WEBVTT

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 Father, you taught us to live by faith and not by sight.

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 To live by what we know and believe to be true.

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 And to be governed by that truth.

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 And not by our changing circumstances.

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 Or our changing feelings.

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 We want to be faithful servants that wait on you.

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 That steward the precious gospel that you've entrusted to us throughout our lives.

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 And to that end, we need your help.

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 So please, address us once again as you always do as your people.

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 Transform us by your word.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Luke 19, 11-27.

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 He said to them, Engage in business until I come.

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 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him saying, We do not want this man to reign over us.

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 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him.

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 That he might know what they had gained by doing business.

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 The first came before him saying, Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.

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 And he said to him, Well done, good servant.

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 Because you have been faithful in a very little.

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 You shall have authority over ten cities.

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 And the second came saying, Lord, your mina has made five minas.

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 And he said to him, And you are to be over five cities.

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 Then another came saying, Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief.

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 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man.

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 You take what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.

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 He said to him, I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant.

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 You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.

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 Why then did you not put my money in the bank?

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 And at my coming, I might have collected it with interest.

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 And he said to those who stood by, Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.

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 And they said to him, Lord, he has ten minas.

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 I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given.

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 But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

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 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them,

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 bring them here and slaughter them before me.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 I once read a children's book for my daughters entitled Waiting is Not Easy.

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 It's a famous one.

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 You guys might know about it.

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 It's from the famous series by Mo Williams called Elephant and Piggy.

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 And they're two friends who have very different personalities but get along well.

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 And in this particular book, Piggy tells Elephant that he has a surprise for him.

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 And Elephant, of course, is delighted to hear that his friend has a surprise for him.

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 And then he says, I cannot wait because he's so excited.

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 And, of course, Piggy tells him, well, you will have to wait.

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 And at which point Elephant responds in disbelief, wait?

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 What?

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 Why?

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 Piggy tells him that the surprise is not here yet.

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 At which point Elephant groans loudly and then says, I'm waiting.

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 Waiting is not easy.

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 And then he grabs Piggy's collar and shakes him vigorously and then says, I'm done waiting.

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 I do not think your surprise is worth all this waiting.

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 I will not wait anymore.

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 And then he leaves briefly only to then return sheepishly and say, okay, I'll wait some more.

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 This goes on and on and on.

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 And it's really cleverly written because as you're going through the book, with each page, you become more impatient.

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 You're waiting for the resolution.

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 What is this surprise?

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 I want to see.

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 And so it kind of makes the reader experience exactly what Elephant is feeling.

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 Because waiting is not easy.

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 And in the end, they wait so long that the sun goes down and the elephant yells in exasperation,

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 And we have wasted the whole day.

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 We have waited and waited and waited and waited.

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 And for what?

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 And at that moment, Piggy points to the sky and says, for that.

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 And there's a beautiful starlit sky.

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 And the elephant looks at that and says, that was worth the wait.

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 Waiting isn't easy.

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 And we feel this keenly, especially in our age of distraction and instant gratification.

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 And Jesus understands this.

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 And waiting, even though it's hard for us, has never been easy for humanity to begin with.

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 And Jesus, understanding this, wanted to leave his disciples with something as they are waiting for his return.

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 Because these disciples believed that Jesus would immediately establish the kingdom of God in fullness.

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 But Jesus knew that the time for the fullness of the kingdom had not yet come.

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 There would be a period of waiting after his death, resurrection, and ascension.

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 And we see this intention of Jesus in verse 11.

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 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable.

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 Because he was near to Jerusalem.

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 And because they, the disciples, supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

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 They thought Jesus, upon going to Jerusalem, would establish the kingdom of God and overthrow the Roman oppressors.

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 And establish a theocratic state again.

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 And yet, Jesus wants to correct this misconception.

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 It's true that throughout the Gospel of Luke, in multiple occasions, that Jesus has said that the kingdom of God has already come upon you.

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 It's already here.

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 And that's true in the sense that the kingdom of God has already begun to break into our world through the life and work of Jesus Christ.

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 But even though it's already here, it's not yet consummated.

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 It has not been fulfilled.

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 And there's a distance, a gap between his first coming and his second coming.

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 And in order to be faithful in that waiting, this passage teaches us that we must expect his return and rule.

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 And so the main point of this passage really is that we should faithfully steward the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 Because when Christ returns, he will rule and he will repay his subjects accordingly.

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 And the first, we'll see that the king will return to rule.

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 And second, we see that the king will return to repay.

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 Okay.

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 Verses 12 to 14 set the scene for the parable and introduce us to all the main characters.

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 First, it says in verse 12,

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 A noble man went to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.

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 So the word noble man, when it's used in the Greek word,

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 it of course does refer as in the English to the fact that this person belongs to the landed gentry.

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 This person is of noble birth.

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 But almost always, it also refers to the person's noble character.

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 This person is of noble, of character.

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 He has a good character.

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 He's a gentleman, a worthy man.

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 But he journeys to a far country in order to receive a vassal kingship or a client kingship.

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 A client king reigns over a region on behalf of kind of a controlling king,

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 a suzerain king that's over the entire will.

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 And this is a concept that was very familiar to the Jews in Palestine at the time

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 because Herod the Great, or Herod the First,

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 also went on a similar journey to Rome before the beginning of his reign

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 to receive this client kingship over Judea from the Roman emperor.

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 And in this analogy, the noble man is Jesus

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 and the one from whom he receives a kingdom is his father who rules over all.

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 And Jesus is saying that he must depart from his disciples first to receive a kingdom and then return.

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 And this was spoken of earlier in Luke chapter 9 verse 31

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 when Jesus spoke of his departure that he was going to accomplish at Jerusalem.

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 And that departure is a reference to his death and his resurrection and his ascension to heaven

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 and after which he'll return.

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 And so he's going away to a far country and the disciples are to wait for him.

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 The consummation of the kingdom is not going to be immediate.

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 But before he departs, this noble man, he says that he's called his ten of his servants,

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 verse 13,

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 gave them ten minus and said to them,

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 engage in business until I come.

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 The servants here are the second character in the parable.

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 These are servants that belong to and are accountable to their master, the noble man.

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 Interestingly, the noble man calls ten of his servants.

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 If Jesus intended to refer only to his apostles,

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 there were twelve apostles, he could have easily said twelve servants.

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 But he doesn't.

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 He uses a more generic number that symbolizes a large number, a ten.

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 Ten disciples.

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 And that he does it intentionally, I think,

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 to show that all of his disciples and future followers of Jesus Christ are intended.

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 All the future followers of Christ that come after the twelve apostles.

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 All of us are in view here.

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 We're his servants.

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 And to these ten servants, the noble man distributes ten minus,

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 meaning each one gets one mina.

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 Mina is a Hebrew currency that's equivalent to about 100 Roman denarii.

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 Since the denarius was the standard daily wage of a common worker,

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 one mina is worth about four months' wages.

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 So whatever that is for you, you can think about kind of the average income.

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 And three to six months' worth of expenses is recommended for your emergency fund.

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 So imagine receiving kind of what's worth your emergency fund from the noble man.

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 And the charge of the noble man to the ten servants is engage in business until I come.

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 He wants them to put the mina that each of them has received to good use and to make a profit from it.

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 And then in verse 14, we meet the final character in this parable.

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 He says,

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 These are citizens of the state that the noble man will come to rule over if he receives a kingship.

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 But they don't want him to become king over them.

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 And so they send a delegation after him to protest to the controlling king.

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 This man is no good.

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 He's not fit to rule.

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 We don't want him as king over us.

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 There's a historical backdrop to this that happened, you know, less than 30, around 30 years,

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 actually before Jesus' time.

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 It was in the first century Palestine after Herod the Great died.

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 His son, Herod Archelaus, was expected to succeed the throne over the client kingship in Judea.

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 However, and this king is mentioned in Matthew 2.22.

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 However, because his soldiers had been irresponsible and had slaughtered during the Passover 3,000 Jewish worshipers in the temple,

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 the Jews, for understandable reasons, didn't want King Archelaus to become king over Judea.

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 And so when King Archelaus went to Rome to receive his kingship,

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 the Jews sent a delegation after him to protest and say that they don't want this guy to be king over them.

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 And in order to balance the politics, the Roman emperor gave him kind of a kingship in terms of authority, but not the title.

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 And of course, after returning, he swiftly eliminated all the opposition.

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 And so that's kind of in the background of this parable.

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 Even though, obviously, Jesus is not the wicked king that King Herod Archelaus was.

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 But it's very similar to what's going on.

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 Because these citizens hate him here without cause.

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 They don't say, we do not want this noble man to reign over us.

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 They use kind of a derogatory way of referring to him.

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 They say, we do not want this man to reign over us.

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 Literally, it's, we do not want this one to rule over us.

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 We don't want that one.

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 This one.

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 And so they object to him without cause.

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 There's nothing in the parable that suggests that this noble man was worthy of their hatred and ire.

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 They despise the man.

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 And since in the Gospel of Luke, the Jewish religious leaders are highlighted as people who consistently reject Jesus and oppose Jesus,

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 there's probably a specific reference to them, even though it can be interpreted to mean all those who reject Jesus.

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 It says in John 1.11, Jesus says that he came, it says of Jesus that he came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

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 These Jewish leaders.

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 These are the citizens of the kingdom that Jesus will come to ruin, come to rule.

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 And as opposed to the servants who were mentioned earlier, these citizens have rights.

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 The servants are presumably slaves of perhaps foreign birth, as was typical in this age in Palestine in the Roman Empire.

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 Citizens, on the other hand, had rights.

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 They belonged to the emperor.

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 And they had more reputation.

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 The slaves, the servants, on the other hand, were often marginalized and disenfranchised.

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 And this is often the case for the Christian.

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 Usually, throughout the world and throughout history, Christians belong to groups and parties that are marginalized, persecuted.

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 This is the case throughout the world even today.

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 According to a review commissioned by the U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt,

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 as well as by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,

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 Christians are, to this day, the most persecuted religious group in the world.

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 Open Doors USA, which compiles the World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians faced the heaviest persecution,

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 writes that in 2018 alone, 245 million Christians faced high levels of persecution.

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 4,136 Christians were killed for their faith.

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 1,266 church buildings were attacked.

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 All of them, only in those top 50 world watch list countries.

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 And this is to fulfill what Jesus taught his disciples in John 15, 18-19.

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 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

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 If you are of the world, the world would love you as its own.

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 But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,

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 therefore the world hates you.

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 And we see this happening in this parable.

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 The citizens hated the nobleman,

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 which means these citizens will also hate the servants who do the nobleman's bidding.

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 They will also become the objects of their hatred.

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 And in that kind of climate, it's difficult to persevere.

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 It's hard for the servants of the Lord to remain faithful

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 when their Lord seems to be delayed in his coming.

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 And yet there's this powerful contingent of citizens that oppose their master's rule.

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 The influential people, the citizens don't seem to support him.

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 Should I then switch allegiances to ensure that I'm a member of the party in power?

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 However, it's easy to be disheartened and discouraged in a climate of opposition and persecution.

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 And that's exactly why Jesus tells his disciples this parable.

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 Because when there's uncertainty about the master's return,

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 when there's uncertainty about who's the true leader of a society,

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 usually chaos ensues and people vie for power.

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 However, if we do not have firm faith that Christ will return triumphantly as king,

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 we will succumb to the pressures that we face in this world.

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 We will hedge our bets.

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 We will not be completely sold out for the Lord.

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 But if we know for sure that he will return,

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 we will not worry about the judgments of men.

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 Because we care only about our master's judgment,

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 his esteem of us.

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 So we will not be swayed to and fro by the opinions of men

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 because we care only about doing the will of our king.

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 That's why Jesus assures his disciples that he will certainly return to rule.

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 He says in verse 15,

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 When he returned, having received the kingdom,

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 he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him,

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 that he might know what they had gained by doing business.

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 And later, verse 27, the king says,

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 But as for these enemies of mine,

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 who did not want me to reign over them,

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 bring them here and slaughter them before me.

