Worship Gathering 8/9/20

I would ask you to take your copy of God's word and let's turn to the New Testament book of Luke chapter 19. While you're turning their let me let me share something with you that I don't know if I've shared with you yet or not, but I'm going to now. One day I was in Food City is on a Saturday. Saturdays are usually kind of tough because you know, you're preparing for Sunday in and we have been busy and and work that day and and I was running through Food City to try to get some food and some different things to take home and in my mind and in my heart, I was complaining because of the amount of things I had to do in preparation for Sunday morning.

And I was grumbling and complaining in the heart.

My glasses are all fogged up because I'm still be mad as aggravated.

and I thought

you know me and my family we could do other things besides pastor church.

We serve the Lord in another way maybe. Maybe we could do something different would be such a strain.

come around the corner and there's two Jaden.

Jade Spa love me. Hey Pastor, Chris. What are you doing here? Even pastors got to eat.

So don't Pastor Chris. I love you so much.

His grandmother was there I said is Jane being a good boy for you? She said oh, yes, I don't know what I'd do without any such a good help.

Is a pastor Chris I'll see you tomorrow at church.

I walked on confess my sin.

Come back around and got up to the front.

And Jaden was about from me to Robert away from me.

Hey Pastor, Chris. You're right.

Should I love you so much.

And I'll see you tomorrow.

now listen

Don't ever think.

That blessing someone is a one way street. So I could pick him up, right? What's the least we can do? Many times God has used in little Fellers in my life. You just push me along.

Encourage me teach me about what he cares about what he loves.

I'm thankful for them. Only began I want you to know. I know time's running short. I understand that. I want you to know that we we serve a God that has already started taking care of those children long before you and I ever met them. He is faithful to the end. Luke chapter 19

if you would I ask you to stand again for the reading of God's word.

As they were listening to this he went on for 11 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 an old woman travel to a far country to receive for himself authority to be keen and then to return he called 10 of his servants gave them 10 - and he told them engaging 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 and his return having received the authority to be king D some of 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 mind has earned ten more Manas. Well done get there, but he told him because you've been faithful and a very small matter have authority over 10 lbs II came and said master your mind has made 5 - so he said to him you will be over five towns and another came and said Master here is your minor. I'll keep it safe in a cloth because I was afraid of you since your whorish man. You collect what you didn't deposit and reap what you didn't so 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 so why then didn't you put my money in the bank and when I return it with interest so he said to those standing there take the Mana away from him and give it to the one who has 10 - I said to him after he is 10 - I tell you that to everyone who has more will be given in 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. Brother Randall, would you ask the blessing over the reading and preaching God's word?

Hey, man, you may be seated.

Here we are Luke chapter 19 and the journey to Jerusalem comes to an end. I started preaching through Luke because of this this section chapter 9 / 2 chapter 19, but the journey to Jerusalem as we come to a close. We see that Lucas spent the majority of his gospel record describing the journey that Jesus is taken with his disciples the journey that would ultimately lead to him in Jerusalem where he would die. in the place of sinners It's during these few short months of instruction that Jesus has taught his disciples about what it means to be a follower of the way. He's taught them what it means to be a Christian and just a short. Of time and you and I've had a front-row seat as we've seen his concern and love for those the world cares nothing about Those with nothing to offer the powerful and The prominent are now giving special attention and Care by the Prince of Peace. The dirty and the deceased are washed clean by the Water of Life the widows and the helpless are saved by the wonderful counselor the Sinners and the Scoundrels the sick and the marginalized the Hopeless and the homeless are all brought into the family of God seated at the table and had their stomachs and lives filled not only with food but with a hearty portion of the Gospel. We've list an end as he taught his disciples that to be his fault where they must deny himself and trust him with their lives and their death something that they were faithful on even to the end. We noticed by church history every one of these men were faithful except Judas the betrayer,

We felt the disbelief as he predicted his death a scandalous way for a good man to die.

We've learned from his stories. Luke calls in parables and now we've come to the end of the journey. But there's still some chatter among the disciples. And here's what the chatter comes to. What is this going to be like when he is King?

maybe our text today was in the home of Zacchaeus. I don't know. I do know this Luke used it to encourage the early church on think about this think about what the readers of Luke's gospel how much encouragement they got from this use it to encourage the church on by explaining how Jesus taught of the importance of serving him Faithfully until his return no matter what the span of time was.

And here's the main point of the sermon something to put in your pocket and keep with you through the week. The reigning King is returning for a faithful people.

