WEBVTT 00:00:00.420 --> 00:00:02.660 Please have a seat and let's pray together. 00:00:05.940 --> 00:00:09.339 Father God, thank you for the joy it's been this evening to be together. 00:00:10.300 --> 00:00:13.880 Father, to sing praises that you alone are worthy of. 00:00:14.660 --> 00:00:16.260 Lord, I pray they would have been authentic. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:18.760 Lord, I pray they would have been true. 00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:22.699 And Lord, I pray that as we now come to study your word, 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:26.240 Father, you might speak to us that you might be glorified, 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:29.199 that we might be challenged and changed. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.039 So bless us and help us in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:37.600 It really has been such a privilege to be here for the weekend. 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:39.780 It's been nice to be in a city with clean air. 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:43.820 It's been lovely to walk along pavements that are not full of people. 00:00:44.480 --> 00:00:48.340 And it's lovely to have been amongst old friends. 00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:52.659 Some of you are actually looking younger than when we left at the end of last year, 00:00:52.700 --> 00:00:57.960 which is quite amazing and a real tribute to Scottish living. 00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:02.260 It has been a wonderful weekend. 00:01:02.259 --> 00:01:04.799 Reconnecting with old friends. 00:01:05.799 --> 00:01:07.519 Reminiscing about past events. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:12.739 Being re-familiarized, reacquainted with old songs. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:15.019 I got to go to a nervous passenger gig. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:18.140 Something that I never managed being down in the south of England. 00:01:18.259 --> 00:01:19.620 But my wife was a groupie. 00:01:20.019 --> 00:01:23.379 So I felt privileged to have been here. 00:01:23.379 --> 00:01:27.979 Now just for a few moments, I want us to have a look at a story. 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:31.179 I don't want us to focus on time that has passed. 00:01:31.979 --> 00:01:34.640 I want us to focus on the time that is left. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:37.259 The time that is left. 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:40.580 So please grab a Bible and turn with me to Luke chapter 19. 00:01:44.880 --> 00:01:45.840 Luke writes this. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:51.100 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable because he was near Jerusalem. 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:55.360 And the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 00:01:56.320 --> 00:02:02.120 He said a man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then return. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:05.500 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten miners. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:09.340 Put this money to work, he said, until I come back. 00:02:10.140 --> 00:02:13.560 But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:15.439 We don't want this man to be our king. 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:18.700 He was made king, however, and returned home. 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:25.240 Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money in order to find out what they had gained with it. 00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:29.900 The first one came and said, Sir, your miner has earned ten more. 00:02:29.900 --> 00:02:33.300 Well done, my good servant, his master replied. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:37.760 Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities. 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:42.000 The second came and said, Sir, your miner has earned five more. 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:45.740 His master answered, You take charge of five cities. 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:50.340 Then another servant came and said, Sir, here is your miner. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:53.300 I have kept it laid away in a handkerchief. 00:02:54.040 --> 00:02:56.360 I was afraid of you because you are a hard man. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:01.540 You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow. 00:03:02.720 --> 00:03:07.400 His master replied, I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant. 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:14.640 You knew, did you, that I was a hard man taking out what I did not put in and reaping what I did not sow. 00:03:14.980 --> 00:03:17.580 Why then didn't you put my money on deposit? 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:21.400 So that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest. 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:28.560 Then he said to those standing by, Take his miner away from him and give it to the one who has ten. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:31.800 Sir, they replied, he already has ten. 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:36.500 He replied, I tell you that to everyone who has more will be given. 00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:42.500 But as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:51.379 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them, bring them here and kill them in front of me. 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:57.460 It is a kind of very famous story. 00:03:57.580 --> 00:04:00.219 And you'll see the context there in verse 11. 00:04:00.639 --> 00:04:03.979 Jesus is on the very outskirts of Jerusalem. 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:06.500 He is about to triumphantly enter. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:15.340 It will be the beginning of the most harrowing week that any individual has ever witnessed on the surface of the earth throughout all of history. 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:22.459 And many of his followers thought that once Jesus rolls into Jerusalem, the kingdom of God will come in all its fullness. 00:04:23.540 --> 00:04:26.579 Jesus will kick out the Romans, unite the people. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:36.379 The nation state of Israel will rise to its former glory that they saw under and read about under David and Solomon. 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:42.599 It says because some people thought the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:47.819 They thought they were on the cusp of happy and heady days. 00:04:48.819 --> 00:04:50.860 You can understand why this is the case. 00:04:50.919 --> 00:04:52.019 They've read the Old Testament. 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:59.779 They've read Isaiah and about how this child will be born, this Messiah king who will establish justice. 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:03.560 Who will rule with mercy. 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:08.799 They've seen it happen all the way running up to this story. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:16.620 The rich ruler has just been challenged about selling everything and giving to the poor. 00:05:17.039 --> 00:05:21.139 The blind and destitute man has been healed and restored. 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:30.060 The corrupt tax collector Zacchaeus just before this moment has been completely turned around and salvation has come to his house. 00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:37.459 It seems that this kingdom of righteousness and justice established by King Jesus is just about to go global. 00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:43.379 And so Jesus tells them this story to reorientate their thinking. 00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:47.180 And his message is very simple. 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:50.139 He borrowed it from the London underground. 00:05:51.280 --> 00:05:53.160 His message is mind the gap. 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:58.420 That I will go to the cross and I will inaugurate this kingdom. 00:05:58.560 --> 00:05:59.800 But there will be a gap. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:05.160 There will be a gap between the kingdom being established and the kingdom coming in all its fullness. 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:06.180 Mind the gap. 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:10.980 Mind the gap. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:13.780 And what's our message this evening? 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:14.540 Mind the gap. 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:20.620 We have celebrated 50 years gone by. 00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:29.060 50 wonderful years of God's faithfulness, his grace, his gospel being powerfully at work in our lives, in our community. 00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:32.439 But the job is not done. 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:36.920 We're not here to reminisce about reminiscing. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:44.879 It's not time for nostalgia or rose-tinted spectacles as we look back on different stories and events and wonderful workings of God. 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:47.660 The message today is mind the gap going forward. 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:50.939 The London underground is very deceiving. 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:54.000 You don't have to be there very long before you're all kinds of nonchalant. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:58.240 The first few weeks I was in London, I just went around the platform. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:00.620 Phone, watch, keys. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:01.800 Phone, wallet, keys. 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:02.920 Phone, wallet, keys. 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:04.759 Now, I don't care. 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:06.120 I leave my phone on the seat. 00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:10.360 I've got my headphones on too loud to entertain my other passengers with my wonderful music. 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:13.519 They used to say, mind the gap. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:14.699 And you take this huge step. 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:17.860 Now I have every chance of falling between the train and the platform. 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:19.959 Because I'm so familiar. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:23.339 And what Jesus is saying to us tonight is, mind the gap. 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:24.339 Don't be complacent. 00:07:24.419 --> 00:07:25.179 Don't be notchalant. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:25.919 Don't be cruising. 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:27.179 Don't be playing at this. 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:34.339 He tells this story to tell his servants to mind the gap. 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:37.979 They are to work hard. 00:07:38.659 --> 00:07:43.279 There will be this gap between the kingdom inaugurated and the kingdom consummated. 00:07:43.559 --> 00:07:45.799 And that waiting time is working time. 00:07:48.799 --> 00:07:52.639 Waiting time is working time. 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:56.079 This concept of waiting is all over the end of Luke's gospel. 00:07:56.539 --> 00:07:59.699 All his parables talk about a king going to a faraway country. 00:08:00.099 --> 00:08:01.219 And there being a long delay. 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:02.759 Why is that? 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:06.180 Because Jesus is on the cusp of dying on the cross. 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:09.220 40 days spent with his disciples having been raised. 00:08:09.300 --> 00:08:10.379 Then going back to heaven. 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.040 There will be a wait. 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:16.560 There will be a wait between the kingdom inaugurated and the kingdom consummated. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:20.360 And he wants to prepare his disciples and us how we wait well. 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:23.759 And the way we wait well is to work while we wait. 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:29.319 And let's be honest, we're still waiting. 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:32.500 Been waiting 2,000 years. 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:35.779 Audrey, if you're over 40, please could you stand up? 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:43.439 You see, 2,000 years to us seems like a really long time. 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:47.159 Whereas 2,000 years is simply 50 of the people standing up. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.399 It's not that long, is it? 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:54.100 We've got well over 2,000 years of wisdom between us. 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:56.039 Please have a seat. 00:08:56.039 --> 00:09:04.099 Psalm 90 says that 1,000 years is like a day and a day in God's kingdom. 00:09:04.839 --> 00:09:06.679 So we've been waiting 2,000 years. 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:09.639 But for God, it's like when you knocked off work on Friday evening. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:12.500 It's not that long at all. 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:15.919 But waiting time is working time. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:17.699 We must mind the gap. 00:09:17.819 --> 00:09:20.019 Waiting time is working time. 00:09:20.079 --> 00:09:21.659 So I just want us to see four things. 00:09:22.179 --> 00:09:25.159 Four amazing orientating facts from this story. 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:26.100 Here's the first. 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:29.199 The king is delayed. 00:09:30.319 --> 00:09:31.319 The king is delayed. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:35.079 A noble man goes away to a faraway country to receive a kingdom. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:39.399 This would be very pertinent for people in Israel at the time. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:41.620 Because the puppet king is Herod. 