Lk19:11-27 Faithful in the Littlest
(Please see PDF link below)
# Faithful in
the Littlest ## Luke 19:11-27 [Heike Mintel](https://unsplash.com/photos/i_Gns0ELnLw "caption") >>> + When we are **overwhelmed** by trouble, + **despairing** at the state of the world, + **indignant** that things are not right + We **expect** that God will **rescue** us + look **forward** to coming of **kingdom** of God + when He'll come and just **fix** things + But is it **possible** that I've: --- # Have I **misunderstood**
the coming of the **kingdom** of God? >>> + Think Jesus'll return to **pay back** all who've **wronged** me + to **judge** those who haven't fulfilled their **responsib** to me + But what about **myself**? Have I **wronged** others + or **neglected** my responsibilities before God? + Throughout **Luke**, Jesus shows us **kingdom of God** + It's **not** what you think it is! + Behold the **Lamb** of God: + **[ PRAYER ]** + Give us **ears** to hear, **eyes** to see, **hearts** to understand + what the **coming** of Your **kingdom** will bring + May we **turn** our hearts + actions, turn in **obedience** to You, + turn before it's too **late**, may we turn and be **healed** --- ## Jesus' Final Journey to Jerusalem [(Luke 18-19)](# "ref") + Prayer of the *Tax Collector* [(18:9-14)](# "ref") + Humility of the *Little Children* [(18:15-17)](# "ref") + Sorrow of the *Rich Ruler* [(18:18-30)](# "ref") + Faith of the *Blind Beggar* [(18:35-43)](# "ref") + Repentance of *Zacchaeus* [(19:1-10)](# "ref") + **Parable of Ten Minas** [(19:11-27)](# "ref") + *Triumphal Entry* [(19:28-44)](# "ref") >>> + Travelling through **Jericho** on final journey to **Jerusalem**, + leading up to **cross** + **Kingdom** of God belongs to those who + **humble** themselves like a child: e.g., + **Tax collector** who only prayed: + "God have **mercy** on me, a sinner!" + Blind **beggar** who cried out all the more + **Zacchaeus**: one of the lost whom Christ seeks + saves + First segment in ch18, on **persistent widow**, illustrates + the **comfort** + **challenge** Jesus presents us: --- And will not God bring about
**justice** for his **chosen ones**, who cry out to him day and night?
Will he keep **putting them off**? [Luke 18:7 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref") --- I tell you, he will see that
they get **justice**, and **quickly**. However, when the **Son of Man** comes,
will he find **faith** on the earth? [Luke 18:8 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref") >>> + God certainly **hears** the cry of the **oppressed**: + So we put our **hope** in His **rescue** + But when He **comes**, will He find **faith**? + Not simply that we **waited** for His rescue + But **active** waiting: active **faith** + Faithfully **investing** the blessings He's lent us + in expectation of an infinitely **greater** reward in heaven + 3 **groups** of people who **interact** + with the master in this parable: --- ## Faithful in the Littlest [(Lk19)](# "ref") 1. The **Good** Servants [(v11-13,15-19)](# "ref") 1. The **Wicked** Servant [(v20-26)](# "ref") 1. The **Enemies** of the King [(v14,27)](# "ref") >>> + 1: What the Master is **looking** for from us + 2: How he **failed** + 3: **authority** of the King + **importance** of a submissive heart toward Him + Key to **understanding** this parable is in v11: + the **reason** Jesus tells this parable is --- because he was near to **Jerusalem**,
and because they supposed that
the **kingdom of God** was to appear **immediately**. [Luke 19:11 (ESV)](# "ref") [Leon, Mexico. Levi Hernández](https://unsplash.com/photos/2rjmDDQrXUI "caption") >>> + Living under corrupt **oppression**: + felt that God had **forgotten** them + hoping kingdom of God would mean their **deliverance** + Jesus: that's **not** what coming of Kingdom will be like! + **1st** coming was to **redeem** His own (buy back) + **2nd** coming is to **judge** the nations + 1st coming Jesus rode a **donkey**: humble, suffering Servant + 2nd, at final **judgment**: --- Then I saw heaven opened,
and behold, a **white horse**! The one sitting on it is called **Faithful** and **True**,
and in righteousness he **judges** and makes **war**. [Revelation 19:11 (ESV)](# "ref") [France. Céline Martin](https://pixabay.com/photos/cheval-%C3%A9quitation-noir-et-blanc-4385864/ "caption") >>> + Christ returns as the conquering **King** + Parallel passage in **Mt25**: 3 servants, 5/2/1 **talents** + embedded within a **larger** section in Mt24-25: --- ## Stay Awake [(Mt24-25)](# "ref") + The *End* of the Age [(24:1-31)](# "ref") + The Sign of the *Fig Tree* [(24:32-35)](# "ref") + The Sign of *Noah* [(24:36-44)](# "ref") + The House *Manager* [(24:45-51)](# "ref") + The *Wedding Guests* [(25:1-13)](# "ref") + The **Servants' Investments** [(25:14-30)](# "ref") + The *Sheep* and the *Goats* [(25:31-46)](# "ref") >>> + **Warning**: amidst wars, famine, persecu., false prophets + which will accompany the **end** of the age, + We must not be caught **unprepared** for Christ's return, + as they were in the days of **Noah** + as lazy **manager** not expecting his master's return + as unprepared **wedding guests** w/o foresight or perseverance + Today's passage is more than just your **dad's** admonition, + "Don't **waste** time! Don't waste **money**!" + It's about being **prepared** for **coming** of kingdom of God. + Parable in Luke **differs** slightly from one in Matthew: + the master --- Calling **ten** of his servants,
