Working For The Master
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Intro
Intro
Title - Working for the Master
Text - Luke 12.41-48
41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,
46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
Background
Background
Peter’s question
looks back to the parable, but especially to the words Jesus spoke concerning the thief and readiness
Jesus answered with another parable
the first parable is addressed to all believers of Christ
the second parable is addressed to specific servants of God who are given a specific task of feeding the household
household - grk “therapeia”, household staff
Jesus’s second parable
addresses the need for trustworthy servants in the house while the master is away
a steward is a highly trusted servant that is given authority over the “household”
organizes the work of all the servants in the house
feeds the household staff
Main Idea
Main Idea
Believers have two primary activity in light of the Lord’s promised return -
wait for Lord’s return - because we are seeking God’s kingdom
work while waiting for the Lord’s return - because we are entrusted with the care of His household
We cannot be waiting and then do nothing for the kingdom of God.
Recognize your stewardship
Recognize your stewardship
We are all “stewards” with specific functions -
the apostles are stewards of the mysteries of God - 1 Cor 4.1
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
this is related to the one Jesus mentioned in the parable - feed the household with food in due season
food in due season - the word of God for specific time and age
bishops/elders are stewards of God - Titus 1.5-7
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—
6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
bishops/overseers/elders - are feeders of the flock of God
Acts 20.28 “28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Every gifted believer is a steward - 1 Peter 4.10
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Stewardship is a special privilege.
it means you are considered wise and faithful!
it means you can be trusted with authority!
Example - Paul’s stewardship
16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
it is a burden
it must be fulfilled whether we are willing or not
the reward is based on how well you disposed of your authority
Get busy with your stewardship
Get busy with your stewardship
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
The blessedness is not payment - the Master does not owe the servant anything
10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
The blessing is the reward that the Master gives when he finds his servant doing as he was instructed!
44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
Take care of your stewardship
Take care of your stewardship
45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,
46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
a steward might become unconcerned with the Master’s return, and begin to take pride in his authority over other servants
How do you take care of your stewardship?
Be faithful to the work assigned to you!
it’s a requirement - 1 Cor 4.2
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Keep your focus on the Lord’s return!
pray “your kingdom come” - Matthew 6.9-10
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Forsake everything for the kingdom of God
detach yourself from earthly things - Luke 18.28-30
28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
As we wait for the coming of Christ, we must also get busy preparing ourselves for the kingdom of God.
Everything we do as servants of Christ, must be done in light of His return and the kingdom of God
No work is worth anything unless they are done in Christ and for His kingdom
29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,
30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
It is time to get busy with kingdom work!
It is time to renounce laziness in church activities!
come to church, whatever your situation, however much busy your day is
find something to do in house of God - the church - and do them passionately for the sake of the kingdom!
The Lord Jesus set the example of life’s purpose
The Lord Jesus set the example of life’s purpose
We come into this world to serve God’s purpose - not our own ambitions
We become stewards of God’s manifold grace, and Jesus expects us to be faithful till kingdom come!
Finally, we will be kings and priests with Christ in His kingdom!
44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
SONG - The Servant King