WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.540 Lord Jesus, we pray that as we come to your word now 00:00:02.540 --> 00:00:05.120 that you would speak to us by the power of your spirit, 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:06.540 that you would grow us in Christ, 00:00:06.660 --> 00:00:08.019 that you would make us alive in you, 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:10.140 and we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:11.200 --> 00:00:13.780 Great opportunity for me to promote the resource stand. 00:00:14.259 --> 00:00:17.019 There's one of these left called Radical Together, 00:00:17.859 --> 00:00:21.179 and we had a couple of copies on it, on the stand, 00:00:21.179 --> 00:00:25.280 and it was the subtitle of the book that caught my attention out at Curon 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:26.640 because it says, 00:00:26.900 --> 00:00:29.140 Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God. 00:00:29.140 --> 00:00:33.000 Which is what we've clearly signalled 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:37.740 is what we want to do within our church family in the coming 12 months. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:41.859 Activate people for ministry more so than even what we've got at the moment. 00:00:42.020 --> 00:00:44.560 So unleashing the people of God for the purpose of God. 00:00:45.100 --> 00:00:47.560 And I got into this book and read some of it through the week, 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:48.939 and it was just a joy to me. 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:53.500 And I decided to throw away the beginning of my message this morning 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:55.900 and read to you from something I read. 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:05.340 I was sitting in a small room on the most un-evangelised island on earth. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:08.120 And as I looked out the window, 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:12.299 I saw the sun rising over shanties that spread across the landscape for miles. 00:01:13.420 --> 00:01:16.799 The mist began to disappear over the millions of men and women 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:20.180 who inhabited this massive city in the middle of the island. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:22.599 Beyond the city limits, 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:26.299 multitudes of other people were spread throughout rural villages, 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:30.000 many of which require days of travel to reach. 00:01:31.339 --> 00:01:34.019 And as I watched the city begin to awaken, 00:01:34.699 --> 00:01:36.899 I heard the early morning call to prayer. 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:40.979 Religious incantations resounded from loudspeakers 00:01:40.979 --> 00:01:42.560 stationed throughout the city, 00:01:43.179 --> 00:01:45.239 so that everyone could hear them. 00:01:45.239 --> 00:01:50.280 And everywhere people began their day by solemnly going to prayer rooms 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:52.599 and sacred sites to bow and worship. 00:01:54.299 --> 00:01:57.939 Most of the 45 million people on the island are Muslim, 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:00.919 and most of them have never heard the gospel. 00:02:02.119 --> 00:02:04.579 Nearly 50 different people groups on the island 00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:06.899 have no church to speak of in their midst, 00:02:07.479 --> 00:02:09.879 and many of the people have never known a person 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:11.979 who has confessed faith in Christ. 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:14.939 What is interesting, though, 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:17.060 and unfortunately ironic, 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:20.699 is that the most unevangelised island on earth 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:23.000 is also home to millions of Christians. 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:26.280 One of the largest tribes on the island 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:28.219 is filled with professing believers. 00:02:29.739 --> 00:02:32.500 Years ago, a Baptist couple came to this island 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:34.500 to share the gospel with the tribal leaders. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:37.519 Those leaders did not like what they heard, 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:40.620 and so they killed and cannibalised the two missionaries. 00:02:40.620 --> 00:02:45.560 Yet a Lutheran from Germany came to the same tribe, 00:02:46.219 --> 00:02:48.259 and this time when he proclaimed the gospel, 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:51.000 the tribal leaders listened and believed, 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:54.000 and within months the majority of the tribe 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:55.599 had professed faith in Christ. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:02:58.520 The problem, however, 00:02:58.700 --> 00:03:02.000 is that in the years since this mass conversion to Christianity, 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:03.580 this tribe has turned inward, 00:03:04.599 --> 00:03:06.599 and due to a variety of factors, 00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:09.620 including cultural isolation and religious persecution, 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:14.200 these Christians have virtually kept Christ to themselves. 00:03:15.460 --> 00:03:16.659 Take the issue of pork. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:20.500 Muslim tribes across this island do not eat pork 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:22.780 because they believe it is unclean. 00:03:23.740 --> 00:03:25.879 This Christian tribe, on the other hand, 00:03:25.980 --> 00:03:27.140 loves to eat pork, 00:03:27.599 --> 00:03:30.700 and naturally any Christian wanting to reach Muslims 00:03:30.700 --> 00:03:32.300 with the gospel would be wise 00:03:32.300 --> 00:03:34.420 to abstain from pork around Muslims. 00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:36.939 Yet most Christians here 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:39.060 are not willing to even take this small step. 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:41.599 One believer succinctly said 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:43.180 to a friend of mine on the island, 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:45.740 I would rather a Muslim go to hell 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:48.259 than for me to have to stop eating pork. 00:03:50.740 --> 00:03:52.079 Reaching Muslims here 00:03:52.079 --> 00:03:54.300 would not only be uncomfortable for Christians, 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:55.560 it would also be costly. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:59.259 Many Muslim tribes on the island are devout, 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:01.819 and one state practices Sharia law. 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:05.719 Anyone caught trying to lead people to Christ in that state 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:08.000 will be imprisoned or likely even killed. 00:04:08.699 --> 00:04:11.359 Any Muslim caught converting to faith in Christ 00:04:11.359 --> 00:04:14.239 in that state will immediately be executed. 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:17.500 Indeed, the price is high for any believer here 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:20.920 who desires to engage the unreached with the gospel. 00:04:22.219 --> 00:04:23.659 And so Christians sit back. 00:04:24.779 --> 00:04:28.159 They're living next to multitudes of unreached peoples, 00:04:28.159 --> 00:04:30.759 yet they are unwilling to share Christ with them. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:35.000 Indeed, they focus on church activities among themselves. 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:38.139 They have constructed large church buildings 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:39.060 all over the city. 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:42.240 They have numerous denominational conventions, 00:04:42.539 --> 00:04:44.939 nearly 30 theological seminaries, 00:04:45.339 --> 00:04:46.759 and even missions boards 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:49.219 organised among themselves throughout the island. 