Vineyard Workers

Posted by Chris on May 23, 2010 under Sermons

Parables – part 8

Matthew 20:1-16

Context:

Matthew 19, the encounter with the Rich Young Man
Jesus instructs the young man to sell his possession and follow Him. The key to this phrase is “Follow Me.”
The young man refuses which prompts the disciples to question what reward they will receive for leaving everything to follow Christ.
The hanging question that requires the parable concerns the fairness/justice of God and the rewards of the kingdom of heaven

The Parable in Movements:

Movement 1 – The master of the vineyard hires workers
1. The vineyard is a symbol of Israel and the kingdom of God
2. The man agrees to pay the first set of workers a denarius – the average day’s wage for a worker in Palestine
3. The hiring continues through the successive watches of the day – third hour, sixth hour, ninth hour. There are 12 hours to the day.
4. The movement builds up to the eleventh hour. This is the last opportunity to hire anyone for that day’s work.
Movement 2 – Paying the workers
1. Now the master of the vineyard pays his workers.
2. He begins with those who were hired last.
3. Everyone is paid the same: a denarius
4. The unfairness is noticed by the first set of workers. They have a legitimate case. They have done the bulk of the work. They have worked through the worst part of the day. They are certainly deserving of a bonus.
5. However, if they had been paid first and sent out, they would not necessarily have any insight into the pay given to the final set of workers
Movement 3 – The Master responds to the charges
1. His response has two parts:
  1. He is fair with the original set of owners because he paid them what he said he would pay. If he had cheated them by paying less than a denarius, then they would have a case. However, he paid exactly what they agreed to. This is fair.
  2. The workers’ expectations are changed when they assume something based on the generosity shown to the eleventh hour workers. The Master notes that his arrangement with the eleventh hour workers is really none of their business. They cannot be concerned about what he chooses to do with his own money.
  3. This allows the Master to close with a question to the grumbling workers: “Are you envious because I am generous?”
  4. The parable ends with the saying: “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Application:

The Phrase “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” appears in Matthew 19 and Matthew 20. It is also found in Mark 10 (again associated with the story of the Rich Young Man) and in Luke 13 in which is references a reversal in the end-time.

Those who are first in this world seem to be those who are privileged by status or wealth. It could also refer to the primacy of Israel in God’s plans. Those who are last are the least – they are the humble and the wanting.

In the kingdom of God, there is a reversal (due to God’s mercy) that undoes the privileges that we concern ourselves with in this age. This is similar to the idea in Luke’s parable (Luke 16) of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Their situation was reversed in the age to come.

The Vision of Deuteronomy 6

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Deuteronomy 6

All of us want our own children to be prepared to live as disciples for Christ. The church takes young people there by paying attention to words in Deuteronomy that Jesus regarded as the greatest commandment:

I have thought about my own children …

When it comes to loving God with all their mind, I want them to be able to ask the right questions even more than I want them to be able to give the right answers, because I know that they will still be growing in Christian maturity all of their lives. I want them to challenge the world around them in Christ’s name and not just be challenged by the world around them. I want them to already have a faith in Christ that isn’t simply a repetition of what they have been told to believe.

When it comes to loving God with all their heart, I want them to have passion for worshipping God, in all the ways that such worship takes shape for them. I want them to have compassion for those whom God loves. I want them to love their neighbors as themselves. I want them to know the stories of people who have made good choices, bad choices, and have a testimony about those choices.

When it comes to loving God with all their soul, I want them to have an awareness of how much God loves them and what that love means. I want them to regard the world around them as more than a material world. I want them to have a sense of how they can spend their life for Christ in any profession, in any culture, in any circumstance. I hope that along the way, they will have the benefit of spending time with mature Christian who will show them that redemption, forgiveness, salvation, worship, hope, and prayer are not just something to understand, but something that we live.

When it comes to loving God with all their strength, I want them to know that God loved us enough to come in the flesh and not just shout at us from heaven. I want them to know that God would have us use the strength and health we have to serve him and serve others. I want them to learn about God and learn from Christ by going places, doing great things in his name, and being in the presence of others who can model morality, service, and spirituality.

