WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning. It's lovely to see you all. I just want to clarify that the choice of that parable has nothing to do with the fact that Archie is leaving today.

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 Somebody being told they can't do their job anymore is completely unrelated to the event.

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 Please keep your Bibles open. That would be tremendously helpful. And it is a real honour to be here on such a momentous day as Katie and Archie set sail down to Peoples.

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 And what an exciting partnership that has been forged over the last number of years.

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 And to now come to the point where Archie and Katie can go full time down in Peoples.

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 What a great thing the Lord is accomplishing amongst you here at Brunsfield.

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 Let me pray and then we'll get going with Luke chapter 16.

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 Gracious God, we understand the absolute vanity of studying your word independent of your spirit.

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 So please shine the light of your word into us.

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 That it may be alive.

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 That we might see, understand and be changed by your truth.

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 In Jesus name. Amen.

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 Charles Blondin was a world famous French tightrope walker in the middle of the 19th century.

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 He shot to global fame in 1859 as the first person to traverse the Niagara Gorge.

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 In subsequent years, because he became so famous, he repeated the feat.

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 Elevating the danger each time.

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 He did it blindfolded.

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 He did it in a sack.

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 He paused halfway across to cook an omelette.

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 His final crossing involved him crossing the gorge, pushing a wheelbarrow.

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 He went the 17 minute journey to the other side.

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 And then he turned around and went the 17 minutes back again.

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 And to the crowd that were gathered on the clifftop, he said,

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 Do you think I could do it with somebody in the wheelbarrow?

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 And they all went, of course you can.

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 Of course you can.

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 You are the great Blondin.

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 At which point he looked at them and he said, who's coming?

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 And nobody moved.

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 Everyone was silent.

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 There was a great difference between knowing something about Blondin and trusting something about Blondin.

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 A great difference between thinking he could and staking your whole life on the fact that he could.

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 Let me tell you that Luke chapter 16 verses 1 to 13, this enigmatic parable about the dishonest manager,

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 from the lips of Jesus is the who is coming moment.

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 Who's coming?

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 Who's going to be all in on the mission that I am accomplishing?

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 Who is going to stake all of their life and come with me and be part of what I am doing?

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 For my eternal kingdom and for my glory.

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 Who's coming?

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 Ask Jesus in Luke chapter 16.

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 It is a parable that speaks to us and says our decisive use of resources reveals whether our hearts align with Jesus' hearts.

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 We're parachuting into the second half of Luke's gospel.

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 A second half that began in chapter 9 verse 51 when Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem.

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 When the time drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

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 Jesus is on his way back to glory.

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 When the time came for him to be taken up, back to where he came from, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

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 The journeying with Jesus shape of the root is following Jesus to glory via suffering.

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 That's what the whole second half of Luke's gospel is about.

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 What does it mean?

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 What does it take?

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 What will it cost to follow Jesus to glory?

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 And that road to glory necessarily involves the suffering of Jerusalem.

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 And let's be clear on this Palm Sunday.

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 That was a memo that none of the disciples and none of Jesus' followers got.

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 What?

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 Because when he rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, everyone shouted, God save us, God save us, God save us.

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 But towards the end of the week, when it was clear that it was not going to be glory, but suffering,

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 they all joined in the crowd and said, crucify him, crucify him, crucify him.

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 And our current section on this journey began in Luke 13 verse 22.

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 This long journey from 951 to 1945 is split up into different bits.

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 And the way Luke does that is by saying the way.

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 And every time he says the way, he's talking about something new.

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 And the thrust of this section is when Jesus says, make every effort to enter through the narrow door.

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 And everything that follows is about what it takes, the effort that it needs, the cost it requires to enter through that narrow door,

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 to follow Jesus to glory via the suffering of Jerusalem.

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 He demonstrates that to enter through the narrow door, you need to realize your absolute need of a dead and risen Messiah.

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 As he looks over Jerusalem and says, long I wanted to gather you as a hen gathers her chicks, but you would not come.

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 It's effort that's going to require great humility.

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 That as he has dinner with the chief Pharisee, it becomes clear that they're so puffed up with pride.

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 It's going to be impossible for them to enter through the narrow gate, the narrow door.

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 It is something that will require everything that you've got to give.

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 It will require loving Jesus so much that all of your earthly relationships will look like hate in comparison.

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 And in Luke 15, it is effort that will require an all-out search.

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 No holes barred scouring of absolutely everything in order that they might be rejoicing when lost, repentant people are found and brought home.

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 And in Luke 16, it is effort that will require shrewd investment of your time and your treasure and your talents.

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 It will require decisive use of your resources.

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 And by your resources, I mean your time, your treasure and your talents.

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 Chapter 15 is probably the most famous chapter in the Bible.

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 The triptych of parables about the lost sheep and the lost coin and the lost son.

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 And the problem is because those are so famous and so obviously go together.

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 We read them and then we stop reading.

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 And I want to tell you that Luke chapter 16 verses 1 to 13 is directly related to these parables.

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 This is, if you like, the sting in the tail.

