Once there was a father with a son who was lazy. He tried to convince his son that he should join him in the work on his farm. The son was not convinced. The father was actually worried, how his son would earn his living after his death. Therefore, before his death, the father called his son and told: “My son, I have hidden for you a great treasure in the fields.” Before the son could ask him where exactly it was hidden, the father died. After the death of the father, the son began to search for the treasure. He dug from one end of the field to the other. But he could not find any treasure. He was disappointed, angry and desperate. As he sat there disappointed, he came to this idea. “I dug the field anyway. Although I have not found the treasure, why can’t I atleast cultivate the land?” He cultivated the land and got a great harvest. Then it occurred to him, that this harvest was the treasure that his father had left for him in the fields. (SermonCentral.com)
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LIFE is a treasure! God has given us life to manage it, enjoy it, and experience a wholesome living. This opportunity of course is solely depends on us!
I. LIFE IS A TREASURE OF DIVERSITY [VS.14-15]
"And he[Master] called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas" v.13
"Small and large amount of money" v.21
"He gave to each one according to his ability" v.15
-Webster’s meaning of Diversity: A state of difference; dissimilitude; unlikeness.
-“Charles Darwin saw in the diversity of species the principles of evolution that operated to generate the species: variation, competition and selection” (Scientific American).
SPIRITUAL TRUTH
A. Diversity is given proportionately.
"He gave each one according to his ability." v.15
-Our abilities are given proportionately with what we can manage. God never give us abilities beyond what we can bear and utilize.
-In business, it is not wise to invest your bigger amount of money to those products which never get higher ROI (Return of Investment). A wise businessman invested most of his money in a product that get higher earnings. Although he will also included some products that earn less because having a variety of products attract more customers.
-God is wise, He knows that the third man is not responsible steward that’s why he invested less for Him. If He mistakenly gave more money to that third person, he never maximized his profit and most of his
money became idle.
-God knows our capacity. What you have now is what God thought of you. But if you proved to him that you can do more than that, or you want to ask something more, just be faithful for the little thing you have. And when the Lord see your faithfulness, I’m sure, He will grant your desire. Just be faithful!
-Invest your talent, exercise your talent until someday God will say to you, "You have been faithful in managing the small amounts. so I will put you in-charge of large amount."
B. Diversity is made for our harmony.
"...proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body.."(Eph.:16b)
-Illustration
"Biological Diversity: the spice of life"
It is often said that variety is a spice of life. No intelligent investor confines his money to one or two shares. No one can sit stably and comfortably on a chair with two legs, No one remains fully healthy on a restricted diet. These facts are obvious, but the larger analogy that a varied base is vital for human existence fails to achieve recognition. The variety of living things around us is one of the greatest wonders of life on earth. This is the reason why our ancestors were able to survive without industries, without the latest technologies, without the guns, without the bulldozers and so forth. This clearly shows that the human race has been dependent on the natural world ever since its existence on this planet."- by Wisdom Dlamini - Swaziland National Trust Commission.
-The diversity of our talent, character and attitude are designed by God. If we maintain our harmony despite our differences it brings glory to God.
II. LIFE IS A TREASURE OF ABILITY [VS.16-18]
"The servant invested his money and earned..." v.16
"The servant went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money." v.18
ABILITY:Old French-habilite "The quality of being able to do something, especially the physical, mental, financial, or legal power to accomplish something."
SPIRITUAL TRUTH
A. God has given us ability to serve Him.
"The servant invested the money..." v.16
"Master, here’s your 5,000 coins!"
-Yes, God has given us ability in order that we have a part in the family of God. God doesnt want someone to be idle. He wanted that every Christian will grow in serving the Lord.
B. God has given us ability to improve us.
"The servant invested the money and earned..." v.16
"In life, there’s always room for improvement and room for success"
"Ability denotes qualities that enable a person to achieve or accomplish something." - American Heritage Disctionary
-Now, our present ability is God’s gauge whether you are qualified to receive even more. Because if you are faithful in managing the small amount, God will give you more. But if you are unfaithful, even the small amount that you have will be taken away from you.
-What you have today has given to you by God according to the measure of your ability. This will become your stepping-stone for improvement. The only thing you need is to become FAITHFUL!