All the literature and credible studies continue to affirm that parents make the greatest spiritual impact on their children. However, parents are not the only ones that make an impact. Like most parents, I would welcome the assistance and support of a community of faith that encourages my children to be well-formed disciples of Jesus. I would welcome the benefit and the blessing of a church family that does not in any way hinder or quench the spirit of my children. I would welcome the support of a church family that helps me to raise my children. I would welcome the love of a church family that receives my children as members in Christ.

If I want this for my children, then I imagine that others also want something like this.

I want what God thinks best and I see that ever since the time of Moses there has been a concern for parents and the people of God to impress faith on our children …

The Vision of Deuteronomy 6

What is your vision for “our” children? When our church family takes the time to bless an infant and the parents and grandparents of that child – did you know that we are casting a vision? Did you know that we are setting a standard? When we salute 7th graders who’ve reached a transitional moment in life – when we celebrate with all of our children who promote to the next grade – did you know that we are casting a vision? When we bless our very grown up, yet so very young seniors – did you know that we’re casting a vision?

We should be very aware of the vision we are casting, not just with our children, but with all children. This godly vision of loving God with all of one’s heart, soul, strength and mind does not come automatically. Without all generations nurturing that vision, we will default to the vision that our culture supplies …

Culture’s vision seems fine – sort of benign – yet …
- It is focused on happiness and well-being … but that sense of happiness and well-being are often described in self-centered and individual terms. Can anyone truly be happy in a culture focused only on self-expression?
- It is focused on success … but there is very little grace. Very little thought of redemption. No vision for how God redeems mistakes and heals wounds. And certainly no suggestion that we may have to suffer for doing what’s right.
- It is limited to parent and child – there’s very little thought for the community, other than to choose the type of community that we want. And there’s no place for the generations before and after – except for them to always be serving us.
The culture’s vision for our children seems fine, but it is thin. It is artificial. Many Christian parents buy into this cheap imitation and then frustrate themselves trying to baptize it in God’s spirit.

Beware: The cultural lie that we’ve accepted is that we can live through our children. (Vicarious Living) Wrong! God must live through our children. That shouldn’t be a problem if our hope and trust for eternity is in Christ and not our kids.The children are not our future.

Let’s “hear” Israel. Let’s hear church – so that we can see God’s vision.
Does this apply to you? No generation, no matter how old, can ever say, “We’ve raised our children – our duties are over.”
The excuses of the elderly – (Deuteronomy has a vision of 3 generations)
- We don’t understand these kids. They don’t like us. They are not like us. Of course they aren’t. How many of you are like your grandparents?
  - Styles and culture change. I don’t see many of us here in sandals and robes.
- I doubt that this is as true as you think.
- Even if your fears are true, the youth need you. They need your memories and experience. Their parents need you too, especially the overly-anxious one.
- What we should really be afraid of is our children losing their faith …
Listen up Israel – Listen up church: “you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live.”
Will we live out this charge? Deuteronomy 6 doesn’t give the church another program. The solution isn’t curriculum or education ministry. What it proposes is a way of life.

“You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly … when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands — wear them on your forehead — Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

The ceremonies – Baby Blessing, 7th Graders, Seniors: Behind all of these are day to day commitments. Things that cannot be seen: The investment of hours and years – the lessons taught by example, the example of parents, grandparents, friends, uncles and aunts and Mr. and Mrs. “someone.”
It represents in ceremonial fashion a way of life …

Is this worth it? You bet. This isn’t extra time – this is the real work. This isn’t special worship – it is THE worship.

I’ve noticed that we’ve been dismissing or disregarding the baptism in our children, citing that it isn’t true bona-fide evangelism. I disagree, especially when more than half of our own children are in danger of losing their faith. When some parents feel the pain of an adult child who has never made a commitment to Christ, how dare we say it doesn’t count when a teen puts on Christ in baptism.

Let’s not dismiss it when we baptize our own children.

It may be harder in fact for our own children to develop faith.
We should be extremely thankful – and when we are tempted to believe that this is “a free throw” we should remember that there are some who have fallen away.
The vision of God in Deuteronomy is that faith is passed on from one generation to the next – and even the grandparents are involved!

The Bargain Route May Not Be a Bargain!

Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles

In Matthew 9:1-8, Matthew recorded Jesus saying to a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven. The entire discussion that followed did not focus on the paralyzed man. It focused on Jesus’ statement of forgiveness of sins. “How dare a mere mortal say this! Only God can forgive! This declaration is nothing short of blasphemy!”

Jesus, knowing the scribes’ thoughts, asked a question. “Which is the most difficult–to grant forgiveness or walking?” To show that he had the authority to forgive sins, Jesus enabled this paralyzed man to walk.

The point was emphatic and immediately visible: If Jesus could make the paralyzed walk, he had the power to forgive. The multitudes, awe-filled, glorified God for enabling Jesus to do what he did. They “got the point.” They recognized God as the source of Jesus’ power. God, not Jesus, was actually at work. This was no mortal act!

Consider two “think about” questions.

Question one: Why are humans so impressed with the visible? Forgiveness did not “Wow!” the witnesses, but a paralyzed man walking “Wowed!” the witnesses. Lesson: No matter what we say God does for us through Jesus Christ (forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, etc.), nothing “Wows!” the witnesses as will the way Jesus Christ changes us as people. How you treat your family, how you treat others, your ethics in your work, expressing your servant mentality, etc., will “Wow!” the witnesses.

Question two: Why do humans often fail to see the greater gifts? Forgiveness of sins trumps walking any day, under any circumstance, any time. If we had a choice between walking and forgiveness, which would we choose? May I speak for most of us? For many the answer would be, “We choose both!” We tend to be greedy, do we not? Wonder which we would choose in judgment?

Cherish all blessings! Never sell forgiveness! Selling forgiveness is never a bargain!

Persistent Prayer

Posted by Chris on May 16, 2010 under Sermons

Parables – part 7

Luke 11:1-13

The context of the parable about the friend at midnight and the saying about parents are Jesus teaching his disciples about prayer.
Jesus could have let his simple instruction on prayer stand as it is.
However, the attitude about prayer is as important as what is actually done.
This is the purpose of the parable.

The Friend at Midnight

This is a story about community and the burden of hospitality. It is comical.
Man #1 has just settled his house down for the night. Everyone is in bed.
Man #2 (his neighbor) has had a guest arrive at night. Hospitality demands that Man #2 show Man #1 proper hospitality.
But Man #2 has no bread to serve, so he bothers his neighbor (Man #1). Why disturb him? Because hospitality is that important.
Man #1 tells Man #2 to go away. To go elsewhere. But Man #2 doesn’t give up. He is persistent. He is bold.
Jesus’ says that Man #1 will give Man #2 what he asks for just to get rid of him.

The Point: If a person like us would give someone something just to shut him/her up, how much more will God give us what we truly need?

Attempts to allegorize this parable miss the big point. The man and the friend and the guest do not represent particular things. It is the comical, weary attitude of Man #1 and the persistent attitude of Man #2 that is the focus.

Jesus uses the technique of “from the lesser to the greater” to make a point about God answering prayer.

Which of You Parents?

Likewise, flawed parents can be asked for basics by their kids.
We don’t give them something horrible (stones when they ask for bread)
If parents like us can get this right, how much more can God get it right when we asks for our needs?

Luke 18:1-8

The context is a question about the kingdom of heaven.
God’s people should not give up praying for justice and the rule of God.

The Widow and the Judge

Upon introducing the judge, we are told that he is wicked. He will not rule for justice.
The widow is the weakest person in society. She has no one to go to. Her only help is the wicked judge.
She will not give up asking for justice.
The judge will not honor her case. He will not award her justice based on the merit of her case or his love for justice.
But just to silence her, he will
Once again, if a wicked judge can do the right thing, then God will really do the right thing.

One Another

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

This phrase comes up often in scripture. In the context of the church it describes the relationships we ought to have as members of the body of Christ.
The church is a “one another” community – it is not an institution. It is not an organization in the way we typically think of such. The church is the collection of members.