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 This is, if you like, we've loved chapter 15.

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 We've loved Jesus, the great one who seeks and saves what's lost.

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 We love Jesus who launches a no-holds-barred surge until everything that is lost is brought home.

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 And Jesus in chapter 16 says, who's coming?

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 He even starts the parable.

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 Jesus also told his disciples this parable.

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 It's absolutely connected.

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 Jesus says, you've seen my heart, which is about finding lost people.

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 You've seen the depth of my forgiveness, the inexhaustible nature of my grace.

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 Jesus says, you've seen what makes me tick, the reason that I came.

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 And then he also tells his disciples this parable and says, who's coming?

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 Who's coming?

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 And at first reading, it is an unnerving parable, isn't it?

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 I mean, this manager seems to be a bit scrupulous.

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 And yet Jesus commends him.

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 We're supposed to be encouraging utilitarian shortcuts.

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 We're supposed to be encouraging selfishness, where people who know that they've done wrong cut corners and cook the books and do things in order that they might have a happy and healthy retirement.

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 Well, I don't think so.

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 Because Jesus says what the master commended, verse 8.

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 The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.

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 He commends him for his shrewdness.

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 Now, Jesus commending his shrewdness is not commending his dishonesty.

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 That's why verse 8 is so helpful.

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 It's like the end of a big bank heist.

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 Where you look back and you see how everything has been done.

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 And the leader of the investigation just applauds.

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 He's not commending the stealing of the money.

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 He's not commending the cracking of the safe.

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 But he stands back and says, that's a great plan.

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 That's a great scheme that you've enacted.

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 The master commends the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.

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 For his shrewdness, not his dishonesty.

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 He applauds his shrewdness.

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 His quick thinking, decisive action in the moment, knowing what the future would hold.

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 So let's get into it.

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 It is a parable about shrewdness, verses 1 to 7.

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 What is pictured here is a very, very rich man.

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 And because he is very rich and has business enterprises and a huge property portfolio,

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 he hires a wealth manager to look after his affairs.

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 He's hired a middleman.

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 He's employed a wealth manager.

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 Why?

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 So he can enjoy his wealth where someone else looks after the business.

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 The wealth manager is entrusted with the family business.

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 All the affairs of the rich man.

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 The property portfolio.

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 The craft brewing industry.

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 The stocks and shares investments.

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 The ongoing trading relationships.

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 The global corporate deals.

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 A steward to manage the business empire.

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 However, the manager is accused of wasting the master's possessions.

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 That word wasting is exactly the same word used of the prodigal son.

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 Who wastes his inheritance in the foreign land.

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 Away from his father's house.

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 It seems this manager is squandering the rich man's treasure.

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 And finally, verse 2, the report gets back to the rich man.

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 And they send an email to the rich man with the subject line.

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 Do you know what your wealth manager is doing?

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 And the rich man sends an urgent email to his wealth manager.

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 Subject line.

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 What is this I hear about you?

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 Let's get an appointment in the calendar for Monday morning.

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 Because you cannot be manager any longer.

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 And it seems from the wealth manager's actions

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 that he's not been doing a good job.

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 He knows he's banged to rights.

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 He knows that he really has been wasting the rich man's possessions.

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 He doesn't craft a defence.

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 He doesn't phone his union.

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 He makes his exit strategy.

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 He is guilty and therefore he knows

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 there is nothing that he can do to continue in his current job.

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 And his exit strategy is fuelled by shrewdness.

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 And we read his internal monologue.

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 What shall I do?

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 My master is taking away my job.

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 On Monday, I will get a P-45, be disgraced.

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 Have all of my possessions from my office put in a box

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 and I'll be marched out by security.

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 What am I going to do?

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 I'm not strong enough to dig.

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 And I'm too ashamed to beg.

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 And then he hits upon it.

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 Bingo.

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 I know what I'll do.

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 So when I lose my job here,

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 people will welcome me into their houses.

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 I've got no future here,

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 but can I use my last remaining hours

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 while I've got security clearance

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 to mean that when I leave employment here,

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 it will go very, very well for me.

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 I know what I'll do.

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 I'll take decisive action

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 with the little time that I have

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 in order that when I leave,

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 people will welcome me into their houses.

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 Knowing the future,

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 thrust him towards decisive and drastic action

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 in the present.

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 He knows he's going to get the chop.

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 His reputation will be tarnished.

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 No one will employ him as a wealth manager.

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 Therefore, in a desperate attempt

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 to make friends and influence people,

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 he calls in the rich man's debtors

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 and he slashes their outstanding balance.

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 He calls in all his master's debtors

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 and we're given a case study

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 of two examples of what he did.

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 The first debtor owes 3,000 liters of olive oil.

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 Now, the cheapest oil I could find this week

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 on Amazon.com was 5 liters for 50 pounds.

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 This man owes roughly 32 grand to the rich man.

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 And the manager says,

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 quickly, get your eraser, rub it out.

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 Right, 16,000.

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 I mean, you'd be delighted to be that debtor.