he gave them ten **minas**
[Luke 19:13 (ESV)](# "ref") [Steve Johnson](https://unsplash.com/photos/0sPFjdcRhko "caption") >>> + mina = 100 days' wages: ~$15-20k + cf Mt25 talent = 60 minas; 5/2/1 talents + So not ton of money: focus not on **amount** of money earned + Would've been **clear** to all parties it was a **test** + Purpose is to demonstrate **faithfulness** w/investment + Master's **instruction**: --- ‘Engage in **business** until I come.’ ______ ... that he might know what they
had **gained** by doing business. [Luke 19:13,15 (ESV)](# "ref") [Helsinki, Finland. Thomas Drouault](https://unsplash.com/photos/IBUcu_9vXJc "caption") >>> + Root in both: **pragma**: pragmatic, practical + Deliberate **process**, trained **habits** + which put **planning** into **action** + Other words for **work** accomplished (focusing on **result**) + or **labour** (focusing on toil / **suffering**) + Master wants to see the **decisions** they'd make + not simply the **end result** --- The **first** came before him, saying,
‘Lord, your mina has made **ten minas** more.’ [Luke 19:16 (ESV)](# "ref") [udit saptarshi](https://unsplash.com/photos/mYT03hytMcU "caption") >>> + 1000% ROI (though time horizon not specified) + "Look what **your** mina has produced": + not: "look at what **I've** produced" + But the servant had to make **decisions** and be **diligent** + God **enables**, but we **invest** it, to the **glory** of God + Certainly, God's investments are not merely **monetary**, but + He showers abundant **blessings** in every area of life + And the master's **response**? --- And he said to him, ‘**Well done**, good servant!
Because you have been faithful in a **very little**,
you shall have authority over **ten cities**.’ [Luke 19:17 (ESV)](# "ref") [Brandenburg Alps, Austria. Paul Gilmore](https://unsplash.com/photos/qKIaA41lMjM "caption") >>> + Master considers that mina (even 10 minas) the **littlest** + (superlative) **least**, smallest, most insignificant + The **reward** is 10 **cities**! incomparably **greater** + **Matt** adds: "enter into the **joy** of your master" + To **share** in the **joy** of our King + is the **greatest** reward (far better than ice cream!) + Now, if **top student** in class has gone ahead of you, + you might empathise with the **second** servant: --- And the **second** came, saying,
‘Lord, your mina has made **five minas**.’ And he said to him,
‘And you are to be over **five cities**.’ [Luke 19:18-19 (ESV)](# "ref") [Reine, Norway. Jonas Geschke](https://unsplash.com/photos/qqHJkcP1HjI "caption") >>> + aw, only **500%** ROI! Master didn't even say, "**Well done!**" + But **comparing** with the first servant is **pointless**: + He still got **5 cities**! + The **immensity** of the reward far outweighs any competition + Bc the **greatest** reward is the **joy** of the master + It was never **about** the money: + the master was looking for **faithfulness** --- >>> + When we think of "being faithful in the **little things**": + spend 10min **playing** w/little kid + buy **sandwich** for street person + not **laughing** along with a cruel joke + But the **littlest thing** here refers to **money**! + yes, be financially **responsible**, good steward of resources + but that's the basic **minimum** of faithfulness + Even **more** important responsibility: + show **compassion**, **provide** for others + After the parable in **Matt 25**, Jesus describes + His **sheep** who will **inherit** the kingdom: --- "Lord, when did we see you
**hungry** and feed you,
or **thirsty** and give you drink? And when did we see you
a **stranger** and welcome you,
or **naked** and clothe you? And when did we see you **sick**
or in **prison** and visit you?" [Matthew 25:37-40 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref") [Chư Păh District, Vietnam. Larm Rmah](https://unsplash.com/photos/AEaTUnvneik "caption") --- And the King will answer them,
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it
to one of the **least** of these my **brothers**,
you did it to **me**.’ [Matthew 25:37-40 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref") >>> + In our **schooling** / careers: w/**classmates**, coworkers, clients: + do we pursue **integrity** + justice in our dealings? + With those **people** God has entrusted into our **care**: + **children**, elderly, infirm + do we **serve** with patience and **gentleness** in God's grace? + With the **needy** in our city + the immigrants / **refugees**, incarcerated: + do we cultivate **mercy** + compassion as God showed to us? + This is our **coin**, our mina: it **is** our responsibility before God! + Not that we can **fix** the ills of the world + But bc our **master** examines our **hearts** + looking for **faithfulness** --- # In what
"**little** things"
do I need to be more **faithful**? --- ## Faithful in the Littlest [(Lk19)](# "ref") 1. The Good Servants [(v11-13,15-19)](# "ref") 1. **The Wicked Servant** [(v20-26)](# "ref") 1. The Enemies of the King [(v14,27)](# "ref") >>> + The **purpose** of master's test is not about earning **money** + But to see the **decisions** the servants made, and + What that **revealed** about their faithfulness + Now we come to the **wicked** servant: + What did he do **wrong**, and + what does that reveal about **our** misconceptions of God? --- Then another came, saying,
‘Lord, **here is** your mina,
which I kept laid away in a **handkerchief**; [Luke 19:20 (ESV)](# "ref") [Jouwen Wang](https://unsplash.com/photos/UChknR2z5EM "caption") >>> + First two: "See what your mina has **done**!" + This one: "See, your **mina**, returned to you!" + Carefully **protected**, not stolen, lost, or **squandered** + Put the **importance** on the **coin** itself + Master probably said, + "**yeah** ok, thx, I have a whole **box** of them" + Servant feels a need to **justify** himself: --- for I was **afraid** of you,
because you are a **severe** man. You **take** what you did not deposit,
and **reap** what you did not sow.’ [Luke 19:21 (ESV)](# "ref") [Luis Quintero](https://unsplash.com/photos/ibWxfQOePt4 "caption") >>> + Try that **tactic** next time **afraid** boss/teacher will reprimand: + Preemptory **insult**! It's **your** fault + "Severe": **austere**, harsh as dry wind, abrasive, unyielding + Expecting **sth** from **nothing**, **unreasonable** in demands + Servant was **afraid** that if he **invested**, + he might **lose** money, and the master would go **ballistic** + So he'd rather not **touch** the coin at all + e.g., father buys me **house**: but I'm reminded it was **his** money + so I only use a small **corner** of it, don't **touch** rooms + nor **maintain** house, **mow** lawn: **nervous** he'll be **mad** + But how would a **loving** father respond to that? --- He said to him, ‘I will **condemn** you
with your own words, you **wicked** servant! You knew that I was a **severe** man,
**taking** what I did not deposit and
**reaping** what I did not sow? [Luke 19:22 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + In fact, the master was **not** an austere or unreasonable man: + He **provided** initial investment for each servant + Not asking for something from **nothing** + Would have been ok with even the bare **minimum** investment: --- Why then did you not
put my money in the **bank**, and at my coming I might have
collected it with **interest**?’ [Luke 19:23 (ESV)](# "ref") [Micheile Henderson](https://unsplash.com/photos/lZ_4nPFKcV8 "caption") >>> + "Interest": what **grows** of itself: no work required, zero **risk** + Storing coin in cloth actually **lost** value due to inflation + If had **invested**, even if **lost** money due to external forces, + master probably would have still been **ok** with him + Bc point was not about the **coin** but **decision-making** + (so maybe if poor **decisions**, wouldn't get any **cities**!) + And those **minas**, the initial investment, + all went **back** to the master: --- And he said to those who stood by,
‘**Take** the mina from him, and
give it to the one who has the **ten** minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ [Luke 19:24-26 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref") --- ‘I tell you that to everyone who **has**,
**more** will be given, but from the one who **has not**,
even what he has will be **taken away**. [Luke 19:24-26 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref") >>> + Notice that 1st servant had **10**, not 11: + **All** of them returned initial mina to master + He got to keep what he **earned**, + Still **pales** in comparison to master's **reward** + Whatever God **blesses** us with, we have to **return** + The size of God's **blessing** toward us does not reflect + the strength of our **faithfulness**, but + the depth of God's **grace** + "God, look at all this **blessing**! Thank you!" + God: "yeah, I know, I'm the one who **entrusted** it to you" + But what are you **doing** with it? + As **Philippians** says: --- Therefore, my beloved,
as you have always **obeyed**, ... **work out** your own salvation
with fear and trembling, for it is **God** who works in you,