What was true for Luke? What was true for Theophilus? What was true for the early church is true for this church. The grass withers the flowers fade, but the word of our God last forever.

And I have three main headings. Never won the purpose look with me and verse 11 here is the purpose for which Luke includes. This was the purpose that Jesus taught as they were listening to the thing too. Well, they listen to Jesus say today salvation has come to this house. Because he too is a son of Abraham as they were listening to this for the son of man is come to seek and to save the lost as they were listening to his instructions. He went on to tell a parable and he gives the reason why here's the purpose because he was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. Even after all they've been done and all they've been said how many times have we seen Jesus tell his disciples. I'm going to die in 3 days later. I will be raised from the dead. And yet they're getting close to Jerusalem close to the the buzz of Jerusalem, and it's here that they can't help but think he's going here to be king. He's going here to set up his kingdom.

All this talk of the sons of Abraham always talk of Jerusalem all this talk of the Kingdom. Surely this is it. He'll set up his kingdom in Jerusalem, and we will be the ones who will reign with him.

And surely this Keen will break the oppression of the Romans. Surely this King will break the Yoke that the Romans had upon the Jews on God's people. Shirley that's what God wants for them.

But we know two thousand years removed from the fact we know that wasn't the plan was it.

God is more worried about you being wholly than he is worried about you being happy.

and the purpose of this Parable is simply this to move their focus from a political Outlook to a kingdom Outlook.

And so the parable Begins the first heading that we saw was the purpose to shift the focus from politics to the kingdom number 2. Now we see the parable as it begins in verse 12 was just walk through it there for his noblemen travel to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then to return know what you need to know here. Is this the nobleman is Jesus right Jesus and Jesus is going to go to a far country where she is going to

Go to heaven Jesus he's going to stand in the place of Sinners and their he's going to be buried in a tomb and then 3 days later, you know the story don't we need to get back to it, though. Don't we the three days later what happens? Up from the grave he arose and they're not long after he's taken up into heaven.

You see an old one travel to a far country not something very close by but a far country. He's not going to be doing this immediately and there and that far country to receive for himself authority to be king. And then look at the promise then to return Jesus is telling the story to make sure they understand this. Far country is a way off. It's not immediate.

Look what he does. He called 10 of his servants gave them 10 - now now you and I don't trade in. Mine is Dewey. You got a man that I can borrow.

Is about 3 months pay? a huge amount of money, but but it's money So he called 10 service he gave each of them Amana and he told them engage in business until I come back Circle that word their engage engage in business until I come back again Jesus make sure they know that when he leaves he is coming back. Do we live our lives knowing that Jesus is coming back or if we forgotten it. Look what happened, but his subjects hated him I sent delegation after him saying we don't want this man to rule over us. Well, if the nobleman is Jesus the far country is heaven. Well, the subjects are the people of his day. And they hated Jesus and then they sent a delegation after him saying we don't want this man to rule over us who is the delegation? It's the religious leaders of the day. What Jesus does you and I don't understand as we read this or what Jesus does he is shocking the people that are listening to him because this is exactly what happened to Herod the Great son. You see Herod the Great son. He was next in line. And when Herod the Great dies, he thought that he was going to be king and then he goes to to be at for Caesar to put it on him as the king and guess what he gets demoted because of Delegation came that we don't want him. And Jesus weaves in the story of the day with the parable and it's shocking to these people.

What's a verse 14?

at his return Now this is coming back from the far country having received the authority to be king. He summon those servants he had given the money to so that he could find out how much they had made in business. I love to csb. It's my translation of choice, but I do believe that they got the last part of that not exactly the best translation. funny to you rent a y Noticed there in verse 13. He gives them all of minor, right? And what does he say does he say go make a profit?

It doesn't say that he doesn't engage in business and what that means is he simply put it to work. It's an action word in the think of it is only profit is to miss the point of the text. This isn't about making money. This is about making a profit. This is about seeing results. This is about being active now.

The New American Standard translates the back end of that verse like this so that he might know what business they had done. That's more accurate in my opinion.

At his return having received the authority of the king. He some of those servants he had given the money to so that he might know what business they had done. He wants to know what's been going on. He's not worried about the prophet what's been going on with these men and his money for 16. The first came forward and said master your minor has earned 10 more months.