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 Notice the transition.

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 The people who were formerly called citizens

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 are now called enemies.

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 Disloyal subjects will ultimately become enemies of the state.

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 Those who reject Christ as their king

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 will ultimately lose their citizenship in the kingdom of God.

00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:35.419
 It will prove that they had no citizenship to begin with.

00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:38.559
 This is a promise of justice and vindication.

00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:44.919
 The enemies of God who taunted the people of God,

00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:47.599
 who falsely accused the king,

00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.939
 they will be silenced,

00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.219
 be defeated.

00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:58.460
 It sounds harsh unless you're on the receiving end of injustice.

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.700
 That's kind of how our world functions.

00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:05.579
 Everybody cries for mercy unless they're the ones that have been wronged.

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:07.559
 And then now all of a sudden they want justice.

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:15.460
 Christians who suffer in this world,

00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:17.639
 Christians who experience this kind of opposition,

00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:21.059
 understand the vindication, the victory,

00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:23.700
 the joy that this brings,

00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.799
 this promises,

00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.659
 that Christ is coming back

00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:28.259
 and he will make all things right.

00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:35.839
 This is a promise that no matter how life gets for the followers of Christ,

00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:41.680
 no matter how many tears you shed in this life of following Christ,

00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:44.420
 no matter how many difficult battles you fight

00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:46.079
 against the sins of your life,

00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:49.279
 against demons both figurative and literal,

00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:54.059
 against the systems of evil and oppression in this world,

00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:57.899
 even when you suffer and struggle and grieve

00:19:57.899 --> 00:20:01.059
 because you see so much sin and wickedness in this world,

00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:03.119
 when you persevere to the end,

00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.139
 all of your sorrows will be healed.

00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:08.279
 All of your questions will be answered.

00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:10.919
 And Jesus will make all things right again

00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:12.159
 because Christ will come.

00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:13.619
 He will return to rule.

00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:14.559
 That's the promise.

00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:19.599
 So will you submit to his lordship now?

00:20:19.679 --> 00:20:20.279
 That's the question.

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:23.019
 Will you serve him in this life

00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:24.440
 because that's the only way

00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:26.500
 you'll get to serve him in eternal life?

00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:30.579
 Only those who pledge allegiance to Jesus in this life

00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:32.599
 will be counted as citizens of the kingdom of God.

00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:34.319
 That's the first point.

00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.519
 The king will return to rule.

00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:38.759
 And not only will the king return to rule,

00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.680
 when he returns,

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:43.160
 the king will also repay everyone according to their deeds.

00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.960
 We see this starting in verse 15.

00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:46.920
 When he returned,

00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.480
 having received the kingdom,

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:51.359
 he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money

00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:52.359
 to be called to him,

00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:55.500
 that he might know what they had gained by doing business.

00:20:56.479 --> 00:20:59.919
 The noble man who went away to a far country

00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:01.079
 has returned as king,

00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:03.979
 and he now wants an accounting of what his servants have done

00:21:03.979 --> 00:21:04.579
 in his absence.

00:21:05.219 --> 00:21:07.159
 He wants to know if they put the money

00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:08.899
 that he entrusted to them to good use

00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:10.719
 and made some profit to show for it.

00:21:11.459 --> 00:21:14.459
 And we see several different responses to this accounting.

00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.479
 It says in verse 16,

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:17.180
 The first came before him,

00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.860
 the first servant,

00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.279
 saying,

00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.980
 Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.

00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.519
 It's a very encouraging response.

00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.759
 With one mina,

00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:27.099
 the servant has made ten minas more.

00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.720
 A thousand percent profit.

00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:32.259
 And the king responds,

00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:34.400
 first by commending the servant,

00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:36.299
 recognizing his hard work,

00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:38.460
 and then he rewards a servant

00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:41.240
 and then he gives the reason for this reward.

00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.599
 He says in verse 17,

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.899
 Well done, good servant.

00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.879
 It's his recognition,

00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.960
 his commendation.

00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.379
 And then he says,

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:49.859
 Because you have been faithful in a very little,

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.579
 this is the reason for the reward.

00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:54.299
 And this reason is very similar to Jesus,

00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:56.539
 what he said in Luke 16, 10.

00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:59.220
 One who is faithful in a very little

00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.819
 is also faithful in much.

00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:03.519
 And one who is dishonest in a very little

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.759
 is also dishonest in much.

00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.779
 It's an illusion to think

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.819
 that lazy people

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:11.539
 will all of a sudden become diligent

00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:13.019
 when they are entrusted

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.319
 with more important tasks.

00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.799
 It's an illusion to think

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:20.299
 that people who lie about small, petty things

00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.400
 will not lie about more important things.

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:25.519
 People who cut corners in small matters

00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:27.900
 will also cut corners in big matters.

00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:30.720
 It's the people who are faithful

00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:33.079
 in what is very little,

00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:35.579
 who will also be faithful with much.

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:39.379
 It's people who manage, for example,

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.899
 their own households well

00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:43.339
 that will manage the household of God well.

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:46.199
 It's people who are generous

00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:47.819
 with their middle class income

00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:49.339
 that will also be generous

00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.059
 when they are rich.

00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:54.740
 Likewise, our earthly stewardship

00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:58.159
 is a test of our heavenly,

00:22:58.159 --> 00:23:00.000
 test for our heavenly entrustment.

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:04.079
 It determines what we are worthy of

00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.740
 in the eternal kingdom of God.

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:10.140
 But what exactly is this mina

00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:12.220
 that we're supposed to steward?

00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:15.440
 Often we assume that a mina

00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:17.759
 is a reference to our talents and gifts.

00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:21.339
 That was my initial reaction as well.

00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:23.319
 And that's because we're so familiar

00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.720
 with the parable of the talents,

00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:26.279
 which is kind of a similar parable,

00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:28.799
 a more familiar parable from Matthew 25.

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.859
 And related to that,

00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.279
 one of my seminary professors

00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:35.039
 used to always talk about the things

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.660
 that we're supposed to steward in our life.

00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:40.200
 And he used alliteration to say,

00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:41.839
 we're supposed to steward our time,

00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.980
 our trust,

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.200
 our temple,

00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.319
 our treasure,

00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:46.579
 our talent.

00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:48.480
 All starting with T,

00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.980
 even though it's not always obvious

00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:50.559
 what they mean.

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.279
 We're supposed to steward

00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.839
 a time that God has given us.

00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.740
 We're supposed to make the best use of the time

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.939
 because the days are evil.

00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:59.759
 We're supposed to steward our trust,

00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:01.679
 the trust that we have from others,

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.579
 our relationships,

00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.539
 relationships that God has given us,

00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:06.059
 our neighbors,

00:24:06.179 --> 00:24:06.599
 our friends,

00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:07.199
 our relatives.

00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:09.899
 We're supposed to steward our temple,

00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.839
 meaning the body of Christ,

00:24:11.959 --> 00:24:12.740
 our body,

00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.459
 physical bodies,

00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.939
 which is the temple of the Holy Spirit,

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.819
 according to 1 Corinthians 6.19.

00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:19.439
 We're supposed to steward our treasure,

00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.159
 literal treasure,

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.740
 our money,

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.759
 making heavenly friends,

00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:25.059
 advancing a heavenly agenda

00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:27.180
 using our earthly wealth,

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.660
 according to Luke 69.

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:31.440
 We're also supposed to steward our talent,

00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.720
 the gifts that God has given us,

00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.240
 abilities,

00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:37.000
 using them effectively for the glory of God.

00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:39.119
 Now, these are all biblical ideas.

00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.799
 They're true.

00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:43.460
 But I don't think that's the kind of stewardship

00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.559
 that Luke has in mind.

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.900
 And the reason why is this.

00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:48.519
 In the parable of talents,

00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:50.860
 in Matthew 25, 14 to 30,

00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:54.420
 the servants all receive different amounts of talents.

00:24:56.780 --> 00:24:58.440
 The first talent is,

00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:01.360
 the first servant is given five talents,

00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.759
 second is given two,

00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:04.560
 and then a third is given one.

00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.580
 And it says,

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:08.480
 it was according to each one's ability.

00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:10.300
 In Matthew,

00:25:10.540 --> 00:25:12.440
 this parable explicitly refers to the fact

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.640
 that the parables are proportionate

00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.800
 to that person's ability.

00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:18.060
 It represents their talents,

00:25:18.300 --> 00:25:18.880
 their gifts,

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:23.340
 the opportunities that they have

00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:25.820
 because of the gifts that they possess,

00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:27.000
 that God has given them.

00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:29.880
 But in this parable,

00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.780
 in Luke,

00:25:31.020 --> 00:25:33.160
 every servant receives one minor.

00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.900
 There's no distinction,

00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.820
 no differentiation.

00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:40.879
 What's more likely in view in this parable,

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:43.500
 it's the stewardship of the gospel.

00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:46.740
 It's the stewardship of the word of God

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.319
 that God has entrusted to us

00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:50.859
 because to engage in God's business

00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:52.379
 as God's servants

00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.879
 is to be a disciple

00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:56.059
 and to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:58.539
 The minor then represents

00:25:58.539 --> 00:26:01.379
 the entrustment of God's precious word,

00:26:01.639 --> 00:26:03.099
 his message of salvation

00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:04.759
 through Jesus Christ,

00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.640
 that he lived,

00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.460
 died,

00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:07.819
 and was raised from the dead

00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:09.339
 for the forgiveness of sins

00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.799
 and the salvation of sinners.

00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.879
 That's,

00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.720
 I think,

00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:14.319
 what this minor represents.

00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.799
 Every believer then

00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.779
 is called to be

00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.680
 this steward,

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.200
 a servant

00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.859
 of the message of Jesus Christ.

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:23.359
 Paul spoke often about this reality,

00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.720
 that he's a steward of the gospel,

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.539
 that he's a servant of God

00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.700
 to proclaim the word.

00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:31.480
 And I think this identification

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.299
 of the minor

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.900
 is confirmed

00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.540
 by the metaphor of farming

00:26:34.540 --> 00:26:35.400
 that is used later

00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:37.400
 in verses 21 and 22.

00:26:37.560 --> 00:26:39.340
 It mentions reaping and sowing.

00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:42.680
 Jesus used the exact same language

00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.759
 earlier in chapter 8

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.860
 in the parable of the sower,

00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.519
 and there he explicitly said,

00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.660
 the seed

00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:49.640
 is the word of God.

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:52.920
 Now,

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.600
 that's not to say

00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:55.040
 that the gospel of Jesus Christ

00:26:55.040 --> 00:26:56.060
 is insignificant

00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:57.120
 or very little.

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.160
 The gospel is the pearl

00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.100
 of great price,

00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:01.200
 of great value.

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.840
 Rather,

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.920
 our role

00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:04.799
 of gospel stewardship

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.200
 in light of all

00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.420
 of God's kingdom purposes

00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.880
 is minuscule,

00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:10.279
 relatively speaking.

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:13.380
 What we are entrusted with

00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:15.519
 in the entire complex

00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.340
 of kingdom economy

00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.220
 is very little.

00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.840
 We're a small part

00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.380
 of the whole picture.

00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.019
 And this is actually

00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:22.160
 very encouraging for me.

00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:23.440
 I hope it's encouraging

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.100
 for you as well

00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:24.920
 because this means

00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:26.840
 whether you're a lay member,

00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:28.440
 just a regular member

00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:30.120
 of a small village church

00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:30.979
 of 20 people,

00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:33.500
 or you're a pastor

00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.819
 of a mega church

00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:36.479
 of 100,000 people.

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.939
 Your role

00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:40.139
 in gospel ministry

00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:41.099
 and the advancement

00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.959
 of the kingdom of God

00:27:41.959 --> 00:27:43.219
 is very small

00:27:43.219 --> 00:27:44.619
 in light of all

00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.439
 that God is doing.

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.679
 What matters

00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:52.559
 is whether or not

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.419
 you're faithful

00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:55.179
 with that very little

00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:55.839
 that you have.