00:04:50.159 --> 00:04:51.939 My friend who lives here says, 00:04:52.039 --> 00:04:55.000 David, they have all the trappings of the church, 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:57.099 and the only thing they are missing 00:04:57.099 --> 00:04:58.279 is the heart of Christ. 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:01.919 And as soon as my friend said this, 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:03.539 I was stunned into silence. 00:05:04.599 --> 00:05:06.399 I thought, is it really possible 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:08.139 to have all the trappings of the church 00:05:08.139 --> 00:05:10.000 and miss the heart of Christ? 00:05:11.039 --> 00:05:12.979 Is it possible for church people 00:05:12.979 --> 00:05:15.659 to be so focused on personal comforts 00:05:16.239 --> 00:05:19.019 and so fearful of potential cost, 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:22.099 they virtually forget the purpose of God 00:05:22.099 --> 00:05:24.959 among all the peoples of the world? 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:27.479 And as I asked the question, 00:05:27.599 --> 00:05:28.539 I realised the answer, 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:29.919 is of course it's possible. 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:32.799 Much of what we have seen in the West 00:05:32.799 --> 00:05:34.680 proves that we have massive resources, 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:36.079 mega buildings, 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:37.839 multitudes of programs, 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:40.959 and a myriad of conferences and activities. 00:05:42.099 --> 00:05:43.799 Meanwhile, thousands of people, 00:05:43.899 --> 00:05:45.859 groups around us in the world, 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:47.560 still have not heard the gospel. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:51.360 And from most appearances in the church, 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:51.699 however, 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:53.639 we seem to be okay with that. 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:56.220 We seem content to let these people, 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:57.860 groups continue churchless, 00:05:58.339 --> 00:05:59.019 Christless, 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:00.259 gospel-less. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:03.620 To seriously engage them with the gospel 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:04.560 would be 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:07.060 uncomfortable and costly. 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:13.839 And on it goes. 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:18.120 Now I'm continuing our series of messages 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:20.660 from Matthew chapter 24 and 25 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:24.920 on the second coming of Jesus Christ. 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:28.600 And we've been learning that Jesus taught 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:29.779 that the end of the world 00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:31.399 and his first coming 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.459 are two separate events. 00:06:33.579 --> 00:06:34.860 That was something that was new 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:36.280 for the mindset of the people 00:06:36.280 --> 00:06:37.460 amongst who he lived. 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:40.680 There will be a period of time 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:41.720 before he returns. 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:43.020 Jesus will return. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:45.319 He will return suddenly and unexpectedly. 00:06:46.900 --> 00:06:49.199 People will be going about normal life. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:52.259 The world as we know it will end 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:54.319 with the return of Jesus Christ 00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:55.560 as Lord and King. 00:06:56.960 --> 00:06:57.900 And for some, 00:06:58.020 --> 00:07:00.600 his return will be a wonderful surprise 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:02.600 and for others, 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:04.160 a very unpleasant one. 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:07.080 No one will escape the event. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:09.600 Everyone who has ever lived 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:10.920 will be raised to life 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:12.560 to face the judgment of God. 00:07:14.420 --> 00:07:16.220 And understanding these things 00:07:16.220 --> 00:07:17.860 has really important consequences. 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:21.460 We have power to call false teaching rubbish 00:07:21.460 --> 00:07:22.920 when people make predictions 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:24.280 about Christ's return. 00:07:25.520 --> 00:07:26.319 Jesus says, 00:07:26.460 --> 00:07:28.300 no one knows the hour or the day, 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:29.340 only his dad. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:32.020 There's been a great story in the media 00:07:32.019 --> 00:07:32.939 even this week. 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:37.939 The American pastor called Howard Camping 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:39.279 died at 92. 00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:41.719 And he was famous 00:07:41.719 --> 00:07:42.659 or he was infamous 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:45.199 because he predicted the coming of Christ 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:46.759 several times in his life. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:48.959 He finished well. 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:52.439 He apologised for a very grave mistake. 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:56.300 But what was incredibly sad to me, 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:57.920 the news this week 00:07:57.920 --> 00:07:59.079 showed some of the stories 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:00.680 at the time when he did these things 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.639 and he had people in his church family, 00:08:03.100 --> 00:08:03.800 his followers, 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:07.220 who literally gave their life savings 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:08.959 to advertising the date 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:10.779 on which Christ was going to return 00:08:10.779 --> 00:08:12.860 and telling people to get ready for it. 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:17.000 And they showed the other protesters 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:18.259 gathered out his side, 00:08:18.340 --> 00:08:18.819 his church, 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:19.340 on the day, 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:20.180 one of the days 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:21.620 when it was supposed to have occurred 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:23.360 and there were people there 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:24.600 with placards and banners 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:25.879 and saying things like, 00:08:26.400 --> 00:08:27.420 trust science, 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:28.580 don't trust religion. 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:32.560 So when we move beyond 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:33.820 what God's word allows, 00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:35.600 we can cause the name of Christ 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:37.000 to be dragged through the mud. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:41.059 In Matthew 25, 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:42.659 Jesus uses two pictures 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:44.779 to describe what he has already taught 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:45.980 in Matthew 24. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:49.539 And the pictures show us 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:50.460 how to live 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:52.220 between the two comings of Jesus. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:53.759 Last week, 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:55.220 the first picture 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:57.120 was the parable of the ten virgins, 00:08:57.620 --> 00:08:59.179 five who were wise, 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:02.639 they were well prepared 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:03.980 for the delayed return 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:04.919 of the bridegroom, 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:06.480 and five who were foolish, 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:07.560 who thought they knew 00:09:07.560 --> 00:09:08.340 the bridegroom, 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:09.159 but didn't. 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:13.139 And this morning, 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:14.100 the second picture 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:15.159 in Matthew 25, 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:16.960 the parable of the talents, 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.039 the Bible reading 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:20.840 that Josh has just read to us. 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:22.460 And again, 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:23.539 this is a story 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:24.920 about how to live 00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:26.019 in the light 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:28.300 of Jesus' delayed return. 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:30.680 And you pick that up 00:09:30.680 --> 00:09:31.519 from verse 14 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:32.639 because Jesus said, 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:33.159 again, 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:34.580 it will be like a man 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:35.779 going on a journey. 00:09:35.779 --> 00:09:36.699 He's about to go 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:37.360 on a journey. 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:39.559 And in verse 19, 00:09:39.699 --> 00:09:41.240 after a long time, 00:09:41.839 --> 00:09:42.519 the master 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:43.779 of those servants 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:44.399 returns. 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:45.659 So it's going to be 00:09:45.659 --> 00:09:47.100 a long period of time 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:48.639 between his departure 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:49.980 and between his return. 00:09:50.319 --> 00:09:51.480 This is about life 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:52.799 between the two comings 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:53.379 of Jesus. 00:09:54.839 --> 00:09:56.100 It's a great story. 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:57.839 The master's going 00:09:57.839 --> 00:09:58.399 on a journey. 00:09:58.559 --> 00:09:59.819 He calls his servants in. 00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:00.679 He entrusts them 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:01.199 with the running 00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:01.879 of his business. 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:02.980 He gives them a task, 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:03.779 something to do. 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:06.059 One of them 00:10:06.059 --> 00:10:07.199 gets five talents 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:08.039 to look after. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:09.480 One gets two. 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:10.500 The other gets one. 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:12.379 He gives each of them 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:13.199 responsibility. 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.439 And verse 15 says, 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:17.199 each according 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:18.600 to his own ability. 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:20.240 He gives them 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:20.799 what he believes 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:21.379 they're capable 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:21.959 of handling. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:22.779 There's nothing more, 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:23.379 nothing less, 00:10:23.459 --> 00:10:24.120 not too much 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:24.980 and not too little. 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:29.720 But this is big business. 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:31.379 I worked it out 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:31.919 the other day. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:32.779 Our talent was 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.579 a measure of money. 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:34.559 It's not a God-given 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:35.339 gift or ability. 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.379 It's a measure of money. 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.879 And a talent was equal 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:40.039 to 6,000 days wages, 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:42.039 6,000 denarii. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:43.919 And the average 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:44.719 Australian wage 00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:45.199 at present 00:10:45.199 --> 00:10:45.979 is something like 00:10:45.979 --> 00:10:46.779 $70,000. 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:48.799 You divide that 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:49.459 by 52. 00:10:50.319 --> 00:10:51.059 And again, 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:51.699 for five, 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:52.279 by five, 00:10:52.339 --> 00:10:53.000 for a five-day 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:53.639 working work, 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:54.179 it comes out 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:54.819 at something like 00:10:54.819 --> 00:10:56.379 $270 a day. 00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:56.860 So if you're getting 00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:57.439 less than that, 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:57.939 you're not getting 00:10:57.939 --> 00:10:58.639 the average wage. 00:10:58.639 --> 00:10:59.120 And if you're getting 00:10:59.120 --> 00:10:59.419 more, 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:00.139 you're getting far 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:00.500 more than you 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:00.980 should be getting. 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:02.019 Not true. 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:05.600 But you work it out. 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.340 A talent 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:09.019 in today's values 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:10.080 is nearly 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:11.620 $1.5 million. 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.919 So five talents 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:16.679 is $7.5 million. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:18.580 And two 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:20.120 is $3 million. 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.439 So these guys 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:24.500 are actually entrusted 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.139 with running 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:26.279 their master's business. 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:28.279 They're given 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:29.299 really big sums 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:29.759 of money 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:30.620 to be responsible 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:31.139 for. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:33.299 And they're running 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:33.980 the business 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:35.039 until the master 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:35.779 returns. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.720 You see, 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:39.339 the first two, 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:40.100 they get to work, 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:41.000 they double the money 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:41.980 over a long time. 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:43.279 These are not 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:44.240 short-term 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.600 money market gains. 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:48.159 This is solid, 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.159 hard work 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:50.299 building a business. 00:11:52.539 --> 00:11:53.699 And the third, 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:54.659 verse 18, 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.439 went off 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:57.200 dug a hole 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:57.860 in the ground 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.300 and hid 00:11:58.300 --> 00:11:58.960 his master's 00:11:58.960 --> 00:11:59.240 money. 00:12:02.760 --> 00:12:03.740 Now that wasn't 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.480 such a strange 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.160 thing to do. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.660 A rabbi 00:12:09.660 --> 00:12:12.380 at the time 00:12:12.380 --> 00:12:12.940 said that the 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:13.480 best way to 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:14.060 protect money 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:14.840 was to bury it. 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:16.940 In a world 00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:17.820 without banks 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:18.480 and without 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.280 chub safes 00:12:19.280 --> 00:12:19.820 and all sorts 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:20.420 of security, 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.220 a normal way 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:21.720 to protect 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:22.180 your money 00:12:22.180 --> 00:12:23.020 was to bury it 00:12:23.020 --> 00:12:23.500 and not tell 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.100 people where 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:25.260 you'd planted it. 00:12:26.260 --> 00:12:26.920 So much 00:12:26.920 --> 00:12:27.600 for your family 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.280 if you died 00:12:28.280 --> 00:12:28.720 suddenly. 00:12:31.800 --> 00:12:32.280 HSC 00:12:32.280 --> 00:12:33.180 Ancient History 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:34.780 teaches that 00:12:34.780 --> 00:12:35.600 soldiers going 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.260 off to war 00:12:36.260 --> 00:12:36.720 would bury 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:37.360 their personal 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.280 fortunes in the 00:12:38.280 --> 00:12:39.200 ground to keep 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:39.680 it safe 00:12:39.680 --> 00:12:40.180 until they 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:40.560 return. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:44.100 These three guys 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:44.640 are entrusted 00:12:44.640 --> 00:12:45.440 with the master's 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:45.900 business. 00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:47.700 They're given 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:48.400 responsibility 00:12:48.400 --> 00:12:49.680 and the master 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:50.780 has expectations 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:51.539 of them 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.620 according to 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:53.879 their ability. 00:12:55.339 --> 00:12:56.120 They are to be 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:56.759 on about the 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.639 master's business 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.579 while he's absent. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:12:59.399 They are to work 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.199 industriously 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:01.000 for him. 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:06.179 So a day of 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:07.120 reckoning comes. 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:10.019 The day of 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:11.100 settling accounts 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:13.519 comes a long 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.740 time later. 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:16.480 a delayed 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:17.480 return. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.220 And the 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:21.779 first has 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.139 turned 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:23.100 seven million 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:23.620 dollars 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:23.899 into 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.440 fourteen 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:24.759 million 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:25.299 dollars. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.220 And the 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:27.840 second has 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:28.159 turned 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:28.779 three million 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.139 dollars 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:29.700 into six 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.019 million 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.519 dollars. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:32.220 And the 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:32.879 master says 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.600 exactly the 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:33.980 same to 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:34.419 both of 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:34.639 them. 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:36.639 Excellent. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.220 Good and 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.120 faithful servants. 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:38.779 You have been 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:39.620 faithful in a 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:40.199 few things. 00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:41.539 I will put you 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:42.199 in charge of 00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:42.919 many things. 00:13:43.079 --> 00:13:44.199 Come and 00:13:44.199 --> 00:13:44.679 share your 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.120 master's 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:45.460 happiness. 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.419 He's delighted. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.319 He recognizes 00:13:49.319 --> 00:13:51.120 their hard work. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:51.919 They rejoice in 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.439 their success 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:52.879 together. 00:13:54.199 --> 00:13:54.899 It's not their 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:56.419 money but they 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:57.419 have been successful 00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:58.259 for their master 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.259 and he is pleased 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.259 for them and he 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.159 is pleased with 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.439 them. 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.120 They are well 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:04.960 prepared for their 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:05.919 master's return 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.759 because they have 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:07.799 been faithfully 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:08.799 discharging their 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:09.679 responsibilities. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.340 They share joy 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.200 all around when he 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.100 comes back because 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:13.840 they have been on 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:14.720 about the master's 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.159 business. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.819 Very different 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:19.740 story from the 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.580 third man or with 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.340 the third man. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.519 Verse 24. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.279 Oh master I knew 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:25.740 you were a hard 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.019 man. 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:27.539 Harvesting where 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.360 you have not sown 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.120 and gathering where 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.700 you have not 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:31.120 scattered seed and 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.220 so I was afraid 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:33.000 and I went out 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.660 and I hid your 00:14:33.660 --> 00:14:34.300 talent in the 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:34.860 ground and say 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.420 here it is. 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.440 Here is what 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.320 belongs to you. 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:39.780 I've kept it all 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:40.460 safe. 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:42.300 I haven't lost 00:14:42.300 --> 00:14:42.860 a cent. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:46.660 But as he says 00:14:46.660 --> 00:14:47.560 these words he 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:49.140 almost accuses his 00:14:49.140 --> 00:14:50.440 master of being a 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.360 venture capitalist 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.660 making his money on 00:14:52.660 --> 00:14:53.460 other people's 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:53.720 efforts. 00:14:53.920 --> 00:14:55.320 You just trade on 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:56.180 everybody else. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.180 Saw it in the 00:14:59.180 --> 00:14:59.360 bush. 00:14:59.440 --> 00:14:59.820 Saw it in 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.180 Wee-Woo. 00:15:00.280 --> 00:15:00.820 Farmers had 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.360 planted their 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.200 crops and they 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.080 would pay big 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.840 money to grow 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:04.120 them. 00:15:05.020 --> 00:15:05.660 And they would 00:15:05.660 --> 00:15:06.320 live with the 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:06.960 risk of the 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.400 season. 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.160 And then they 00:15:09.160 --> 00:15:09.940 sold their crops 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:10.860 into markets where 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.600 the price was 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.360 controlled by 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.140 commodity and 00:15:13.140 --> 00:15:14.740 money traders in 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.560 cities around the 00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:16.300 world like New 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:16.560 York. 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:17.720 Men and women in 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.720 business suits who 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.380 wouldn't have a 00:15:19.380 --> 00:15:20.540 clue what dirt was 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:21.660 let alone putting 00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.320 their hands into 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:22.560 it. 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:24.500 That's not your 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.140 job is it? 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.800 In Sydney. 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:30.500 They're probably 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.320 those people in 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:32.160 churches higher up 00:15:32.160 --> 00:15:32.720 the north shore. 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.220 Is that correct? 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.160 Or lower down. 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:36.940 There you go. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.700 But this third 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:41.500 servant seems to 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.200 have little respect 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:42.900 for his master. 00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:44.760 He goes, he gets 00:15:44.760 --> 00:15:45.960 the money, tosses it 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:46.500 back to him. 00:15:46.520 --> 00:15:47.480 I've looked after it 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:47.900 for you. 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.880 I was afraid of you 00:15:48.880 --> 00:15:50.400 and so I made sure I 00:15:50.400 --> 00:15:51.560 kept every last cent 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.000 safe. 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:54.980 mongrel boss that 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.400 you are. 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.740 He didn't say that. 00:15:59.640 --> 00:16:00.920 The master's filthy. 00:16:02.660 --> 00:16:03.860 You wicked, lazy 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.320 servant. 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.860 So you knew I 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.560 harvest where I 00:16:07.560 --> 00:16:08.240 haven't sown and 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:08.879 gather where I 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:09.500 haven't scattered 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:09.920 seed. 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:10.680 Well then you 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.220 should have put 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.879 your money on 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.600 deposit with the 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.720 bankers so that 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.580 when I returned I 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.220 would have received 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:15.720 it back with 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.160 interest. 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:19.780 Jews couldn't 00:16:19.780 --> 00:16:20.720 charge fellow 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.060 Jews. 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:22.639 interest. 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:24.659 But money could be 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.199 borrowed in the 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:26.079 Roman Empire to a 00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:27.259 maximum of 12%. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:29.879 Could have at least 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.759 put it in the bank 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:34.319 and this last man is a 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:34.939 piece of work. 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:35.919 He has a shot at his 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:37.019 master to pass off 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.339 blame. 00:16:37.479 --> 00:16:38.319 He's drawing a wage 00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:39.099 from the business but 00:16:39.099 --> 00:16:40.379 he doesn't care two 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.199 bits about his 00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:41.959 master's business. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:44.560 He's dumped a vast 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.400 sum of money in a 00:16:45.400 --> 00:16:45.980 hole in the ground 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.960 for the entire time 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:47.840 that his master was 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:49.080 away and presumably 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.280 got on with life and 00:16:50.280 --> 00:16:51.019 his own business. 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:51.780 He did his own 00:16:51.780 --> 00:16:52.000 thing. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:53.259 His master said he 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.120 was wicked and he 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.660 was lazy. 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:59.060 How long would you 00:16:59.060 --> 00:17:00.220 last in your job if 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.120 you went to work and 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.700 you used all the 00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:03.000 company's stationery and 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.000 computer peripherals? 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.860 If you spent all day 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.920 on the phone on 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.799 personal business, 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.840 wouldn't your employer 00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:09.340 have every right to 00:17:09.340 --> 00:17:10.140 throw you out of the 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:10.500 place? 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:15.100 See the third servant 00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:16.160 in this parable might 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.080 have been working his 00:17:17.080 --> 00:17:18.020 butt off while his 00:17:18.020 --> 00:17:21.620 master was absent but 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.759 growing his own share 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.980 portfolio, doing a 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.820 stack of beneficial 00:17:24.820 --> 00:17:26.259 trades on eBay, running 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.259 around and doing work 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:28.380 for mates all over the 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:29.560 place, he may have been 00:17:29.560 --> 00:17:30.780 busier even than the 00:17:30.780 --> 00:17:31.320 other two. 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.860 But Jesus called him 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.980 wicked and lazy because 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.140 he was squandering his 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:38.460 master's resources and 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.020 business. 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:41.820 He wasn't responding 00:17:41.820 --> 00:17:42.840 at all to the one who 00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:43.759 had the right to tell 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.759 him what his work was, 00:17:44.780 --> 00:17:45.900 he did his own thing. 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.560 Is that not a picture of 00:17:53.560 --> 00:17:54.440 the church that I read 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.380 about at the beginning? 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.420 Full of religious 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.560 activity and a 00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:01.160 beautiful infrastructure 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:04.780 and not touching their 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.599 Muslim neighbours? 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:12.079 I reckon if you'd asked 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.220 this guy what his job 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:14.440 was, he probably would 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.279 have said, I work for 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:15.799 the master. 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:19.980 And if you looked at 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.899 what he was doing all 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.819 the time, the master 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.899 away was away. 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.539 It was nothing. 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.779 It was a big fat 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.440 zilch. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.379 And Jesus called the 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.740 man wicked and lazy, 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:32.299 his doom assured, 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.899 cast away into darkness, 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:35.259 never to be heard from 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:35.620 again. 00:18:38.780 --> 00:18:39.820 Now I hope it's not 00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:40.700 too hard to see where 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.240 this is heading. 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:45.060 Jesus, our King, has 00:18:45.060 --> 00:18:46.140 come once and he will 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:46.700 come again. 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:50.420 We live awaiting his 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:50.920 return. 00:18:52.300 --> 00:18:53.900 He's been a long time. 00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:56.680 He could come back 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.240 today. 00:18:58.840 --> 00:19:00.880 He could come back a 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:02.280 long time into the 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:02.660 future. 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:05.539 But he will return. 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:09.259 But in the meantime, we 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.139 are stewards of the 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:10.960 master's business. 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:11.920 We are not here for 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:12.379 ourselves. 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.359 We are here for what 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.440 God wants us to do. 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.399 In Matthew 24, Jesus 00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:19.319 tells us that the 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.299 faithful and wise 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.299 servant is the one 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.319 whom the master has 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.339 put in charge of his 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:23.960 household. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.779 And when the master 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:27.200 returns, he finds his 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.399 servant faithfully at 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:29.460 work doing his job. 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:34.480 Matthew 24 also gives a 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.779 huge glimpse of what the 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:37.200 master's business is. 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.740 Verse 14, this gospel of 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:41.720 the kingdom will be 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.799 preached in the whole 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.440 world as a testimony to 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:47.059 all nations and then the 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.860 end will come. 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:51.019 And in verse 31, he will 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.960 send his angels with a 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:55.120 loud trumpet call and they 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.380 will gather his elect from 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:58.039 the four winds from one end 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.980 of the heavens to the 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.220 other. 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:06.980 Angel sounds all spooky as 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:08.180 in heavenly messengers and 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.119 sometimes they are. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:12.599 But angel simply means 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.220 messenger. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.619 And so it's completely 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:17.000 valid to read this last 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.799 verse as he will send his 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:21.159 messengers with a loud 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:22.480 trumpet call and they will 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.720 gather his elect from the 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:25.259 four winds from one end of 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.240 the heavens to the other. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.960 When I went to South 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:32.539 Africa recently and worked 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:34.140 with Andrew Barnes who was 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:35.200 the pastor at Musenberg 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:37.099 Community Church and the 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.359 pastor of the church that 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.619 Darian and Vanessa are at, 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.960 he wrote to Darian, our 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.940 link missionary afterwards 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.900 and he said about me, 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:45.160 let's blow my own trumpet 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.960 for a sec, he said, 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.519 it's as though God sent an 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:50.200 angel to say exactly the 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:52.940 right things to me, I feel 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:54.480 so encouraged to carry on. 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:58.640 Enormous encouragement to 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:01.000 me and I am thrilled to 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.180 think that God used me as 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.820 his messenger in his time 00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:06.220 to encourage Andrew and 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.360 let me tell you that Andrew 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:08.700 was an enormous blessing to 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.660 me as well. 00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:13.320 But the point for me with 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:15.700 angels is that God uses 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:17.420 heavenly beings as his 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:20.759 messengers and he also 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:23.740 uses heavenly beings, he 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:26.379 uses human beings as his 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:26.859 messengers. 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:30.420 So what's happening between 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.480 the first and second 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.539 comings of Jesus? 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:35.819 His gospel is being preached 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.660 to the nations. 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.579 God's messengers are being 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.900 sent out into all the world 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:42.420 to gather his chosen people 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:42.740 in. 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.980 It's a joyous and it's a 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.519 magnificent work and Romans 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:48.000 chapter 10 expresses it, it 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.400 says everyone who calls on the 00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:50.580 name of the Lord will be 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:51.060 saved. 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.519 How can they call on the 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.640 one they have not believed 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:55.080 in and how can they believe 00:21:55.080 --> 00:21:56.460 on the one of whom they 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.280 have not heard? 00:21:58.320 --> 00:21:59.360 And how can they hear 00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.380 without someone preaching 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.320 to them and how can they 00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:02.340 preach unless they are 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:02.580 sent? 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:04.259 As it is written, how 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.440 beautiful are the feet of 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.759 those who bring good news. 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:10.440 See people are gathered to 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.700 God through the preaching of 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.220 the gospel. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.200 As the message of Christ is 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:17.500 spoken in God's world, people 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.680 are gathered from the four 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.920 corners of the earth into his 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.360 family. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.340 Preaching of the gospel, 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.880 declaration about Christ 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:27.000 happens in formal settings 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.960 like church but where 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.080 Christian people come to 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:30.500 gather or maybe somebody 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.860 interested in finding out. 00:22:34.060 --> 00:22:36.019 It also happens in informal 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.880 places like over morning tea 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:39.519 at work and in time reading 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.539 the scriptures with our 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.840 children, at dinner with 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.420 friends. 