WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.320 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:14.740 ! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and each week I share sermons that balance the grace and love of Jesus Christ with the truth of the Word of God. 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:21.179 Together, we'll explore Scripture using observation, interpretation, and application. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:26.039 This helps us discover practical ways to live out our faith every single day. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:29.039 Let's dive in together into God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.140 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:39.280 So how many of you might have gotten confused with the parable of the talents versus the parable of the minas? 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:44.100 It's very easy for us when we read this, we're like, wait a minute. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:53.439 Didn't Jesus go over the parable of the talents, and what is the significance and the difference that we find here with the minas? 00:00:53.439 --> 00:01:01.719 Like any parable, even if there is a variation, like what we find with the gospel accounts, 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:06.039 if you find a slight variation, you should pay attention to it. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:14.140 Just like how we have the four gospel accounts giving different perspectives of what happened with the story of Christ, 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:20.159 sometimes we find what seems to be almost an overlap here. 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:26.939 And this parable of the ten minas, then, is similar to the parable of the talents. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:30.000 However, there is some difference. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:36.599 The first thing that we can note, just before we even go into this, is the parable of the talents. 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:40.780 Each servant was given a different amount. 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:42.739 How many of you remember that? 00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:44.200 It starts off with how many? 00:01:44.340 --> 00:01:44.599 Ten? 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:45.000 Ten? 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:45.039 Ten? 00:01:45.399 --> 00:01:46.759 What about the second servant? 00:01:47.619 --> 00:01:48.619 Five, right? 00:01:48.979 --> 00:01:56.819 And the third servant received one, which was the indication is that we are to steward our talents, our money. 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:04.379 And I had previously talked about how important it is for us to steward our time, our talent, and our treasure. 00:02:05.379 --> 00:02:11.079 Well, what's different here is that each servant is given one mina. 00:02:11.799 --> 00:02:13.859 So here it's equal. 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:18.199 And there's a reason for that, we'll find, as we go into this. 00:02:18.819 --> 00:02:22.659 So what I want us to do, let's pray, and we'll go forward. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:28.659 Father, we thank you for this time and this opportunity for us to gather together. 00:02:29.859 --> 00:02:34.180 As the seasons are changing, we know that you are the God of all seasons. 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:40.500 You're also the God that is the God of truth and the God of love. 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:45.460 We pray today as we go through this very different type of parable. 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:53.800 That seed is planted in us and that we steward everything that you have given to us. 00:02:54.419 --> 00:03:00.759 For as your scripture says that every good gift comes from above, may we steward it well. 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:00.840 Amen. 00:03:02.979 --> 00:03:03.859 We love you. 00:03:04.359 --> 00:03:05.340 We praise you. 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:06.239 We glorify you. 00:03:06.299 --> 00:03:07.019 And we honor you. 00:03:07.179 --> 00:03:11.219 It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray and we all say together, amen. 00:03:11.679 --> 00:03:15.519 So turn your Bibles to page 1044. 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:20.759 And we're going to, you know, we had our scriptural reading, but we are going to go over this here. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:29.179 You'll find that this parable is after the parable of the persistent widow in the Gospel of Luke. 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:35.519 You have a lot of these teachings and healings where Jesus is healing the blind beggar and 00:03:35.519 --> 00:03:38.139 Jesus and Zacchaeus, if you remember that story. 00:03:38.859 --> 00:03:44.299 So what I want to do to kind of give us an understanding of what's going on, because when 00:03:44.299 --> 00:03:48.719 you start off in verse 11, as they heard these things, well, what things are they hearing 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:50.500 is the question that might come up, amen. 00:03:51.299 --> 00:03:52.280 You might wonder that. 00:03:53.299 --> 00:03:56.439 So we know the story of Zacchaeus. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:59.259 It goes in, you know, hurry and come down. 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:00.439 I must stay at your house. 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:01.359 Verse six. 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:03.439 So he hurried down and came joyfully. 00:04:03.899 --> 00:04:05.519 When they saw it, they all grumbled. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:09.939 He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner. 00:04:10.079 --> 00:04:10.419 Oh no. 00:04:11.579 --> 00:04:17.120 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:21.259 And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold. 00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:26.560 So what is the thing that's being said is what we find in verse nine and verse 10. 00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:35.660 Jesus said to him, today salvation has come to this house since he also is a son of Abraham. 00:04:35.660 --> 00:04:39.800 And verse 10, which is basically the gospel of Luke. 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:45.980 If we were to find one of the most significant passages is, let's read it together. 00:04:45.980 --> 00:04:56.600 So it is upon hearing this, this is where Christ is painting this scene here. 00:04:57.160 --> 00:05:02.080 As they heard these things, he, Christ, proceeded to tell this parable. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:03.340 Why, church? 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:05.819 Because, let's read it. 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:14.740 He was near to Jerusalem and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear when? 00:05:15.599 --> 00:05:16.120 Immediately. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:21.500 That helps us with the understanding of why this parable is even being done. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:29.100 You can imagine that when you're hearing this, if you were part of the crowd, you have Zacchaeus, 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:32.600 he's coming down and Jesus is going to dine with this sinner. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:39.120 Well, there are some people who are thinking, well, the salvation has come. 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:39.900 That's right. 00:05:40.140 --> 00:05:44.800 So, okay, the kingdom of God must be appearing here immediately. 00:05:45.580 --> 00:05:51.580 And for some of us, we might have heard about the, when is the, well, when are the end times 00:05:51.580 --> 00:05:52.300 going to happen? 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:54.560 When is the second coming of Christ? 00:05:55.260 --> 00:06:00.460 We can see that just as people are so excited about when the kingdom of God would appear, 00:06:00.459 --> 00:06:02.399 so too do us as Christians. 00:06:02.719 --> 00:06:04.359 How many of us have heard that before? 00:06:04.539 --> 00:06:07.620 When, when the end times will happen? 00:06:07.739 --> 00:06:09.019 When Christ will return? 00:06:09.599 --> 00:06:11.599 You don't have to raise your hand, please don't. 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:16.579 But I'm sure at one point or another, we've heard the millennium, right? 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:18.979 How about Y2K? 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:21.019 You guys remember the Y2K bug? 00:06:21.919 --> 00:06:24.659 Now, logically, that seemed to make sense, right? 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:27.219 The year 2000, that's when Christ will return. 00:06:27.220 --> 00:06:33.520 There's a lot of times when people are looking at when is Christ going to return, just like 00:06:33.520 --> 00:06:34.640 we're seeing here. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:41.040 And so Jesus is telling this parable, this is important for us to know, before the triumphal 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:41.460 entry. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:49.200 And he's saying this because if we remember in Palm Sunday, the crowds are thinking that 00:06:49.200 --> 00:06:51.740 Jesus is going to be a revolutionary. 