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 32,000, you're thinking about some sort of repayment plan

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 over the next 10 years.

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 And suddenly you think,

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 I could just swap a few credit notes around

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 and I could maybe pay it off in a one-er.

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 The second owes 30 tons of wheat.

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 Today, wheat is cheaper given industrial farming,

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 but even today,

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 one tonne of bake-ready wheat

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 is worth 649 pounds per tonne.

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 It's still quite a lot.

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 And the manager says,

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 quickly, make it 24 tons.

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 Reduce the bill by a fifth.

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 Now, the parable is written in such a way

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 that this rich man has been so far away

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 from the business

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 that he has no idea

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 what's in the orders book.

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 So whatever the wealth manager leaves

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 is the state of the business

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 when he hands it back.

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 And so there's no way

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 that the rich man can work out

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 who owes what to whom.

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 He just has to go on

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 the dishonest manager's words.

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 And so the manager,

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 knowing that the writing was on the wall,

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 he knew that his future was bleak.

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 He knew what would happen on Monday.

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 And he took decisive action

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 in order that when he left the employment,

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 he'd be welcomed into people's houses.

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 He could, if you like,

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 become a professional sofa surfer.

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 That all these debtors

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 now owed him a favor.

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 There wouldn't be one family dinner

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 he couldn't arrive at uninvited.

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 Because he saved these people

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 literally thousands of pounds

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 they owe him.

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 And so whilst he cannot continue

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 to be employed

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 for the remainder of his earthly life,

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 it is going to go very well for him.

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 Because he's made friends

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 and influenced just the right people.

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 He would be looked after

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 by all the traders

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 for whom he has done a solid

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 in reducing their debts.

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 Now quite apart from taking the eraser

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 to the debt sheet,

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 cooking the books,

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 cancelling debts

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 that weren't owed to you

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 but to the rich man,

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 unscrupulous,

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 but very shrewd.

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 Knowing the future,

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 he took decisive action

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 in the present.

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 And this is what Jesus picks up

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 in verse 8.

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 The master commended

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 the dishonest manager

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 because he had acted

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 shrewdly.

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.579
 For his shrewdness,

00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.539
 for his shrewdness,

00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:10.740
 not his dishonesty,

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.839
 the manager holds his hands up

00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.159
 and says,

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:13.779
 well played.

00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:17.799
 Well played to his former

00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:19.819
 wealth manager.

00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:24.099
 Looking at the ledger,

00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:26.220
 he can see that it's been doctored

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.119
 but he has no idea

00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.740
 what was there originally.

00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:30.639
 Therefore,

00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.959
 he has no way of collecting

00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:32.779
 all the debt

00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:34.019
 that was outstanding.

00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.539
 Knowing the day of reckoning

00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:39.059
 from the master was coming,

00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:42.639
 the wealth manager acted shrewdly.

00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:46.799
 He invested the little time

00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.519
 that he had left

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.539
 to carve out a future

00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.240
 for himself.

00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.799
 Then Jesus says,

00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.879
 middle of verse 8,

00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:58.299
 the people of this world

00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.199
 are more shrewd

00:18:59.199 --> 00:19:00.579
 dealing with their own kind

00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:02.619
 than the people of light.

00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:05.819
 Jesus looks at this man

00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.919
 and saw how he acted

00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:08.039
 so decisively

00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.319
 and so drastically

00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.959
 knowing what the future

00:19:10.959 --> 00:19:11.779
 looked like.

00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:14.359
 looked at his disciples

00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.079
 in front of him

00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.399
 and said,

00:19:15.459 --> 00:19:15.980
 how much more

00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.839
 should it be with you?

00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:19.419
 You now know

00:19:19.419 --> 00:19:20.759
 what the future holds.

00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:23.039
 I've been telling you

00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.779
 all the way

00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.859
 as we've been on this journey

00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.599
 to Jerusalem,

00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.720
 the Son of Man

00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.679
 will be betrayed,

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.939
 disowned,

00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.179
 killed,

00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:35.579
 raised,

00:19:36.959 --> 00:19:37.579
 ascended,

00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:39.980
 building,

00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:41.220
 building an eternal kingdom

00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.439
 that cannot be shaken.

00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:45.259
 You know what the future holds.

00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:47.419
 If the dishonest manager

00:19:47.419 --> 00:19:48.899
 did it for the remaining years

00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:49.879
 of his three score years

00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.439
 and ten,

00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:52.139
 how much more should you

00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:53.379
 in the time that you have

00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:55.179
 and the talents that you have

00:19:55.179 --> 00:19:57.079
 and the treasure that you have

00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:59.179
 be investing in that future

00:19:59.179 --> 00:20:00.799
 that has been secured

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:02.419
 so decisively

00:20:02.419 --> 00:20:03.359
 by the Lord Jesus?

00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:08.319
 Just in case we didn't get it,

00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.959
 verse 9,

00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:11.059
 I tell you,

00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:12.199
 use worldly wealth

00:20:12.199 --> 00:20:13.039
 to gain friends

00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.879
 for yourselves

00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:16.079
 so that when it is gone

00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:16.879
 you will be welcomed

00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:18.399
 into eternal dwellings.

00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:21.099
 It's hidden in the English,

00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.839
 but the first you

00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.479
 of verse 9

00:20:23.479 --> 00:20:24.240
 is singular

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.700
 and the second you

00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.380
 of verse 9

00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.279
 is plural.

00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.680
 I tell you,

00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:36.319
 individual Christian,

00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.460
 individual member

00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.900
 of the family

00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.779
 of Jesus Christ,

00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:43.599
 individual citizen

00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:45.440
 of Jesus'

00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.759
 eternal kingdom,

00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.579
 I tell you,

00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.400
 singular,

00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.880
 use your singular wealth

00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.720
 to gain friends

00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.440
 for yourselves

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:56.100
 so that when it is gone

00:20:56.100 --> 00:20:56.860
 you,

00:20:57.280 --> 00:20:57.880
 plural,

00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.920
 you and all

00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:02.000
 of your friends,

00:21:03.040 --> 00:21:04.000
 you and all

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.680
 of the people

00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.840
 that you've influenced

00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.800
 for the gospel,

00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.120
 you,

00:21:08.280 --> 00:21:08.960
 all the people

00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.860
 that you've used

00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:11.320
 your investment of time

00:21:11.320 --> 00:21:12.280
 and treasure

00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:13.520
 and talents

00:21:13.520 --> 00:21:17.880
 to come to saving faith

00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:18.800
 in the Lord Jesus

00:21:18.800 --> 00:21:20.380
 that you all

00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:22.800
 will be welcomed

00:21:22.800 --> 00:21:24.620
 into eternal dwellings.

00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:27.160
 The wealth manager

00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:28.420
 took decisive action

00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.080
 to be welcomed

00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.940
 into temporal dwellings

00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:34.120
 and acted so shrewdly.

00:21:34.260 --> 00:21:34.720
 You

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:39.360
 use your earthly time,

00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.720
 treasure and talents

00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:45.420
 deploying it strategically

00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.900
 and sacrificially

00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:49.360
 in order that you,

00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.259
 you and all

00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.880
 of your friends

00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:52.740
 that you've gained

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:54.360
 through your deployment

00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:55.460
 of worldly wealth

00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:57.340
 will be welcomed

00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:58.960
 into eternal dwellings.

00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.380
 I tell you,

00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.360
 use worldly wealth

00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:07.300
 to gain friends

00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:08.040
 for yourselves

00:22:08.040 --> 00:22:10.600
 so that when it is gone

00:22:10.600 --> 00:22:12.540
 and gone it will be,

00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:14.240
 if there's one thing

00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.660
 we're learning

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.860
 from the Trump presidency

00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:17.799
 is that worldly wealth

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.859
 is not secure.

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.500
 People having hundreds

00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:22.959
 of thousands of pounds

00:22:22.959 --> 00:22:24.859
 knocked off their savings

00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:28.399
 through one press conference.

00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:31.379
 Gone it will be.

00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.819
 And the question is,

00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:35.179
 how will you invest it now

00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:37.019
 for eternal dwellings then?

00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:40.019
 Use worldly wealth.

00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:42.759
 Use your bank account

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:44.879
 gifts and your diary

00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:46.700
 and the gifts

00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:47.640
 that God has given you

00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.500
 to gain friends

00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.140
 for yourselves

00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:50.799
 so that when it's all gone

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.339
 and you're looking

00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:52.859
 at the ground

00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.839
 from the brown side,

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.700
 you will be welcomed

00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.180
 into eternal dwellings.

00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.480
 In other words,

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.920
 use your treasure

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.000
 to show that your treasure

00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.859
 isn't your treasure

00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:07.119
 but Jesus is your treasure.

00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.980
 Use your treasure

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.019
 to show that your treasure

00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.740
 isn't your treasure

00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.920
 but Jesus is your treasure.

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.440
 And investing what you have

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.299
 and who you are

00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.480
 and the time that you have

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.980
 in what he's doing

00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:19.819
 is by far the best investment

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.680
 you can ever make.

00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.920
 Jesus says,

00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.980
 my mission is

00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:26.319
 seeking and saving

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.240
 lost people

00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:29.599
 and bringing them home

00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.519
 to be with me,

00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:32.019
 to rejoice with me forever.

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:35.400
 and he says

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.480
 to all of his disciples

00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.119
 who's coming?

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:38.859
 Who's in?

00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:41.759
 Who's going to stake it all?

00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:44.980
 Who's going to invest in me

00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.859
 and what I'm doing

00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:47.259
 which is the surest investment

00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.279
 you could ever make?

00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.940
 Jesus then finishes

00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:53.480
 by offering four principles

00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:57.019
 to help us be shrewd.

00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.579
 The first one is this,

00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.319
 verse 10.

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:02.599
 Are you faithful

00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.460
 in the little bit

00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.220
 you have now?

00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.200
 Look at what it says.

00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:06.619
 Whoever can be trusted

00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.799
 with very little

00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:09.399
 can also be trusted

00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:10.139
 with much

00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:12.000
 and whoever is dishonest

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.899
 with very little

00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:14.679
 will also be dishonest

00:24:14.679 --> 00:24:15.439
 with much.

00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.919
 We're all at that stage,

00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.359
 aren't we?

00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:19.740
 We don't quite have enough

00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:21.500
 and we tell ourselves

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:21.799
 the lie,

00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:23.539
 when I have a little bit more

00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:25.059
 then I'll be more invested

00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.259
 in what Jesus is doing.

00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:28.779
 And it's a total lie

00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.539
 because habits

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:31.059
 are easily grooved.

00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.200
 And therefore,

00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.599
 if we're not sacrificially

00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.640
 investing in Jesus

00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.579
 with the little bit

00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.460
 we have now,

00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.819
 then even when we have a lot

00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.700
 we won't be investing.

00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:42.220
 If you're dishonest

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.839
 in the little bit

00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.640
 you have now,

00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.359
 you'll still be dishonest

00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:48.319
 even if the windfall comes.

00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:51.919
 And so are you faithful

00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:52.859
 in the little bit

00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.740
 you have now?

00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.319
 There might be a lot,

00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.399
 not a lot of fat

00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.099
 on the bone.

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.659
 But if you sacrificially

00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:02.379
 invest in that,

00:25:02.439 --> 00:25:03.639
 that will be the best investment

00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.579
 that you ever make.

00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.579
 And who knows

00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.179
 if you're faithful

00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:08.159
 in the very little bit

00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:08.879
 you have now.

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.439
 When you get more

00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:11.659
 you'll still be being faithful

00:25:11.659 --> 00:25:13.019
 in what the Lord

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.879
 has trusted you with.

00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:18.680
 This is so shocking,

00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:19.400
 verse 11.

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.900
 So if you have not been

00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.920
 trustworthy

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.840
 in handling worldly wealth,

00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.760
 who will trust you

00:25:26.760 --> 00:25:28.040
 with true riches?

00:25:29.760 --> 00:25:30.140
 Do you see,

00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.040
 Jesus is making

00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:32.640
 a massive distinction there

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:34.340
 between worldly wealth,

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.520
 between stuff,

00:25:36.300 --> 00:25:37.480
 between bank balances

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.880
 and gold ingots

00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.740
 and yachts

00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.460
 and cigars

00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:42.000
 and vintage wine collections.

00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:44.660
 And he just calls

00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.880
 that worldly wealth

00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:48.779
 just stuff.

00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.519
 And he says

00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.680
 if you haven't been faithful

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:54.080
 in the stuff,

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.740
 who will trust you

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.980
 with true riches,

00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.060
 eternal riches,

00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.640
 heavenly treasure,

00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:05.040
 treasure that will yield

00:26:05.040 --> 00:26:06.900
 a dividend every year

00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.820
 for all of eternity,

00:26:07.820 --> 00:26:08.940
 which is a very,

00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:09.840
 very long time.

00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:09.840


00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.840
 that's a very,

00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:12.840
 very long time.

00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.700
 Are you trustworthy

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:17.800
 with worthless wealth?

00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.400
 Worldly wealth?

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.620
 Wealth that in the light

00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.259
 of eternity

00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:25.120
 will be like monopoly money?

00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:30.200
 Because if you're trustworthy

00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.440
 in worthless wealth,

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:34.140
 then the promise is here

00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:35.120
 that God will trust you

00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:36.060
 with true riches

00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:37.740
 that will last forever.

00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:39.259
 number three,

00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.019
 verse 12.

00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.059
 And if you have not

00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:42.599
 been trustworthy

00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:44.319
 with someone else's property,

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.099
 who will give you

00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:47.000
 property of your own?

00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:49.059
 Do you realize

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.720
 that your stuff

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:51.140
 isn't actually your stuff?

00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.200
 Do you know that

00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:53.019
 constant refrain

00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.620
 in the Psalms,

00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.680
 the earth is the Lord's

00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.660
 and everything in it?

00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.279
 He's just given it

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.120
 to you to borrow.

00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.880
 In a sense,

00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.900
 he's employed you

00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:02.120
 as a wealth manager

00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:04.660
 to take what he's given you

00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:06.120
 to invest in his kingdom

00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:07.319
 in order that it might

00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:09.539
 yield more

00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.819
 in order that you

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.519
 might have more

00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.279
 to invest in

00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.639
 what King Jesus is doing.

00:27:15.679 --> 00:27:17.019
 And the minute we realize

00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.839
 that our stuff

00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.719
 isn't our stuff,

00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.959
 but we're borrowing it

00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:20.839
 to invest in,

00:27:21.239 --> 00:27:22.419
 to invest

00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:23.939
 for a very rich God

00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:24.739
 who owns everything,

00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:25.639
 suddenly we won't

00:27:25.639 --> 00:27:26.819
 hold it so tight.

