of us knows exactly when Christ will return. Once He does though, our opportunity to share Him will be gone—and so will their opportunity to accept Him.
Question 5:
What choices can we make now to be ready for Christ’s return?
LIVE IT OUT
We proclaim Christ, the One for whom we are waiting, as we serve those around us. Our love and obedient service for Christ can lead others to be prepared for His return. How can you serve Him faithfully this week?
Support through prayer. Commit to pray specifically and regularly for a ministry in your church or your city that shares the gospel and serves people in the name of Christ. Pray for the Lord to open doors and hearts to reach people for Christ (see Colossians 4:3).
Build others up. Reach out to someone you see serving Christ faithfully and encourage that person in the work he or she is doing. Consider sending a note or taking the individual out for coffee.
Invest your resources. What do you have that you can use to serve others? Who can you help financially? To whom can you open your home? Where can you invest your free time? Make a plan to share these blessings with someone else.
Studying what the Bible says about the end times and the return of Christ can be interesting and informative, but at the end of it all, our primary focus needs to be on what Christ has called us to do right now. We’re called to serve Him—and continue serving Him—until He calls us home.
1. Vic Carucci, “Un-Bill-Ievable!” Pro Football Hall of Fame, January 1, 2005, https://www.profootballhof.com/news/bills-greatest-comeback/. [Lifeway Adults (2021). (p. 111). Bible Studies for Life: Young Adult Personal Study Guide - CSB - Spring 2022. Lifeway Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]