A Story about Serving – Luke 19 – Part 1

Posted on March 10, 2020 by dkoop

I have had a recurring bad dream in which I step on stage to give a Sunday message and mind goes totally blank!  I have no idea what I am supposed to say! In my dream, people are looking at me like I have lost my mind and I have.  Luckily I wake up and realize it’s all a bad dream. I have talked to other public speakers and they say they have similar dreams of being on stage in their underwear.  I think all of us fear not being prepared for a really important event.  But what if it were true? What if you stand before God and you’re not ready? That would be a bad dream from which you would not wake up!

Jesus tells this parable to warn us about this upcoming event that we need to be prepared for. He told the parable because the disciples and others who were journeying with Him to Jerusalem had the wrong notion that He would institute the kingdom of God immediately. They didn’t realize that He would suffer and die, be raised again, ascend into heaven, and that many years would go by before He returned to establish His kingdom. Jesus wanted to let His hearers know what they were supposed to be doing in His absence. They were not supposed to sit around waiting for Him to return. Rather, they were to be actively doing business for Him with what He entrusted to them. The day will certainly come when He will return. At that time, each servant must give an account for what he has done.

Because we all will give an account, we must faithfully do business with what Jesus has given us until He returns.

There was a commonly known historical parallel to this story. Both Herod the Great and his son Archelaus had journeyed to Rome to receive the kingdom of Judea from Caesar. In the case of Archelaus, the people of Judea hated him and sent a delegation after him to Rome to tell Caesar that they did not want this man to rule over them. Augustus compromised by allowing Archelaus to rule, but only with the title ethnarch, on the premise that he would have to earn the title king, which he never did. Archelaus had built a beautiful palace for himself in Jericho, where Jesus was speaking.

In the case of Jesus’ parable, He is the nobleman who goes to a distant country to receive the kingdom. He is referring to His departure into heaven after His death and resurrection, where He would sit at the Father’s right hand until He made His enemies His footstool. During His time away, He entrusts to each servant ten pounds of silver, which was about three to six month’s wages. Each servant gets the same amount. This parable should not be confused with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. In that parable, the owner is a businessman who entrusts five, two, and one talent to three different servants during his absence. A talent was worth about twenty year’s wages, so the amount was considerably more. Here, the owner is a nobleman who gives ten servants ten pounds of silver each. When he returns, he asks for an accounting, but we are only told of the responses of three of the servants. After he has dealt with them, he proceeds to judge the citizens who did not want him to rule over them. What can we learn from this parable?

  1. The kingdom of God is not here in its full and final form.

Jesus is correcting the false view of the disciples (and others) that the kingdom of God would be instituted in its full form when Jesus got to Jerusalem. He is showing them that there is both a present form of the kingdom, while the king is away, and a future full sense of the kingdom when the king returns. Jesus has already spoken of the present sense of the kingdom, that it is in their midst because He, the King, is in their midst (11:20; 17:21).

But the disciples struggled with the idea that the kingdom would be delayed. Even after the resurrection, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6 The disciples finally came to clarity on this matter (Acts 3:19-21), but at this point they did not yet understand. They fully expected Jesus to establish His reign over Israel in the immediate future. Jesus wanted them to understand that there would be a delay. In the future, the King will return and will rule in power and glory. In the meanwhile, He is still King, although absent. He wants His followers to know what they should be doing during that time. Rather than sitting around waiting for the king to return, they should do business for Him, actively working to bring people to Christ by sharing the gospel and making disciples.

  1. Jesus has entrusted to all of us the same resource to use for Him.

Again, we must distinguish this parable from the parable of the talents, which teaches a different lesson. That parable shows that different servants have been given different abilities, and that the danger is for the person with relatively smaller ability to do nothing. This parable shows that every servant has been given the same gift.

Since each of ten servants received a bag of silver shows that it was not just the twelve apostles that Jesus had in mind, but instead, all of God’s servants. This parable is not directed just to those in leadership, but to all of Christ’s people. The fact that each was given the same amount shows that it is not referring to differing gifts, but to something that all followers of Christ share in common, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. We all have been given the same gospel and we are told to do business with it for our King during His absence.

If we do not possess the gospel personally, we are not a Christian yet, no matter how often we attend church. A Christian has heard the good news that Jesus Christ is the Savior of sinners and has personally believed that good news as his own. In other words, a true Christian does not just believe in a general sense that Jesus is the Savior. He believes it in a personal sense, that Jesus is my Savior. He died for my sins. When I stand before God and He asks, “Why should I let you into heaven?” my only plea will be, “Because I have trusted in Your Son Jesus who shed His blood in my place on the cross.” If you have personally believed that message, then the gospel has been entrusted to you. And it has not been entrusted to you just for you to treasure for yourself.