both to **will** and to **work** for his good pleasure [Philippians 2:12,13 (ESV)](# "ref") [Milada Vigerova](https://unsplash.com/photos/pHR_S0PeOF0 "caption") >>> + **Paradox** of righteousness: + (**counterintuitive** or apparently **contradictory** + whose **resolution** reveals deeper truth) + Namely: saved by **grace**, through **faith**, not by **works** + but this saving **faith** is **living** + active + It is God who gives us the **will**: desire, impetus + Motivated by His eager **expectation** of + the faithful **decisions** we will make with + the **resources**, people, opportunities He entrusted to us + It is God who **works** in us, strengthening us for His work + Knowing our Master has **infinite** resources frees us + to take **risks**: not to be **profligate** or naive + but **generous** w/time, **unhindered** in mercy to suffering + How do I think God **looks** at me? --- # Have I ever felt God to be **austere** or unreasonable? >>> + Or is He the gracious master who has already **invested** in us + and examines our **hearts**, looking for **faithfulness**? --- ## Faithful in the Littlest [(Lk19)](# "ref") 1. The Good Servants [(v11-13,15-19)](# "ref") 1. The Wicked Servant [(v20-26)](# "ref") 1. **The Enemies of the King** [(v14,27)](# "ref") >>> + Now, both the **good** and the **wicked** servants were still + in the master's **household**, serving the master + Parable in Matt has **harsh** punishment for wicked servant: + **cast out** in darkness, weeping, gnashing + In Luke, Jesus adds 3rd group: citizens **outside** house, + those who **rejected** the master's authority: --- But his citizens **hated** him and
sent a delegation after him, saying,
‘We do **not** want this man to **reign** over us.’ [Luke 19:14 (ESV)](# "ref") [Piha Beach, NZ. Tim Marshall](https://unsplash.com/photos/Wa-gS5R58gA "caption") >>> + Implying that there was some **higher** authority + that endowed the **kingship** upon the master + These people **appealed** to that authority + to try to **thwart** the successful return of the king + But they **failed**, and upon his return: --- But as for these **enemies** of mine,
who did **not want** me to reign over them,
bring them here and **slaughter** them before me.’ [Luke 19:27 (ESV)](# "ref") [© Søren Niedziella, CC-BY 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/albioneurope/8498095661 "caption") >>> + Seems **harsh**? + Christ will return as **conquering** King + The revealing of the **kingdom** of God is not fundamentally + about **our** rescue, **our** comfort, **our** reward + It's about **Christ**'s kingship, His **authority** + His power to **reward** the faithful, and + to **judge** the rebellious + In the very **last** chapter of the Bible: --- Behold, I am **coming soon**, bringing my **recompense** with me,
to repay each one for what he has **done**. I am the **Alpha** and the **Omega**,
the first and the last, the beginning and the end. [Revelation 22:12-13 (ESV)](# "ref") [Łukasz Łada](https://unsplash.com/photos/q7z-AUlHPaw "caption") >>> + He is the One who **started** history, and He will **wrap** it up + He is not some cosmic **Santa Claus** handing out **presents** + He has ultimate **authority** to kill and give **life** + It is **just** bc He **defines** what justice is + He is returning to **settle accounts** + Like it or not, He is **King** -- will I **yield** to Him? + Sometimes I don't **want** to submit, + don't want to **speak** His Word + feel **weight** of worry of getting it **wrong**, rather not even **try** + But **woe** to me if I do not preach the **gospel** (1Cor9) + At the **minimum**, I have a **stewardship** to fulfill + Remember Christ is coming, bringing His **recompense**: --- # Am I **unwilling**
for Christ
to **rule** over me? >>> + If so, it's not too **late** to change + Make Him **King** over my heart and every facet of my **life** + Receive His free **gift** of forgiveness in humility and faith + Change my **thinking**, priorities, speech, actions, habits + to **align** with God's priorities + Use the **blessings** He entrusted to me to show + **compassion** to others, **defend** poor, **care** for needy + He **wants** to see what we'll **do** with His investment! + When the **Son of Man** comes, will He find **faith** on the earth? **[ PRAYER ]** --- >>> + Thank You, Lord, for your abundant **blessings** + which show what a **good** Father You are + Thank You for the **opportunity** to demonstrate **faithfulness** + with all that You've **entrusted** to us + Our actions reveal our hearts' **attitudes** toward You: + Whether we see You as a **kind** master, **working** within us + and desiring to share your **joy** with us, + Or as an **austere** and unreasonable **taskmaster**. + Our actions reveal our **own** character: + Whether we are **diligent**, faithful, looking to **reward** w/You + Or **fearful**, bitter, **rebellious** against Your authority + **Turn** our hearts back to You, to be **good** + **faithful** servants