Lk19:11-27 Faithful in the Littlest

# 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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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")

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+ "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")

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+ **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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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")

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+ 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