00:27:55.839 --> 00:28:00.619
 are you engaging

00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.740
 in kingdom business

00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.539
 with your life?

00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.159
 Are you putting

00:28:05.159 --> 00:28:06.559
 the gospel of Jesus Christ

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.079
 to work,

00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.639
 both in your life

00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:09.859
 or your own sanctification

00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:11.079
 and growth as a Christian,

00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.419
 but also in the lives

00:28:12.419 --> 00:28:12.899
 of others?

00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.639
 Are you sharing

00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.119
 the good news

00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:14.919
 of Jesus Christ,

00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.059
 investing it,

00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.980
 sowing those seeds

00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.859
 to see if they will

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.879
 bear fruit among

00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:19.359
 your neighbors

00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:19.980
 and friends?

00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:23.180
 If you are doing that,

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:25.640
 then God will reward you

00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:26.980
 after His return

00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:28.259
 and He will reward you

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.200
 with things

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.559
 that are far greater,

00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:32.400
 far greater responsibilities

00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.299
 than you can even

00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.579
 dream of in this life.

00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.880
 Look at what the king

00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:37.519
 says to this first servant

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.220
 in verse 17.

00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.700
 You shall have authority

00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:41.099
 over ten cities.

00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.299
 One mina,

00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:46.019
 it's worth about

00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:47.599
 $12,000 in our day.

00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:50.819
 It's not enough

00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.799
 to buy a house.

00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.579
 You can't even buy

00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.759
 a trailer home with that.

00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:58.679
 But because He was faithful

00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.980
 in that role

00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:01.259
 of stewarding one mina,

00:29:02.919 --> 00:29:03.919
 the Master now gives Him

00:29:03.919 --> 00:29:06.419
 ten cities to rule over.

00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:10.059
 It's a staggering responsibility.

00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.579
 This shows us that

00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:14.199
 Jesus' ultimate plan

00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:15.639
 is to have us,

00:29:15.719 --> 00:29:16.299
 His people,

00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.579
 share in His life

00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.579
 the rule of His kingdom,

00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:20.980
 to partake in His reign.

00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:22.559
 And this is so encouraging

00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.679
 because maybe

00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:25.199
 you feel at times

00:29:25.199 --> 00:29:26.379
 that your current role

00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:27.819
 in serving Christ

00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.059
 is very small.

00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.500
 Maybe you feel that

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.699
 you have little power

00:29:32.699 --> 00:29:34.079
 or influence in your life.

00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.559
 Maybe you feel

00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.819
 that your circle of friends,

00:29:37.939 --> 00:29:38.379
 your neighbors,

00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.819
 is very few.

00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:43.399
 And that what you're doing

00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:43.899
 for the Lord

00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:45.079
 is insignificant,

00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:47.359
 even negligible.

00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:49.899
 If that's you,

00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:51.439
 let this truth

00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:52.259
 encourage you.

00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.919
 All that we do

00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:55.259
 in light of God's

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.059
 eternal kingdom

00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:58.019
 is very small indeed.

00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:59.839
 But if you are faithful

00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:01.579
 in that little bit,

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:03.119
 if you share the gospel

00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:04.759
 with your few friends

00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.720
 and neighbors,

00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.299
 God will entrust

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.439
 much to you

00:30:08.439 --> 00:30:09.960
 in the coming kingdom,

00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.159
 in the consummated kingdom.

00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:13.300
 and what He entrusts to you

00:30:13.300 --> 00:30:15.019
 will far exceed

00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.800
 and transcend

00:30:15.800 --> 00:30:18.400
 all of your wildest ambitions

00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.259
 and desires

00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.980
 in this life.

00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:25.920
 So don't despise

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.560
 the smallness

00:30:26.560 --> 00:30:27.240
 of your ministry.

00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.340
 Cherish it.

00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.500
 Be faithful in it,

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.640
 knowing that it was given

00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.880
 to you by the King

00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:34.200
 who is coming back,

00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.560
 the King who sees

00:30:35.560 --> 00:30:36.120
 everything

00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:38.079
 and reward faithfully

00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.879
 according to

00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.779
 our deeds.

00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.859
 The returning king's

00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.459
 response

00:30:45.459 --> 00:30:47.119
 to the second servant

00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:47.839
 is very similar

00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:49.179
 in verse 18 to 19.

00:30:49.979 --> 00:30:51.059
 And the second came

00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:51.439
 saying,

00:30:51.959 --> 00:30:52.159
 Lord,

00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.299
 your mina has made

00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.299
 five minas.

00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.159
 And he said to him,

00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.019
 and you are

00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.539
 to be over five cities.

00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.339
 Once again,

00:30:59.419 --> 00:31:00.099
 very generous.

00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:02.219
 This exchange

00:31:02.219 --> 00:31:03.000
 is abbreviated.

00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.559
 It doesn't have

00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.199
 the commendation

00:31:04.199 --> 00:31:04.639
 that was there

00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.379
 in the first servant.

00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.939
 But the following reward,

00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.740
 which is also

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:09.179
 proportionate to

00:31:09.179 --> 00:31:10.240
 his labor

00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.059
 and his profit,

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:11.980
 shows that

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.819
 this second servant

00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.819
 also deserves

00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.859
 commendation,

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.339
 praise,

00:31:15.459 --> 00:31:16.059
 from the master.

00:31:16.459 --> 00:31:17.279
 He too is

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.099
 a good servant.

00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:21.000
 He made five

00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.759
 additional minas

00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.480
 and he's rewarded

00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.079
 with authority

00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.000
 over five cities.

00:31:24.959 --> 00:31:25.179
 Now,

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.699
 this parable

00:31:25.699 --> 00:31:26.339
 teaches us

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.359
 that some of us

00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:28.599
 will make more

00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.839
 of our gospel

00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.359
 stewardship

00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:30.980
 than others.

00:31:32.199 --> 00:31:32.959
 And that there

00:31:32.959 --> 00:31:33.799
 will be varying

00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:34.859
 degrees of rewards

00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.759
 in the kingdom

00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.199
 of God.

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:37.919
 Sometimes,

00:31:38.179 --> 00:31:39.019
 I think we're

00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.899
 surprised by this

00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:40.240
 fact,

00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:41.919
 but the Bible

00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:43.019
 consistently teaches

00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.579
 that there are

00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.559
 varying rewards

00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:44.959
 in heaven.

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.639
 1 Corinthians 3,

00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.539
 13 to 15,

00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:47.939
 for example,

00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.559
 says this,

00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.179
 on the judgment

00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:49.559
 day,

00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:50.819
 fire will reveal

00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.879
 what kind of work

00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:52.359
 each builder

00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.879
 has done.

00:31:53.199 --> 00:31:54.199
 The fire will show

00:31:54.199 --> 00:31:55.119
 if a person's work

00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.000
 has any value.

00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:57.480
 If the work survives,

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.059
 that builder

00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.240
 will receive a reward.

00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.160
 But if the work

00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:00.900
 is burned up,

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.299
 the builder

00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:01.839
 will suffer

00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.680
 great loss.

00:32:03.120 --> 00:32:03.539
 The builder

00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.220
 will be saved,

00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:04.980
 but like someone

00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.940
 barely escaping

00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.579
 through a wall

00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.079
 of flames.

00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.900
 There will be

00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.599
 a difference

00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:10.880
 in the final judgment

00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:11.940
 of how we will

00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.519
 be saved.

00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.940
 Some servants

00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.359
 of Christ

00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:15.259
 will be saved,

00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.640
 but just themselves

00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.559
 without any

00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.940
 lasting work

00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.880
 labor onto the

00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:20.480
 kingdom to show

00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:20.960
 for it.

00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.240
 Other servants

00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.839
 of Christ

00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:23.640
 will be saved

00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:24.680
 and their work

00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:25.440
 will survive

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.079
 the testing

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.799
 and they will

00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.319
 be rewarded

00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.839
 for the good

00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:28.220
 work that

00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:28.740
 they have done.

00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.720
 I think we

00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.480
 have a hard

00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.720
 time coming

00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.500
 to terms

00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:33.859
 with this

00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:34.220
 reality

00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.679
 because we

00:32:34.679 --> 00:32:36.299
 live in an

00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.319
 egalitarian society

00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.819
 and we imagine

00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:40.339
 heaven to be

00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:40.720
 a totally

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:42.139
 egalitarian place.

00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.419
 And I think

00:32:43.419 --> 00:32:44.339
 we imagine

00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.079
 heaven to be

00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.439
 that kind

00:32:45.439 --> 00:32:45.899
 of a place

00:32:45.899 --> 00:32:46.960
 because we

00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.460
 believe that

00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:49.419
 only in such

00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:49.960
 a place

00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.679
 that people

00:32:50.679 --> 00:32:51.500
 can all be

00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.279
 perfectly happy.

00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:53.859
 But that's

00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:54.379
 actually not

00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:54.799
 true.

00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:56.979
 Equality

00:32:56.979 --> 00:32:57.939
 is necessary

00:32:57.939 --> 00:32:58.639
 for happiness

00:32:58.639 --> 00:32:59.259
 in this

00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.619
 world

00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.879
 because we

00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.519
 are prideful

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.019
 people who

00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:02.619
 believe that

00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.219
 we deserve

00:33:03.219 --> 00:33:03.939
 at least as

00:33:03.939 --> 00:33:04.279
 much as

00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:04.859
 everyone else

00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:06.279
 and because

00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:06.859
 we envy

00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.439
 one another.

00:33:09.159 --> 00:33:10.039
 Where there

00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.039
 is no pride,

00:33:11.659 --> 00:33:12.379
 no envy,

00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.119
 there's no

00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.959
 strife between

00:33:14.959 --> 00:33:16.359
 people regardless

00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:17.399
 of differentiation

00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:18.359
 of roles and

00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:18.719
 station.

00:33:21.199 --> 00:33:22.219
 We'll all be

00:33:22.219 --> 00:33:23.459
 perfectly satisfied

00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.100
 in our

00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:24.559
 respective

00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.460
 capacity to

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.279
 enjoy God

00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.279
 and to

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.759
 rule in the

00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.140
 kingdom of

00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.440
 God.

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.340
 And there

00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:29.759
 will be no

00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.620
 sin, so we

00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:31.059
 will all be

00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:32.000
 perfectly happy.

00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:32.819
 There will be

00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.579
 no envy, no

00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.660
 pride, no

00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.500
 quarreling among

00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:35.880
 us.

00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:39.220
 But these

00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:40.460
 rewards are

00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.180
 here to

00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:41.960
 motivate us.

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:45.120
 Does it not

00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:45.960
 motivate you to

00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.740
 be faithful with

00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.500
 the very little

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.299
 that you have

00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.900
 been entrusted

00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:49.340
 with?

00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:50.819
 Don't you

00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.620
 want to have

00:33:51.620 --> 00:33:52.039
 greater

00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.900
 responsibilities

00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.880
 in the

00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:54.320
 kingdom of

00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:54.620
 God?

00:33:56.360 --> 00:33:57.000
 Don't you

00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.600
 want to

00:33:57.600 --> 00:33:58.800
 enjoy greater

00:33:58.800 --> 00:34:00.519
 privileges in

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.120
 the kingdom of

00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:01.280
 God?

00:34:01.340 --> 00:34:01.740
 Don't you

00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.440
 want to

00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:03.640
 render greater

00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.800
 service to

00:34:04.800 --> 00:34:05.660
 our gracious

00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.140
 king?

00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.240
 Isn't that the

00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:08.780
 heartbeat of

00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.700
 every Christian?

00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.139
 Because we

00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.840
 should faithfully

00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:14.059
 steward the

00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.639
 gospel of Jesus

00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:16.119
 Christ because he

00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.660
 will surely

00:34:16.660 --> 00:34:17.599
 return to repay

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.380
 everyone according

00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.039
 to their deeds.

00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.700
 Now in

00:34:21.700 --> 00:34:22.400
 verses 20 to

00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.519
 21 we see

00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.059
 the response

00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:24.559
 of the third

00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:24.920
 servant.