Well, I'm not very good at math, but that's about a thousand percent in it. That's big-time money. And what did he say Well done good servant. He told him because you've been faithful and a very small matter having a have authority over 10 Towns. isn't that says something one writer says a mano would scarcely purchase a barn yet for each Mana gained a city is given this little gift that was given to these these people these these 10 men. It was a substantial amount of money wasn't a huge amount of money, but this man was faithful with it gift. GIF it wouldn't even buy a bar. And what's the reward?

cities

something for the first 18th II came and said master. Your mind has made 5 - 500%

I want to say verse 19 so he said to him you be over five towns. And you see what's happening here? These men have been faithful with the gifted that the King has given them and their faithfulness turns into what reward right.

And then look at burst 20 and another what also could be said as the other.

Came and said Master here is your Mana. I've kept it safe in a cloth. Your translation must say I keep it safe in a handkerchief. Because I was afraid of you. Since you're a harsh man. Here's what you do, you collect what you didn't deposit and reap what you didn't sow. Surely that's not the same King that is given cities for being faithful with a little bit of money. Sure. This is a different King. This man is talking about. How could this King be the harsh man that that but he didn't deposit and reaps what he didn't sow.

It's not the same King. You see the third man that rapped a minor in the cloth. Didn't know the king.

He had a A wrong presupposition on who the king was he had his own thoughts and idea about who the king was. And therefore because of what he thought the king really was he hated him. Listen close. That's exactly what Sinners do today. They don't know the king. And I hate him because of a presupposition that they have. How do I know that? Because I was one.

You collect what you didn't deposit and reap what you didn't sow and I want I want to say when I want to write in my Bible right there. If that's not the king. I know.

He told him I will condemn you about what you said, but is inaccurate presupposition. I'll use it against you he says. If you think I'm this way will let's just use this as the guideline that I will deal with you with what you said few evil servant if you knew I was a harsh man collecting when I didn't deposit and reaping what I didn't so if that's the case. Why didn't you put my money Mike? If you thought I was that way if you thought I was a harsh man all about the numbers in about about very precise Precision when it comes to my money when if I'm a crook. Why don't you just put it in the bank and let it draw interest?

That word Bank there. You could underlined that. That's really though the money lending bench. You see our banking system is is based off of exactly what they were doing here. You could take your money to the money lending bench. And you could put it down and the guy that's over the money lending bench uses it to lend money out and draw interest and you make money that way. That's what you do at your bank to. Will not get into that when I returned and when I returned I would have collected it with interest.

This man didn't know the king Diddy. So he said to those standing there take the take the Mana away from him and give it to the one who has 10 - and what they say verse 25, but they said to him Master. He has 10 - I wrote in my Bible already.

He has 10 Manas already. And the carnal man is always offended by God's grace.

The carnal man is always offended by Grace. He doesn't deserve that. He shouldn't get that.

I remember. Can I do with what's my? You move that text if he is. Soaking takes it away from him and gives it to the one who has 10 verse 26. I tell you that to everyone who has more will be given in from the one who does not have even what he does have will be taken away. Wow. And then he goes on to say bring here. These enemies of mine is King says this who did not want me to rule over them and slaughter them in my presence. Who's the king the king is Jesus?

This week in one of my classes. I had to I had to have a discussion about God's mission in the world and I it was a fictitious kind of thing. I had to run out how I would prevent God's mission to you the church. So here's here's what my assignment consisted of. Are you ready?

Genesis 1 26 through 31 God commands Adam and Eve to multiply and fill the Earth with his image. You're made in my image. Go therefore and multiply remember. From there. I went to the promise that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 15 and how the stars that he saw was a visual picture of the people of faith that will come through Abraham and for the promise from they are Deuteronomy for where God reminds his people that the law is given so that the others will see how peculiar they are and inquire about their God and in turn bring other people into faith and worship of the one true God And then of course, I went to the Great Commission to Matthew 28 and how this command has been the mission of God's people all along then I moved to Romans chapter 10 and how I would urge lisore to Think Through where they are in the mission of God and his people today posing the question that is supposed in the text. How are they to hear without someone preaching? I will conclude with Revelations 7:9 where John sees a great number of people from all tribes and languages standing Before the Throne as they worship. This is where we are headed. This is what our lives are to be about as the people of God. What is God's mission on Earth to redeem people for himself, and it's always been his mission. You say I don't I don't know what in the world. You just said.

Do you think God is riding this Grand Story of redemption since the fall and he has called us into it and for some of us we are stuck just like those disciples. We are thinking about political things.

And how they are so important.

And not thinking about Kingdom things.

Alluc beloved in the garden. God was on Mission. Are you are you awake?

