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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
April 29, 2018
Working While Waiting
Luke 19:11-28
Introduction – Luke 19:11
Turn to Luke 19:11. For some time we have been examining the various events that occurred as Jesus made His way south from Galilee through Perea on the east side of the Jordan River, and then back west across the Jordan to Jericho. Jesus has healed people of various diseases including leprosy (Luke 17:11-19) (See: The Extent of God’s Mercy) and restoring the sight of the blind (Luke 18:35-43) See: (Sight for the Blind) . He has also dealt with many issues brought up by people He has met along the way. He has given warning to the Pharisees about their self righteousness telling a parable that demonstrated that a humble publican who recognized his sin and begged God for mercy would get into the kingdom of heaven while they would be humbled at God’s hand (Luke 18:9-14) (See: Persistence and Humility in Prayer). Humility is still the key to heaven, for God gives grace to the humble and it is only by His grace that we can be saved.
Soon after that rebuke, some Pharisees sought to discredit Jesus by getting Him to publically state His strict, but unpopular beliefs about marriage. Jesus had already taught on marriage and divorce before, so He had no hesitancy in exposing their ignorance and hypocrisy by pointing them back to the Scriptures concerning the commands God had given them through Moses. The common practice then, as it is in our own time, is to allow for divorce for nearly any excuse, but God’s design is for one man and one woman to be married for life. They did not understand Moses’ instructions and their practice only multiplied adultery. Only the “innocent” party to a divorce caused by sexual sin can remarry without increasing adultery (Matthew 19:1-12) (See: The Exception Clause).
Within a day or so Jesus was approached by a rich young ruler who wanted to know what good thing he should do to inherit eternal life. A good question, but Jesus’ questions and command for him to follow Him only exposed the young man’s self-righteousness and that his love for his wealth was greater than his desire for treasures in heaven. He became an example of why it is impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. A severe blow to the common ideas about how a person could be saved (Matthew 19:13-26) (See: How To Obtain Eternal Life). Actually, it is only possible by the gracious intervention of God that anyone can be saved whether rich or poor. That very point was demonstrated later that day when Jesus called out by name the rich tax-collector, Zaccheus, who had climbed a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus as He was walking by. Zaccheus was a sinful man and among those must unlikely to be saved by any human reasoning, and by Jesus declaration, it was impossible for such rich man to be saved. Yet, Jesus, the Son of Man that came to seek and save the lost, came to Zaccheus by divine appointment and did what was only possible with God. Zaccheus was saved and demonstrated that reality by the fruit of his repentance (Luke 19:1-10). (The Impossible Salvation of a Rich Tax Collector)
While all those things are very important, the main focus of Jesus as He was on this journey to Jerusalem was preparing His disciples for what lay ahead. He has told them several times about what would happen when He reached Jerusalem, and He had told them again just before they got to Jericho (Luke 18:31-34). Along the way He has taught them important lessons about the kingdom of God that would come in the future (Luke 17:20-37), importance of prayer (Luke 18:1-8), equality in God’s kingdom (Matthew 19:27-20:16), and the characteristics of greatness in that kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28). That is the reason for this next lesson He will teach His disciples.
Nearing Jerusalem – Luke 19:11
Luke 19:11 states, “While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.”
The timing of this is after Jesus had declared that salvation had come into the home of Zaccheus. We can be sure that Jesus would have taught more than just the couple of sentences recorded in Luke 19:9-10. It is to those things that they were listening, and this parable He now tells is an expansion on that teaching session. Jesus spoke to all those present, but the main focus of this parable is to His disciples.
The timing of this is somewhat questionable. It is either the same day that Jesus met Zaccheus, or it is the next day. If it is the same day, then Jesus would have had a very long day. Jesus and the disciples would have had to walk from wherever He was in Perea to the Jordan river, cross it, and then on to old Jericho. That would be more than 6 miles. Then another 2 miles to the new area of Jericho. Along the way, He stopped to teach His disciples and to heal the blind men. He then meets Zaccheus and at least has a meal with him. From there is it at least 17 miles to Jerusalem with an elevation gain of more than 3,500 ft. He would make the Triumphal entry and go into the Temple, then back another two miles over the Mount of Olives to Bethany. Logistically, that is a lot. It is at least 27 miles with steep ascent and many additional events occurring.
It would appear to me that when Jesus told Zaccheus He must stay (mevnw / men ) at his house, Jesus meant to stay there over night. This teaching would then take place either that day with the reference in Luke 20:28 about going to Jerusalem being the next day, or this conversation occurred after staying there overnight.
Ether way, the reason for the parable is that in being so close to Jerusalem, the disciples were still supposing the kingdom of God was going to appear soon after Jesus arrived there. They expected elements of the Messiah’s kingdom to start being displayed immediately and culminating in it being established to fulfill all the prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures. That this was still on their minds was made evident by the efforts of James and John, along with their mother, to secure positions on the right and left side of Jesus on His throne (Matthew 20:20-24) which made the other disciples indignant, for each of them wanted to be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus responded earlier by stressing that greatness in the kingdom will be marked by being a servant to the others in imitation of Jesus’ own life of service to them (Mark 10:35-45). This parable will reveal the future nature of that kingdom and what that they should do while waiting for that future kingdom to arrive.
A Parable of Waiting for the Kingdom – Luke 19:11–28
A Charge to His Slaves – Luke 19:12-13
The parable begins, 12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. 13 “And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ 14 “But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’
The parable begins by setting a scene the people there would have understood well since it was the way their own rulers were put into their positions. Most recently, Archelaus and Antipas, sons of Herod the Great, had to travel to Rome to be established there by the Emperor as tetarchs after their father’s death in 4 B.C. Archelus was given rule over of Judea and (Herod) Antipas over Galilee and Perea. Herod Antipas had a 43 year reign from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39 before family intrigue caused him to be removed by Rome. Archelaus, also called “Herod the Ethnarch,” did not do so well. The people of Judea were against him and from the beginning and had sent a delegation to Rome to oppose his rule. They succeeded in blocking him from gaining the title of King, but he still ruled for 10 years. He was a cruel ruler and clashed with Jewish sensibilities resulting in continued opposition and finally being removed by Rome and banished to Gaul in A.D. 6. Among his positive accomplishments was an expansion of the palace at Jericho and diverting water from Neara to it.
In the parable, the nobleman is going away in order to receive the authority for his kingdom, but before he goes he calls ten of his slaves, gives them some money and charges them to “do business” until he returned. The word here, pragmateuvomai / pragmateuomai, means to “pursue with vigor,” “be concerned about,” and “be occupied with.” We get our English word, pragmatic, from it. It was used in relationship with political pursuits, intellectual pursuits and, as here, business pursuits in trade and money-lending.”
The total amount of money was ten minas with one mina entrusted to each slave (dou:loV / doulos). That is not a lot, but it is not small either. A mina was worth one hundred denarii, and a denarius was the typical wage paid a laborer for a day’s work, so a little over three months wages given to each slave. The nobleman entrusts his slaves to use the money to make a profit while he was away. What would you invest in or business would you start with three months wages?
Let me quickly mention that there is a parable in Matthew 25:14-30 that is similar in that involves a man going on a journey that entrusts his slaves with money to earn a profit while he was gone. However, that is really the only similarity since the number of slaves, the amount given to each slave, and the purpose of the parable are all different. Jesus told many parables, so there is nothing surprising that some of them will have similar elements.
The parable is fairly simple to interpret with the key elements easily recognizable to us since we live after Jesus resurrection and ascension and have a completed New Testament. The nobleman is a parallel with Jesus. As He is now close to Jerusalem, Jesus is near in time to when He will leave in order to receive His kingdom. He will suffer and be crucified in Jerusalem, but He will also rise from the dead, and then forty days later will ascend to heaven where He is currently preparing a place for those that belong to Him and sitting at the right hand of the Father. He will return at some point in the future to establish His earthly kingdom given to Him by the Father.
The slaves are those who belong to Messiah. All Christians are slaves of Christ. He has purchased us with His own blood by which He redeemed us for Himself (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19). The Lord has given to every believer gifts and abilities by which we are to serve Him out of love and respect for our master (Ephesians 4; 1 Corinthians 12). We are to use what He has entrusted to us to further His interests on this Earth while He is in heaven.
The statement in the parable about the citizens hating the nobleman and sending a delegation after him to try and prevent him from receiving the kingdom may match the actions taken against Archelaus some 30 or more years earlier, but its inclusion here is for a different purpose regardless of any possible allusions to Archelaus. This concerns those who will oppose the Messiah. The religious leaders hated Jesus and wanted to prevent Him from coming into His kingdom because that was a threat to their own positions and power. Those who opposed Archelaus eventually succeeded. Those who oppose Jesus will not.
Rewards for the Faithful at the King’s Return – Luke 19:15-19
15 “When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. 16 “The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ 18 “The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ 19 “And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
The parable continues with what should be expected. The nobleman returns having received the proper authority over his kingdom. After getting back, he calls in his slaves to find out how they have done in his absence. His slaves may vary in their abilities, but each would be expected to do their best with what they were given and there would be profit from that.