00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.539
 And this

00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:27.180
 servant has

00:34:27.180 --> 00:34:27.900
 the leaf to

00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:29.019
 report but

00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:30.240
 he has made

00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:31.539
 no profit and

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.119
 yet he talks

00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:32.599
 the most.

00:34:34.300 --> 00:34:35.059
 We already

00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:35.700
 get a clue

00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:36.380
 that it is not

00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:36.900
 going to end

00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.420
 well by the

00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:37.800
 way he's

00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:38.140
 called.

00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:38.800
 He's not

00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:39.240
 called the

00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:39.820
 third servant.

00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:41.019
 He's simply

00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.720
 referred to as

00:34:41.720 --> 00:34:42.880
 another or

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.840
 the other

00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:44.240
 one.

00:34:45.640 --> 00:34:46.019
 There were

00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:46.599
 ten servants

00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.000
 to begin

00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:47.279
 with.

00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.119
 Jesus doesn't

00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:48.440
 go through

00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:48.880
 each one

00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:49.259
 because he

00:34:49.259 --> 00:34:49.699
 only needs

00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.199
 three servants

00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:50.519
 to make

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:50.980
 his point.

00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:51.980
 But this

00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:52.519
 last servant

00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:52.839
 that is

00:34:52.839 --> 00:34:53.539
 featured is

00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.319
 of a different

00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:55.159
 character than

00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:55.719
 the first two.

00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:56.139
 He's the

00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:56.880
 other servant.

00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.119
 And he

00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.519
 says in

00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.000
 verse 20

00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:01.019
 this servant

00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.380
 says,

00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.559
 Lord here is

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:02.920
 your mina

00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:03.900
 which I have

00:35:03.900 --> 00:35:05.019
 kept laid

00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.659
 away in a

00:35:05.659 --> 00:35:06.039
 handkerchief.

00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:07.719
 Now think

00:35:07.719 --> 00:35:08.259
 about that for

00:35:08.259 --> 00:35:08.639
 a moment.

00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.059
 The word

00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.699
 keep laid

00:35:10.699 --> 00:35:11.400
 away means

00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:11.799
 to put

00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:12.400
 away for

00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:13.299
 safe keeping.

00:35:14.219 --> 00:35:14.679
 But think

00:35:14.679 --> 00:35:15.219
 about something

00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:15.779
 that's precious

00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:16.319
 that you want

00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.780
 to keep

00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.300
 away.

00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.280
 Secure.

00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:19.700
 And then

00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:20.200
 look at where

00:35:20.200 --> 00:35:20.720
 the servant's

00:35:20.720 --> 00:35:21.140
 keeping the

00:35:21.140 --> 00:35:21.340
 money.

00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:23.039
 In a

00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:23.680
 handkerchief.

00:35:25.100 --> 00:35:25.780
 He makes

00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:26.340
 it sound like

00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:27.039
 it's virtuous

00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.680
 of him to

00:35:27.680 --> 00:35:28.320
 try to keep

00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:28.720
 the mina

00:35:28.720 --> 00:35:29.100
 safe.

00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:29.780
 But he

00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:30.380
 was careless

00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.460
 and irresponsible.

00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.120
 It's like

00:35:32.120 --> 00:35:32.920
 folding something

00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:33.500
 away in a

00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:33.800
 napkin.

00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.780
 I wouldn't

00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:35.400
 even put

00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:35.700
 a hundred

00:35:35.700 --> 00:35:36.240
 dollar bill

00:35:36.240 --> 00:35:36.860
 away in a

00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:37.400
 handkerchief.

00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:38.140
 Let alone

00:35:38.140 --> 00:35:38.800
 three months

00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:39.220
 of wages.

00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:40.800
 There was a

00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:41.280
 saying among

00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:41.700
 the Jews

00:35:41.700 --> 00:35:42.280
 that if you

00:35:42.280 --> 00:35:42.840
 want to keep

00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:43.120
 your money

00:35:43.120 --> 00:35:43.519
 safe,

00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:44.120
 you should

00:35:44.120 --> 00:35:44.960
 bury it in

00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.539
 the ground

00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:46.360
 instead of

00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:46.880
 folding it

00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:47.440
 away in

00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:47.559
 a

00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.139
 handkerchief.

00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.199
 This servant

00:35:52.199 --> 00:35:53.320
 puts the

00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:53.779
 money away

00:35:53.779 --> 00:35:54.059
 in a

00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:54.659
 handkerchief.

00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.519
 What if

00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.380
 someone tosses

00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:56.920
 it into the

00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:57.559
 laundry pile

00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:57.880
 and throws

00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.179
 away?

00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:00.880
 Or if it

00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:02.179
 gets lost,

00:36:02.279 --> 00:36:02.800
 someone just

00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.300
 throws it

00:36:03.300 --> 00:36:03.480
 away,

00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.340
 or it's

00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:04.519
 to be

00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.039
 tossing it

00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:05.679
 like garbage.

00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:07.420
 He was

00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:07.980
 not being

00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.420
 overly

00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:09.000
 cautious with

00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.480
 the master's

00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:09.659
 money.

00:36:09.759 --> 00:36:10.000
 He was

00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:10.559
 actually being

00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:10.900
 careless.

00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:12.320
 But worse

00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:12.860
 than that,

00:36:13.220 --> 00:36:13.539
 he was

00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:14.559
 being blatantly

00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:15.800
 disobedient.

00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:18.539
 His master

00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.059
 had commanded

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.440
 him in

00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.200
 verse 13,

00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:22.139
 engage in

00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:22.840
 business

00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:23.940
 until I

00:36:23.940 --> 00:36:24.380
 come.

00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.260
 And the

00:36:25.260 --> 00:36:25.639
 servant

00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:27.340
 engaged in

00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.039
 no business.

00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:30.019
 He didn't

00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.019
 do what he

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.920
 was explicitly

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.539
 asked by

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.000
 his master

00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:34.400
 to do.

00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:35.619
 And he

00:36:35.619 --> 00:36:36.420
 gives this

00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.180
 excuse in

00:36:37.180 --> 00:36:37.619
 verse 21,

00:36:37.720 --> 00:36:38.200
 which is even

00:36:38.200 --> 00:36:39.200
 more brazen.

00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.220
 He says,

00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:40.939
 for,

00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:41.579
 this is his

00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:41.899
 reason,

00:36:42.279 --> 00:36:42.899
 I was

00:36:42.899 --> 00:36:44.539
 afraid of

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.019
 you,

00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:46.980
 because you

00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.539
 are a

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.419
 severe man.

00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:49.879
 You take

00:36:49.879 --> 00:36:50.199
 what you

00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:50.659
 did not

00:36:50.659 --> 00:36:51.719
 deposit and

00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:52.399
 reap what

00:36:52.399 --> 00:36:52.879
 you did

00:36:52.879 --> 00:36:53.659
 not sow.

00:36:54.959 --> 00:36:55.319
 To

00:36:55.319 --> 00:36:55.939
 paraphrase,

00:36:56.279 --> 00:36:56.899
 you know

00:36:56.899 --> 00:36:57.219
 what the

00:36:57.219 --> 00:36:57.879
 real problem

00:36:57.879 --> 00:36:58.159
 is,

00:36:58.259 --> 00:36:58.559
 master?

00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:00.099
 It's

00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:00.559
 you.

00:37:01.839 --> 00:37:02.219
 You're

00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:02.779
 a severe

00:37:02.779 --> 00:37:03.299
 man,

00:37:03.619 --> 00:37:04.480
 a cutthroat

00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:05.119
 businessman.

00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:06.399
 You're

00:37:06.399 --> 00:37:06.959
 always

00:37:06.959 --> 00:37:07.639
 wheeling

00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:07.859
 and

00:37:07.859 --> 00:37:08.179
 dealing.

00:37:08.679 --> 00:37:08.899
 You

00:37:08.899 --> 00:37:09.559
 exploit

00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:09.960
 people

00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.159
 and

00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:10.739
 situations

00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:11.039
 by

00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:11.420
 taking

00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.000
 advantage.

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.079
 You

00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:16.179
 reap what

00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:16.559
 you didn't

00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:17.199
 even sow.

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.400
 So I

00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:18.599
 had no

00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:18.960
 choice.

00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:20.619
 I was

00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.259
 afraid of

00:37:21.259 --> 00:37:21.440
 you.

00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:22.980
 I had

00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:23.420
 to keep

00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:23.619
 the

00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:23.860
 minus

00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:24.380
 safe

00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:24.940
 somewhere

00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.299
 instead

00:37:25.299 --> 00:37:25.539
 of

00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:25.980
 risking

00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:26.279
 it

00:37:26.279 --> 00:37:26.699
 by

00:37:26.699 --> 00:37:27.179
 engaging

00:37:27.179 --> 00:37:27.400
 in

00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:27.900
 business.

00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.440
 Perhaps

00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:30.900
 this servant

00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:31.299
 thought to

00:37:31.299 --> 00:37:31.679
 himself,

00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:32.099
 well,

00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:32.400
 if I

00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:32.699
 make a

00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:33.019
 profit,

00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.259
 it would

00:37:33.259 --> 00:37:33.500
 become

00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:33.679
 my

00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:34.099
 master's

00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:34.340
 money

00:37:34.340 --> 00:37:34.699
 anyway.

00:37:35.340 --> 00:37:35.840
 If I

00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:36.279
 lose it,

00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:36.480
 well,

00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:36.719
 I'll be

00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:37.279
 held accountable

00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:37.659
 for it,

00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:38.099
 so why

00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:38.480
 bother?

00:37:39.559 --> 00:37:40.759
 Might as

00:37:40.759 --> 00:37:41.159
 well avoid

00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:41.420
 all the

00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:41.659
 trouble,

00:37:41.759 --> 00:37:42.159
 just put

00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:42.440
 it away

00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:42.619
 for

00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:42.840
 safe

00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.119
 keeping.

00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:44.480
 In

00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:44.980
 defending

00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:45.539
 his own

00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.059
 virtue,

00:37:46.239 --> 00:37:46.719
 this third

00:37:46.719 --> 00:37:47.320
 servant is

00:37:47.320 --> 00:37:48.139
 impugning the

00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:48.900
 very character

00:37:48.900 --> 00:37:49.480
 of his own

00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:49.980
 master,

00:37:50.759 --> 00:37:51.219
 but the

00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:52.639
 truth is

00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:53.259
 that this

00:37:53.259 --> 00:37:53.880
 master

00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:55.440
 doesn't fit

00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:56.840
 this servant's

00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:57.860
 description or

00:37:57.860 --> 00:37:58.380
 characterization

00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:59.139
 in any

00:37:59.139 --> 00:37:59.380
 way.

00:38:00.219 --> 00:38:00.679
 First,

00:38:00.779 --> 00:38:00.980
 he was

00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:01.699
 described as

00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.139
 being of

00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:02.460
 noble

00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:03.039
 character in

00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:03.500
 verse 12,

00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:04.380
 and in

00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:04.639
 second,

00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:05.679
 we see how

00:38:05.679 --> 00:38:06.299
 he dealt

00:38:06.299 --> 00:38:06.699
 with the

00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:07.139
 first and

00:38:07.139 --> 00:38:07.880
 second servants.

00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:08.820
 He was

00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:09.619
 exceedingly

00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:10.000
 generous

00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:10.519
 with them.

00:38:11.720 --> 00:38:12.160
 They were

00:38:12.160 --> 00:38:12.660
 faithful with

00:38:12.660 --> 00:38:13.260
 very little,

00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:13.599
 and he

00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.300
 gave them

00:38:14.300 --> 00:38:15.260
 cities to

00:38:15.260 --> 00:38:15.760
 rule over

00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:16.519
 in his

00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:16.880
 kingdom.

00:38:17.680 --> 00:38:18.140
 He was

00:38:18.140 --> 00:38:19.640
 not stingy,

00:38:19.700 --> 00:38:19.820
 he was

00:38:19.820 --> 00:38:20.500
 not harsh

00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:21.260
 or berating.