Dodge Demon of people through Genesis Exodus Leviticus and numbers God is going out bring people into his people. Building this great choir that one day. We'll stand at the throne. And will worship Him. red and yellow black and white from all of humanity through all the time from every tribe tongue and nation and this is the grand Narrative of the Bible God on mission for people. listen He has brought us into this mission. And you and I are too busy looking at a two-bit politician on a TV screen. That can't do nothing for you and he can't do nothing from me. And we think this is the goal of the church needs to mobilize and put someone in the office needs to do the church needs to be about the business of God and that's redeeming people. bringing them into his family you see for the follower of Jesus is not about a politician. It's about a king is about a king who is coming for a faithful people. It's all about power. It's about people it's not about Republicans. It's about Redemption. It's not about Democrat. It's about deliverance. We have been given the gift of the Gospel the gift that God uses to make dead people live and we are polarized by to hand promise from a center that no one will ever keep. But here's the promise that you and I should focus on not the promise that they're going to do this. They're going to that. Here's the promise. while he was going they were gazing into heaven.

And suddenly Two Men and white clothes stood by them. They said men of Galilee. Why do you stand looking up into heaven this same Jesus who has been taken from you in the heaven will come in the same way that you've seen him going in to Heaven is coming back stay focused. What is the purpose of the parable to shift the focus off of politics and onto the kingdom you're a chosen people Peter said you've been called out of Darkness into this wonderful life. Don't get so wrapped up in politics in Washington in the presidential race or in a a government office of some sort that you lose focus on this is not your calling.

Your calling is to be on mission where God is working. and beloved God is calling a people to himself. I didn't think it would get many a men's. And I'm happy but it didn't. Because it hurt me just as bad as it hurt you. My hope is built not on, Washington. I was so my hope is not built on a Oval Office. My hope is built on a Rugged Cross.

We stay well Chris. You stay stay focused.

Am I supposed to be so preoccupied with Jesus's return that I'm no good for anything else? Of course, you're not notice that word that you circled there and verse 13. engage

and here's the true test of faithfulness. Are you engaging with what has been given to you and hear me out?

Automatically your mind starts to drift when I start talking about what God has given you and you start talk to you start thinking about your time your talent your treasure say men. Come on now. You may come to church this morning.

and you thought that's what I was talking about. These are all gifts, but it's not the gift that we're talking about.

I'm talking about the gift of the good news of the Gospel.

Are you Faithfully engaging with the gospel that's been given to you?

Adults has the gift of the Gospel that you've been given had an effect on how you spend your money.

sure, you have the money to buy this or to buy that the ability to finance this or to finance that but for the Christian you are to live on less than what the Lost person lives on that makes the same amount of money as you

I'll say that again cuz I don't know if you got it or not. Play the Christian you are to live on less than what the Lost person lives on that makes the same amount as money amount of money as you do why because the gift of the Gospel has an effect on how you spend your money and where it goes.

Your money should go to the church your money should go to the missionary to Young preacher boy for books to buy gospel tracts to tip. Well at a restaurant and to be a good witness. The gift has been given is not given for you for gain influence Kingdom influence where God has placed you and all over the world. This is a question. Are you engaging with what God has given you are you active with? The gospel that he's given you.

Or what about your home? It's how you use your home and think of it been affected by the gift of the Gospel in your life. Maybe you can host a community group in your home, right? I didn't hear you. You can say amen. I won't like put your name down on the list.

right

sure thing convenient sure people's going to see your flaws and the hole in the in the drywall and the the dirty laundry room. It's inconvenient, but I don't know of many things that God has called me to do that doesn't inconvenience me.

Or maybe that extra bedroom that you got Junk sitting in. Can you say Amen to that?

How about we yard sale that stuff and buy bed and some paint and instead of keeping junk in there think of how nice that room would be for a foster kid that never had a bedroom with their own.

There's no Eternal value in junk. There's no Eternal value and stuff. But each child that you can help is made in the image of your Creator and when you help the fatherless you are doing the work that God has commanded you to do. Oh, I hear the excuse has running ever so swiftly through your mind. I'm too old. I'm too busy. I'm too poor. I'm too this time to this time to this time to this one Greek word for you all belong to me.

11 listen to me the gospel. Actively changes the way you use your money and the gift of the Gospel actively changes the way you use your home.