00:09:41.719 --> 00:09:45.639 And whenever the next Herod is needed, because the previous one dies or is killed, 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:48.759 he has to go on a boat journey to Rome so the Caesar can say, 00:09:48.839 --> 00:09:49.539 You're now the king. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:51.740 This is a very pertinent journey. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:59.120 The people that Jesus is speaking to will know all about a noble man going to a faraway country to be named a king. 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:04.200 The essential message is that the master is going away. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:06.120 He won't be there. 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:07.460 He won't be at the end of the phone. 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:08.919 He won't be picking up emails. 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:10.580 He won't be textable. 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:16.259 No one knows how long the king is going to be away. 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:17.620 It's an indefinite period. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:22.720 But he's preparing his servants for an indefinite length of time. 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:24.780 And notice the parameters. 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:28.160 He's going to receive a kingdom, a ubiquitous kingdom. 00:10:28.780 --> 00:10:30.360 A kingdom of all kingdoms. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:33.200 This is not the kingdom of Saudi Arabia or the kingdom of Tibet. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:35.060 It's not even the kingdom of Fife. 00:10:35.059 --> 00:10:42.419 This is a kingdom he's going to receive, a kingdom that will be an unprecedented and undefinable kingdom. 00:10:43.699 --> 00:10:48.019 So the big question is, what will the mice do while the cat's away? 00:10:49.579 --> 00:10:52.259 And the king tells them exactly what they're to do. 00:10:53.099 --> 00:10:56.099 The king is delayed, but secondly, the servants are entrusted. 00:10:57.699 --> 00:11:00.500 The servants are entrusted. 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:06.980 He calls to himself ten servants, and he gives them massive responsibility over his affairs. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:11.440 He gives them some seed money to put to work. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:16.740 They each presumably, as there are ten servants and ten minors, they all get a minor each. 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.840 A considerable sum of money. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:21.779 Money that they are to put to work to invest. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:28.840 Money that they are used to conduct business on the king's behalf while he's away. 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:32.200 The instruction from the king is really simple. 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:34.280 As they receive the minor, he says this. 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:38.740 Engage in business until I come. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:41.040 Job description, engage in business. 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:44.480 Timescale, really simple, until I come. 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:50.000 The king is entrusting the servants to put the money to work to increase his portfolio. 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:52.200 To increase his rule and reign. 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:54.960 To increase his market share while he's away. 00:11:54.960 --> 00:12:02.000 Use these resources to increase my stake in the world while I'm gone. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:06.720 And when I come back, we'll see what happens. 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:09.920 This is an astonishing scenario. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:15.019 The king is away, and he entrusts his servants to conduct business on his behalf. 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:19.600 And let's be clear, that's exactly our job description. 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:23.720 We have each been given resource by the God of the universe. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:29.159 And our one sole responsibility is to engage in business on his behalf. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:33.059 To increase his rule and reign while he's gone until he comes back. 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:36.939 To get his kingdom to grow. 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:40.360 This unshakable kingdom. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:44.360 This kingdom that starts out as a little seed and will take over the whole world. 00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:48.540 In which all the birds of the air will find their rest. 00:12:49.920 --> 00:12:53.760 This is what the Lord Jesus has given each of us to do. 00:12:54.020 --> 00:12:57.480 To use our time, our talents, our money, our resources. 00:12:57.880 --> 00:13:00.760 Our very lives to work unequivocally for him. 00:13:00.880 --> 00:13:02.840 To engage in his business. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:04.920 Until he comes. 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:08.899 What is Brunsfield Evangelical Church to do tomorrow and the day after? 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.839 And for the next 50 years if the Lord doesn't come back? 00:13:12.599 --> 00:13:14.699 We are to engage in business. 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:16.439 For his glory. 00:13:17.059 --> 00:13:19.679 Until he gloriously comes. 00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:23.319 To further the rule and reign of Christ in the world. 00:13:23.979 --> 00:13:27.479 In order that God will receive the glory that he alone deserves. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:30.139 That will look different from each of us. 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:34.740 That will look different depending on where we find ourselves. 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:37.220 What responsibility God has given us. 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:40.879 If we're a mum working hard. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.759 So that our children would know. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:46.820 What the rule and reign of Christ looks like. 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:50.180 Maybe it's in businesses to conduct ourselves in such a way. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:53.399 That it provokes people to ask questions. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:56.740 Say what is the reason for the hope that you have? 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:59.220 To engage in business. 00:13:59.220 --> 00:13:59.700 To engage in business. 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:02.879 Until the Lord comes. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.860 He says to each of us. 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:07.720 Engage in business until I return. 