00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:23.500
 And as

00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:24.039
 he comes

00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:24.340
 to the

00:38:24.340 --> 00:38:25.340
 five-minus

00:38:25.340 --> 00:38:25.680
 servant,

00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:26.780
 he doesn't

00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:27.960
 compare him

00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:29.440
 to the

00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:29.960
 ten-minus

00:38:29.960 --> 00:38:30.180
 servant,

00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:30.539
 saying,

00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.380
 well,

00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:31.960
 is that the

00:38:31.960 --> 00:38:32.300
 best you

00:38:32.300 --> 00:38:32.740
 could do?

00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:35.059
 I mean,

00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:35.480
 look at that

00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:35.700
 guy,

00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:36.440
 he got ten,

00:38:36.740 --> 00:38:37.099
 he had the

00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:38.059
 same minus.

00:38:39.819 --> 00:38:40.920
 He doesn't

00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:41.719
 belittle his

00:38:41.719 --> 00:38:42.059
 servants.

00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:43.440
 He's

00:38:43.440 --> 00:38:44.099
 gracious,

00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:45.699
 kind,

00:38:46.659 --> 00:38:47.039
 generous.

00:38:48.400 --> 00:38:48.880
 This third

00:38:48.880 --> 00:38:49.500
 servant is

00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:50.360
 slandering his

00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:51.199
 master based

00:38:51.199 --> 00:38:52.219
 on a

00:38:52.219 --> 00:38:53.059
 misjudgment

00:38:53.059 --> 00:38:53.380
 of his

00:38:53.380 --> 00:38:53.759
 character.

00:38:55.259 --> 00:38:55.920
 There's an

00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:56.500
 important lesson

00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.079
 here for us

00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:57.319
 all.

00:38:58.239 --> 00:38:58.779
 Do you see

00:38:58.779 --> 00:38:59.659
 God as a

00:38:59.659 --> 00:39:00.900
 harsh task

00:39:00.900 --> 00:39:01.400
 master?

00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:06.200
 God as

00:39:06.200 --> 00:39:06.760
 a hard

00:39:06.760 --> 00:39:07.200
 man,

00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:08.220
 a severe

00:39:08.220 --> 00:39:08.800
 person,

00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:09.740
 if you

00:39:09.740 --> 00:39:10.320
 view God

00:39:10.320 --> 00:39:10.820
 as a

00:39:10.820 --> 00:39:11.460
 stingy,

00:39:11.660 --> 00:39:12.500
 ungenerous,

00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:13.180
 ungracious

00:39:13.180 --> 00:39:13.760
 person,

00:39:14.039 --> 00:39:14.559
 you will

00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.240
 not be

00:39:15.240 --> 00:39:15.900
 diligent in

00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:16.440
 his service.

00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.280
 Who wants

00:39:20.280 --> 00:39:20.660
 to serve

00:39:20.660 --> 00:39:21.039
 that kind

00:39:21.039 --> 00:39:21.380
 of Lord?

00:39:23.760 --> 00:39:24.320
 I mean,

00:39:24.380 --> 00:39:25.000
 several studies

00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:25.380
 have noted

00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:25.740
 that even

00:39:25.740 --> 00:39:25.960
 in our

00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:27.480
 workplaces,

00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:28.380
 harsh,

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:29.240
 berating bosses

00:39:29.240 --> 00:39:29.700
 reduce

00:39:29.700 --> 00:39:30.280
 productivity

00:39:30.280 --> 00:39:30.600
 of his

00:39:30.600 --> 00:39:30.960
 employees.

00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:32.980
 If they

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.480
 get burned

00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.040
 long enough

00:39:34.040 --> 00:39:34.519
 instead of

00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:34.960
 looking out

00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:35.180
 for the

00:39:35.180 --> 00:39:35.560
 interest of

00:39:35.560 --> 00:39:35.960
 the company,

00:39:36.040 --> 00:39:36.380
 they'll start

00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:36.740
 looking out

00:39:36.740 --> 00:39:37.400
 for themselves.

00:39:39.600 --> 00:39:40.300
 But our

00:39:40.300 --> 00:39:40.760
 king is

00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:41.300
 good and

00:39:41.300 --> 00:39:41.680
 gracious.

00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:43.120
 He's slow

00:39:43.120 --> 00:39:43.660
 to anger

00:39:43.660 --> 00:39:44.400
 and abounding

00:39:44.400 --> 00:39:45.160
 in steadfast

00:39:45.160 --> 00:39:45.480
 love.

00:39:45.580 --> 00:39:45.860
 He is

00:39:45.860 --> 00:39:47.080
 merciful and

00:39:47.080 --> 00:39:47.800
 compassionate

00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:48.860
 and this

00:39:48.860 --> 00:39:50.040
 truth should

00:39:50.040 --> 00:39:50.740
 make us

00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:51.440
 eager to

00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:52.080
 serve God.

00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:53.300
 It should

00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:53.800
 make us

00:39:53.800 --> 00:39:54.200
 look out

00:39:54.200 --> 00:39:54.660
 for his

00:39:54.660 --> 00:39:55.260
 interests

00:39:55.260 --> 00:39:56.160
 and not

00:39:56.160 --> 00:39:56.900
 for our

00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.280
 selfish

00:39:57.280 --> 00:39:57.960
 interests.

00:39:58.440 --> 00:39:59.200
 He's eager

00:39:59.200 --> 00:40:00.000
 to reward

00:40:00.000 --> 00:40:00.539
 the

00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:01.179
 faithfulness

00:40:01.179 --> 00:40:01.440
 of his

00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:01.739
 servants.

00:40:03.059 --> 00:40:03.820
 So when

00:40:03.820 --> 00:40:04.119
 you

00:40:04.119 --> 00:40:04.840
 bumble

00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:05.039
 your

00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:05.400
 attempt

00:40:05.400 --> 00:40:05.599
 to

00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:05.820
 share

00:40:05.820 --> 00:40:05.980
 the

00:40:05.980 --> 00:40:06.280
 gospel

00:40:06.280 --> 00:40:06.539
 with

00:40:06.539 --> 00:40:06.679
 your

00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:06.980
 neighbor,

00:40:07.619 --> 00:40:07.920
 God's

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:08.380
 not going

00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:08.579
 to

00:40:08.579 --> 00:40:09.019
 berate

00:40:09.019 --> 00:40:09.199
 you

00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:09.559
 and say,

00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:10.019
 is that

00:40:10.019 --> 00:40:10.440
 the best

00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:10.719
 you can

00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:10.980
 do?

00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:12.320
 That was

00:40:12.320 --> 00:40:12.760
 my one

00:40:12.760 --> 00:40:13.119
 chance

00:40:13.119 --> 00:40:13.579
 at saving

00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:14.059
 that man's

00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:14.420
 life and

00:40:14.420 --> 00:40:14.900
 you blew

00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:15.179
 it.

00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:15.980
 Now you

00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.460
 go sit

00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:16.699
 in the

00:40:16.699 --> 00:40:17.340
 corner and

00:40:17.340 --> 00:40:17.920
 never open

00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:18.280
 your mouth

00:40:18.280 --> 00:40:18.599
 again.

00:40:20.739 --> 00:40:21.199
 God's

00:40:21.199 --> 00:40:21.599
 not going

00:40:21.599 --> 00:40:22.039
 to treat

00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.239
 his

00:40:22.239 --> 00:40:22.539
 servants

00:40:22.539 --> 00:40:23.039
 that way.

00:40:23.760 --> 00:40:23.940
 Brothers

00:40:23.940 --> 00:40:24.260
 and sisters,

00:40:24.380 --> 00:40:25.320
 if I saw

00:40:25.320 --> 00:40:26.000
 God to be

00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:26.480
 that kind

00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:26.940
 of God,

00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:29.340
 and as a

00:40:29.340 --> 00:40:29.920
 pastor who

00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:31.019
 preaches his

00:40:31.019 --> 00:40:31.860
 word week

00:40:31.860 --> 00:40:32.320
 in and week

00:40:32.320 --> 00:40:32.619
 out,

00:40:32.900 --> 00:40:33.679
 if I saw

00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:34.219
 God that

00:40:34.219 --> 00:40:34.440
 way,

00:40:34.500 --> 00:40:34.739
 I would

00:40:34.739 --> 00:40:35.460
 crumble under

00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.980
 the pressure

00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:37.519
 and I would

00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.380
 never have the

00:40:38.380 --> 00:40:38.860
 courage to

00:40:38.860 --> 00:40:39.340
 step up to

00:40:39.340 --> 00:40:39.860
 the pulpit

00:40:39.860 --> 00:40:41.400
 if that's how

00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:41.960
 God treats

00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:42.500
 his servants.

00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:44.900
 But our

00:40:44.900 --> 00:40:45.539
 God is

00:40:45.539 --> 00:40:46.099
 gracious.

00:40:47.539 --> 00:40:48.179
 Time and

00:40:48.179 --> 00:40:48.840
 time again,

00:40:49.260 --> 00:40:50.139
 he encourages

00:40:50.139 --> 00:40:50.880
 his servants,

00:40:51.380 --> 00:40:52.380
 he comforts me,

00:40:52.659 --> 00:40:53.480
 he comforts all

00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:54.000
 of us,

00:40:54.980 --> 00:40:55.599
 lifts up our

00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.099
 head and

00:40:56.099 --> 00:40:56.800
 pushes us

00:40:56.800 --> 00:40:57.280
 forward,

00:40:57.659 --> 00:40:58.300
 reminds us

00:40:58.300 --> 00:40:59.059
 that fruitfulness

00:40:59.059 --> 00:41:00.119
 and growth

00:41:00.119 --> 00:41:00.639
 they come

00:41:00.639 --> 00:41:01.659
 from ultimately

00:41:01.659 --> 00:41:02.159
 him,

00:41:02.559 --> 00:41:03.099
 he's the one

00:41:03.099 --> 00:41:03.719
 that provides.

00:41:04.219 --> 00:41:04.679
 As God

00:41:04.679 --> 00:41:05.260
 says in his

00:41:05.260 --> 00:41:05.880
 word in 1

00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:06.639
 Corinthians 3

00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:07.559
 and Mark 4,

00:41:08.139 --> 00:41:08.960
 we sow the

00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:09.619
 seed and we

00:41:09.619 --> 00:41:10.480
 can water it,

00:41:10.699 --> 00:41:11.599
 but only God

00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:12.219
 gives the

00:41:12.219 --> 00:41:12.619
 growth.

00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:15.159
 That's why

00:41:15.159 --> 00:41:16.019
 Christian pastor

00:41:16.019 --> 00:41:16.420
 and author

00:41:16.420 --> 00:41:16.980
 Mark Dever

00:41:16.980 --> 00:41:17.619
 puts it this

00:41:17.619 --> 00:41:18.019
 way in his

00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:18.300
 book,

00:41:18.940 --> 00:41:19.440
 Gospel and

00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:19.760
 Personal

00:41:19.760 --> 00:41:20.300
 Evangelism,

00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:20.699
 he says,

00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:21.840
 we don't

00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:22.619
 fail in our

00:41:22.619 --> 00:41:23.400
 evangelism if

00:41:23.400 --> 00:41:24.099
 we faithfully

00:41:24.099 --> 00:41:24.539
 tell the

00:41:24.539 --> 00:41:25.000
 gospel to

00:41:25.000 --> 00:41:25.940
 someone who

00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:27.019
 is not on

00:41:27.019 --> 00:41:27.420
 account of

00:41:27.420 --> 00:41:28.000
 that converted.

00:41:29.240 --> 00:41:30.840
 We fail only

00:41:30.840 --> 00:41:32.119
 if we don't

00:41:32.119 --> 00:41:33.119
 faithfully tell

00:41:33.119 --> 00:41:33.800
 the gospel at

00:41:33.800 --> 00:41:34.039
 all.

