Parables of the Kingdom

John Greenleaf Whittier wrote these well-known lines:

“The saddest words of tongue or pen are these four words: ‘It might have been!’”

The tragedy of wasted opportunities is the THEME of this final parable we will consider in our series on the Kingdom of God: The Parable of the Minas!

As conveyed in the subtitle of this morning’s message we will be considering the essential characteristic of faithfulness!

READ TEXT:

Luke 19:11–27 CSB

As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. Therefore he said, “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then to return. He called ten of his servants, gave them ten minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business until I come back.’ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us.’ “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those servants he had given the money to, so that he could find out how much they had made in business. The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten more minas.’ “ ‘Well done, good servant!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over ten towns.’ “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ “And another came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina. I have kept it safe in a cloth because I was afraid of you since you’re a harsh man: you collect what you didn’t deposit and reap what you didn’t sow.’ “He told him, ‘I will condemn you by what you have said, you evil servant! If you knew I was a harsh man, collecting what I didn’t deposit and reaping what I didn’t sow, why, then, didn’t you put my money in the bank? And when I returned, I would have collected it with interest.’ So he said to those standing there, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’ “ ‘I tell you, that to everyone who has, more will be given; and from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away. But bring here these enemies of mine, who did not want me to rule over them, and slaughter them in my presence.’ ”

– PRAY

I. The PURPOSE of the Parable – (19:11)

This parable was given to CORRECT the mistaken idea of the immediate manifestation of the Kingdom!

(v.11b) – “…and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away.”

In this parable, Jesus intimates He would LEAVE with a TRIAL-TIME between His Ascension and His Return!

(Matt 25:19) – “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”

Godet – “The dominant idea of this parable is of a time of trial which must needs come between the departure and return of the Lord to prepare the judgment which shall fix the position in the state of things which shall follow the Coming.”

Wilcox – “…the nobleman is away long enough for his citizens to reveal their real enmity to him and for his servants to make final proof of their responsibilities to him. It is only after he is gone quite a long time that he returns in ‘Kingly power,’ and then he settles with both groups.”

ONCE AGAIN, Jesus is teaching us the importance of being ready for the MANIFESTATION of the kingdom!

Two weeks ago, I asked you, “Are you ready?” This morning, I am asking, “Are you faithful? Are you ready to give an account of what you are doing for the kingdom?”

II. The LESSON of the Parable! – (19:12-27)

1. The NOBLEMAN – (v.12)

From the Greek, ἄνθρωπός τις εὐγενὴς – lit., ‘man important, noble or well-born’ and indeed, Jesus was the noblest of all!

(John 1:1) – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1 CSB

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Lord describes Himself as a “man of noble family with birthrights to a Kingdom!”

2. The SERVANTS – (v.13a) - δούλους

Slaves, or servants, representing believers!

3. The MINAS – (v.13b) – δέκα μνᾶς

A μνᾶςwas a Greek coin worth about a hundred denarii. A denarii was a Roman coin (silver or copper) that was worth a days labor.

Ten minas would equal to one talent—approximately 75lbs. and if it were silver, it would be about three month’s wages or $15,000 USD.

Q: What do the minas represent?

1 Thessalonians 2:4 CSB

Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts.

The GOSPEL! An even stronger statement is found in (1 Corinthians 4:1)!

1 Peter 4:10 CSB

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

Spiritual Gifts!

4. The INSTRUCTIONS – (v.13c) – “…Engage in business until I come back.”

From πραγματεύσασθε, which means, ‘occupy or trade’ NKJV/NAS – “…Do business until I come”

5. The REBELLION – (v.14)

NOTE: it is the “subjects”and NOT the “servants” who rebelled: “…We don’t want this man [the nobleman] to rule over us.”

This presents an interesting picture—or dilemma: The “servants” doing the “Nobleman’s”business or work in a place where the “subjects” have rejected His rule!

2 Timothy 3:12 CSB

In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

6. The RETURN and ACCOUNTING – (v.15)

Notice that they were summoned to Him! –

2 Corinthians 5:9–10 CSB

Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

7. The GOOD SERVANTS – (vv.16-19)

They (the servants) simply returned to the Nobleman what was His all along!

KEY: Present FAITHFULNESS will determine FUTURE POSITION – (vv.17, 19)

8. The WICKED SERVANT – (vv.20-23)

This servant only offered EXCUSES! In fact, there are at least three reasons he failed to act:

1) FEAR! – (v.21) - “because I was afraid of you since you’re a harsh man…”

Note he blames the nobleman for his fear!

BTW, I understand fear! Perhaps we all know what it means to be afraid! ILLUS: Caylie crossing the street—she was afraid, but I knew she could do it!

How many of us are standing on the curb and God is saying, “Go!” and we are saying, “No!” “I might get hurt! I might not make it!”

Ephesians 6:10 CSB

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.

Philippians 4:13 CSB

I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

2) EVIL/DISOBEDIENCE! – (v.22)

Luke 6:46 CSB

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?

3) LAZY or DUMB! – (vv.23b-24)

KEY: Present FAITHLESSNESS will result in FUTURE SHAME! – (v.24)

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 CSB

According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

9. The REWARD for FAITHFUL SERVICE – (vv.24-26)

What does this mean? Exactly what it says!

10. The FINAL JUDGMENT – (v.27)

III. The APPLICATION of the Parable!

What does this mean to us?

1. Are you a SUBJECT or a SERVANT?

Is the Lord reigning over your life?

2. If you are a SERVANT, what are you doing with the mina given to you?

Are you investing/earning? In other words, are you investing your life in others, or just living for self?

3. What does the “BANK” refer to? – (v.23)

A bank takes other people’s money and invests/loans it out in return for interest.

If you are not willing or able to share the gospel personally, then at least invest in those who will!

3 John 5–8 CSB

Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers. They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, since they set out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can be coworkers with the truth.

By supporting those who share the gospel, you become, “…coworkers with the truth.”

4. Make your life MATTER!

“Seek first the Kingdom of God!” Don’t do the bare minimum.

Recognize that what you do now has eternal consequences!

“Do business” until Jesus comes!

SENDING PRAYER:

Revelation 22:12 CSB

“Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work.

“Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work.”