Luke 19:11-27

Introduction:

• Jesus was a master communicator
• Jesus’ intention was to connect the known to the unknown.
• Principle of teaching: we seek to connect something unknown or abstract to something more concrete or knowable.
• When Jesus taught about:
• Conditions of the heart - he attached it to the soils.
• The kingdom of God - He might talk about finding treasure.
• Our merciful God- He might talk of a prodigal son who was forgiven
• These abstract concepts would be made clear through story.

Location: On the road to Jerusalem- the last story from the road.

Historical story:

• King Herod reigned from 37BC to 4 AD
• He was going to die and had a complex family- many wives/children
• Didn't want to have family tension
• When Herod died he split the kingdom into 4 areas
• Romans- Remained over Decapolis in the East
• Phillip
• Phillip was the ruler in the North
• Ceaserea Phillippi was named after Phillip
• Herod Antipas
• He was the ruler in Galilee and on the East of the Jordan
• Herod Antipas was a tetrarch 
• Archelaus
• Received Judaea and Samaria
• One day on Passover Archalaus killed thousands of worshipping Jews
• There was Roman occupation so Archelaus was ruling under Caesar.
• He sought to be king rather than Tetrarch
• Being king would mean greater Independence Power and Prestige.
• He set off for Rome
• The Jews sent citizens there to contend that Archelaus should not be king
• They were successful; Archelaus wasn’t king.
• Upon his return he would subject the Jews to more harsh treatment for their opposition
• This type of story would have been well known to the people.
• 
  

• Nobleman a wealthy or prominent person
• He is traveling to a far land to gain a kingdom.
• The nobleman is going to the ruler over him requesting to be the leader of this region
• Some of the citizens of the region don't want that- they dont like the nobleman
• They send a representative delegation to tell the supreme ruler, “We do not want this man to reign over us.” 
• When he returns:
• (Vs 15) said, “having received the kingdom” He was successful in getting what he set out for.
• He calls the servants to see how they did. (3 approach)
• The first turns his one Mina into 10 (1000% ROI).
• The second turns there 1 into 5 (very good).
• The third servant
• The master condemns the servant with his own words.
• When the Master judges
• That is the story- Jesus tells this on the way to Jerusalem

1. The Master Rules and Reigns
2. The Year Uzziah died I saw God on the throne- Uzziah 52 years
3. Regardless of who we serve or what we say.
4. Truth is truth- 
5. When you submit your life to God’s Word you are living faithful to the master 
6. Absolute truth is absolutely true and we are called to submit to it.
7. Jesus was drawing a direct connection to his seeming absence for a while.
8. He is telling them though the one true ruler will appear absent he won’t be long.
9. And when he returns he will judge according to his Word.
10. All men are called to be faithful until the Master returns.
11. Faithfulness doesn’t earn our salvation- it evidences it.
12. Anyone who has repented and followed Christ has been entrusted.
13. We have been entrusted with:
14. The Gospel, the message of reconciliation.
15. You have been entrusted with His Spirit-
16. You have been equipped with community
17. You have been equipped with clarity on God’s mission.
18. What are you doing with what's been entrusted to you?
19. The enemies mission will be to prevent you from living how you should.
20. Every Person will be Judged Fittingly on the Day of the Lord.
21. Every person will be judged one day
22. Whether good or evil, we must make every effort to be faithful and call others to faithfulness.
23. Our actions don’t exonerate us only Christ can but they expose us
24. 3 judgment passages.
25. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
26. Revelation 20:12 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
27. Matthew 12:36-37 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
28. Why words? They expose your true standing as one purchased by grace or existing apart from God’s grace.

Conclusion:

Though the Master can appear absent: He isn’t

Though it may seem he will delay: He won’t

Though we may doubt his return: It will come.

Will he find us watching and waiting, ministering and serving, living and giving for him?

God let that be the case.

1 Peter 1:3-8- Final verses to meditate on this week