00:27:28.699 --> 00:27:30.739
 We won't cleave to it

00:27:30.739 --> 00:27:32.159
 and cling to it.

00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:35.500
 suddenly because we know

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.300
 it's not ours

00:27:36.300 --> 00:27:37.759
 but it's been gifted to us

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.800
 by our Heavenly Father,

00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.680
 suddenly we'll be

00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:42.400
 really ready

00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.680
 to really invest

00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:45.820
 in what Jesus is doing.

00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:49.000
 It's much easier,

00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:49.400
 isn't it,

00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.120
 taking risks

00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.300
 with other people's money?

00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:53.380
 And that's true

00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.560
 of all of your money.

00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:59.140
 It's not yours.

00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:02.180
 It belongs to God.

00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.840
 If you've not been

00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.300
 trustworthy

00:28:03.300 --> 00:28:04.759
 with someone else's property,

00:28:05.520 --> 00:28:06.860
 God's property,

00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.900
 what he's given you,

00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.480
 he will trust you

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.040
 with stuff

00:28:11.040 --> 00:28:11.720
 of your own

00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.720
 in

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:14.020
 eternity.

00:28:16.020 --> 00:28:17.040
 And fourthly,

00:28:18.040 --> 00:28:19.140
 which master

00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:19.940
 are you really

00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.540
 serving?

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.680
 Because Jesus

00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.520
 says it's binary,

00:28:23.780 --> 00:28:24.600
 no one can serve

00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.259
 two masters.

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:28.059
 we all think

00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.839
 that we're the exception

00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.559
 to the rule,

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.500
 that we can be

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.579
 all in for Jesus

00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:35.940
 and yet also

00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.799
 have a slice

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.299
 of the world

00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.140
 for ourselves.

00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:42.259
 We do not need

00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:44.180
 to forfeit

00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:44.680
 our souls

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.420
 when we gain

00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:45.920
 the world.

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.519
 We all think

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.299
 that we're the exception

00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.920
 to that rule

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.579
 and Jesus says

00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:50.019
 you absolutely can't.

00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.299
 It's one

00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:53.879
 or the other.

00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:55.800
 is it

00:28:55.800 --> 00:28:56.180
 Jesus

00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:56.960
 all for Jesus,

00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:57.840
 all I am

00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.660
 and have

00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.240
 and ever hope

00:28:59.240 --> 00:28:59.780
 to be?

00:29:00.520 --> 00:29:01.280
 Or is it

00:29:01.280 --> 00:29:01.920
 worldliness,

00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:03.020
 rainy day funds,

00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.840
 gaining a slice

00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:04.320
 of the world,

00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.020
 trying to have

00:29:05.020 --> 00:29:05.400
 our cake

00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:06.140
 and eat it?

00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.380
 Jesus says

00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.840
 you aren't

00:29:08.840 --> 00:29:09.440
 the exception.

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.700
 You can serve

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.480
 one or the other.

00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:13.960
 Jesus

00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.580
 or money,

00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.540
 investing in

00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:17.000
 an eternal

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.400
 kingdom

00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:17.880
 that cannot

00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:18.480
 be shaken

00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.800
 or putting

00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:20.580
 a few shekels

00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.060
 in a way

00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:22.580
 in a bank

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.039
 that will

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.519
 ultimately

00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.119
 fail you

00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:24.439
 and be

00:29:24.439 --> 00:29:24.799
 proven

00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.220
 worthless.

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.539
 Therefore,

00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.919
 be shrewdly

00:29:29.919 --> 00:29:30.379
 investing

00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:31.019
 your earthly

00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.439
 life

00:29:31.439 --> 00:29:31.960
 to gain

00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.579
 an eternal

00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.079
 dividend

00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:34.319
 surrounded

00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.000
 by all

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.399
 the friends

00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:35.939
 you've gained

00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:36.399
 through your

00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:36.740
 shrewd

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.159
 investment

00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:37.599
 in this

00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.019
 life.

00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:40.759
 It's a

00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.220
 pertinent

00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.839
 message for

00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.220
 today,

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.879
 I think,

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:43.980
 because one

00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.279
 of my

00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:44.699
 lasting

00:29:44.699 --> 00:29:45.159
 memories

00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:46.000
 of Brunsfield

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.039
 is that it

00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.519
 is full

00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.000
 of very

00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.500
 committed

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.460
 unsacrificial

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:49.980
 people.

00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.059
 And I guess

00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:52.660
 today is

00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.579
 testimony to

00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:54.480
 that fact.

00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:55.880
 All your

00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.599
 investment in

00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:57.299
 Archie

00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:59.019
 and Katie

00:29:59.019 --> 00:30:00.400
 over the

00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:00.940
 last number

00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.740
 of years

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:03.200
 and now

00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.680
 sending them

00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.019
 out to

00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.619
 Peebles,

00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:06.279
 taking your

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.720
 investment

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.539
 and deploying

00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.539
 it strategically

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.299
 in Peebles

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.180
 that you

00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:10.759
 might have a

00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.200
 share in

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.680
 all that the

00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.900
 Lord accomplishes

00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.920
 down there

00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.180
 in the

00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:14.539
 borders.