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:55.300 One that would, let's just say, overthrow the government. 00:06:55.300 --> 00:07:01.980 He's explaining in this parable that it's not going to happen immediately. 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:10.040 And so we find in the text here that there's this nobleman who is leaving for the kingdom. 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:11.819 And I want to take a second here. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:14.420 We find this so much in parables. 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:18.080 Think of the parable of the ten virgins. 00:07:18.540 --> 00:07:21.300 Think of the parable of the talents and the parable of the minas. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:27.540 This scene where you have the bridegroom or the master or the nobleman who's basically 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:32.439 somehow just disappearing off of the scene and then returns. 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:40.080 When we see that kind of language, that symbolism is, in this case, the nobleman is representing 00:07:40.080 --> 00:07:40.720 Christ. 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:45.100 We're seeing Christ's first coming and his second coming. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:46.460 Okay? 00:07:46.840 --> 00:07:50.600 That's where you find, again, parable of the ten virgins, right? 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:54.439 They are waiting in anticipation for the feast. 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:56.860 The same thing with the parable of the talents. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:01.260 They are waiting for the master to return and the master does return. 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:06.000 And in this sense, they are waiting for the nobleman to show up. 00:08:07.340 --> 00:08:09.500 And this nobleman is offering... 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:10.660 Now, it's very interesting. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:12.220 Let's go into the text here. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:13.839 Verse 12, he said, 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:21.060 Therefore, a nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:29.019 Well, we've talked a lot about how, in Scripture, that which is small expands into something that 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:29.639 is great. 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:33.600 For the seed that gets planted into the ground, growing into a tree. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:39.879 The stone, Christ representing the cornerstone, like in Daniel 2, expanding into a mountain, 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:42.019 which is showing kingdom expansion. 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:50.019 When we think of salvation, how it was originally for a select group of people, and now is available 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:53.759 for everyone, it is showing the kingdom that is expanding. 00:08:53.920 --> 00:08:59.300 So when we're seeing to receive himself a kingdom and then return, it's talking about the expansion 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:00.759 of the kingdom. 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:03.759 And then return, calling out... 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.299 Now, it's so interesting in here. 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:07.039 How many... 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:10.079 Church, how many servants are in this text? 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:13.479 There's ten of them. 00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:15.939 But there's only three that's mentioned here. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:19.139 So it begs the question, what about the other... 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:21.939 the seven of the servants that were in this parable? 00:09:22.299 --> 00:09:25.579 Well, there's a lot of debate on what's going on in there. 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:30.500 There's some scholars that say, well, ten is representing the completedness of the servants. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:35.740 And some also say, well, clearly the Lord didn't want us to know what happened to the 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:36.379 rest of the seven. 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:36.879 I'm sorry. 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:38.620 It could be either of those. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:39.220 It's just... 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:40.840 It is up for debate on that. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:46.460 However, what's important to note is that there are ten servants, and they are all receiving 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:51.000 one mina each, and there's mentioning of three of them. 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:54.240 The three that were the most important, let's just say. 00:09:54.240 --> 00:10:00.279 He gave them ten minas, and he said to them, engage in business until I come. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:07.940 Now, there's a distinction then between citizens and servants, if you notice within the text. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:12.259 Well, he's giving a mina to a servant, but not the citizens. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:16.340 Well, that's something that we should take note initially, right? 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:20.919 He gives one mina to the ten servants, and there's only the mentioning of three. 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:24.719 There's two of them that basically invest their money, as it were. 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:26.479 And what about that third one? 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:29.139 It says he hides it where? 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:31.879 In his handkerchief, right? 00:10:31.959 --> 00:10:34.839 The original language is saying he hides it in a cloth. 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:40.820 So if you're like, handkerchief, they had those back then, well, it's just indicating a cloth or something. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:45.399 They may not have called it a handkerchief back then, but you're hiding it. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:47.840 In other words, how many of you... 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:49.040 Don't raise your hand on this. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:55.279 You might have that weirdo cousin that gets a lot of money and just hides it under their bed, right? 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:56.339 You might have one of those. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:58.019 I have one of those in my family, right? 00:10:58.319 --> 00:11:01.939 You can kind of think of some sort of modern equivalent to that. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:06.279 But in essence, he hides it into a cloth and doesn't do anything with it. 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:09.139 And so we have these three. 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:13.179 Engage in business until I come. 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:15.319 I want to take a moment for the citizens then. 00:11:15.439 --> 00:11:17.239 These citizens are not servants. 00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:20.679 They live within this kingdom, as it were. 00:11:20.959 --> 00:11:26.959 But they are rejecting the rule and the reign of the authority or the nobleman, as it were. 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:32.899 So it says his citizens, verse 14, they hated him and they sent a delegation after him. 00:11:33.599 --> 00:11:35.579 I can kind of think, okay, what do you mean by that? 00:11:35.599 --> 00:11:39.979 Did they like write a letter together and they're just going to send it over to the nobleman saying, we don't like you? 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:41.679 We can think about that. 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:44.879 This delegation after him saying, well, what does it say, church? 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:45.759 We do not what? 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:49.039 We don't want this man to reign over us. 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:54.379 And this is very similar to what we found within other parables and other times in scripture, 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:58.919 where you have people that are blatantly rejecting the Lord. 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:04.599 For example, when we talk about the four soils, the seed that is trying to get into the earth, 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:08.199 well, you have the, well, the path, right? 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:10.159 The road, as it were. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:12.059 The seed's not going to go into there. 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:12.719 I'm sorry. 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:14.240 It's just going to bounce off whatever. 