  1. While we wait for the Jesus’ return, we must do business with the gospel in a hostile environment.

The servants are to use the Jesus’ treasure in with people around us who angrily protest, “We do not want this man to reign over us.” In the parable, this is a reference to the Jewish nation, which was rejecting Jesus as her King. They protested to Pilate, “We have no King but Caesar” (John 19:15). But beyond that, it also refers to this evil world that is hostile toward God and does not want to submit to Jesus as Lord and King. It is in just such a hostile world that we are to do business with the gospel, multiplying it by investing it in the lives of people.

Clearly, there is always a risk in doing business in a hostile environment. But the greater risk is not to do business at all.  We cannot be like the 3rd servant and carefully wrap up the Master’s treasure in a handkerchief, not employing it for His purposes.

Also, it is implied here  that the power of the gospel is in the message itself, not in the skill of the messenger. The servants do not say, “Master, my great business skill has multiplied your money!” No, they said, “16  Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’ Luke 19:16 (NLT)

The power is in the master’s treasure, not in the servants. The power of the gospel is not the power of slick salesmanship, but rather God’s power working through His Word.

All of this leads me to ask, “Do we see ourselves in business for the Master with His gospel?” He has entrusted the gospel message to every believer and said, “Do business with this until I come back.” Are you doing business with the gospel for Jesus? Are you using the good news of Christ as Savior to bring others into His kingdom? That is the question Jesus would have us consider in this parable.

If we do not see ourselves as a gospel entrepreneurs we will not be thinking about ways to multiply the Master’s resources for His purpose. The apostle Paul saw this as his aim. He states the governing purpose of his life: “I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (1 Cor. 9:23).  But not just Paul and the apostles, but every believer should be living for the same purpose, to do all things for the sake of the gospel. We should see ourselves in the gospel business, using Jesus’ capital to make a profit for Him in His absence. If we are not thinking that way, we should change our thinking, because …

We will look at why in the next post.

Darrell

http://www.Upwards.Church

 

Sources:
Life Application Bible Notes
Bible.Org, Doing Business for Jesus
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Great Stories – Parables of Jesus (Luke)

Posted on March 7, 2020 by dkoop

Have you heard a great story lately? Everybody loves a good story, especially one we can relate to.  Jesus told stories with a spiritual point better than anyone else has ever done.  Experts in literature, even those without Christian commitment have admired Jesus as a master storyteller.

The stories Jesus told are referred to as Parables.  Each parable tells a story of one of our spiritual needs.  It is common to read a parable and think, “He is telling my story!”  Ken Easley points out, “Jesus’ keen insight into the spiritual needs of people is evident all through the gospels, but nowhere more than in his parables.”

The human spirit is the same in each generation. So we find Jesus’ Parables as relevant today as the day he told them.  This spring our message series will examine some of the most beloved Parables by Jesus as well as some of his toughest.  Pull up a chair and join this storytelling adventure by the Greatest Story Teller ever, Jesus Christ as he tells, “Great Stories”

Below is a list of the parables found in Luke and some that we will cover:

The Parables Of Jesus in Luke

I. Teaching Parables

About the Kingdom of God

  1. The Soils (Luke 8:5-8)
  2. The Mustard Seed (Luke 13:18-19)
  3. The Yeast (Luke 13:20-21)

About Service and Obedience

  1. The Nobleman’s Servants (Luke 19:11-27)
  2. The Servant’s Role (Luke 17:7-10)

About Prayer

  1. The Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8)
  2. The Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8)

About Neighbors

  1. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)

About Humility

  1. The Wedding Feast (Luke 14:7-11)
  2. The Proud Pharisee and the Corrupt Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)

About Wealth

  1. The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)
  2. The Great Feast (Luke 14:16-24)
  3. The Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-9)

II. Gospel Parables

About God’s Love

  1. The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7)
  2. The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
  3. The Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32)

About Thankfulness

  1. The Forgiven Debts (Luke 7:41-43)

III. Parables of Judgment and the Future

About Christ’s Return

  1. The Wise and Faithful Servants (Luke 12:42-48)

About God’s Values

  1. The Wicked Tenants (Luke 20:9-16)
  2. The Unproductive Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)

Get ready for Jesus to tell us some Great Stories!