00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.039
 But let me

00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.720
 tell you,

00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.259
 it would be

00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.440
 a real shame

00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:21.299
 if this was

00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.099
 the high point

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:22.519
 of your

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:22.859
 shrewd

00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.339
 investing.

00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.500
 If it was

00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:26.920
 this and

00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.539
 then paring

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.140
 back.

00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:29.599
 If it was

00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.019
 this and

00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.940
 then coasting.

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.839
 If it was

00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.259
 this and

00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.799
 just making

00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.380
 pews more

00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:35.119
 comfortable for

00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.640
 you to sit

00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:35.940
 in.

00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.319
 That's not

00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:37.740
 the worst

00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.200
 idea.

00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:42.940
 Sending

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.380
 them out

00:30:43.380 --> 00:30:44.180
 to Peebles

00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:45.980
 should be

00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.339
 really

00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.740
 encourage

00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.079
 you to

00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.539
 redouble

00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:47.799
 your

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.339
 efforts

00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:48.980
 to

00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.279
 double

00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.539
 down

00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:49.720
 on

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:49.860
 your

00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.299
 investment

00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:50.519
 in

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:50.680
 all

00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:50.860
 that

00:30:50.860 --> 00:30:51.099
 Jesus

00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.360
 is

00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:51.720
 doing.

00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.240
 It'd be a shame

00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.120
 having lived so

00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:57.180
 much by faith

00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.200
 you resorted to

00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:58.900
 starting to live

00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.599
 by sight.

00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.180
 And having

00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.880
 invested so

00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.339
 much in

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.079
 people for

00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.680
 the glory of

00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:04.980
 the Lord

00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.500
 Jesus you

00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.019
 now started

00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.740
 investing in

00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.779
 stuff for

00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.160
 your own

00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.539
 comfort.

00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:12.420
 Friends,

00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.360
 it is us.

00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:15.940
 It is

00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:16.539
 now.

00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.539
 And it is

00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:18.880
 going to

00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.220
 require

00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.940
 sacrificial

00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:20.620
 shrewdness

00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.180
 from all

00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:21.600
 of Jesus'

00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:24.039
 people in

00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.500
 order that we

00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.019
 might gain

00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.580
 friends,

00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:27.200
 in order that

00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.600
 more of

00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:28.140
 Scotland might

00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:28.640
 be welcomed

00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.400
 into eternal

00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:30.160
 dwellings.

00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:33.920
 Our

00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.779
 decisive use

00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.340
 of resources

00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:36.120
 reveals whether

00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:36.660
 our hearts

00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.340
 are aligned

00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:38.459
 with Jesus'

00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:39.599
 heart.

00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.319
 So in

00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:42.579
 closing,

00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:42.919
 as we

00:31:42.919 --> 00:31:43.220
 respond,

00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:43.500
 could I

00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:43.779
 invite you

00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.019
 to take

00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.139
 your

00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:44.419
 mobile

00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:44.720
 phone

00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.139
 out?

00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:48.980
 Just

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.379
 log into

00:31:49.379 --> 00:31:49.579
 your

00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:49.919
 banking

00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:51.899
 app and

00:31:51.899 --> 00:31:52.519
 pass it to

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:52.899
 the person

00:31:52.899 --> 00:31:53.339
 next to

00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:53.699
 you for a

00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:53.919
 bit of

00:31:53.919 --> 00:31:54.459
 accountability

00:31:54.459 --> 00:31:55.000
 in how

00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.199
 you're

00:31:55.199 --> 00:31:55.519
 investing

00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:55.740
 your

00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:55.959
 money?

00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.159
 Well,

00:31:59.199 --> 00:31:59.519
 of course

00:31:59.519 --> 00:31:59.919
 we're not

00:31:59.919 --> 00:32:00.319
 going to

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:00.919
 do that.

00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:02.879
 But it

00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.159
 would be

00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:03.399
 quite

00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:03.819
 revealing,

00:32:03.959 --> 00:32:04.099
 wouldn't

00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.500
 it?

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.259
 As to

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.559
 where we're

00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.059
 spending our

00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:07.679
 time and

00:32:07.679 --> 00:32:08.259
 our treasure

00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.740
 and our

00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.419
 talents.

00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.079
 Once we'd

00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.339
 finished

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.079
 analysing the

00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:12.720
 banking app,

00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.379
 if we got to

00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:14.259
 people's calendars

00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.899
 and diary,

00:32:15.679 --> 00:32:16.259
 see where their

00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.000
 investments were

00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.519
 really being

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.000
 made.

00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.599
 Because I

00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.079
 guess at the

00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:21.480
 end of the

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:21.659
 day,

00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.240
 according to

00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.980
 Luke 16,

00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.619
 where we're

00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.440
 investing is

00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.119
 the barometer

00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:27.819
 that reveals

00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.419
 whether our

00:32:28.419 --> 00:32:29.139
 desires are

00:32:29.139 --> 00:32:30.099
 actually aligned

00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:30.639
 to Jesus,

00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:32.200
 or this is

00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:32.539
 just a

00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.059
 veneer that

00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:33.460
 we're putting

00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:33.859
 out to

00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:35.119
 save face.