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:20.299 We can also think about how when we're, when we talked about these vineyard parables, 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:26.740 how there were people that, well, they rejected the messengers. 00:12:26.959 --> 00:12:28.199 They even killed the sun. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:32.539 So there's that lot of that kind of similar language that is in here. 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:34.039 The citizens hated. 00:12:34.199 --> 00:12:35.240 They sent that delegation. 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.379 They don't want the king. 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:42.500 Verse 15, when he returned, having received the kingdom. 00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:44.360 So there's this sense of preparation. 00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:50.419 And let's also keep in mind, just as we see within this parable and in other parables, 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:54.620 God gives a certain amount of time for there to be preparation. 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:58.199 So it's not like he goes for a few minutes and then returns. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:02.979 There's a certain amount of time, which actually, from a symbolic perspective, 00:13:03.719 --> 00:13:11.679 we can think of how, how many of you have heard of the age of grace or the church age, as it were, 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:14.000 or the age of salvation. 00:13:14.479 --> 00:13:22.559 In other words, it's a time in which we as people can respond to the gospel message until Christ returns, 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:24.559 until the final judgment, as it were. 00:13:24.739 --> 00:13:29.339 This is showing that in a parabolic, in a very simplistic manner. 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:35.639 And so it goes on into, he ordered the servants who had given him money. 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:42.180 Verse 15, that he might know what had been gained by doing business. 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:46.200 The first came before him saying, Lord, your mina has made how many more? 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:49.060 Ten minas more. 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:53.700 And he said, well done, good servant, because you've been faithful in a very little. 00:13:53.820 --> 00:13:56.280 You shall have authority over ten cities. 00:13:56.279 --> 00:14:02.600 Which is basically, if those of you hear the language of you want to 10x your business or 10x your life, 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:06.240 it's basically God saying, I'm going to give you so much more. 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:13.000 Because when we think of not only just receiving salvation being the greatest gift, 00:14:13.339 --> 00:14:17.299 but also how much more when we think of eternal life, 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:21.159 when we think of the works that we do upon being saved, 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:23.539 that they are storing up treasures in heaven. 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:26.480 There's so much into that. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.639 The second came, verse 18, 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:32.379 Lord, your mina has made five minas. 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:35.939 And he said to him, you are to be over five cities. 00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:41.500 And another came saying, Lord, here is your mina, which I kept away in a handkerchief. 00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:42.719 Why? 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:44.299 Why did he do it? 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:47.159 He was afraid. 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:49.959 That's interesting. 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:54.240 He was afraid of the nobleman. 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:58.559 I was afraid because you are a severe man. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:02.719 You take what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow. 00:15:03.339 --> 00:15:05.439 In other words, he's saying it's not fair. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.159 It's kind of interesting. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:13.779 He said to him, I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:18.480 You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:24.899 Why then did you not put my money in the bank at my coming that I might have collected it with interest? 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:28.459 And he said to those stood by, take the mina from him. 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:30.659 It's very harsh language when we're thinking of that. 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:35.799 Receiving some sort of payment and then having it taken away because you didn't do anything with that. 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:41.299 Verse 25, and they said to him, Lord, he has 10 minus. 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:45.480 I tell you that everyone who has it will be given more. 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:49.279 But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:54.000 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them, bring... 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:56.279 He's speaking to the citizens in that regard. 00:15:56.939 --> 00:16:01.519 The ones who are blatantly rejecting his rule and his reign. 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:05.500 And so in this, I want to go to the symbolic meaning. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.279 If we can go to that slide real quick. 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:10.159 It's the previous one then. 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:13.440 So yeah, the nobleman then represents Christ. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:18.440 And the mina then is a representation of the invitation. 00:16:18.679 --> 00:16:23.120 Now, I've mentioned to you before about how God extends an invitation. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:28.740 And it's the question of whether or not you are going to respond to that invitation or not. 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:32.899 We've been going over this idea of metanoia, right? 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.279 The changing of mind. 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:38.899 And sometimes the changing of mind can be filled with grief and sorrow. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:43.460 But even despite the changing of mind, you might not still respond. 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:49.740 It's just like when you receive literally a letter in the mail and it's saying RSVP to this. 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:52.000 You might think about it and be like, oh, I should go. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:53.240 But I'm not going to go anyways. 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:57.220 There's still this call to respond to salvation. 00:16:57.220 --> 00:17:03.480 So when we have this idea and this notion of repenting, changing your mind, 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:07.960 whether it's the light bulb idea or whether it is through grief and sorrow, 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:16.680 there is still a responsibility for you, for us as individuals, us as people, to respond accordingly. 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:22.360 And so what you're seeing here is the opportunity from God. 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:28.519 It is the question then we can think of the mina not necessarily as salvation, 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:33.859 but the question of whether or not you are going to respond to that salvation. 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:39.500 Because when you see verses like this, just like the seed language, 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:42.119 you could see, okay, this is salvation language. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:44.599 The seed needs to take root, though. 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:50.419 The invitation needs to be responded to, or the mina needs to be put. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:56.799 In this case, there needs to be response with what God has given to you. 00:17:57.959 --> 00:18:03.619 So in this, when I use the language of believing in the Lord and being saved, 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:06.480 that is you responding to the gospel message. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:10.380 Because you can receive, again, that invitation and say, 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:12.339 you know what, I'm not going to do anything with this. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:16.980 But it is up to us to respond to that. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:24.079 We also have the citizens then who reject, those who reject blatantly the noblemen. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:26.920 Why didn't they receive a mina? 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.440 They didn't want it. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:32.059 Even if a mina was given to them, they wouldn't have cared. 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:35.619 That's something we have to factor in. 00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:38.799 Just like how we talk about the posture of the heart. 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:42.279 Are you ready to receive the invitation? 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:45.759 That's why there's so much in Scripture that talks about 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:49.899 how your heart needs to be softened, ready to receive. 00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:54.659 That's why we, as Christians, evangelize and we live out the gospel 00:18:54.659 --> 00:18:58.779 so that minds can be changed and hearts can be softened 00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:02.980 so they are ready to receive the invitation and respond accordingly. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:07.220 That's how things get connected with that. 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:11.299 And then, of course, cities, which is future rewards. 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:14.960 I put in your notes, eternal reward, kingdom partnership, right? 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:16.319 You're partnering with the Lord. 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:22.039 And so the big thing with this is knowing that everyone receives, 00:19:22.399 --> 00:19:24.559 the servants receive one mina. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:31.480 And this is connections connected with the wicked tenants, 00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:33.299 the talents, the ten virgins. 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:37.940 All of these, you start seeing patterns that exist within Scripture, 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:42.099 which helps us not only understand who God is, 00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:44.619 but how he embeds the stories, 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:48.019 the whole gospel narrative within parables. 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:53.480 It's actually how we can share in the gospel message with other people. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:58.779 When you share with people from different faith traditions, 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:01.839 or you're just sharing to someone who doesn't believe in the Lord, 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:07.019 sharing a parable with them is a great way of sharing a story. 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:11.299 You know, there's some people out there who talk so much about storytelling 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:14.299 that it's a way to relate to people. 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:17.960 What better way for you to relate to somebody 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:20.920 than through the parabolic messages? 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:25.120 I think it's so funny that using the word parabolic, 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:27.460 I think of a parabola in mathematics, 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:29.539 but also a parable. 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:33.400 You can actually use parabolic in a mathematic sense 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:36.460 and in a biblical sense regarding parables. 00:20:36.560 --> 00:20:37.840 I thought that was very interesting. 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:41.600 And so in this then, let's go to that next slide. 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:45.379 What can we learn about this? 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:49.559 Because part of what we do here at Ontario Community 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:51.919 is we read the word of God. 00:20:53.199 --> 00:20:55.159 Scripture is our source. 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:58.099 We learn from the word. 00:20:58.199 --> 00:21:01.879 And the first thing is that servants receive a mina. 00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:04.939 The citizens reject the noblemen 00:21:04.939 --> 00:21:07.740 and in turn do not receive a mina. 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:10.440 The servants receive the mina, 00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:14.400 representing a chance to respond in faith. 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:20.000 And so the mina is representing the opportunities 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:24.640 that God has entrusted to you. 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:28.740 And it's the question of what you're going to do with that. 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:31.400 Now, it's not the question of, 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:33.720 well, how much money are you going to make? 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.019 No. 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:37.339 It's how you're stewarding what God has given to you. 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:39.500 That's what matters. 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:42.420 And so God gives us, 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:45.480 He gives us this life on this earth. 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.879 He gives us salvation. 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:51.500 He gives us that time, that talent, and that treasure. 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:55.180 And it's the question of how we are going to respond to that. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.139 I mean, even if you think about it, 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.920 we think of stewardship. 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:04.279 It even can be applicable to the unbeliever. 00:22:05.060 --> 00:22:06.620 You can even take this and say, 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.940 how are you stewarding your life? 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.840 Just period. 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:12.580 How are you stewarding your life here on the earth? 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.900 And how are you stewarding your life in Christ? 00:22:15.800 --> 00:22:17.680 So there's kind of this twofold. 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:20.180 There's this layered sense that exists with that. 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:24.480 The second thing then is faithfulness is shown through what, church? 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.140 Through action. 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:29.360 The words that you speak, the things that you do. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:33.060 We have to, when we receive salvation, 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:35.120 the greatest gift given to mankind, 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:39.980 it is allowing for God to work in your life. 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:45.100 It is allowing for God to transform you from the inside out. 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:48.779 When we think of love and compassion and joy, 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:51.399 we think of the fruit of the Spirit. 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:56.299 We think of how God is changing us from where we once were, 00:22:56.939 --> 00:23:00.099 from once being in darkness and entering into light 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:04.199 and continued transformation is remarkable. 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:08.699 Now, I must remind us, we're not saved by what we do, 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:12.299 but we are saved so that we can do. 00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:14.279 There's a difference there. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.259 And so the servants, 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:22.440 it's showing the sense of how they stewarded what God has given to them. 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:25.759 And for us, it means that faithfulness, 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:28.779 it means responding to what God has given to you. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:31.359 So it's not a contest of, you know, 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:33.480 oh, I got 10 minas, you know, 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:35.779 Joey here, he got two. 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.960 No, it's not like that. 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:43.120 What matters is that you are stewarding what God has given to you. 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.660 That's what matters in the eyes of God. 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:49.079 And then the third thing, now this is interesting. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:52.980 The view of God is determined by stewardship. 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:57.900 Now, it's very important for us to know when we come to know the Lord, 00:23:58.900 --> 00:24:01.660 God calls for us to be transformed. 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:05.900 And when we think about it, we shouldn't be afraid. 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:10.740 Just as how scripture tells us that we're not to worry about tomorrow. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:15.460 We're not really to worry about much in trusting in the Lord. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:22.680 And yet, in this case, it was actually fear that was holding this person back. 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:27.240 That's, to me, when I read that, that's very convicting to me. 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:31.819 I don't want to be afraid of the Lord and not do anything. 00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:37.740 I want to have full confidence in the Lord and boldly step out in faith. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:45.720 In how I grow as a person and how I live out the faith for other people. 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:51.700 And so, when I read that third one, I want you to think, 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:55.980 well, that might be very convicting to you in how you view the Lord. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:58.039 Hopefully, you look at the Lord. 00:24:58.460 --> 00:25:04.420 Yes, understanding that He is the God of justice, mercy, love, compassion, truth, 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:06.180 all of these different attributes. 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:10.019 It's a call to respond. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:13.440 Not a call to not do anything. 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:18.480 Some of you may have heard, how many of you have heard churches say, 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:20.460 come as you are. 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.960 You can raise your hand on this one, right? 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:28.620 Now, it wouldn't make any sense for a church to say, 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:31.259 come as you are and remain as you are. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:35.299 It wouldn't make sense for someone to say, 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:38.359 well, you can't come as you are either. 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:41.379 It's a two part. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.980 There's two parts to this. 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:47.220 That we come as we are in our current state, 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:51.339 regardless of all the junk and the messiness that we have, 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.399 and letting God transform us. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:26:00.660 It's not something that I or man or people can force upon you. 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:03.840 The ball is in your court to respond. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:09.500 And I certainly pray, and just like for this church, or really in any church, 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:11.680 that when you come to the Lord, 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.800 you come as you are, 00:26:14.360 --> 00:26:16.040 but you don't remain as you are. 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:19.759 But that you change even but a little. 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:24.579 Even in knowing who Jesus Christ is and believing in Him, 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.500 placing your trust in Him, 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:31.980 and being saved and letting God work in and through you. 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:36.460 I'm always encouraged by the thief on the cross, 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:38.440 that even at the last moment, 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.559 that thief was saying, 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:42.039 Can Jesus remember me? 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:46.500 Well, talk about last minute change of plans, right? 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.379 But yet, Christ said, 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:51.799 Amen, you will be with me in paradise. 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:57.220 And so, there's still some sense of transformation. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.240 Maybe not a lot. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.259 Well, it's better late than never. 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:00.500 Amen? 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:03.759 We have to think about these things. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:05.680 And so, maybe, 00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:09.200 don't let your view of God 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:12.740 make you think that you come as you are, 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.859 and you stay as you are. 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:16.660 Come as you are, and be transformed. 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.619 Let God change you 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:22.680 to who He wants you to be. 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.039 And I'll tell you, 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:27.259 perhaps you can identify with this. 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.819 You might know people 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:30.619 that have come to the Lord, 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:32.019 and they've been transformed, 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:34.019 and their life has never been the same, 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:35.940 or they've been on a trajectory. 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:38.240 This doesn't mean we're going to be perfect, 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.740 mind you, 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:41.259 but it means we are going to be changed. 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:44.240 We're going to grow in Christ as it were. 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.799 And so, 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:49.400 let us be faithful to the Lord, 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:51.839 and how you view God 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.980 should not be, 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:55.059 I'm going to come as I am 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.279 and remain as I am. 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:58.799 I'm going to receive salvation 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.700 through belief, 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:01.920 and I'm going to be on a journey 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:03.400 of being molded 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:05.759 and being continually transformed. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:08.000 This then comes to then, 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:10.640 what do I do about this then? 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.519 Well, I mean, 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:13.800 there's nothing in the parable 00:28:13.800 --> 00:28:14.940 that's saying that citizens 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:16.060 can become servants, 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.980 but we can find throughout Scripture 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:20.720 the call for us 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:22.700 being in darkness and into light. 00:28:22.820 --> 00:28:25.259 Maybe you identify as a citizen, though. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:27.700 Maybe you've lived your life 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:29.360 in rejection to God. 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:31.519 Maybe you've said, 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.039 you know what, 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:34.299 I don't want an invitation, 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.579 I don't want God, 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.859 I don't need God. 00:28:37.919 --> 00:28:39.839 Perhaps it's a prayer for you 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:41.059 or a prayer for us 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.459 to pray for people 00:28:42.459 --> 00:28:43.879 who have hardened hearts 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:45.939 for the change of heart, 00:28:46.179 --> 00:28:48.019 for the change of mind. 00:28:49.699 --> 00:28:52.759 I pray that if your heart is hardened, 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:54.359 that it will be softened. 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:56.500 Just like as we talked about 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:59.079 the parable of the wheat and the tares, 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:02.199 the weeds representing sin, 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:06.619 that you will have that change of mind 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:08.179 of who Christ is 00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:11.859 and how you need to rely on Him. 00:29:13.459 --> 00:29:13.919 And so, 00:29:14.479 --> 00:29:15.419 become a servant, 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:17.039 receive your mina, 00:29:17.159 --> 00:29:18.559 receive that invitation. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:21.859 And upon receiving that invitation, 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.379 respond accordingly. 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:24.740 Believe in the Lord 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.599 and be saved 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:27.220 and be on this path 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.179 and this trajectory 00:29:28.179 --> 00:29:30.220 of being molded by Him. 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.679 I wish I had a picture of it, 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.339 but yesterday, 00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:34.819 my wife and I, 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.740 we went over to, 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:37.079 there was a new coffee shop 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.519 in, 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.919 I want to say Nampa. 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:40.799 I get those cities confused, 00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:41.399 I apologize. 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.099 There's a new, 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.919 no, it was in Boise, 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.440 excuse me. 00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:46.179 It was in Boise. 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.759 It was a new coffee shop, 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:49.279 I believe it's called Art Gallery 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.240 if you want to look it up. 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:52.160 And on Saturdays, 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:54.220 they have a pottery class. 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:56.180 And what's so fun 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:57.279 is when you see children 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.240 try to make pottery 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.299 as opposed to someone 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:01.539 who is a skilled potter 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:03.059 and they're using the wheel 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.519 and they're pushing 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.359 the little button, right? 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.640 You could probably make a beat 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.819 going on some music 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:08.839 while you're molding 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:10.700 the clay there. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.879 But it was so fun 00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:15.099 seeing my children 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:16.379 try to make pots, 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.099 as it were. 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.160 Right? 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.680 And let's be honest here, 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.019 you know, 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.680 I can't really drink 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.259 out of the cup 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.900 that they've made. 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:26.019 Or it's going to fall over, 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.960 I'm going to set it down 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.579 and it's going to, 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:27.960 you know, 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:29.000 spill out my drink 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.299 as much as my kids 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.799 would like me. 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.460 Oh, you know, 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.720 put your coffee in there. 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:34.299 Not really going to happen. 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:36.160 But we see that 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:37.400 when someone is working 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.240 at the wheel 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.299 and they're molding it, 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.900 they're putting their thumbs in it, 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.339 they're putting water into it 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:43.420 to make it into 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:45.240 a specific image. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.299 How many of you 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.259 have done pottery before? 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:48.359 You know exactly 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:49.319 what I'm talking about, 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:49.519 right? 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.920 You're molding into it 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.640 and you're putting, 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.299 you know, 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:52.620 there's, 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.319 I'm not a potter 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:55.359 so if I screw this up 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.839 I apologize in advance, 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.140 right? 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.859 But you're changing it 00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.599 as it's happening. 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.819 You're changing its shape. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.620 And to think of God 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.779 as the potter 00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:05.660 and us being the clay then, 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.859 well that takes a lot of work, 00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.339 doesn't it? 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.500 If you can think for a moment, 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:12.279 if we were just a pile of clay 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:14.000 and we're being put onto this wheel 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.440 and spun around and whatnot, 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:18.279 that's something that is requiring 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:19.900 God's hand 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:22.000 or hands as it were 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:23.700 with intentionality 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:25.339 molding you. 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.619 That's not just one, 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:27.940 you know, 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.839 a one time thing, 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.519 one and done. 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:29.779 No, 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:31.079 you keep working at it 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:32.619 until it's ready to go. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:35.839 And that's part of how we see 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:37.940 how God works in and through us. 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:40.080 So I bring this back to this idea 00:31:40.080 --> 00:31:41.200 of the mina, 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:44.039 symbolic for the invitation, 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:47.380 symbolic for our life in Christ. 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.680 Are you going to respond then 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.660 to the Lord? 00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:52.500 So become a servant, 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:54.120 receive your mina, 00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:55.660 accept the life 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.620 and the opportunities 00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:58.039 that are entrusted to you, 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.360 not only on earth, 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:01.680 but also in Him. 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:04.620 And choose to acknowledge 00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:07.120 and understand who Christ is 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:09.379 the second thing then 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:09.879 is, right, 00:32:09.959 --> 00:32:11.299 respond in faith 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.059 in your what 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:13.099 and your what church? 