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.420 Being on about the 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.700 master's business in the 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.240 context here is particularly 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.400 about telling the world 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.980 about Jesus Christ in both 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.100 word and in deed. 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:55.700 I remember feeling really 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.340 embarrassed at one of my 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.620 ordination interviews a long 00:22:58.620 --> 00:23:01.180 time ago and I was asked, 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:04.220 have you led anybody to 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.660 Christ? 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:08.240 It's almost like how many 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.279 notches have you got on your 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:09.559 belt? 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:14.419 And at the time I couldn't 00:23:14.419 --> 00:23:15.200 think of anyone. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:22.019 But if the question had been 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:24.200 who had I spoken to about 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:27.619 Christ, then the list would 00:23:27.619 --> 00:23:28.419 have been long. 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.859 It would have been family, 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.700 it would have been friends, 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.559 it would have been workmates, 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:34.919 it would have been the 00:23:34.919 --> 00:23:37.460 occasional stranger, mostly 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:39.000 people that I had some sort 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.200 of a relationship with. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.680 See, we don't control the 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:48.059 response, but we do have 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:49.519 control over whether we open 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.640 our mouths and speak, we 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:53.019 have control over what we 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:54.200 say and we have control over 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.059 how we say it. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:01.900 My engineering boss would give 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.740 me some stick. 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.640 He was a bit of a rogue and 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.840 he would wind me up at work 00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.579 about my faith. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.460 He knew I was a Christian 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.500 and we'd had numbers of 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.119 conversations. 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.639 And his girls were Christian. 00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:15.299 And I didn't convert him. 00:24:16.159 --> 00:24:17.359 But I did speak to him about 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.519 Christ numbers of times. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.799 And 30 years later, I got his 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:23.000 Christmas card the other day 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.159 and it's been developing over 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:25.639 quite a few years, but it's a 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.679 joy to read his Christmas 00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:28.339 cards because he now strongly 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:31.000 proclaims Christ as he cares 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.480 for an invalid wife who suffers 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.960 with MS. 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.899 He has been growing as a 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.559 disciple of the 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.659 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:39.240 God has gathered another one 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.439 of his elect from the four 00:24:40.439 --> 00:24:41.779 corners of the earth through 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:43.019 the saving message about 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.919 Jesus Christ. 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:50.039 So brothers and sisters, 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:54.399 own your faith and speak 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:54.980 about it. 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.579 Understand that when people 00:24:58.579 --> 00:25:00.199 give you a hard time, some of 00:25:00.199 --> 00:25:01.659 them will be people that God is 00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:03.359 gathering into his kingdom even 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.019 in the future. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:06.240 And how you respond to them 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.519 even now, as pain in the butt 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:09.000 as they might be, matters. 00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:14.279 See, Christmas time itself 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:16.479 brings many opportunities to own 00:25:16.479 --> 00:25:16.939 Christ. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:19.319 Tell people that you're going to 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.699 church. 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:22.219 Tell people that Christmas is 00:25:22.219 --> 00:25:23.919 much bigger than a baby story. 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:26.599 It's about what this amazing man 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.299 came to do. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:30.379 Take the opportunities that God 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.960 gives you to speak about what you 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.319 believe. 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:34.180 Be on about the master's business. 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:38.399 It's a wonderful parable because 00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:40.279 God recognises our different 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.039 opportunities. 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:44.559 Two servants grow their master's 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:44.940 business. 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:48.079 He's equally pleased with both of 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.279 them. 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:51.419 He makes no distinction between them 00:25:51.419 --> 00:25:53.079 in terms of his pleasure with them. 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:55.939 They have both been doing his 00:25:55.939 --> 00:25:58.039 business and he loves them for it. 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:00.799 And he speaks the same wonderful 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.899 word to both of them. 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:03.839 He says, well done, good and 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.799 faithful servants. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:07.639 Come and share your master's 00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:08.000 happiness. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.220 Amen.