00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:39.179
 Jesus is

00:32:39.179 --> 00:32:39.759
 the ultimate

00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.299
 one who

00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:41.059
 acted so

00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.940
 shrewdly in

00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:43.440
 order that we

00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:43.819
 might have

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.579
 eternal life.

00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.240
 Who literally

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.819
 invested

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:48.720
 everything for

00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.339
 you and for

00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:49.599
 me.

00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:51.379
 And therefore

00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:52.099
 it would be so

00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:53.319
 foolish and so

00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:55.419
 ungrateful if we

00:32:55.419 --> 00:32:56.139
 started to hold

00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:56.899
 back some of the

00:32:56.899 --> 00:32:57.460
 things that he's

00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.980
 given to us to

00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.319
 invest in what

00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.740
 he's doing.

00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.299
 Let's pray

00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.039
 together.

00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:10.519
 Father God,

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.159
 we come before

00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:12.019
 you in awe of

00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.799
 who you are.

00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:14.619
 The one who

00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:15.659
 is holy and

00:33:15.659 --> 00:33:16.519
 sovereign and

00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.039
 full of

00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.000
 steadfast love.

00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.720
 You are

00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.519
 worthy of all

00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.319
 of our praise.

00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:23.599
 The one who

00:33:23.599 --> 00:33:24.420
 draws near to

00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.200
 us in mercy

00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.920
 through Jesus.

00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:27.799
 He gave

00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.519
 everything for

00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.220
 each of us.

00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:29.319
 us.

00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:31.640
 Thank you for

00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.319
 the cross.

00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:34.900
 Thank you for

00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.660
 his precious

00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:36.420
 blood poured

00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:36.860
 out.

00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:39.160
 For his

00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:40.100
 eternal victory.

00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.579
 Thank you so

00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:43.319
 much for Jesus,

00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:43.900
 the one who

00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:44.519
 held nothing

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.100
 back but

00:33:45.100 --> 00:33:45.799
 invested his

00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.220
 all.

00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.600
 And invested

00:33:48.600 --> 00:33:49.480
 his all so

00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:49.940
 that we could

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.579
 gain everything

00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.120
 in him.

00:33:52.600 --> 00:33:53.259
 Forgive us,

00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:53.720
 Lord, for the

00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.200
 ways that we

00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.799
 hold back,

00:33:54.860 --> 00:33:55.539
 our time,

00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.019
 we pursue

00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.420
 our comforts,

00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.960
 we selfishly

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.519
 deploy our

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.039
 resources,

00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:03.360
 we become

00:34:03.360 --> 00:34:04.120
 self-sufficient

00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:04.680
 and selfish

00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.579
 in our hearts.

00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.880
 Too often we

00:34:07.880 --> 00:34:08.579
 invest in what

00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.519
 fades rather

00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:09.940
 than what

00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:10.559
 lasts.

00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:12.000
 Change us,

00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.599
 God, we

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.000
 ask.

00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.699
 Shape us into

00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:16.440
 bold, sacrificial

00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:16.940
 and shreed

00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.440
 investors.

00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.440
 Invest us in

00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.079
 your eternal

00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:20.480
 kingdom.

00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.659
 Help us live

00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.280
 with eternity

00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:23.760
 in mind,

00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.539
 fully surrendered,

00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:25.740
 joyfully obedient,

00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:27.320
 and all in

00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:27.820
 your glory.

00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:27.940
 glory.

00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:30.039
 And we're

00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.580
 here this

00:34:30.580 --> 00:34:31.480
 morning pleading

00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:33.360
 that you would

00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.180
 have mercy in

00:34:34.180 --> 00:34:36.200
 Scotland so

00:34:36.200 --> 00:34:36.640
 that on the

00:34:36.640 --> 00:34:37.240
 day that we

00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:38.000
 see Jesus,

00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:39.100
 we, surrounded

00:34:39.100 --> 00:34:39.840
 by many

00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:40.420
 friends,

00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:41.740
 would be

00:34:41.740 --> 00:34:42.420
 welcomed into

00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:42.840
 eternal

00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.460
 dwellings.

00:34:44.600 --> 00:34:45.200
 We're so

00:34:45.200 --> 00:34:45.740
 thankful that

00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.480
 Jesus came to

00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:46.980
 seek and to

00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:47.780
 save that

00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:48.180
 which was

00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:48.580
 lost,

00:34:49.080 --> 00:34:50.080
 and we pray

00:34:50.080 --> 00:34:50.580
 that we would

00:34:50.580 --> 00:34:51.280
 be fully on

00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:51.680
 board with

00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:51.940
 him.

00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.480
 And it's in

00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.019
 his name we

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.300
 pray.

00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:55.340
 Amen.

00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:55.440
 Amen.