Darrell

http://www.Upwards.Church

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Proverbs Reading Challenge – Chapter 31

Posted on February 27, 2020 by dkoop

Wow, this is it!  31 Proverbs in 31 days, thanks so much for taking this time in God’s word.  My prayer is that your time in Proverbs has been eye opening, challenging and life changing.    Proverbs 31 will not disappoint.  It may be the most popular and well known of all the Proverbs. It’s called “The Good Wife” or many other similar names:  The truly good wife, The virtuous woman, The wife of noble character etc.  We will get to that in Verse (31:10–31) but all of Proverbs 31 exalts women, because as you will see, the first 9 verses contain incredible wisdom insight from a mother to her son.

A Mother’s Nickname

31:1  King Lemuel – outside chapter 31 of Proverbs, there is no other mention of this name.  Many believe that “Lemuel” is a nickname of Solomon given by his mother.   It means “devoted to God”

Motherly Advice

31:2–9. With remarkable insight the mother of Lemuel describes the moral requirements of good government. These lessons are, simply put: do not use your authority as a means to sexual perversion (v. 3), do not become addicted to are abuse alcohol  (vv. 4–7), and use your power to help the powerless (vv. 8–9).

31:2  She addresses him with terms of endearment; “O son of my womb, O son of my vows” means “My own son, the answer to my prayers.”

31:3 The keeping of a harem of wives and concubines was not only a large expense but was also a distortion of the purpose of royal power. The king should use his authority for his people and not to serve himself (v. 3).  It is interesting that if this to Solomon, he did not keep his mother’s advice later in his reign.

     31:4–7 Drunkenness might be understandable among dying people in great pain, but it is inexcusable for national leaders. Alcohol clouds the mind and can lead to injustice and poor decisions. Leaders have better things to do than anesthetize themselves with alcohol.

31:8–9 The plea to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” is as eloquent a statement of the duty of doing justice as one can find anywhere. It is noteworthy that this is her sole political concern; she does not say anything about building up the treasury, creating monuments to his reign, or establishing a dominant military power. From the woman’s perspective the king’s throne is truly founded on righteousness.

 An Amazing Woman

Proverbs has a lot to say about women. How fitting that the book ends with a picture of a woman of strong character, great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion.
Some people have the mistaken idea that the ideal woman in the Bible is behind the scenes and entirely domestic. Not so! This woman is an excellent wife and mother. She is also a manufacturer, importer, manager, realtor, farmer, seamstress, upholsterer, and merchant. Her strength and dignity do not come from her amazing achievements, however. They are a result of her reverence for God. In our society where physical appearance counts for so much, it may surprise us to realize that her appearance is never mentioned. Her attractiveness comes entirely from her character.
The woman described in this chapter has outstanding abilities. Her family’s social position is high. In fact, she may not be one woman at all — she may be a composite portrait of ideal womanhood. Do not see her as a model to imitate in every detail; your days are not long enough to do everything she does! See her instead as an inspiration to be all you can be. We can’t be just like her, but we can learn from her industry, integrity, and resourcefulness.

31:10  “Who can find?” does not mean that no one can find such a wife but that she priceless to those who do find her.

31:11–12 The husband has “full confidence” (v. 11) in her in every area of life; he trusts in her good sense, her fidelity, and her industry. Verse 11b emphasizes this latter: the house is full of the “riches” she brings in. Verse 12 similarly states that she is a continual source of benefits.

31:13 The large number of verses devoted to the industrious spirit of the woman makes this a major theme. (vv. 13–19) In a time before assembly lines, women would work at spinning wool and making clothes in every spare moment; excelling in this work was highly respected.

31:14 She adds variety to the lives of her family by trading goods produced at home for food and merchandise the household cannot produce.

31:15  Getting up before dawn implies that she is far from lazy. Verse 15c shows her advance planning and leadership to overseeing the workers under her.

31:16–17.  Male chauvinism would say, these are masculine qualities but the Bible shows that women can and even excel in “men’s work.”  Verse 16 implies that she has both a good head for business and personal initiative. Verse 17 means that she is physically capable of doing hard work.

31:18–19 Encouraged by previous business success, she continues her work into the night (v. 18). Verse 19 asserts again that she is a machine in the “womanly” work of spinning and weaving.

31:20 Verse 20 describes her generous spirit. Concern for the poor means she is not only determined and hard working but has a soft heart for the needy.  She is a total package.

31:21 This incredible woman would not only keep her family warm by sending them out dressed warm (planning) but the “scarlet” reference means that they have clothing of the highest quality.