-God is expecting everyone to improve his life. He doesnt want us to stay on our own state situtation forever. He has given us a way and a room for improvement.
III. LIFE IS A TREASURE OF OPPORTUNITY [VS.19-30]
"Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in managing small amounts. so I will put you in-charge of large amount. Come and share my happiness!" v.21
Opportunity means -A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances. (American Heritage)
“If you prepare yourself... you will be able to grasp opportunity for broader experience when it appears” (Eleanor Roosevelt).
SPIRITUAL TRUTH
A. God has given us an opportunity to please Him.
"Well done good and faithful servant!" v.21
"Take the money away from him and give it to the one who has 10,000 coins!" v.28
-As Christians, we know that we exist in this world to please God into our lives. We’re steadfastly serving the Lord in order that someday God will find us faithful.
-Paul also said, "I’m not trying to please men but God who test our lives."
-May we pass the test of God that He can say to us "Good and faithful servent."
-So, grab this opportunity while we are still young, while we are still able, while we are still active and strong enough in serving the Lord.
B. God has given us opportunity to access His blessings.
"...You have been faithful in managing small amounts. so I will put you in-charge of large amount. Come and share my happiness!" v.21
-While we are still living, we still have access for many opportunities in life. If we are wise, we can grab these opportunities not only to please the Lord but also to access His tremendous blessings.
-God had promised us His abundant resources. Let us tap those tremendous resources that God has made available to those who love and serve Him.
-"God is able to do superabundantly, far over and above, all that we dare ask or think. Infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thought, hopes, or dreams." (Eph. 3:20, Amplified Version)
CONCLUSION
LIFE IS A TREASURE! And this treasure is only available to us while still living. The Antonym of life is death! Death will vanish all our hopes to get and enjoy treasure readily available for us.
Today is the perfect day to do so! God is waiting for you and for me. He desire us to experience the life that he wants for us! He said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
God bless!
*****************SERMON***STRUCTURE********************
LIFE is a TREASURE!
Luke 19:11-27
I. LIFE IS A TREASURE OF DIVERSITY [VS.14-15]
"And he[Master] called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas" v.13
"Small and large amount of money" v.21
"He gave to each one according to his ability" v.15
Webster’s meaning of Diversity: A state of difference; dissimilitude; unlikeness.
“Charles Darwin saw in the diversity of species the principles of evolution that operated to generate the species: variation, competition and selection” (Scientific American).
SPIRITUAL TRUTH
A. Diversity is given proportionately.
"He gave each one according to his ability." v.15
B. Diversity is made for our harmony.
"...proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body.."(Eph.:16b)
"Biological Diversity: the spice of life"
II. LIFE IS A TREASURE OF ABILITY [VS.16-18]
"The servant invested his money and earned..." v.16
"The servant went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money." v.18
ABILITY:Old French-habilite "The quality of being able to do something, especially the physical, mental, financial, or legal power to accomplish something."
SPIRITUAL TRUTH
A. God has given us ability to serve Him.
"The servant invested the money..." v.16
"Master, here’s your 5,000 coins!"
B. God has given us ability to improve us.
"The servant invested the money and earned..." v.16
In life, there’s always room for improvement and room for success!
"Ability denotes qualities that enable a person to achieve or accomplish something." - American Heritage Disctionary
III. LIFE IS A TREASURE OF OPPORTUNITY [VS.19-30]
"Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in managing small amounts. so I will put you in-charge of large amount. Come and share my happiness!" v.21
Opportunity means -A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances. (American Heritage)
“If you prepare yourself... you will be able to grasp opportunity for broader experience when it appears” (Eleanor Roosevelt).
SPIRITUAL TRUTH
A. God has given us an opportunity to please Him.
"Well done good and faithful servant!" v.21
"Take the money away from him and give it to the one who has 10,000 coins!" v.28
B. God has given us opportunity to access His blessings.
"...You have been faithful in managing small amounts. so I will put you in-charge of large amount. Come and share my happiness!" v.21
"God is able to do superabundantly, far over and above, all that we dare ask or think. Infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thought, hopes, or dreams." (Eph. 3:20, Amplified Version)
CONCLUSION