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.620 He says to Brunsfield Evangelical Church. 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.580 You're one job. 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:12.240 You have one job. 00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:14.940 Engage in business until I come. 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:18.220 Thirdly the king will reward. 00:14:18.380 --> 00:14:21.420 And what rewards there are for faithful servants. 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:26.040 Suddenly the noble man arrives back. 00:14:26.760 --> 00:14:28.380 And his first course of action is. 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:32.920 That he's going to get down to business with the servants that he's left in charge. 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:36.500 Well income servant number one. 00:14:36.599 --> 00:14:38.120 He cracks open his iPad Pro. 00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:39.959 And he breaks down the numbers for the king. 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:42.159 He says well king. 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:45.139 You gave me one minor. 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.860 I've got ten more for you. 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:48.740 And a thousand percent increase. 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:51.299 There are people in the city of London. 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:53.039 Who would love those kind of returns. 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:56.059 They would be the hedge fund manager par excellence. 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.659 Every year. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:15:06.019 He says well we engaged in a gig economy camel taxi service called Slober. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.079 It went well. 00:15:07.959 --> 00:15:11.159 We did a coffee company called Star Miners. 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.559 It's gone global. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:15.259 We took all your money. 00:15:15.459 --> 00:15:16.620 We put it to work. 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:17.500 It was hard. 00:15:18.319 --> 00:15:19.939 We engaged in good business. 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:22.419 And now he stands before the king and says. 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.519 Here's your eleven minus. 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:27.939 Well the king is overjoyed. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.539 Promotion is on the cards. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:33.519 Well done good and faithful servants. 00:15:34.699 --> 00:15:37.059 Because you've been faithful in a very little. 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:42.220 You shall have authority over ten cities. 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:47.919 Faithful servants get paid massive bonuses in the kingdom of God. 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:50.720 King is overjoyed. 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.439 Well done. 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:51.480 Well done. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:57.120 Well servant two has been pacing around outside. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:00.120 He's a little bit nervous about this business meeting. 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:00.919 So he comes in. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.740 Plugs in his laptop. 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.939 After some work. 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:04.699 He finally gets it to project properly. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.259 And he says we made some good investments. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.059 Others stalled. 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.000 Some really struggled. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:14.980 We made a takeaway delivery service. 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:15.919 A fish and chips. 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:16.600 It went well. 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:19.799 We made some good property deals. 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:21.100 And when all the dust settles. 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.379 500% increase. 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.059 You gave me one. 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:23.939 Here's five more. 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.299 It's gone well. 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.539 The profit's been excellent. 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:30.819 And again the king is overjoyed. 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.539 Delighted at the servant's efforts. 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.220 Well done good and faithful servant. 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.819 I'll put you in charge of five cities. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.299 A wonderful thing. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:44.759 Faithfulness in the present pays massive eternal dividends in the future. 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.919 Servants have been faithful. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:51.219 The king says you're hired. 00:16:51.219 --> 00:16:56.620 Servant number three however has been biting his nails nervously in the corridor. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:17:02.279 He's clutching a rather dirty handkerchief and muttering excuses under his breath. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.979 He enters the room. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.039 Walks up to the king. 00:17:05.379 --> 00:17:10.799 Opens the disheveled handkerchief and out rolls one rather dirty looking miner. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:13.579 The king looks up quizzically. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.460 Well the servant said. 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:18.299 I was afraid of you. 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.759 I know what sort of king you are. 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:24.579 I know how you conduct your affairs. 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:28.180 Well the rewarding king now turns into the auditor. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:32.900 Whilst never agreeing to the man's description of him. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.460 He says. 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:35.360 You didn't do it out of fee. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.620 You did it out of laziness. 00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:41.380 You could have gone down to TSB and opened an ISA and put my miner in there. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:44.000 And then at least I would have got four percent back when I arrived. 00:17:45.580 --> 00:17:47.380 But you've actually been lazy. 00:17:49.060 --> 00:17:52.039 Your wickedness wasn't out of servile fear. 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:55.080 It was out of pure laziness. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:59.419 You had all the resources and you didn't put them to work. 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.939 Not industrious but lethargic. 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:04.579 Servant three is the sluggard from the book of Proverbs. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:07.179 Well he's declared bankrupt. 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:11.240 His mind is taken away and given to the good servant number one. 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:14.240 As an additional bonus for his efforts. 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.859 Now be clear. 00:18:15.939 --> 00:18:17.460 This is not a salvation story. 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:21.579 The salvation story came just before where Zacchaeus. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.919 Salvation comes to Zacchaeus' house. 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:28.360 Salvation is brought about by Jesus seeking and saving us. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:34.259 This story is how to be about a faithful servant working during the waiting time. 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:38.640 This is very clear. 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:42.599 That one day we will give an account to God at the end. 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:46.640 And he will weigh our efforts. 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:50.079 He will see how we've worked while we've been waiting. 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:54.279 He will see how we've taken our resources and opportunities. 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:59.099 And whether we invested wisely and engaged in business before he came. 00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:03.039 Using this life. 00:19:03.199 --> 00:19:05.459 This one life in this one world. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.480 To gain treasure in heaven. 00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:09.139 Is our job. 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.980 It's incredibly sharp. 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:15.319 Jesus comes very close and he asks each of us. 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.500 What are you investing in? 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:18.639 How are you investing your lives? 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:22.900 Are you putting it to work for my glory? 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:24.920 Or are you putting it to work for your own? 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:31.880 One day, maybe soon, I will meet people in eternal glory. 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:35.540 Who gave their lives as martyrs in service of the Lord Jesus. 00:19:36.780 --> 00:19:38.940 And I will tell them how I didn't tell my mates. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:42.940 About the gospel because I was frightened they would laugh at me. 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:48.600 I'll meet people who gave everything in sacrificial service. 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:52.519 People who went without in order that people might hear about Jesus. 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:58.120 And I'll tell them about my holiday and how quickly my tan faded afterwards. 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:03.340 Just along the river from us in London is the Financial Times. 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:05.779 People read the Financial Times religiously. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:09.579 They're normally the ones wearing a three-piece suit with a pocket square. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.839 And matching tie. 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:13.899 They're trying to find the inside track. 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:18.720 Where to invest their money in order to get the greatest yield in the shortest time. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:23.639 I want to say to each of us today, this is our Financial Times. 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:29.440 And it's going to tell us where to invest all of our money, all of the time, for all of our lives. 00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:32.680 Not for a quick buck, but for an eternal dividend. 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:41.200 This book reminds us that when the world says, put your money here, put your time here, put your resources here. 00:20:41.320 --> 00:20:42.860 This book says, no. 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.960 It's foolishness. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.880 It's just moths and rust. 00:20:49.080 --> 00:20:52.620 It says, invest in the kingdom of God, which will pay an eternal dividend. 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:57.279 I need to. 00:20:57.459 --> 00:21:00.859 We need to make better investments for the kingdom of God. 00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:07.899 We need to make better deposits for Christ Jesus in and through our lives. 00:21:08.879 --> 00:21:10.139 Soon he will come back. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:13.940 And I don't want to be holding trinkets. 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:17.360 Surrounding myself with vaporous vanity. 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:22.140 Or showing him my collection of moths and rust, which really won't be that exciting. 00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:28.200 My issue is the complete opposite of these people at the start of this parable. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:31.960 My issue is not, I think the kingdom of God is going to come tomorrow. 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:34.420 My problem is I don't think it's going to come at all. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:40.920 And I get all kinds of distracted and all kinds of deflected by all kinds of things which will ultimately come to nothing. 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:49.079 George Whitefield was asked what he would do if he only had one more month to live. 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:52.539 And he got out his diary and he just read his diary out. 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:55.119 He said, I would go here. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.279 I would do that. 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:57.779 I would say this to them. 00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:58.779 I would travel there. 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:04.619 He suggested that I would do nothing different, that he lived every day like it was his last. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:08.899 And I wonder how many of us will be able to do the same. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:11.859 You have a great team here. 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:20.039 Graham and Alistair and Peter and Simona and Tim and Hazel and Fraser and David and Ian. 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.319 Paul. 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.359 Paul. 