The first slave to come reports a 10 fold increase. He had 1 mina and he gained 10 more. Notice the slave’s humility in stating that it was the mina that made the profit instead of claiming it to be his own work. The king is pleased and commends him for his faithfulness. The master understands that it was the slave’s ability plus his faithfulness to use those abilities that resulted in such a good profit. The text does not state the slave knew what reward he might receive, but I am sure he was surprised when his master gave him authority over ten cities. That is quite a promotion for a slave. He had proved faithful with something of little value, money, so now the master knew the slave could be trusted with whole cities that have much greater value not only in wealth, but more importantly, the people that live in them. He will still be responsible to his King, but now he has a position of authority which he did not have before. I have no doubt this also meant his freedom, both from the standpoint that slaves could purchase their freedom, and the fact that ruling over 10 cities requires an autonomy to act in the best interest of the king, but without being told what to do as would a slave.
The second slave reports the increase from what he was given and he does so in the same humble way. “Your mina, master, has made five minas.” That is half of what the first slave made, but it is still a 500% profit. He also does not make a claim about his own abilities, and he does not need to do so for it is demonstrated in the results. That is a general truth all of us can apply, and it is a protection against pride and bragging. Your abilities speak for themselves in what you do and what you are able to accomplish. Those who have such abilities have no need to boast. The master treats this slave in a like manner and gives him authority over five cities.
These same principles apply to all of us who are slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ. First, we are to be faithful with whatever the Lord entrusts to us. Individual ability will vary a lot, but faithfulness in serving the Lord with whatever gift, ministry and empowerment He has granted should mark every Christian.
Second, what any individual accomplishes will also vary according to ability and diligence in applying those abilities, however, every Christian should have the same humble attitude regardless of how great their achievements. This was Paul’s attitude recognizing that he was made a minister of the gospel according to the gift of God’s grace and all that he accomplished was according to the working of God’s power (Ephesians 3:7-8). Paul was aware of his own efforts, but he was even more aware of God’s working in and through him saying in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” His admonishment to the Corinthians whose pride had caused rifts and fractures among them was to be humble and remember that “neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.”
Third, we know that God will give rewards to those who are faithful because the Scriptures state that in several places. First, Jesus describes the reward given to the sheep in Matthew 25:34 saying, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” He said in John 12:2-3; 2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” The first and primary treasure is eternal life, but there are others also mentioned.
In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus commands us to lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven rather than on earth, so there must be treasures there! Just over a month ago we saw this in our study of Matthew 19:27-30. In answering Peter’s question about what they would receive for leaving everything to follow Him, Jesus said 28 “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 “But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.”
I had also mentioned in that sermon the five crowns described in the epistles. The Crown of life referenced in James 1:12 is given to those who persevere under trial because of their love for the Lord. The Imperishable Wreath Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 9:25 is given to those who learn self-control in their pursuit after godliness. Paul names the Crown of Exultation in 1 Thessalonians 2:19 as the reward for those diligent in fulfilling the great commission in those who come to Christ through their ministry. The Crown of Righteousness is described in 2 Timothy 4:8 as the blessing given to those that love the Lord’s coming and live their daily lives in light of His promise to return. And for those that serve the Lord as His under-shepherds in His church, there is a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:2).
Take heart in these promises of future reward and do not be discouraged by the difficulties you encounter in living in this fallen world. Paul stated this succinctly in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” There is a blessed future ahead. You have Jesus’ word on that!
Consequences for the Unfaithful at the King’s Return – Luke 19:20-24
In contrast to the faithful who receive a commendation and reward of greater responsibilities in keeping with their abilities, those who are not faithful are condemned and lose what they did have. Luke 19:20-21 is the response and excuse of the unfaithful slave.
20 “Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’
This slave fails to carry out the command of his master to “do business” with the mina he was given until he returned. He was to be concerned about it and pursue some sort of business or money-lending venture with it. Instead, the slave put it away in a small piece of cloth used as a handkerchief, face cloth or napkin. He would be able to return what was given to him, but there would be no profit.
His excuse is being afraid of his master. He knew his master was good at gaining returns on his business and investment ventures, but he did not think he could do the same. He wanted to be able to return what was given to him without risk of losing it in an investment, so he put it in a handkerchief for safe keeping. The truth is that he would have had less risk investing it than putting in a napkin where it could have been found and stolen. This slave was so lazy that he did not even bury it as was commonly done to protect money from thieves.