31:22 For all her strength and business expertise, she is still elegant (v. 22). Dressing well and decorating the home with pride is not here regarded as frivolous. “Linen” implies imports from Egypt, and “purple” describes the dyed fabric from Phoenicia.

31:23 A man with a wife like this will be well respected by his peers.

31:24 She not only has fine clothing and furnishings for herself and her home (from v. 22), but she also has manufactured enough to sell the excess for a profit (v. 24).

31:25  She laughs at whatever troubles the future may bring because she is clothed in “strength and dignity.” Being a woman of character and strength, she is prepared for whatever may come.

31:26 She is a capable teacher and well acquainted with wisdom (v. 26). She teaches her children, neighbors or anyone else who is wise enough to listen to her, she even teaches her husband.

31:27 Verse 27 summarizes what has already been said in 13–19.  It states that she avoids laziness.

31:28–29 Her family gratefully acknowledges all the benefits they have had from her. As far as they are concerned, she is the greatest wife and mother in the world.

31:30–31 As the NIV indicates with quotation marks, vv. 30–31 are separate from vv. 28–29 and do not constitute part of the husband’s praise. Otherwise, he would be implying that she lacks charm and beauty. This is something that no woman, however virtuous she may be, would care to hear. Charm and beauty are not bad; they simply are inadequate reasons to marry a girl. The young man should first seek a woman who fears the Lord. And whoever finds such a woman should make sure that her gifts and accomplishments do not go unappreciated (v. 31).

Last Thoughts

The fact that the book of Proverbs closes with this description of an incredible woman is not accidental. At the beginning of the book stands “Woman Wisdom” calling out for young people to come to her (1:20–33; also 8:1–36; 9:1–6). As the prostitute or quarrelsome wife represents “Woman Folly” (9:13–18), the good wife represents “Woman Wisdom.”

In Proverbs wisdom is not only intellectual; it is first of all relational. The young person finds wisdom through three specific relationships. They must respect and follow The Lord, listen to parents, and find the good marriage partner.

Wow, what an incredible journey we have been on!  Thanks for being a part of the Proverbs challenge.  I have prayed for you and continue to pray for you.  I hope you will continue to read God’s word daily.

You have no idea how much of a difference you make.  It’s a joy to serve Christ with you, Darrell

www.Upwards.Church

Sources:
Classic Bible Commentary
J  Vernon McGee’s Through the Bible
Life Application Bible Notes
Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary
New American Commentary
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Proverbs Reading Challenge – Chapter 30

Posted on February 26, 2020 by dkoop

Only one day and one chapter left in Proverbs (after today).  This has been an amazing journey with so many insights and clear directions for living.  God’s Word is relevant for us today.

New Guy

Chapter 30 is written by a guy named Agur (30:1a) the son of Jakeh.  There is no other mention of them in the bible.   Agur may have been an adviser in Solomon’s or Hezekiah’s administration.  Their Hebrew names, (like all Hebrew names) do mean something. “Agur” means “gatherer’ and “Jakeh” means “pious.”  Some versions translate the names as common nouns: “The words of a gatherer, the son of the pious.”   We see the same thing in verse 1b  the New International Version, King James Version translate the second part of this verse using Proper Nouns “This man declared to Itiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal.”   The New Living Translation uses the common nouns:  “I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God”

I am weary and worn out fits best with what comes in verse 2.

Human Limits

30:2–3 The author declares ignorance in v. 2 that he has struggled to come to an understanding of the truth, and he must confess that he has reached his limit.   It is an acknowledgment of the limits of human understanding and a humble confession that only God is truly wise.

Jesus Christ

30:4.   Jesus Christ! These are direct references ( in the Old Testament) to Jesus.  In a series of rhetorical questions that allude to the creative power of God (and human lack of that power), he implies that no one can explain the metaphysical powers behind the visible creation. This is much like God’s confrontation of Job (Job 38:8–11).

The line “What is his name, and the name of his son?” Since “God” is the only possible answer to the first question, it is striking that the verse speaks of his “son.”   The Son of God came down from above to reveal the truth to his people (John 3:31–33). Also, Colossians 1:16,17  reveals  that through Christ the world was created.

God’s Word is Helpful

      30:5  The word of God, in contrast to human wisdom, is a reliable source of truth. In the real world of experience, people have found that God’s revelation stands true. So God is a shield to those who trust Him. The knowledge offered is not just abstract but is practical for dealing with day-to-day life.