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:29.220 And their job is they're your hedge fund managers who are going to continually tell you keep investing in this. 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:34.119 Because this is what will count in the end and nothing else will. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.700 Engage in business until I return. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.700 Let's just finish off. 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:43.059 Last message is that the king will destroy his enemies. 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.960 See in verse 14. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:48.539 There was a group of subjects that hated the king. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:52.200 And they went and they said, we don't want you to rule over us. 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:59.359 This has particular pertinence because in 4 BC, the next Herod off the rank was a guy called Archelaus. 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:00.980 He was a space cadet. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:04.460 And a group of Jews went to the Caesar and said, we don't want him to be king. 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:08.119 So he returned as ruler of Judea, but he was never called king. 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:11.839 This story happens in a complete opposite way. 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:17.779 The king comes back and those servants that would not have him as king were killed by the king. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.240 Destroyed by him. 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:24.959 They're brought to him and they're killed in front of him. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:28.039 This is a terrifying but true story. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:37.259 It's a real warning that if we're servants of the king, we're in as those which have the Lord Jesus as our king. 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:44.500 If we will not have Jesus as king over us, we will not be welcome as subjects of his eternal kingdom when it comes. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:48.680 If we will not receive him as king now, we will meet him as judge then. 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:55.060 If we reject Jesus, he will banish us when it really matters. 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:58.519 Jesus tells the story on the outskirts of Jerusalem. 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.600 He will go in. 00:24:01.060 --> 00:24:04.480 He will spend a week hanging out with his enemies. 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:12.160 And in the end, he'll be betrayed, mocked, shamefully treated by a brutal coalition of people who will put him to death on a cross. 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:15.100 Because they would not have him to be king over them. 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:18.620 What they did not realize is the cross was not their republic. 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.580 It was his coronation. 00:24:21.580 --> 00:24:23.500 It was the inauguration of that kingdom. 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:29.720 That kingdom being started and open to all of his subjects. 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:34.820 And so it's a great story and it's one to focus our minds. 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:38.100 And it asks us, are we minding the gap? 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:43.759 What do we say when we need to give an account before God for how we've invested our lives? 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:47.920 Here in Edinburgh, at Brunsfield, you've been given great responsibility. 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.940 Great resource. 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:52.140 The amount of talent and time. 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:55.580 The amount of skill is unbelievable. 00:24:55.579 --> 00:25:00.699 It's about investing it all in the same direction for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:04.000 Engaging in his business until he comes. 00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:08.419 That all of us would be living for that one sentence from the Lord Jesus. 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:12.300 That when we meet him, he would say, well done, good and faithful servants. 00:25:12.300 --> 00:25:13.820 That is all that we're living for. 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:16.560 We've had 50 great years. 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:28.879 But the only way we'll get to 60 or 70 or 80 or 100 is if we keep now engaging in business for Jesus' glory alone. 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.859 That's all it is. 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:34.859 If we're not going to do that, we may as well just close the doors and have more posh flats in Brunsfield. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:40.859 But if we engage in business, it will be of an eternal reward. 00:25:41.399 --> 00:25:46.219 And it will be eternally significant for those who stand to be destroyed by Jesus. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:48.079 Now don't coast. 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.619 Don't cruise. 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.459 Don't bumble along. 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:53.619 Don't be playing at this. 00:25:54.479 --> 00:25:57.359 Say each and every day, Jesus, I want to invest in your kingdom. 00:25:57.359 --> 00:26:00.419 Father, and would you help me do it for your glory alone? 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:00.979 Let's pray. 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:11.359 Father God, we want to be living all of our lives for one sentence from you. 00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:14.219 We want to be good and faithful servants. 00:26:15.179 --> 00:26:17.299 Lord, help us invest well. 00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:20.559 Help us be about your business. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:27.319 Father, so use our lives that we would be storing up great treasure. 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.379 Father, in heaven. 00:26:28.979 --> 00:26:32.939 That we would be shown to be those that have been faithful in small things. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:37.379 So that in the eternal world to come, you would give us responsibility for many. 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:42.740 Father, I pray that our eyes would be fixed on Jesus Christ, our King. 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:45.919 That we would be expectantly waiting for him. 00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:50.259 And Lord, that we would be here and now seeking to make a difference. 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:54.079 To be furthering his rule and reign. 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:57.119 Father, do this for your glory alone, we ask. 00:26:57.699 --> 00:26:57.919 Amen. 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:57.979 Amen. 00:26:57.979 --> 00:26:58.019 Amen.