00:32:13.919 --> 00:32:14.879 Your words 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:15.739 and your action, 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:15.979 right? 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.299 You don't want to be known as, 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.479 how many of you have read 00:32:18.479 --> 00:32:19.659 that verse in scripture 00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:22.059 is don't be a double-minded man 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:24.679 or don't be a hypocrite, 00:32:24.739 --> 00:32:24.919 right, 00:32:24.959 --> 00:32:26.459 when Christ is calling out 00:32:26.459 --> 00:32:27.219 the Pharisees, 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:28.379 calling them hypocrites. 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.959 We want our words 00:32:29.959 --> 00:32:30.819 and our actions 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.919 to be in alignment, 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.919 not against that. 00:32:33.219 --> 00:32:34.459 Who wants to live that way? 00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:35.339 I mean, 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:36.359 you really think about it 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:36.599 being, 00:32:36.959 --> 00:32:39.000 saying that you are one thing 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.979 and living completely. 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.559 That just, 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.759 I think of what my mother 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.439 used to say. 00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:44.979 There's a famous poem, 00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:46.240 if some of you know it, 00:32:47.139 --> 00:32:47.740 that's awesome, 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:48.219 is, 00:32:48.479 --> 00:32:48.599 oh, 00:32:48.699 --> 00:32:49.919 what a web we weave 00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:51.219 when first we practice 00:32:51.219 --> 00:32:51.799 to what? 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.059 Deceive, 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.240 right? 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:53.819 So a lot of us 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.419 do know that one, 00:32:54.459 --> 00:32:54.679 right? 00:32:55.699 --> 00:32:56.699 When we're not living 00:32:56.699 --> 00:32:58.099 in congruence 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:58.919 or we're not living 00:32:58.919 --> 00:32:59.699 in alignment, 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.839 we've got to have 00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:02.619 our words 00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.359 and our actions 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:05.299 be in alignment. 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:06.839 So when we're placing 00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.659 our trust in God, 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.159 now look, 00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:10.279 does that mean at times 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.700 like our backs 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.799 at the chiropractor 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:14.200 need to be adjusted? 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:14.980 For sure. 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:17.460 We're not going to be perfect, 00:33:17.899 --> 00:33:19.299 but we've got to have 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.059 that alignment. 00:33:20.899 --> 00:33:21.500 We've got to have 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.599 that intentionality. 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:25.559 So don't bury your mina. 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.500 Don't throw away 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.259 your invitation, 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:29.019 as it were. 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:30.720 Use your life. 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:30.960 The, 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:32.240 it's just like 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.860 when we've talked 00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:33.720 about the parable 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.519 of the talents 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.319 where we consider 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.059 our time 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.740 and our talent 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.600 and our treasure. 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.660 Steward your life. 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.600 Most especially, 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:43.539 respond to the gospel 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.779 invitation then. 00:33:45.860 --> 00:33:46.960 Let your life 00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:48.279 reflect faith 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:49.360 through your words 00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:50.400 and in your actions. 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.460 And finally, 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:53.039 live today 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:54.299 in confidence 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.180 of what? 00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:57.279 Christ's return. 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.559 Isn't it interesting? 00:33:58.559 --> 00:34:00.139 In so many parables, 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.460 it's talking about 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.519 the bridegroom, 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.519 the master, 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:05.539 the nobleman returning. 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.720 I just find that fascinating 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:09.199 because even back then, 00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:10.019 people were thinking, 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:11.239 this is it. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:13.039 It ends here. 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:14.440 But we know 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:16.420 that in so many times 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:17.039 in scripture, 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.599 it's talking about 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:20.219 preparing the way, 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.799 living in preparation, 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:24.579 living with oil 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.239 in your lamp, 00:34:25.279 --> 00:34:26.559 as it says in the parable 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:27.900 of the ten virgins, right? 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:29.160 Stewarding your life. 00:34:29.220 --> 00:34:30.559 There's all of these things 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:32.139 that help us 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:33.059 in our journey. 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.480 Look, 00:34:34.160 --> 00:34:36.119 Christ will return 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:38.619 and he will bring 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.260 his kingdom. 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.460 And that's something 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.619 to look forward to. 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:44.840 So are you a citizen 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.840 or are you a servant? 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:47.639 I pray that you are 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.180 a servant 00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:49.240 and I pray that you 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:50.160 respond 00:34:50.160 --> 00:34:52.000 with your mina. 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:54.420 Much like you respond 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:55.880 to your invitation. 00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:58.340 And let this be a call 00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:59.500 for you to steward 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.760 every single day 00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:02.400 with purpose 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.640 and intentionality. 00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:05.420 Knowing that we're 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.340 a work in progress. 00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:07.559 Are we all a work in progress? 00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:08.700 Don't raise your hand, right? 