00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:36.200
 Evangelism

00:41:36.200 --> 00:41:37.980
 itself isn't

00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:38.539
 converting

00:41:38.539 --> 00:41:39.079
 people,

00:41:39.760 --> 00:41:40.660
 it's telling

00:41:40.660 --> 00:41:41.180
 them that they

00:41:41.180 --> 00:41:41.700
 need to be

00:41:41.700 --> 00:41:42.720
 converted and

00:41:42.720 --> 00:41:43.240
 telling them

00:41:43.240 --> 00:41:43.700
 how they

00:41:43.700 --> 00:41:44.280
 can be.

00:41:46.160 --> 00:41:46.960
 No matter

00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.760
 how eloquent

00:41:47.760 --> 00:41:48.599
 or persuasive

00:41:48.599 --> 00:41:48.960
 we are,

00:41:49.019 --> 00:41:49.360
 we cannot

00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:50.079
 take someone

00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:50.380
 who is

00:41:50.380 --> 00:41:51.200
 spiritually dead

00:41:51.200 --> 00:41:51.960
 and make

00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:52.940
 them alive

00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:53.420
 alive again.

00:41:53.900 --> 00:41:54.760
 Only God

00:41:54.760 --> 00:41:55.220
 can do

00:41:55.220 --> 00:41:55.539
 that.

00:41:55.940 --> 00:41:56.539
 Only God

00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:57.079
 can bring

00:41:57.079 --> 00:41:57.519
 the dead

00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:58.139
 to life.

00:41:59.519 --> 00:42:00.019
 But will

00:42:00.019 --> 00:42:00.500
 you be

00:42:00.500 --> 00:42:01.280
 faithful with

00:42:01.280 --> 00:42:01.619
 the little

00:42:01.619 --> 00:42:02.099
 he's given

00:42:02.099 --> 00:42:02.400
 you?

00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:03.720
 Invest that

00:42:03.720 --> 00:42:04.019
 miner,

00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.280
 sow that

00:42:05.280 --> 00:42:05.679
 seed.

00:42:08.260 --> 00:42:09.059
 This other

00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:09.659
 servant was

00:42:09.659 --> 00:42:10.280
 not faithful

00:42:10.280 --> 00:42:10.760
 to obey

00:42:10.760 --> 00:42:11.260
 his master

00:42:11.260 --> 00:42:11.679
 and is

00:42:11.679 --> 00:42:12.159
 roundly

00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:12.700
 rebuked in

00:42:12.700 --> 00:42:13.440
 verses 22

00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:14.119
 to 23.

00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:15.200
 He said

00:42:15.200 --> 00:42:15.659
 to him,

00:42:15.659 --> 00:42:16.359
 I will

00:42:16.359 --> 00:42:16.779
 condemn

00:42:16.779 --> 00:42:17.339
 you with

00:42:17.339 --> 00:42:17.899
 your own

00:42:17.899 --> 00:42:18.279
 words,

00:42:18.359 --> 00:42:18.759
 you wicked

00:42:18.759 --> 00:42:19.139
 servant.

00:42:19.619 --> 00:42:20.119
 You knew

00:42:20.119 --> 00:42:20.440
 that I

00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:20.699
 was a

00:42:20.699 --> 00:42:21.399
 severe man

00:42:21.399 --> 00:42:22.319
 taking what

00:42:22.319 --> 00:42:22.599
 I did

00:42:22.599 --> 00:42:23.339
 not deposit

00:42:23.339 --> 00:42:23.899
 and reaping

00:42:23.899 --> 00:42:24.139
 what I

00:42:24.139 --> 00:42:24.519
 did not

00:42:24.519 --> 00:42:24.819
 sow.

00:42:25.319 --> 00:42:26.119
 Why then

00:42:26.119 --> 00:42:26.440
 did you

00:42:26.440 --> 00:42:26.940
 not put

00:42:26.940 --> 00:42:27.399
 my money

00:42:27.399 --> 00:42:27.639
 in the

00:42:27.639 --> 00:42:27.920
 bank

00:42:27.920 --> 00:42:28.579
 and at

00:42:28.579 --> 00:42:29.099
 my coming

00:42:29.099 --> 00:42:29.480
 I might

00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:29.639
 have

00:42:29.639 --> 00:42:30.019
 collected

00:42:30.019 --> 00:42:30.319
 it with

00:42:30.319 --> 00:42:30.839
 interest?

00:42:31.259 --> 00:42:31.980
 The king

00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:32.619
 is turning

00:42:32.619 --> 00:42:33.480
 the excuse

00:42:33.480 --> 00:42:34.000
 of the servant

00:42:34.000 --> 00:42:34.379
 and using

00:42:34.379 --> 00:42:34.799
 it against

00:42:34.799 --> 00:42:35.079
 him.

00:42:35.539 --> 00:42:36.099
 Because if

00:42:36.099 --> 00:42:36.679
 you really

00:42:36.679 --> 00:42:37.500
 believe that

00:42:37.500 --> 00:42:38.159
 I was this

00:42:38.159 --> 00:42:38.940
 cutthroat

00:42:38.940 --> 00:42:39.739
 businessman who

00:42:39.739 --> 00:42:39.960
 makes

00:42:39.960 --> 00:42:40.659
 unreasonable

00:42:40.659 --> 00:42:41.299
 demands of

00:42:41.299 --> 00:42:41.899
 his servants,

00:42:42.339 --> 00:42:42.859
 you should

00:42:42.859 --> 00:42:43.219
 have at

00:42:43.219 --> 00:42:43.659
 least put

00:42:43.659 --> 00:42:44.019
 the mina

00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.319
 in the

00:42:44.319 --> 00:42:45.139
 bank and

00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:45.379
 then he

00:42:45.379 --> 00:42:45.619
 would have

00:42:45.619 --> 00:42:46.519
 safely accrued

00:42:46.519 --> 00:42:47.259
 interest in

00:42:47.259 --> 00:42:47.879
 my absence

00:42:47.879 --> 00:42:48.599
 without you

00:42:48.599 --> 00:42:49.099
 having to

00:42:49.099 --> 00:42:49.440
 raise a

00:42:49.440 --> 00:42:49.699
 finger.

00:42:50.960 --> 00:42:51.379
 Now this

00:42:51.379 --> 00:42:52.119
 rebuke shows

00:42:52.119 --> 00:42:52.579
 that this

00:42:52.579 --> 00:42:53.099
 servant had

00:42:53.099 --> 00:42:53.519
 not only

00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:54.199
 misjudged

00:42:54.199 --> 00:42:54.779
 his master,

00:42:55.079 --> 00:42:55.399
 he was

00:42:55.399 --> 00:42:56.239
 also lazy

00:42:56.239 --> 00:42:56.980
 and foolish.

00:42:58.460 --> 00:42:59.159
 If he

00:42:59.159 --> 00:43:00.179
 feared God,

00:43:00.899 --> 00:43:01.500
 he should

00:43:01.500 --> 00:43:02.039
 have tried

00:43:02.039 --> 00:43:02.659
 to produce

00:43:02.659 --> 00:43:04.159
 something to

00:43:04.159 --> 00:43:04.799
 show upon

00:43:04.799 --> 00:43:05.359
 his master's

00:43:05.359 --> 00:43:05.699
 return.

00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:06.639
 But he

00:43:06.639 --> 00:43:07.420
 did nothing.

00:43:08.859 --> 00:43:09.319
 Sometimes

00:43:09.319 --> 00:43:10.239
 people say

00:43:10.239 --> 00:43:11.179
 things like,

00:43:11.319 --> 00:43:11.519
 well,

00:43:12.179 --> 00:43:12.539
 the God

00:43:12.539 --> 00:43:12.739
 of the

00:43:12.739 --> 00:43:13.299
 Bible seems

00:43:13.300 --> 00:43:14.000
 so harsh.

00:43:14.840 --> 00:43:15.240
 I don't

00:43:15.240 --> 00:43:15.480
 want to

00:43:15.480 --> 00:43:15.960
 believe him.

00:43:16.800 --> 00:43:17.080
 I don't

00:43:17.080 --> 00:43:17.280
 want to

00:43:17.280 --> 00:43:17.580
 believe in

00:43:17.580 --> 00:43:17.800
 a God

00:43:17.800 --> 00:43:18.220
 like that.

00:43:19.620 --> 00:43:20.160
 But let

00:43:20.160 --> 00:43:20.660
 me ask

00:43:20.660 --> 00:43:21.100
 you,

00:43:21.160 --> 00:43:21.680
 if God

00:43:21.680 --> 00:43:22.720
 really is

00:43:22.720 --> 00:43:23.300
 harsh,

00:43:24.340 --> 00:43:24.539
 well,

00:43:24.580 --> 00:43:24.780
 then you

00:43:24.780 --> 00:43:25.700
 better believe

00:43:25.700 --> 00:43:25.960
 him and

00:43:25.960 --> 00:43:26.260
 get to

00:43:26.260 --> 00:43:26.560
 work.

00:43:27.980 --> 00:43:28.380
 Right?

00:43:29.800 --> 00:43:30.480
 When people

00:43:30.480 --> 00:43:30.920
 say that,

00:43:30.980 --> 00:43:31.220
 what they

00:43:31.220 --> 00:43:32.380
 really mean

00:43:32.380 --> 00:43:32.600
 is,

00:43:32.660 --> 00:43:32.760
 well,

00:43:32.800 --> 00:43:33.260
 I can't

00:43:33.260 --> 00:43:33.740
 imagine

00:43:33.740 --> 00:43:34.720
 that God

00:43:34.720 --> 00:43:35.060
 is like

00:43:35.060 --> 00:43:35.260
 that,

00:43:35.300 --> 00:43:35.560
 so he

00:43:35.560 --> 00:43:35.920
 must not

00:43:35.920 --> 00:43:36.280
 be like

00:43:36.280 --> 00:43:36.500
 that.

00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:38.500
 Which is

00:43:38.500 --> 00:43:38.960
 just as

00:43:38.960 --> 00:43:39.420
 foolish as

00:43:39.420 --> 00:43:39.740
 a high

00:43:39.740 --> 00:43:40.060
 schooler

00:43:40.060 --> 00:43:40.360
 saying,

00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:40.620
 well,

00:43:40.660 --> 00:43:41.060
 I can't

00:43:41.060 --> 00:43:41.640
 imagine a

00:43:41.640 --> 00:43:42.180
 solution to

00:43:42.180 --> 00:43:42.600
 this math

00:43:42.600 --> 00:43:42.920
 problem,

00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:43.619
 so there

00:43:43.619 --> 00:43:44.059
 must not

00:43:44.059 --> 00:43:44.340
 be a

00:43:44.340 --> 00:43:44.680
 solution.

00:43:47.159 --> 00:43:47.720
 That's a

00:43:47.720 --> 00:43:48.340
 poor excuse

00:43:48.340 --> 00:43:48.720
 for not

00:43:48.720 --> 00:43:49.039
 doing your

00:43:49.039 --> 00:43:49.579
 math homework.

00:43:50.760 --> 00:43:51.059
 It's an

00:43:51.059 --> 00:43:51.599
 even poorer

00:43:51.599 --> 00:43:52.320
 excuse for

00:43:52.320 --> 00:43:53.000
 doing nothing

00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:53.539
 in the

00:43:53.539 --> 00:43:53.940
 kingdom of

00:43:53.940 --> 00:43:54.240
 God.

00:43:55.599 --> 00:43:56.340
 Even if you

00:43:56.340 --> 00:43:56.680
 have a

00:43:56.680 --> 00:43:57.260
 wrong view

00:43:57.260 --> 00:43:57.720
 of God,

00:43:57.800 --> 00:43:58.240
 that should

00:43:58.240 --> 00:43:58.579
 lead to

00:43:58.579 --> 00:43:58.980
 some

00:43:58.980 --> 00:43:59.400
 action.

00:44:01.539 --> 00:44:02.220
 The servant's

00:44:02.220 --> 00:44:02.980
 apathy shows

00:44:02.980 --> 00:44:03.460
 that he

00:44:03.460 --> 00:44:04.039
 really did

00:44:04.039 --> 00:44:04.599
 not care

00:44:04.599 --> 00:44:05.220
 about God

00:44:05.220 --> 00:44:05.460
 and his

00:44:05.460 --> 00:44:05.840
 kingdom at

00:44:05.840 --> 00:44:06.079
 all.

00:44:06.079 --> 00:44:09.239
 And we

00:44:09.239 --> 00:44:09.559
 see that

00:44:09.559 --> 00:44:10.179
 clearly in

00:44:10.179 --> 00:44:10.639
 the king's

00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:11.019
 punishment

00:44:11.019 --> 00:44:11.380
 in verses

00:44:11.380 --> 00:44:11.980
 24 to

00:44:11.980 --> 00:44:12.539
 26.

00:44:12.539 --> 00:44:13.219
 And he

00:44:13.219 --> 00:44:13.579
 said to

00:44:13.579 --> 00:44:13.960
 those who

00:44:13.960 --> 00:44:14.539
 stood by,

00:44:14.679 --> 00:44:15.079
 take the

00:44:15.079 --> 00:44:15.519
 mina from

00:44:15.519 --> 00:44:16.259
 him and

00:44:16.259 --> 00:44:16.719
 give it to

00:44:16.719 --> 00:44:17.199
 the one who

00:44:17.199 --> 00:44:17.659
 has the

00:44:17.659 --> 00:44:18.279
 ten minus.

00:44:18.500 --> 00:44:18.759
 And they

00:44:18.759 --> 00:44:19.099
 said to

00:44:19.099 --> 00:44:19.239
 him,

00:44:19.299 --> 00:44:19.460
 Lord,

00:44:19.539 --> 00:44:19.819
 he has

00:44:19.819 --> 00:44:20.440
 ten minus.

00:44:20.940 --> 00:44:21.579
 The third

00:44:21.579 --> 00:44:22.259
 servant's one

00:44:22.259 --> 00:44:22.759
 mina is

00:44:22.759 --> 00:44:23.119
 given to

00:44:23.119 --> 00:44:23.599
 the one who

00:44:23.599 --> 00:44:23.920
 has made

00:44:23.920 --> 00:44:24.619
 ten minus

00:44:24.619 --> 00:44:25.219
 profits.

00:44:25.619 --> 00:44:26.380
 So then he

00:44:26.380 --> 00:44:26.860
 now has

00:44:26.860 --> 00:44:27.920
 twelve.

00:44:28.679 --> 00:44:29.779
 And they

00:44:29.779 --> 00:44:30.500
 protest people

00:44:30.500 --> 00:44:31.019
 around him,

00:44:31.059 --> 00:44:31.460
 oh Lord,

00:44:31.519 --> 00:44:31.819
 he already

00:44:31.819 --> 00:44:32.659
 has ten minus

00:44:32.659 --> 00:44:33.059
 profit.

00:44:33.059 --> 00:44:33.779
 Lord,

00:44:33.960 --> 00:44:34.739
 it's unfair

00:44:34.739 --> 00:44:35.239
 to take

00:44:35.239 --> 00:44:35.739
 away this

00:44:35.739 --> 00:44:36.279
 servant's

00:44:36.279 --> 00:44:36.480
 money.

00:44:36.559 --> 00:44:36.840
 He only

00:44:36.840 --> 00:44:37.360
 has one

00:44:37.360 --> 00:44:37.799
 mina to

00:44:37.799 --> 00:44:38.159
 give it to

00:44:38.159 --> 00:44:39.099
 this servant

00:44:39.099 --> 00:44:39.480
 who has

00:44:39.480 --> 00:44:39.820
 ten.

00:44:40.799 --> 00:44:41.320
 Presumably

00:44:41.320 --> 00:44:41.860
 the additional

00:44:41.860 --> 00:44:42.380
 mina would

00:44:42.380 --> 00:44:43.079
 also translate

00:44:43.079 --> 00:44:43.820
 to additional

00:44:43.820 --> 00:44:44.440
 kingdom or

00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:44.840
 reward.

00:44:45.799 --> 00:44:46.179
 And the

00:44:46.179 --> 00:44:46.980
 master explains

00:44:46.980 --> 00:44:47.759
 his rationality

00:44:47.759 --> 00:44:48.000
 in verse

00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:48.579
 26.

00:44:48.699 --> 00:44:49.360
 I tell you

00:44:49.360 --> 00:44:49.900
 that to

00:44:49.900 --> 00:44:50.579
 everyone who

00:44:50.579 --> 00:44:51.079
 has,

00:44:51.320 --> 00:44:51.820
 more will

00:44:51.820 --> 00:44:52.299
 be given,

00:44:52.599 --> 00:44:53.139
 but from

00:44:53.139 --> 00:44:53.679
 the one who

00:44:53.679 --> 00:44:54.380
 has not,

00:44:54.500 --> 00:44:54.920
 even what

00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:55.340
 he has

00:44:55.340 --> 00:44:55.639
 will be

00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:56.320
 taken away.

00:44:57.699 --> 00:44:58.360
 There was

00:44:58.360 --> 00:44:59.619
 an American

00:44:59.619 --> 00:45:00.500
 philosopher and

00:45:00.500 --> 00:45:01.139
 author named

00:45:01.139 --> 00:45:02.099
 Albert Hubbard

00:45:02.099 --> 00:45:02.619
 who once

00:45:02.619 --> 00:45:03.279
 put it this

00:45:03.279 --> 00:45:03.440
 way.

00:45:03.559 --> 00:45:03.739
 He said,

00:45:04.119 --> 00:45:04.679
 if you want

00:45:04.679 --> 00:45:05.579
 anything done,

00:45:06.079 --> 00:45:06.819
 ask a busy

00:45:06.819 --> 00:45:07.460
 man to do

00:45:07.460 --> 00:45:07.659
 it.

00:45:09.000 --> 00:45:09.699
 This is a

00:45:09.699 --> 00:45:10.139
 truism,

00:45:10.259 --> 00:45:10.519
 it's not

00:45:10.519 --> 00:45:11.119
 always true,

00:45:11.199 --> 00:45:11.480
 but it's

00:45:11.480 --> 00:45:12.239
 generally true

00:45:12.239 --> 00:45:13.179
 because the

00:45:13.179 --> 00:45:13.900
 busy man is

00:45:13.900 --> 00:45:14.559
 usually busy

00:45:14.559 --> 00:45:14.960
 because he

00:45:14.960 --> 00:45:15.400
 has shown

00:45:15.400 --> 00:45:15.639
 that he

00:45:15.639 --> 00:45:15.980
 can get

00:45:15.980 --> 00:45:16.519
 stuff done.

00:45:17.699 --> 00:45:18.159
 That's why

00:45:18.159 --> 00:45:18.779
 people have

00:45:18.779 --> 00:45:19.279
 given him a

00:45:19.279 --> 00:45:19.500
 lot of

00:45:19.500 --> 00:45:19.839
 things to

00:45:19.839 --> 00:45:20.099
 do.

00:45:20.659 --> 00:45:21.380
 The idea

00:45:21.380 --> 00:45:21.799
 is similar

00:45:21.799 --> 00:45:22.099
 to what

00:45:22.099 --> 00:45:22.500
 we find

00:45:22.500 --> 00:45:22.839
 here.

00:45:22.980 --> 00:45:23.339
 It's the

00:45:23.339 --> 00:45:23.639
 servant

00:45:23.639 --> 00:45:24.039
 that has

00:45:24.039 --> 00:45:24.460
 proven

00:45:24.460 --> 00:45:25.519
 most faithful

00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:26.319
 that should

00:45:26.319 --> 00:45:27.019
 be entrusted

00:45:27.019 --> 00:45:27.440
 with the

00:45:27.440 --> 00:45:27.679
 most

00:45:27.679 --> 00:45:28.359
 responsibility.

00:45:29.699 --> 00:45:30.460
 Jesus said

00:45:30.460 --> 00:45:30.940
 something very

00:45:30.940 --> 00:45:31.460
 similar in

00:45:31.460 --> 00:45:31.940
 Luke 8,

00:45:32.019 --> 00:45:32.480
 18.

00:45:32.619 --> 00:45:33.099
 the parable

00:45:33.099 --> 00:45:33.400
 of the

00:45:33.400 --> 00:45:33.659
 sower,

00:45:33.779 --> 00:45:34.159
 which I

00:45:34.159 --> 00:45:34.460
 referenced

00:45:34.460 --> 00:45:35.299
 earlier in

00:45:35.299 --> 00:45:35.679
 that same

00:45:35.679 --> 00:45:36.159
 context.

00:45:36.759 --> 00:45:37.380
 Take care

00:45:37.380 --> 00:45:38.059
 how you

00:45:38.059 --> 00:45:38.480
 hear,

00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:40.059
 for to the

00:45:40.059 --> 00:45:40.500
 one who

00:45:40.500 --> 00:45:40.980
 has,

00:45:41.059 --> 00:45:41.420
 more will

00:45:41.420 --> 00:45:41.819
 be given,

00:45:42.159 --> 00:45:42.519
 and from

00:45:42.519 --> 00:45:42.859
 the one

00:45:42.859 --> 00:45:43.299
 who has

00:45:43.299 --> 00:45:43.819
 not,

00:45:44.199 --> 00:45:44.679
 even what

00:45:44.679 --> 00:45:45.259
 he thinks

00:45:45.259 --> 00:45:45.619
 that he

00:45:45.619 --> 00:45:46.059
 has will

00:45:46.059 --> 00:45:46.440
 be taken

00:45:46.440 --> 00:45:46.799
 away.

00:45:48.059 --> 00:45:48.799
 Jesus is

00:45:48.799 --> 00:45:49.440
 warning us

00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:49.880
 then to

00:45:49.880 --> 00:45:50.739
 take care

00:45:50.739 --> 00:45:51.460
 how we

00:45:51.460 --> 00:45:52.279
 listen to

00:45:52.279 --> 00:45:53.239
 and obey

00:45:53.239 --> 00:45:53.719
 the word

00:45:53.719 --> 00:45:54.219
 of God.

00:45:54.900 --> 00:45:55.480
 Those who

00:45:55.480 --> 00:45:56.339
 listen well

00:45:56.339 --> 00:45:56.839
 and live

00:45:56.839 --> 00:45:57.599
 obedience to

00:45:57.599 --> 00:45:58.199
 God's word

00:45:58.199 --> 00:45:58.519
 will be

00:45:58.519 --> 00:45:59.239
 given more,

00:45:59.239 --> 00:46:00.159
 but those

00:46:00.159 --> 00:46:00.500
 who do

00:46:00.500 --> 00:46:00.779
 not

00:46:00.779 --> 00:46:01.079
 listen

00:46:01.079 --> 00:46:01.479
 well

00:46:01.479 --> 00:46:02.619
 will have

00:46:02.619 --> 00:46:03.059
 even what

00:46:03.059 --> 00:46:03.539
 they thought

00:46:03.539 --> 00:46:04.119
 they had

00:46:04.119 --> 00:46:04.679
 was an

00:46:04.679 --> 00:46:05.079
 illusion

00:46:05.079 --> 00:46:06.859
 taken away.

00:46:08.259 --> 00:46:09.019
 The fact

00:46:09.019 --> 00:46:09.399
 that this

00:46:09.399 --> 00:46:09.679
 servant

00:46:09.679 --> 00:46:10.439
 loses his

00:46:10.439 --> 00:46:11.299
 gospel stewardship

00:46:11.299 --> 00:46:11.839
 shows that

00:46:11.839 --> 00:46:12.239
 he is not

00:46:12.239 --> 00:46:12.679
 ultimately

00:46:12.679 --> 00:46:13.319
 saved.

00:46:13.879 --> 00:46:14.639
 He thought

00:46:14.639 --> 00:46:15.119
 he was a

00:46:15.119 --> 00:46:15.439
 Christian.

00:46:16.319 --> 00:46:17.119
 He thought

00:46:17.119 --> 00:46:18.039
 he was a

00:46:18.039 --> 00:46:18.459
 servant of

00:46:18.459 --> 00:46:18.899
 Christ.