Moms and dads has the gift of the Gospel affected your influence over your children when you blow it in front of your kiddos. Can I see a hand raised of how many people have bloated this week just in general if you bloated this week for the rest of you to be a time for you to come up and pray and ask forgiveness for lying in church in just a minute. We've all blonde and haven't we? have we When you blow in front of your kids, do you remind them that Mom and Dad are centers? But they have a great savior. Do you admit your faults to them and tell them of the Forgiveness that you have in Christ alone? Do you engage the gift has been given to you? And with those you have influence with at home or at work has the gift of the Gods how you see the opportunities that you're faced with with is it by chance that you run into that guy that used to run around with him school? That's an opportunity for you to tell someone about the life transforming grace of God. Who's this week the earlier in the week. I was on the run and I was way behind and I don't think I got to get home and those babies are probably screaming I need to get back there and I'm coming down town of a shortcut trying to get to the house cuz I'm out of Branson and there stands the guy that I went to high school with. What is he doing here? I don't have time to talk. What are things to do?

conversation started

I lost my uncle I lost my mom.

been thinking a lot about heaven

and there 2 miles from my house on a back road that nobody even goes around. Me and this guy got to pray.

I just tell you about how God. Transform Me

you go to church said yeah Pastor one. seriously

Is the gospel the gift of the Gospel active in your life, you say well, they know how I used to be exactly and tell them you're not like that anymore because God has changed your heart. Are we being faithful with a gift across is left with us? There's nothing more precious than the gift of the Gospel. Now. I'm coming to a close. I told you that I would give you the purpose. I'll give you the parable SLI. I'll give you the principal.

Where's the principal verse 26 reward and judgment are sure?

Verse 26 I tell you that to everyone who has more will be given a listen does not just talking about the life to come but also talked about the life now, dr. Cook says when we use what God has given us for his benefit. He gives us more. When he gives you a gift and you use it, he'll give you more. It gives you more gifts more abilities more insight into his word. if you're actively using

the only in this life of the life to come rewards will be distributed in heaven one day. Did you know that?

Because you've been faithful and a very small matter. Jesus says have authority over 10 Towns.

Debbie rewards in heaven for your faithfulness

What were those were words me? I don't know the Bible says that eyes have not seen and ears have not heard what God has laid up for his pee.

But I only would be reward that also be judgment looking for 27, but bring here these enemies of mine who did not want me to rule over them and slaughter them in my present.

No doubt. This is partially executed in 8070 with the destruction of the temple in the leveling of Jerusalem.

Jesus

there there God was leveled. When the temple was leveled. But also there's another judgment that's coming.

final judgement in far worse

one we're after being pronounced in the enemy of the king punishment will be severe and I have folks that I love that are running headlong into the Judgment of God.

Do you?

And here's the rub.

Here's the part that I can't tell you. I understand.

You notice I left a Porsche night verse out verse 26. and from the one who does not have even when he does have will be taken away. I wish I could explain it but I really don't know for myself. And you said you had the faithful in the first part of the verse and you had the enemy in first 27, but what about those people there that person that at verse 26 be the Unfaithful one? The one who wrapped the gift up and never took the time to really know the king.

Was he a Christian? Was he saved?

Let me read to you write this in the margin of your Bible First Corinthians chapter 3.

verses 10 through 15

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 would a or straw each one's work will be 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'll receive a reward if anyone's work is burned up skill experience lost but he himself will be saved but only as Through Fire is this the one that's the man takes the mind and wraps it up. Is he the one that He saved he has no Rewards.

or is it the one that Jesus spoke of in Matthew chapter 25 write that in the margin of your Bible Matthew chapter 25

a man comes in his glory and all the angels with him. Then he will sit on his glorious Throne all the nations will be gathered before him and he'll separate them one from another just as Shepherd separate the sheep from the goats to put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left and the King will say to those on his right come you are blessed by my father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world for I was hungry you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me in the righteous will answer him Lord. When did we see you hungry and feed you or Thursday and give you something to drink. When do we see you a stranger and take you in or without clothes and clothes you when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you and the King will answer them. Truly. I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.

Then you also say to those on the left. Depart from me you who are cursed into the Eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. listen for I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat.

I was thirsty you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you didn't take me and I was naked and you didn't close me sick and in prison and you didn't take care of me. Then they too will answer Lord. When did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger without clothes or sick or in prison and not help you? Then he wants them truly. I tell you whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me. And they will go away into Eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

The gift that God has given you the gift of the Gospel.

Is it active in your life?

I cannot tell you if the man who took them off and wrapped it up the Unfaithful one.

I can't tell you about him.

I can't tell you.

If you would save or if you face judgment. I can't tell you this. The reigning King is coming for a faithful people.

Father may we not be fooled?

And thinking that you would give us the gift of the Gospel.

And if we could hide it in our Bible case. And bring it out on Sunday morning.

Aunt Bea the gospel that saves us

May we be faithful?

Because we know you're coming back.

What's the church and your son's name? I know.