Sunday Oct. 31, 2010....Sermon Text: Luke 19: 11-27

This is a parable of the ten talents.  As we began to read this, we thought we were going to read the same parable as it is in Mathew 25.  But we found that this account in Luke draws a clearer picture of Christ as the ruler who returns to receive an accounting from those whom he entrusted with his kingdom.  The servants who returned the large increases were praised as trustworthy and rewarded graciously by their king.  The servant who merely return what was given to him, was not blessed by the king and had to return the coin so he had nothing.  The excuse of that servant was a topic of discussion...he was afraid and considered the ruler a harsh man, reaping what he did not sow and taking what he did not deposit.  It was brought up that we have the same problem as that servant when we claim ownership of the things God has given us, not recognizing that these blessings are a deposit that God makes in us so that we will invest them in His work.  We fear losing what he gives us instead of trusting that He has empowered us to do what we should do.  If we truly acknowledge that He is our king, then we need to faithfully and confidently trust Him.  Which servants do you think looked forward to the king returning and which one lived in fear and anxiousness?  Living with trust and faithfully serving Christ, gives us enjoyment today with a promise of riches tomorrow.

This parable also clearly points out that Jesus knows those who want Him to be ruler over their lives and those who reject Him, and the consequence of that rejection.