God's Kingdom: Returning King
- Author
- The Rev'd Adam Lowe
- Published
- Sun 21 Mar 2021
- Episode Link
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/58b3b020
Sermon & Small Group Resources
This is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom. This sermon is ‘Returning King’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 19:11-27
Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Next Steps this Week
BIBLE READING: Luke 19:11-27
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. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
“But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
“He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
“The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
“ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
“The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
“His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
“Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 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.’
“His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
“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, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ ”
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECT: How can you invite the lost in to hear more of the Good News of Jesus?
WARM-UP
How often do you think about Jesus returning? Does it change your priorities when you do?
What is the recent regional history that Jesus is likely alluding to in this parable? If Jesus is not saying that he is like Archelaus in character, what is the parallel that he is drawing?
READ Luke 19:11-15
What were people expecting of Jesus as he arrived in Jerusalem? What was actually going to happen?
How is it evident in the parable that the gifts ultimately belong to the master?
What gifts do you think God has entrusted to you? What does it mean to you to recognise those gifts as ultimately belonging to God?
What is the ultimately purpose to which we are to put our gifts to work? What do you think that looks like on one of your frontlines? (You might even be able to offer suggestions to one another.)
How was the third servant’s failure to act really an act of disobedience and rebellion?
How do you think God could be leading you to grow or focus your gifts more intently for his Kingdom purposes? Are there any gifts, time, or resources that you resist using for God’s purposes?
If Jesus is returning, how do you think it should shape your approach on one of your frontlines?
Which do you think you’re ever most in danger of: (a) underestimating the value of God’s gifts entrusted to you; (b) failing to recognise that those gifts belong to God; or (c) being risk-averse with what God has entrusted to you? What could help you avoid whichever you are most susceptible to?
READ Luke 19:16-27
What most surprises or confuses you about this part of the parable? What were the lasting effects?
How could we read this part of the parable incorrectly as pointing to a Gospel of works?
To what extent are the rewards disproportionate to the acts of obedience? How is this God’s grace?
How do you think God multiplies out his gifts through our obedience? How do have you witnessed God’s gracious multiplication (for his glory) at St Bart’s? What could that look like in the future?
How does accepting Jesus as Lord mean that we are recipients of his grace? How does rejecting Jesus mean that we face judgment on our own?
APPLY: How can you maximise your gifts in service of the returning King?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you so much that Jesus went to the cross for us, rose from the dead, and is coming back again. Please help us to be aware of the gifts that you have entrusted to us, motivated to use those gifts for your Kingdom purposes, and mindful of the account we will give when you return. Amen.
GOING DEEPER
On Your Frontline This Week: What is distinctive about how you see others serving Jesus on their frontlines? Make time to encourage them?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions:
https://bit.ly/39w5GgkFOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3Mf
WEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJ
BOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme Goldsworthy
BOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom Wright
Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
https://bit.ly/3pGDVH7 (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)
WITH CHILDREN
Grow as Families
Each week St Bart’s Kids and