Love One Another – (John 13:35) Here is a clear teaching from Jesus. This is the basis of community.
1. We love as he loved us. That is a high standard.
2. Ephesians 5 teaches that husbands ought to love wives as Christ loved the church. See also Romans 12:10, 13:8; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 1:22, 3:8; and 1 John 3:11-22, 4:7-12; 2 John 1:5.
Do Not Judge One Another (Romans 14:13) – It is not loving to pass judgment. It is destructive of the body of Christ (Galatians 5:15 and 6:4).
1. We tend to be bad judges. Jesus taught us to take the plank out of our own eye before bothering with the speck in another’s eye.
2. Confess you sins to one another (James 5:16) would be a better, healthier alternative. We cannot confess and pass judgment at the same time. See also James 4:11.
Encourage One Another (Hebrews 10:25) – Encouragement is aimed at shaping us into the people that God wants us to be. The sort of people we will be in eternity.
1. Why would we discourage when it is much better to encourage?
2. See also 1 Thess 5:11, Hebrews 3:13.
Serve One Another – (1 Peter 4:9) Hospitality is an important value and virtue in the ancient world. It is an important ministry. It encompasses many things (from foot-washing to finances).
1. What does it mean to offer hospitality with grumbling? It means that it is routine and mechanical. Done from obligation.
2. When hospitality is mechanical, institutional, non-relational it is as bad as grumbling. Hospitality is not the work of a few select members (ministers and elders).
3. We also have a hard time being ministered to. When we do this, we deny God the opportunity to work His Spirit in us. See Galatians 5:13.

What Are You Looking For?

Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles

All of the gospels acknowledge the fact that Jesus was under the critical scrutiny of some of the best-trained Israelites (see Matthew 12:10, 19:3; Mark 3:2; Luke 11:53, 54; 23:10; John 8:6; etc.). Often he was “set up.” They asked, “Why did you do that?” Or, “What is your position on this?” Or, “What is your stance on this matter?”

Commonly, those who asked were well-trained religious leaders. Rarely did they ask to learn. Their motives involved finding fault, criticizing, attacking, or destroying his credibility. So they followed Jesus and his disciples in the fields and asked, “Why do you let them do that?” (Matthew 12:1-8.) Or, they wondered if he would heal on the Sabbath Day (Mark 3:1-6).

While Jesus’ teachings and actions blessed some, others were totally unimpressed. While some saw in Jesus hope, others regarded him to be a dangerous man who led people away from God. To some he was the Savior God promised, and to some he was a cunning servant of Satan. To some he was the promised way to God, and to some he opposed everything God valued. To some he announced God’s light, and to others he was the villain of darkness. To some he was the means to eternal life, and to some he destroyed their future opportunity for power and wealth.

Even today, not everyone sees the same thing when they look at Jesus. To some, Jesus embodies the joy bigger than death. To some, Jesus is the destruction of all fun. To some, he is the avenue to the greatest power this world has ever known. To some, he is a threat to power. To some, he is the means to wealth bigger than physical life. To some, his values are against physical wealth.

The truth is that it does not matter what others think about Jesus-pro or con! What matters is what you think about Jesus. To you, is he a Savior or a demon? In him do you find light or darkness? Direction or confusion? Life or death? Is he worth the investment of your life, or is he the stumbling block to all you value? When God asks you what you think of Jesus, will you bow out of necessity or out of desire? (Philippians 2:9-11)

A Wedding Banquet

Posted by Chris on May 9, 2010 under Sermons

Parables – part 6

Matthew 22 – A king hosted a wedding banquet for his son . . .

Let’s also look at the parallel text in Luke 14

Notice what is different about these texts.
Perhaps Jesus is telling the same basic parable on two different occasions for different emphasis.Luke and Matthew are using different version to make sense of the message in their gospels. Each version of this parable completes and enhances the themes of their gospels.

The accuracy of the details within this parable should not concern us. They are ridiculous to begin with and that is how the parable functions. For instance, no one in the ancient world would turn down an invitation to the king’s wedding banquet simply because of business. If no other reason, than to simply partake of the food that is being served! And then there’s the honor of being invited.

In addition to the texts from Luke 14 and Matthew 22, there is a version from the “Gospel of Thomas” (64).