00:35:09.200 --> 00:35:10.360 I know you all are. 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.480 We are all 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:13.640 a work in progress. 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:16.320 But it means that God's 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.920 going to continue 00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.840 to work on us 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:19.300 in our minds 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:20.660 and in our hearts as well. 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.400 Steward today 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:24.000 with eternity 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.920 in mind. 00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:26.599 And so, 00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:28.280 if you've received 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:28.900 that mina, 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:30.280 that invitation then, 00:35:30.740 --> 00:35:31.820 may you respond 00:35:31.820 --> 00:35:32.460 accordingly. 00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:34.380 May you respond 00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:35.480 boldly in faith 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:36.280 in your actions 00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:37.280 and what you say 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:38.099 and in what you do 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.920 and know 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.880 that Christ 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:41.059 will return. 00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:43.300 And you will give 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:44.380 an account to him. 00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.260 And so, 00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:47.960 let us think about 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:48.420 all of this. 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.660 This wonderful 00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:51.019 parable. 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.500 Right before 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.480 Jesus goes 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:54.639 in his triumphal entry, 00:35:54.779 --> 00:35:55.819 this is what he's teaching. 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:57.819 To show 00:35:57.819 --> 00:35:59.799 that these people 00:35:59.799 --> 00:36:00.799 that are the crowds 00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:01.879 that are going to be there, 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:02.960 well, 00:36:03.719 --> 00:36:04.519 we do say, 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.059 Hosanna, 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:06.259 we praise the Lord. 00:36:06.859 --> 00:36:08.659 But we also recognize 00:36:08.659 --> 00:36:09.980 Christ being 00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.739 the fulfillment, 00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:13.099 him showing up 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.960 the first time 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.960 and that he will 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:16.779 come again. 00:36:17.799 --> 00:36:18.559 May we have 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.480 full confidence 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.219 in him, 00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:22.199 in his promises, 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:24.559 and in his prophecies 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:24.980 together. 00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:26.719 Let's pray together. 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:28.659 And Father, 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.639 we thank you 00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.920 again for this time 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:31.880 for us to go over 00:36:31.880 --> 00:36:33.159 this very unique 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:34.619 parable. 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.519 May we 00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:37.960 not be like 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:38.579 the citizens 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:39.579 who blatantly 00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:40.440 reject you. 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:43.139 And may we 00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:43.980 come as we are 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:44.539 to you 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.159 and receive 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.079 this invitation 00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:47.199 to respond. 00:36:47.199 --> 00:36:49.339 but may we 00:36:49.339 --> 00:36:49.980 respond 00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:51.079 by believing 00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:51.619 in you, 00:36:52.279 --> 00:36:53.739 growing in you, 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:56.039 knowing your word 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.519 and knowing 00:36:56.519 --> 00:36:57.319 what it means 00:36:57.319 --> 00:36:58.099 to live in love 00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:58.619 like you, 00:36:58.759 --> 00:36:59.899 and may we 00:36:59.899 --> 00:37:00.519 be moved 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:01.359 to act 00:37:01.359 --> 00:37:02.539 in our words 00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:03.739 and in our actions. 00:37:03.739 --> 00:37:06.759 what a powerful, 00:37:07.759 --> 00:37:09.039 often overlooked 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:10.379 section of 00:37:10.379 --> 00:37:10.779 scripture. 00:37:11.779 --> 00:37:12.879 I pray that 00:37:12.879 --> 00:37:14.419 if there's 00:37:14.419 --> 00:37:14.819 anyone 00:37:14.819 --> 00:37:15.719 that has 00:37:15.719 --> 00:37:16.279 that hardened 00:37:16.279 --> 00:37:16.639 heart, 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:17.039 that it will 00:37:17.039 --> 00:37:17.819 be softened. 00:37:18.199 --> 00:37:18.839 I pray that 00:37:18.839 --> 00:37:19.419 if someone 00:37:19.419 --> 00:37:20.219 has received 00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:20.699 the mina, 00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:21.399 may they 00:37:21.399 --> 00:37:22.019 steward it, 00:37:22.479 --> 00:37:22.799 may they 00:37:22.799 --> 00:37:23.559 respond, 00:37:24.459 --> 00:37:25.219 so to speak. 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.859 and I pray 00:37:26.859 --> 00:37:27.959 that all of us 00:37:27.959 --> 00:37:29.299 have responded 00:37:29.299 --> 00:37:30.919 to the greatest 00:37:30.919 --> 00:37:31.659 opportunity 00:37:31.659 --> 00:37:32.399 and that is 00:37:32.399 --> 00:37:33.599 salvation 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:35.239 in your son, 00:37:35.419 --> 00:37:36.259 Jesus Christ. 00:37:37.459 --> 00:37:38.119 May we 00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:39.019 continue to grow 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:39.759 not only as 00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:40.319 individuals, 00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:41.319 but as a church 00:37:41.319 --> 00:37:43.519 and may we 00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:44.059 be moved 00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:45.079 to live 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:45.939 and love 00:37:45.939 --> 00:37:47.199 like your son, 00:37:47.379 --> 00:37:47.679 Jesus. 00:37:48.379 --> 00:37:49.599 It is in the name 00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:50.159 of Jesus 00:37:50.159 --> 00:37:51.000 that we pray 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:51.879 and we all say 00:37:51.879 --> 00:37:52.259 together, 00:37:52.379 --> 00:37:52.639 Amen. 00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:52.639 00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:52.639 00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:53.099 Amen. 00:37:53.099 --> 00:37:53.639 Amen. 00:37:55.219 --> 00:37:56.639 Thank you for 00:37:56.639 --> 00:37:57.399 listening for this 00:37:57.399 --> 00:37:58.099 week's message 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:58.719 from Ontario 00:37:58.719 --> 00:37:59.559 Community Church. 00:37:59.919 --> 00:38:01.039 I pray that 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.059 you are encouraged 00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:03.059 and strengthened 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:03.799 in your walk 00:38:03.799 --> 00:38:04.339 with Christ. 00:38:04.899 --> 00:38:05.599 For more sermons 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.399 and resources, 00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:07.299 visit 00:38:07.299 --> 00:38:09.699 OntarioCommunityChurch.org. 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:11.339 May God bless you 00:38:11.339 --> 00:38:12.219 as you live out 00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:12.839 his grace 00:38:12.839 --> 00:38:13.519 and truth 00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.699 every single day.