00:46:18.900 --> 00:46:22.639
 But the

00:46:22.639 --> 00:46:22.900
 way it

00:46:22.900 --> 00:46:23.440
 turns out

00:46:23.440 --> 00:46:23.720
 he was

00:46:23.720 --> 00:46:24.059
 not.

00:46:26.559 --> 00:46:27.079
 That's

00:46:27.079 --> 00:46:27.380
 why he's

00:46:27.380 --> 00:46:27.780
 called the

00:46:27.780 --> 00:46:28.039
 wicked

00:46:28.039 --> 00:46:28.480
 servant

00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:28.880
 in verse

00:46:28.880 --> 00:46:29.280
 22.

00:46:32.039 --> 00:46:33.420
 And let

00:46:33.420 --> 00:46:33.880
 me remind

00:46:33.880 --> 00:46:35.340
 you that

00:46:35.340 --> 00:46:36.099
 this is

00:46:36.099 --> 00:46:37.220
 the reason

00:46:37.220 --> 00:46:37.680
 why the

00:46:37.680 --> 00:46:38.000
 servant

00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:38.539
 didn't do

00:46:38.539 --> 00:46:39.000
 his work,

00:46:39.460 --> 00:46:40.380
 didn't really

00:46:40.380 --> 00:46:41.059
 know God.

00:46:41.660 --> 00:46:42.260
 This parable

00:46:42.260 --> 00:46:42.860
 reveals that

00:46:42.860 --> 00:46:43.240
 this servant

00:46:43.240 --> 00:46:43.720
 never knew

00:46:43.720 --> 00:46:44.220
 God because

00:46:44.220 --> 00:46:44.780
 he didn't

00:46:44.780 --> 00:46:45.340
 know how

00:46:45.340 --> 00:46:46.019
 gracious and

00:46:46.019 --> 00:46:46.599
 merciful he

00:46:46.599 --> 00:46:46.900
 was.

00:46:47.519 --> 00:46:48.119
 He saw

00:46:48.119 --> 00:46:48.720
 him instead

00:46:48.719 --> 00:46:49.119
 as a

00:46:49.119 --> 00:46:49.459
 harsh

00:46:49.459 --> 00:46:50.699
 taskmaster.

00:46:51.739 --> 00:46:51.959
 And so

00:46:51.959 --> 00:46:52.199
 let me

00:46:52.199 --> 00:46:52.779
 remind you

00:46:52.779 --> 00:46:53.219
 also of

00:46:53.219 --> 00:46:53.819
 how gracious

00:46:53.819 --> 00:46:54.379
 and merciful

00:46:54.379 --> 00:46:55.019
 God really

00:46:55.019 --> 00:46:55.419
 is so you

00:46:55.419 --> 00:46:55.899
 can believe

00:46:55.899 --> 00:46:56.179
 in him

00:46:56.179 --> 00:46:56.799
 rightly and

00:46:56.799 --> 00:46:57.339
 follow him

00:46:57.339 --> 00:46:57.699
 truly.

00:46:58.899 --> 00:46:59.039
 God

00:46:59.039 --> 00:46:59.599
 entrusted

00:46:59.599 --> 00:47:00.179
 the stewardship

00:47:00.179 --> 00:47:00.639
 of the

00:47:00.639 --> 00:47:00.899
 earth

00:47:00.899 --> 00:47:01.739
 originally in

00:47:01.739 --> 00:47:02.119
 Genesis

00:47:02.119 --> 00:47:03.099
 1.28.

00:47:03.699 --> 00:47:04.519
 He created

00:47:04.519 --> 00:47:05.099
 man and

00:47:05.099 --> 00:47:05.519
 woman and

00:47:05.519 --> 00:47:05.799
 then he

00:47:05.799 --> 00:47:06.419
 blessed them

00:47:06.419 --> 00:47:06.639
 and he

00:47:06.639 --> 00:47:07.099
 commanded

00:47:07.099 --> 00:47:07.980
 them be

00:47:07.980 --> 00:47:08.759
 fruitful and

00:47:08.759 --> 00:47:09.599
 multiply and

00:47:09.599 --> 00:47:10.000
 fill the

00:47:10.000 --> 00:47:10.399
 earth and

00:47:10.399 --> 00:47:11.000
 subdue it

00:47:11.000 --> 00:47:11.559
 and have

00:47:11.559 --> 00:47:12.279
 dominion over

00:47:12.279 --> 00:47:12.819
 the fish of

00:47:12.819 --> 00:47:13.319
 the sea and

00:47:13.319 --> 00:47:13.659
 over the

00:47:13.659 --> 00:47:14.199
 birds of the

00:47:14.199 --> 00:47:14.639
 heavens and

00:47:14.639 --> 00:47:15.259
 over every

00:47:15.259 --> 00:47:15.899
 living thing

00:47:15.899 --> 00:47:16.639
 that moves on

00:47:16.639 --> 00:47:17.119
 the earth.

00:47:17.679 --> 00:47:18.459
 That was our

00:47:18.460 --> 00:47:18.840
 original

00:47:18.840 --> 00:47:20.119
 stewardship but

00:47:20.119 --> 00:47:20.820
 we messed it

00:47:20.820 --> 00:47:21.079
 up.

00:47:22.199 --> 00:47:23.179
 We sinned

00:47:23.179 --> 00:47:23.980
 against God.

00:47:24.099 --> 00:47:24.820
 We betrayed

00:47:24.820 --> 00:47:26.179
 his trust by

00:47:26.179 --> 00:47:27.019
 choosing to

00:47:27.019 --> 00:47:27.480
 live for our

00:47:27.480 --> 00:47:28.480
 own glory rather

00:47:28.480 --> 00:47:29.119
 than for his

00:47:29.119 --> 00:47:29.440
 glory.

00:47:30.059 --> 00:47:30.920
 We were meant

00:47:30.920 --> 00:47:31.480
 to be his

00:47:31.480 --> 00:47:32.639
 representatives but

00:47:32.639 --> 00:47:33.240
 instead we

00:47:33.240 --> 00:47:34.240
 became rebels,

00:47:34.880 --> 00:47:35.500
 his enemies.

00:47:36.500 --> 00:47:37.720
 We ruined the

00:47:37.720 --> 00:47:38.039
 earth.

00:47:39.139 --> 00:47:40.720
 We trashed the

00:47:40.720 --> 00:47:41.119
 environment.

00:47:41.119 --> 00:47:44.179
 We marred the

00:47:44.179 --> 00:47:45.079
 image of God

00:47:45.079 --> 00:47:46.619
 in humanity by

00:47:46.619 --> 00:47:47.759
 mistreating our

00:47:47.759 --> 00:47:48.500
 fellow men,

00:47:49.219 --> 00:47:50.099
 abusing them,

00:47:50.480 --> 00:47:51.279
 stealing from

00:47:51.279 --> 00:47:52.420
 them, lying to

00:47:52.420 --> 00:47:53.159
 them and

00:47:53.159 --> 00:47:53.819
 killing them.

00:47:55.420 --> 00:47:56.460
 That's what

00:47:56.460 --> 00:47:57.639
 humanity did to

00:47:57.639 --> 00:47:58.359
 their first

00:47:58.359 --> 00:47:59.219
 entrustment from

00:47:59.219 --> 00:47:59.559
 God.

00:48:00.359 --> 00:48:01.139
 And yet

00:48:01.139 --> 00:48:02.480
 amazingly,

00:48:03.639 --> 00:48:04.339
 unbelievably,

00:48:05.099 --> 00:48:06.039
 in the heart

00:48:06.039 --> 00:48:06.659
 of God,

00:48:06.960 --> 00:48:08.000
 his dream,

00:48:08.000 --> 00:48:09.559
 there's a

00:48:09.559 --> 00:48:10.360
 desire to

00:48:10.360 --> 00:48:11.400
 make us

00:48:11.400 --> 00:48:12.440
 once again

00:48:12.440 --> 00:48:13.739
 rulers in

00:48:13.739 --> 00:48:14.400
 his kingdom,

00:48:14.719 --> 00:48:15.679
 to share in

00:48:15.679 --> 00:48:16.280
 his reign,

00:48:16.440 --> 00:48:16.840
 to have

00:48:16.840 --> 00:48:17.840
 authority over

00:48:17.840 --> 00:48:18.599
 these cities

00:48:18.599 --> 00:48:19.460
 in the kingdom

00:48:19.460 --> 00:48:19.940
 of God,

00:48:20.019 --> 00:48:20.900
 to restore us

00:48:20.900 --> 00:48:21.340
 to right

00:48:21.340 --> 00:48:22.360
 relationship with

00:48:22.360 --> 00:48:23.559
 God and to

00:48:23.559 --> 00:48:24.480
 entrust us such

00:48:24.480 --> 00:48:25.519
 grand things.

00:48:26.059 --> 00:48:27.300
 That's his

00:48:27.300 --> 00:48:28.059
 design.

00:48:28.539 --> 00:48:29.300
 That's his

00:48:29.300 --> 00:48:29.800
 mercy.

00:48:30.760 --> 00:48:31.519
 That's his

00:48:31.519 --> 00:48:32.199
 generosity.

00:48:32.199 --> 00:48:32.279
 generosity.

00:48:34.439 --> 00:48:35.319
 And God

00:48:35.319 --> 00:48:36.199
 gives proof of

00:48:36.199 --> 00:48:37.639
 that by

00:48:37.639 --> 00:48:38.219
 sending his

00:48:38.219 --> 00:48:38.759
 son Jesus.

00:48:39.339 --> 00:48:39.819
 In his

00:48:39.819 --> 00:48:40.559
 first coming,

00:48:40.659 --> 00:48:41.259
 Jesus comes

00:48:41.259 --> 00:48:42.279
 in grace to

00:48:42.279 --> 00:48:42.980
 die for the

00:48:42.980 --> 00:48:44.039
 sins of his

00:48:44.039 --> 00:48:45.399
 people so

00:48:45.399 --> 00:48:45.980
 that all those

00:48:45.980 --> 00:48:46.579
 who believe in

00:48:46.579 --> 00:48:47.699
 him are saved,

00:48:48.139 --> 00:48:49.139
 made born again.

00:48:51.099 --> 00:48:51.679
 And now we

00:48:51.679 --> 00:48:53.339
 can live as

00:48:53.339 --> 00:48:54.399
 faithful servants

00:48:54.399 --> 00:48:55.039
 from that,

00:48:55.139 --> 00:48:55.759
 empowered by the

00:48:55.759 --> 00:48:56.299
 Holy Spirit,

00:48:57.299 --> 00:48:58.799
 as stewards of

00:48:58.799 --> 00:48:59.219
 the gospel.

00:49:02.199 --> 00:49:03.919
 Let me close

00:49:03.919 --> 00:49:04.399
 with a quote

00:49:04.399 --> 00:49:04.939
 from Charles

00:49:04.939 --> 00:49:05.419
 Spurgeon.

00:49:06.339 --> 00:49:07.179
 He writes,

00:49:08.019 --> 00:49:08.819
 If he gave

00:49:08.819 --> 00:49:10.079
 his all to

00:49:10.079 --> 00:49:11.399
 me, which

00:49:11.399 --> 00:49:12.079
 was much,

00:49:14.119 --> 00:49:14.899
 should I not

00:49:14.899 --> 00:49:16.000
 give my little

00:49:16.000 --> 00:49:16.839
 all to him?

00:49:21.719 --> 00:49:22.619
 Let's be

00:49:22.619 --> 00:49:23.759
 faithful stewards

00:49:23.759 --> 00:49:24.299
 of the gospel

00:49:24.299 --> 00:49:25.139
 of Jesus Christ

00:49:25.139 --> 00:49:26.460
 because he

00:49:26.460 --> 00:49:27.719
 will return

00:49:27.719 --> 00:49:28.879
 to rule

00:49:28.879 --> 00:49:29.980
 and repay.