⁶⁴ Jesus said, A person was receiving guests. When he had prepared the dinner, he sent his slave to invite the guests. The slave went to the first and said to that one, “My master invites you.” That one said, “Some merchants owe me money; they are coming to me tonight. I have to go and give them instructions. Please excuse me from dinner.” The slave went to another and said to that one, “My master has invited you.” That one said to the slave, “I have bought a house, and I have been called away for a day. I shall have no time.” The slave went to another and said to that one, “My master invites you.” That one said to the slave, “My friend is to be married, and I am to arrange the banquet. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me from dinner.” The slave went to another and said to that one, “My master invites you.” That one said to the slave, “I have bought an estate, and I am going to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me.” The slave returned and said to his master, “Those whom you invited to dinner have asked to be excused.” The master said to his slave, “Go out on the streets and bring back whomever you find to have dinner.” Buyers and merchants [will] not enter the places of my Father.

The Context of Luke 14

Takes place at an actual banquet after Jesus heals a man and he gives a wisdom lesson on taking the best seats (rank and status)
Fits in with the theme of reversal in Luke. Notice who is accepted into the banquet: ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ (Compare to Luke 4:18)

The Context of Matthew 22

Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem and is confronting the religious leaders who will crucify him.
Two other parables of judgment precede this: The Parable of the Man with Two Sons, and The Wicked Tenants. Both reveal the antagonism of those who considered themselves the servants of God
Two Scriptures set the interpretation of the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22
Matthew 21:31-32 – Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Matthew 21:43 – “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Historical Background:

The Messianic Feast was anticipated as the beginning of the new age under the messiah
Isaiah 25:6-9 is the origin of the Feast

The Function of the Parable:

A king gives a wedding banquet for his Son
Guests are invited
The invited make light of the invitation
1. This is a ridiculous turn of events
2. The excuses given are weak compared to the importance of a king’s wedding banquet
3. Deuteronomy 20:5-9 may be the background of the excuses. These were exemptions to serving in a war in ancient Israel
Because the initially invited make light of the invitation, they are excluded and the most offensive are attacked by the king’s army (once again, an odd and exaggerated situation that makes a point about rejection)
Others, typically considered outsiders, are invited.
1. In Matthew 22, they are the good and the bad (compare to the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds)

Grace and Judgment

Grace is demonstrated in that all are invited – good and bad
Judgment happens when the King expels the man not wearing wedding clothes
- Wedding clothes represents taking the invitation seriously
- The king expects honor (God expects us to bear the fruit of the kingdom)
- This part of the parable connects to the saying that the kingdom is given to others who will bear the fruit of the kingdom.

Life – John 3:16

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

We’ve been looking at Scriptures that tell us very clearly what God wants us to do.
This morning we look at a Scripture that tells us very clearly what God has done, what he is doing, and why. And then of course it sets a clear path for us.

John 3:16 – The Book Chapter and Verse is probably better known that the Scripture itself.

Wrestlers and Athletes have used some version of it to make a statement – or they write it on their glare strips
Rainbow head at the sports match
You can see it on road signs – (you really shouldn’t look up Bible references while driving).

Stand and read it together …

John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

God’s love leads to life –
1. Because God loves us, we have life. We have abundant eternal life.
2. God’s love through us and being shared among us means life.
3. Christianity thrived despite persecution and suspicion because the believers lived out God’s love. They cared for the poor, they adopted children that were abandoned, they cared for the sick.
4. Even in our modern times, things change when God’s people live out the love of God – a courageous love that takes risks to demonstrate just how much God cares about saving life!
  1. Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center – It really isn’t about the materials and supplies – things that you can list on a spreadsheet – It is about people who are willing to live out God’s love … and that leads to life.
Why should anyone perish?
1. Whoever believes in Christ shall not perish, but have eternal life
2. Believing in Christ means more than accepting that he is real.
3. It does mean accepting who he says that he is – but if you accept that, then your life cannot stay the same.
4. Believing means “faithing” – a better English thought might be trusting
5. We perish when we fail to trust Christ.
6. We can do that through rejection.
7. Or we can do it through fear – “Can being saved really be as easy as just accepting God’s love?”
  1. The Orlando church that exploded an anonymous gift
  2. They drove it to authorities, they X-Rayed it, and they still didn’t trust it.
  3. Why? FEAR. (I don’t know that we wouldn’t do the same)
Our mission is to save, not to condemn.
1. God did not send his son to give his life just so he could wag a finger at us and cluck his tongue.
2. If God wanted to destroy us, if God was our enemy, we wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t stand a chance
3. It was not Christ’s mission to destroy – he came to save.
4. How then does the church ever assume that it is our mission to condemn, when Christ would not?
5. When we spoke to the director of Heart to Heart we asked if their clients had church support and could we offer it. What they all want to know is – “Will I be judged?”
  1. I said “Absolutely Not.”
  2. Let us love as courageously as our Lord did.