Don’t Add to God’s Word

30:6 Verse 6 is an injunction against adding to God’s words similar to the injunctions found in Deut 12:32 and Rev 22:18. It is noteworthy that this verse does not warn the reader not to reject or take away from divine revelation; it is more concerned that no one try to add to it. It is what Paul called “going beyond what is written” (1 Cor 4:6). Such a practice makes people think   some Bible teachers have profound insight into the Bible and can find hidden truths. Sooner or later these super Bible teachers will be shown to be wrong (v. 6b).

Just Enough

      30:7–9  The author recognizes his weaknesses, both in his tendency to forget God when life is too easy and to turn in desperation away from God when life is too hard.   Like Paul, we can learn how to live whether we have little or plenty (Philippians 4:12),  the key is to learn contentment.

Slander

     30:10  More about slander.  Slander is talk meant to hurt another person. If you try to hurt someone’s reputation, they will find out and you will pay.  This is in the setting of talking bad about someone to their employer (trying to go over their head) but the lesson is the same, they will find out and you will pay: with a law suit or with a reputation of being malicious person.  Slander is bad and this behavior is always condemned in the Bible.

Four Types of Really Bad People

     30:11–14 This is description of four types of sinners: those who curse their parents (v. 11), those do wrong but will not recognize it as wrong, (v. 12), the highly arrogant (v. 13), and those who prey upon the poor and needy (v. 14 ).

The Greedy

     30:15–16  “The leech has two “daughters” (the two suckers at either end of the leech’s body) that always want more.  It probably was used as a taunt; anyone who gained a reputation as a parasite may have heard this proverb echoing in his or her ears.   True observations of greedy  or parasitic people, they never have enough.

What Happens to Parent Haters

   30:17 This verse looks back to v. 11 which already describes parent haters as big problem.  Notice what happens to them…  The image is especially graphic:  if birds are picking out the eyes it implies that the bodies lie unburied. To mock and scorn parents is to live a life characterized by lack of discipline and excessive violence, and such people are naturally prone to die a violent death, alone and with no one who really cares.

A Riddle and A Clue    

     30:18–20 What is there about an eagle in the sky, a snake on a rock, a ship on the sea, and a man with a young woman that mystifies the author? What do these four have in common? This is a riddle.   The eagle, the snake, and the ship can cross the sky, a rock, or the sea and leave no tracks.  No permanent trace of their passing remains. The link between these three and the way of a man with a young woman is in v. 20, which serves as a clue. Wiping her mouth after eating means that the adulteress treats sexual liaisons the same way she does eating: she just finishes up and goes home without a care and certainly without a sense of guilt.   It is the attitude of the couple, their moral indifference that astounds the writer. How can two people involve themselves in something as intimate as sexual union and then think nothing of it.

Four More Problem People

     30:21–23  No more riddles, just four types of people (2 male, 2 female) that cause problems: an unqualified individual who gains authority over others but doesn’t have the training or disposition to lead, a fat and satisfied fool, a bitter woman desperate for love, and one who destroys those around her.

 Four Animals to Learn From

30:24–28. The lesson of the ant is to provide for bad times during good times.  The lesson of the badger is to provide for personal security and build well.  The lesson of the locust is to cooperate. The lesson of the lizard is that you can succeed in spite of disadvantages. The lizard is relatively defenseless; lacking in significant claws or teeth, even a child can grab it.  But it can live in a palace, the best place in the country.

More Animals to Learn From

30:29–31 The lion is fearless, he goes straight ahead and doesn’t detour.  A lion is known for its unflinching boldness, and this trait should characterize the Christ follower.  The next animal is a strutting rooster.   He is not a powerful animal, but holds his head high.  He walks with confidence like one who walks with Christ should walk, not in fear or embarrassment. The other animal mentioned in this verse is the goat. The mountain goat is a climber who lives way up in the top of the mountains. He finds both pleasure and safety how he lives, like a Christ follower should.  And the last is the king.  The dignity of a king as he exercises his authority is to be respected.  Like these examples, we should live for Christ without fear, with dignity, security and respect.

Troublemakers Beware

30:32–33 Those who make trouble get into trouble. In v. 33  “churning milk makes butter, and twisting the nose produces blood, but who make trouble are liable to get punched in the nose!

More good stuff today, personally I enjoyed all the references to animals.  Until tomorrow!   Darrell

 

Sources:
Classic Bible Commentary
J  Vernon McGee’s Through the Bible
Life Application Bible Notes
Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary
New American Commentary
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