His master gives him a severe rebuke using his own excuse against him. 22 “He said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 ‘Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’
The rebuke includes the reasons the slave is characterized as worthless. First, the slave knew his master well enough to know what was expected. Just returning what had been entrusted was not acceptable. Second, related to the first, it was contrary to the command given to him. The slave was to do something with the money, but he did nothing. Third, the slave’s inaction demonstrated laziness. Though there were not banks then as we have them now, he could have gained interest by partnering with the money-lenders who were in essence the banks of that time. Even if he was ignorant about business, investments or money-lending, he could have discussed how to use the mina with the other slaves and then done something with it. But he did nothing, and because of that, he would be left with nothing.
24 “Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’
The consequence for this slave’s unfaithfulness was losing what he had. It was taken away from him and given to the slave that was faithful. That is the opposite of socialism. The unfaithful slave lost more than just the mina. The nobleman had personally given the slaves the minas, but now he has received his kingdom and refrains from personal action with such a slave. He commands those also present, which would be the other slaves and court attendants, to carry out his orders. The unfaithful slave also lost what personal relationship he had with the king.
Applying the Parable – Luke 19:25-27
Jesus makes the point of the parable clear in His conclusion of the story. 25 “And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’ 26 “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 27 “But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”
Those standing by were confused about why the one that had the most was given even more. They whine like modern socialists who clamor for equality of outcome. Why would more be given to the one that already had ten? Simple. Jesus supports capitalism, not Marxism or socialism. Using the voice of the master in the parable, Jesus gives the application and in doing so reveals what would happen in the future. Those who have something have it because they were faithful in carrying out the commands of the master. Jesus encourages the faithful reassuring them that they will be rewarded and gain even more according to their faithfulness to follow His instructions while He is away to receive His kingdom. Those who have not made any gain have failed because they were unfaithful to obey the master’s instructions while he was gone. There will be consequences for those that fail to follow Jesus’ instructions while He is away to receive His kingdom. They will also lose what they did have.
Paul gives some additional insights into the future judgment of Christians in his epistles. First, Romans 8:1 is clear that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” so there will not be a judgment of that type for Christians. However, Paul is also clear in 2 Corinthians 5:10 that the deeds of Christians will be judged saying, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 1 Corinthians 3:12–15 gives further description. 12 “Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
It is easy to see from this that the faithful slaves represent those believers whose deeds are likened to gold, silver and precious stones. They are part of the first resurrection in Revelation 20:6 that will reign with Christ in His kingdom. Perhaps this parable implies that such faithful Christians will be given authority over cities in that kingdom.
Some commentators think the slave that hid his mina is reflective of people who are not saved. In one sense, that is understandable since a non-believer would not be faithful. However, in view of Paul’s statements about the future judgment of Christians, I lean to believing this non-productive slave reflects these believers who “will suffer loss, but he himself be saved, yet so as through fire.”
Together, the example of these slaves in the parable is both an encouragement to us and a warning about the necessity to learn to trust God and remain faithful in serving Him to the best of our abilities while we await His return from Heaven to receive us and set up His millennial kingdom.
The enemies of the noble men are set in contrast to his slaves. The slaves are either rewarded or suffer loss, but the enemies are slain. The same will be true for believers. They will be rewarded or suffer loss according to their deeds, but it is the enemies of Christ that will be destroyed. That is a strong warning to the religious leaders of that time about what they were about to do in rejecting Jesus after He arrived in Jerusalem. It remains a strong warning to all that oppose Him. Our Lord is patient, longsuffering, merciful and gracious, but as 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 warns, unless you obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will “pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day. . .” The good news is that though that may be your current destiny, it is not inevitable for Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. That salvation begins with recognizing you are lost in your sins and turning from them to Christ. Let today be the day your new journey with a new master begins.
If you are a Christian, then again, take to heart the Lord’s promises and be ready for His return by remaining faithful in serving Him now. 1 Corinthians 15:58 bears repeating, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Luke 19:28, “After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.” Jesus concluded this parable of encouragement and warning of what would come in the future. He then began His seventeen mile uphill walk to Jerusalem where the next prophecy concerning the Messiah would be fulfilled.
Sermon Notes – 4/29/2018
Working While Waiting – Luke 19:11-28
Introduction
Jesus has been healing people and ____________ as He traveled from Galilee through Perea to Jericho
Pharisees sought to discredit Jesus, but in the end, only exposed their own ignorance and ______________
The rich young ruler was not willing to give up worldly wealth for heavenly riches and ____________Jesus
Zaccheus is the proof that God does the impossible in saving ______________ people
Jesus’ main focus has been to ___________ His disciples for what happens after they reached Jerusalem
Nearing Jerusalem – Luke 19:11
This parable is an expansion of the teaching session Jesus had at _____________ home
If this was the day Jesus met Zaccheus, He had an incredibly long day traveling over________ miles (Map)
It is more probable this is the next _____________ after Jesus stayed at Zaccheus’ home
The parable is prompted by being close to Jerusalem and their ______________ of the coming kingdom
A Parable of Waiting for the Kingdom – Luke 19:11–28
A Charge to His Slaves – Luke 19:12-13
Their own rulers gained power as described in the parable (_______________ & Antipas)
The nobleman gives money to each of 10 slaves and charges them to “do _____________ ” with it
A mina = 100 denarii = 100 days wages – just over _______________
The nobleman is a parallel for ___________ who would go to His Father to receive His kingdom
The slaves parallel those who __________to the Messiah – Jesus purchased us with His blood (Acts 20:28)
The citizens who hate the noblemen parallel those that will ____________ Jesus’ kingdom
Rewards for the Faithful at the King’s Return – Luke 19:15-19
The master returns after receiving his kingdom, and calls his slaves to ____________ on their work
The first slave humbly reports a gain of _____ minas. He is commended and is given authority over 10 cities
Faithfulness and ability are rewarded – in this case with responsibility, authority and ______________
The second slave humbly reports a gain of 5 minas. He is commended and is given authority over 5 _______
We are to be _________with whatever the Lord entrusts to us – gifts, ministry and empowerment (1 Cor. 12)
We are to be diligent and humble recognizing that it is the ________ at work giving the increase
God gives rewards beginning with ______________ the kingdom – Matthew 25:34; John 12:2-3
We are to lay up our ______________ in heaven – Matthew 6:19-20; 19:27-30
Different _________described in the Epistles: James 1:12; 1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:2
Do not be ___________ in well doing for your toil is not in vain – Gal. 6:9; 1 Cor. 15:58
Consequences for the Unfaithful at the King’s Return – Luke 19:20-24
This slave fails to carry out his master’s commands with the ___________ of being afraid of his master
His own words proved he was ___________ being disobedient and lazy
He had the money taken away and ___________ what personal relationship he had with the king
Applying the Parable – Luke 19:25-27
The faithful will gain even more, and the unfaithful will _________ what they have
Christians will not be condemned (Rom. 8:1), but their _______will be judged – 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:12-15
The faithful slave parallels ______________ whose deeds are likened to gold, silver & precious stones
The unfaithful slave parallels those whose deeds are worthless so they suffer loss – _________, but as by fire
An __________________ to faithful service and warning against laziness and failure
The enemies of the nobleman parallel those who _________ Jesus as Messiah, the gospel – 1 Thess. 1:8-10
Take to heart the Lord’s _____________ and be ready for His return – (1 John 2:28)
Jesus concluded this parable of encouragement and warning – and then began the 17 mile walk to His ________
KIDS KORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Count how many times a reference is made to slaves. 2) Discuss with your parents why a Christian is a slave of Christ and righteousness.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. List out the various healings Jesus has performed and subjects He has taught as He traveled from Galilee through Perea and then to Jericho? What has happened since He reached Jericho? How is Zaccheus the contrast to the rich young ruler Jesus had met earlier? Why is being near Jerusalem a reason for Jesus to tell this parable? How far would Jesus have traveled and how many significant events took place on the day Jesus met Zaccheus? How much farther would Jesus have to travel if He were to go to Jerusalem on this same day? How were Herod’s sons, Archelaus and Antipas, examples of nobles who had to travel to a distant country to receive their kingdoms? In what other ways does the history of Archelaus’ rise to power parallel this parable? How does the nobleman in the parable parallel what Jesus would do in the then near future? In the distant future? How do the slaves in the parable parallel the position and responsibilities of Christians? Why is it proper to refer to a Christian as a slave of Christ ? What is the basis of the king rewarding the first two slaves? Could there be any parallel to them each receiving authority over cities and what Christians may do in the Millennium? Explain. List some of the Scriptures that make it clear that Christians do will receive rewards from the Lord in the future? How are such future rewards an encouragement to Christians in the present? In what ways did the slave that put his mina in a handkerchief prove he was worthless? How did he show he was also lazy? Why do some commentators believe this worthless slave represents false believers within the church? Why do some commentators believe this worthless slave represents saved individuals who will suffer loss? On what basis believers be judged in the future? What happens to the enemies of the nobleman in the parable? What will happen to those who disobey the gospel and oppose Jesus? What do you expect will happen to you when you are judged by the Lord? Does anything need to change in your life to prepare for that day? If so, what and when will you change it?
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