The Difficult Line Separating Wisdom and Foolishness

Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles

Sandwiched between “the parable of the unjust steward” and the story of the rich man and Lazarus is an interesting verse. It is fascinating because a religiously conservative influence in “then” Jewish society “scoffed” at Jesus and his teachings. The Pharisees were the “main stream” voice for following scripture and returning to the ancient ways!

What is scoffing? Today, scoffing might be identified with these statements: “Surely you are not serious! You are kidding! Everyone knows it cannot work that way! That is ridiculous! God’s outlook does not allow such ridiculous thinking! Get serious!” In the Bible, scoffing is mocking or deriding.

Scoffing is too common among Christians. It often occurs when we seek to make society’s ways or values compatible with Jesus’ ways or values. If the call of society and the call of Jesus Christ are identical-at least similar-we can follow both Jesus and society if we avoid being a “bad” person. Hey, we could increase the appeal of being Christian if we can love money and love Jesus at the same time! If we could be Christian and live like everyone else, that would be great-hard choices would be eliminated!

Becoming a Christian is more than adopting a statement or agreeing with a declaration. It basically adopts a contrasting set of values. It is more than a list of “how tos”-how to worship, how to do church, etc. Christianity involves the courage to live as an example among people who say, “You are not serious! You have got to be kidding! Everyone knows that is not the way it works! That is ridiculous! Get serious!”

Being an example involves how you treat your spouse, your children, business, people you like, strangers, and even people you do not like. Most of all, it is about how you use life. These are not about rules and regulations, but about Jesus’ values in our lives.

Do you have the courage to follow Jesus to new values? Those values will make you an example! Those seeking hope will bless you for your courage to follow Jesus!

The Misunderstood Parable

Posted by Chris on May 2, 2010 under Sermons

Parables – part 5

Luke 16:1-15

This is one of the most misunderstood parables of them all.

There seems to be no consistent interpretation of this parable.

Part of the problem that God’s people have had interpreting and understanding this parable comes from the very problem that this parable addresses: God’s people often lose their creativity and cleverness!

Prudishness has caused us to attempt a “clean-up” of a parable that Jesus intended to be filled with rogues and scoundrels.

We are Children of Light:

The parable of Luke 16 has been very controversial. Don’t avoid the shock and controversy. The main character of the parable is a scoundrel. The master of the servant is also a scoundrel. They are both crafty and shrewd. Let’s make no bones about it, they are dishonest and self-centered. They are the children of this world; the servants of mammon.
Attempts have been made to clean the story up, but that’s special pleading.
Jesus is intentionally opening a window into the ruthless world of greedy people. That is how he is going to make his point. Jesus shows that these people who supposedly “worship” money are actually cavalier and careless in their efforts to acquire it and control it. And they are clever.
Jesus is showing us that if people like this – the sons of this world – are so focused and clever and dedicated in their service to the false God of money, then shouldn’t the children of light be all the more clever, ingenious, and dedicated in our service to God?
1. The Pharisees offered lip service to God, but their conservative, hoarding, timid approach to using their money was actually a deeper form of wealth-worship than the shifty manager who was a bit free with his master’s wealth.

We are managers of a “kingdom” trust. We have responsibility to use that trust for God’s purposes (parable of the talents), but we are also called to “use it” and be creative and resourceful.

Eugene Peterson describes the point of the parable well in his translation, The Message:

Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way – but for what is right – using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.

— Jesus in Luke 16:8-9, from The Message by E. Peterson.

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Worship and Class Times

Archives

Vineyard Workers

The Vision of Deuteronomy 6

The Bargain Route May Not Be a Bargain!

Persistent Prayer

One Another

What Are You Looking For?

A Wedding Banquet

Life – John 3:16

The Difficult Line Separating Wisdom and Foolishness

The Misunderstood Parable