I - Nvest Myself (Part 5) Series

Invest Myself

Series, “Being Spiritual without being Religious” – Part 5

Pastor Jeff Christopherson

October 17, 2004

Start with Authenticity…

Preserve my Personality…

Investigate the Ground Zero of Faith …

Recognize my Net Worth …

Invest Myself...

Experience a faith that trusts God’s confidence in me.

Luke 19:12-26

I. the historical meaning of Jesus’ parable…

4 BC Herod ‘the Great’s’ 6 wills and 3 sons >Archelaus

>Antipas

>Phillip

II. the spiritual meaning of Jesus’ parable…

1. Jesus is going to return as King.

“While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return” Luke 19:11-12

2.In the mean time, He has invested in me His valuable gifts.

“So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’” Luke 19:13

three gifts we all have been given in equal amounts…

a)time

b)truth

c)opportunities to serve God.

3.I am personally accountable for how I invest myself.

Revelation 20 What did I do with Jesus?

2 Corinthians 5:10 What did I do with my life?

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

III. the personal meaning of Jesus’ parable…

1.If I reject Jesus’ authority, I cannot be accepted.

In Jesus’ parable there are 2 kinds of people: Servants and Subjects.

‘Subjects’ hated the King and rejected his authority. (Luke 19:14, 27)

‘Servants’ accepted the Kings claim to the throne.

2.If I neglect God’s investment in me, I’ll risk losing it.

“I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ Luke 19:21

“The fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

“...as for the one who has [lit. ‘does’] nothing, even what he has will be taken away.” Luke 19:26b

3.If I invest myself, I’ll receive even more.

“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given…” Luke 19:24-26a

Being a Spiritual Entrepreneur…

time…

truth…

opportunities…

“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Luke 6:38 (Message)

Concluding Question:

10 servants were given a gift. 3 reported in. What about the other 7 servants?

Scripture passages from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.

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Digging Deeper @ Home Church: investing myself

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1. Imagine a ‘quirky uncle’ had just given you a cheque for $25,000 this evening right before Home Church with the following stipulation; “you must spend the full amount on something red by 12:00 noon tomorrow.”

• What would be your plan?

2. As you recall the encounter of Zacchaeus and Jesus we studied a few weeks ago – what misconceptions may have prompted Jesus to tell ‘the parable of the minas’ (see 19:9-11)?

3. Take a few minutes and understand the players of Luke 19:11-27: Who is:

• The man of noble birth?

• The 10 servants (2 faithful, 1 fearful, 7 missing)?

• The subjects?

How does understanding the players speak to misconceptions of Jesus’ audience? Speak to our misconceptions?

4. Where does the man of noble birth go? Why? What were the servants to do in his absence?

• What is Jesus teaching us?

5. Carefully read verses 20-26.

• How is the third servants actions influenced by his faulty perception of his master?

• What is the irony in his excuse?

• How is Jesus’ sense of ‘fairness’ different from our own?

• How has a faulty perception of God negatively influenced your desire to ‘invest yourself’ spiritually?

6. What talents and resources has the Nobleman left you with?

• How do you feel about the way you’ve invested them?

• What one action would make your investments more prudent?

7. Pray for one another as fellow servants of the Nobleman.

 2004, Jeff Christopherson, The Sanctuary