When you get to heaven what do you think will be your greatest desire?

Transcription

1 When you get to heaven what do you think will be your greatest desire?

2 When you love someone you want to serve him/her. Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Jesus, in Mark 10:43,45 It is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).

3 Doing is a servant s language of devotion. Bruce Wilkinson, A Life God Rewards. Another word for servant in the bible is the word steward.

4 What distinguishes a steward from a servant? Both a steward and a servant serve someone, both have a responsibility, and both work for a wage. The difference is that a steward has been charged with managing his master s assets. Wilkinson, p64.

5 Principles of Stewardship Everyone alive has at least one asset (a life) to steward. The priority of all stewardship is faithfulness. All will give an account of their stewardship. The expectation of stewardship is reward (or loss). Eternal reward or loss will be a motivation for godly living every day.

6 Why Parables about Stewards? Jesus told parables about stewards for an important and specific reason: He would soon be going away.

7 It is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). An act of faith that believes 1) Jesus is who He says He is. 2) What Jesus asks us to do matters. 3) That He will return.

8 The parable of the Minas Luke 19:12-26 Ten Servants each given one mina Assignment? Do business till I come (v 13).

9 The parable of the Minas Luke 19 First Report? A tenfold increase Master s Response? Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities (v 17).

10 The parable of the Minas Luke 19 Second Report? A fivefold increase Master s Response?? You also be over five cities (v 19). What he doesn t say, Well done or good servant or even because you were faithful in a very little.

11 The parable of the Minas Luke 19 Third Report? To return the mina (with an excuse). Master s Response? To call him a wicked servant (v 22), and to take away the one mina and give it to the servant with ten and explains, To everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him: (v 26).

12 Three common misbeliefs about stewardship: #1 We think that even though God gave us our gifts and talents, He is not bothered if we don t make the most of every opportunity. But the Truth of the First Steward shows us that God expects us to take the resources of our lives and greatly multiply them for His kingdom.

13 Three common misbeliefs about stewardship: #2 We think that if God does reward us for serving Him, His reward will be a general commendation that will apply to everyone equally and won t change our future opportunities in His kingdom. But the Truth of the Second Steward is that God will reward our work for Him, but it will be in direct proportion to how much we have multiplied our life for Him.

14 Three common misbeliefs about stewardship: #3 We think that if we don t serve God with what He s given us, the worst that could happen would be no reward. But the Truth of the Third Steward is that if we do not use what God has placed in our care for Him, we will suffer loss-of both the potential reward we could have earned, and the opportunity to serve God more fully in eternity.

15 The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) How can I bring God much return for my life (I don t have many talents or opportunities)? Similar pattern to the story three servants are each given amounts of money to each according to his own ability (v 15).

16 Well done, good and faithful servant: you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord (v 21, 23). The Parable of the Talents Two servants double what they have been given. The master gives the same commendation and reward to both. Why? Because a servant s reward is based on total results in light of potential.

17 Lesson of the Parable In the same way, Jesus will reward you and me on the basis of what each of us did with what we were given.

18 God s Reward God will reward you for seeking Him through spiritual acts such as fasting and praying (Mt. 6:6; Heb. 11:6). God will reward you for submitting to your employer as a faithful steward (Mt. 24:45-47; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:22-24).

19 God will reward you for self-denial in His service (Mt. 16:24-27). serving those in need in His name (Mark 9:41). suffering for His name and reputation (Luke 6:22-23). sacrifices you make for Him (Luke 6:35). sharing of your time, talent, and treasure to further His kingdom (Mt. 6:3-4; 1 Tim. 6:18-19).

20 Personal Reflection Am I a Ten Minas Man or Woman? What evidence exists that would prove that I believe that God rewards faithfulness in the little things of my life? What can I begin doing this week to encourage biblical stewardship in my life?

21 Closing Thoughts Serve Him faithfully on earth and you will be wonderfully, fully, perfectly prepared to do what you will desperately crave to do in heaven Bruce Wilkinson. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit (John 15:8). The words of Jesus following the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: