The Ten Servants

Summary: Be faithful to your call, until Christ returns

Background:

· Jesus was nearing the end of His life as He travelled to Jerusalem for the last time.

· The crowds saw the resurrection of Lazarus and became convinced that Jesus was long awaited king who would finally overthrow the Roman empire and restore the Kingdom of God to Israel very soon.

· As such, they were attempting to make Jesus an earthly king before His time.

Purpose of the parable:

· Person of Christ

o To correct misconceptions of who Jesus is – King of Kings vs earthly king

o Personal – to be YOUR king

o How do YOU see Jesus? Your buddy? A vending machine? A fire escape

· Purpose of Christ

o to rule the world, not just Israel

o Personal – to be YOUR ruler

· Permanence of the Kingdom

o Eternal rule vs a typical human lifetime

· Patience for the Kingdom

o will come in the distant future

· Priority of deeds

o Do what God says

o Personal – to do what God told YOU

· Productivity

o Of time and talents, resources

o Personal – proper use of YOUR time and talents

· Prize for faithfulness

o Serving God pays!

o Personal – are you serving God seriously?

· Punishment for rebellion

o Personal – how will YOU be rewarded? Good or bad

People involved:

· King = Jesus

· Servants = you

o (church)

· Delegation = world

o God haters, refuse his Lordship (Millennial Reign)

The King’s Reality

Luke 19:11 NLT

11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away.

· Correct their expectations

· Restrain our impatience

· Go about your assignment

· History: Triumphal Entry –

o Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:38)

· Irony – man tried to make Jesus an earthly king now, but

· God WILL make Jesus an eternal king in the future

What are you “expecting” God to do for you?

Is it Biblical?

The King’s Report

Luke 19:12 NLT

12 He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return.

Nobleman = Christ – born of a virgin, heir to David’s throne (Luke 1:32-33)

Called away = death, burial and resurrection of Christ

Distant empire = third heaven – where God lives

· Nobleman will become king

· The Lamb of God becomes lion of Judah

Then return – 2nd Advent

· From riding on a donkey to a white stallion

The King’s Requirements

Luke 19:13 NLT

13 Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’

· We are all given a chance – God is fair

· Call = our assignment from God – our testimony – share Christ with others

· 10 = completeness (10 commandments, 10 virgins)

· 10 servants = every believer

· 10 pounds = every assignment of the Kingdom

o all He had ($35?) –

o Small assignment, task, responsibility

God expects you to increase

You are entrusted by God to use what He has given you for His glory – by expanding His Kingdom

Invest = G4231 – to carry on a business

Occupy until I come…

Each one HAS one -

Everyone is gifted – we have all received the measure of faith

The Crowd’s Refusal

Luke 19:14 NLT

14 But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’

· Hated = G3404 = detest

· What is the reason for this hatred? REBELLION

· Man’s rebellious nature refuses to submit to God or God’s ways.

· Jesus came to His own, but they received Him not (John 1:11)

· Represents ALL unbelievers – Jews or Gentiles

· The world’s system seeks to erase God from their laws. Court rulings, education, entertainment, even religion

· This will culminate at the end of time when the world’s armies united against Christ – Armageddon

The King’s Return

Luke 19:15 NLT

15 “After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were.

· Sovereignty – Regardless of man’s feeble attempts, God’s will prevails!

· Accountability - no one is exempt – we will all stand before God and give an account of what we have done with our lives…

· Profitability – God does not give you things for nothing, He expects (demands) a return on His personal investment in you

2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT

10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

The Faithful Servant’s Results

Luke 19:16 NLT

16 The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’

· Faith creates faithfulness!

· Risk, combined with wisdom and tenacity – brings multiplication

· Good soil (acts on what was heard) – produced 30, 60, 100 fold

The King’s Reward – 10x

Luke 19:17 NLT

17 “ ‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’

· Huge reward! for such a small investment

· Ten cities for $35

· Excelled in his work

· What an encouragement to remain faithful to God in a wicked generation

Reward – is not “in kind” or money for money

GOD IS LOOKING FOR KINGS (Rev 1, 2)

The King’s Reward – 5x

Luke 19:18 NLT

18 “The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’

· Not the same praise – but still good

· Smaller pain, smaller gain

· Not as much sacrifice or zeal

The King’s Rejoicing – God Honors Faith!

Luke 19:19 NLT

19 “ ‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’

How could the King offer the Same rejoicing – even though the return was half as much?

Because God honors faith! The servant did the best he could with what he had.

The Evil Servant’s Renege

Luke 19:20 NLT

20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe.

· Lip service – called the King by proper title but denied Him in by his walk.

· Renege = To go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract.

· Careless, slothful

· Deceived – convinced himself that he was actually doing a good deed when in reality he did nothing. (I didn’t break anything)

Luke 19:21 NLT

21 I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’

· Wrong image of God – He is kind and generous

· Wrong image led to Fear of failure – opted to do nothing – wasted time and talents

· Result? – People did not hear the Gospel – maybe could not come into the Kingdom

· Jesus is more concerned for MEN than MONEY – He died for SOULS

· Imagine what the world would look like if the church would “Go all in” for God!

The King’s Rebuke

Luke 19:22 NLT

22 “ ‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant,

· Words are powerful – we are either acquitted or condemned by what we say. (Matt 12:37)

· This man misrepresented and insulted the character of God – by calling Him something He is NOT…

· How many believers today don’t understand God’s true nature?

Jesus judges us tomorrow based on how we judge him today

Luke 19:23 NLT

23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

· No excuse – we all can do something

· Something is better than nothing

· Start with a small step of faith

· Instead, he was fearful and useless

· Contributed nothing

How does God treat us when we try and fail?

Life Lesson: Your view of God determines your actions

If you believe God is good – you will go to the ends of the earth for Him!

If not, you will cower and hope He forgets about you..

What if he lost the money?

· God’s character: Jesus probably would have not punished the evil servant for at least trying. Even Peter sank when he walked on the water!

· Jesus helped Peter UP, not push him DOWN.

The King’s Reassignment

Luke 19:24 NLT

24 “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’

The Crowd’s Rebuttal

Luke 19:25 NLT

25 “ ‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’

· Mans’ reasoning – (socialism) and, redistribution of wealth vs God’s wisdom

The King’s Reply

Luke 19:26 NLT

26 “ ‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

· Kingdom principle: Slothfulness punished

The King’s Reckoning – Revenge

Luke 19:27 NLT

27 And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’ ”

· Kingdom principle: Enemies Destroyed

o in the Battle of Armageddon

o After the Millennial Reign rebellion

o White Throne judgment – second resurrection – lake of fire

“Those who will not be ruled by grace must ultimately feel the wrath of God” – Gordon Lindsay

The King’s Resume

Luke 19:28 NLT

28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples.

Where are the other 7

· The other 7 servants are not even mentioned again – what happened to them?

· Maybe they at least tried and failed… we don’t know.

After the point was made, Jesus continued on His way.

He expects us to do the same

Jesus is still walking today – are you?

How do you view Christ?

Are you ready for the return of Christ?

What do you think the King will say to you when you stand before Him, face to face?

Personal challenge:

Be faithful to God today while waiting for God’s return tomorrow