The King Will Return Theology Religion Essay Example

of the Gospels that he asked someone to do this. The issue at hand is a matter of the heart. Take note: Jesus made it known that the man asserts his love for his neighbor as much as he loves himself. But does he truly? If so, why does he find it difficult to give his money to those in need? He cannot fulfill this promise. He refuses to let go of his wealth. He is deceiving both himself and Jesus.

He lacks love for his neighbor and rejects obedience to the Son of God, who stands before him. What does this man truly desire? He longs for eternal life, but his desire for money surpasses all. The truth is this: when you determine what you refuse to relinquish, you have determined your God. When you determine where you place your faith, you have identified your God.

The Bible discusses different obstacles in our lives that hinder our connection with God. These obstacles are idols that we worship instead of God. If lust is a recurring sin in your life, it is an idol that must be torn down. If greed is a recurring sin in your life, it is an idol that must be torn down. If pride is a recurring sin in your life, you yourself are an idol that must be torn down.

The wealthy man desired eternal life and made efforts to do good. He asked Jesus the right question, showing his willingness to learn. However, he was not content with Jesus' response.

Instead of abandoning his sense of worth, he decided to place it in earthly pursuits rather than in God. With

too much at stake, he left everything behind and departed in poverty.

During the morning, we have been progressing through the book of John, and we are nearly finished. The end of John's Gospel covers Jesus' betrayal, trial, crucifixion, burial, and Resurrection. A unique aspect of John's Gospel is that it does not include Parables. Therefore, we have added a series of fables to complement the John sermon series. These fables serve as another means through which Jesus reveals his teachings and touches the hearts of his followers.

Intro

Luke chapter 19 contains the fable of the Minas, which is not as well-known as the fables of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) or the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). It is often confused with the fable of the talents in Matthew chapter 25. While there are similarities, the fable of the Minas is a different story with enough differences to make a different point.

Context: Jesus' Ministry

The fable of the Minas is told at the end of Jesus' ministry.

Just before Jesus' "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem, he healed a blind man named Bartimaeus while on his way to Jericho. Jesus tells Bartimaeus, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well" (18:42). Later in Jericho, Jesus meets Zacchaeus, a tax collector, and invites himself to Zacchaeus' house (19:5). Zacchaeus joyfully receives Jesus, but faces criticism from onlookers (19:6-7). Zacchaeus' repentance and enthusiasm lead to immediate action: he declares, "the half of my goods I give to the poor."

According to Luke 19:8, if I have defrauded anyone, I will restore it quadruple. Jesus informs Zaccheus that with his recognition as a son of Abraham, redemption has come to his house (Luke

19:9). Consequently, both Bartimaeus and Zaccheus show faith and Jesus praises them. The fable of the myna is apparently shared in this specific context and location where Zaccheus and his house are present.

The crowd of followers and groupies surrounding Jesus increases after Zaccheus is praised in Luke 19:9. Following this, Jesus tells a parable in Luke 19:11.

Context: Understanding Jesus' Motivation

Hence, the significance of this parable lies in its message. At times, direct communication becomes necessary. I can relate to a similar experience I had while I was in Japan.

During a presentation to a group of engineers, my Japanese coworker helped me make corrections. He remarked, "You're being too American in your approach." I then realized that Jesus takes different approaches as well. Sometimes his followers have to approach him and ask, "What was the point?" Just as he did in the fable of the dirts, which we read last month, Jesus explains everything in detail. In this particular case, the narrator provides an explanation.

Luke introduces the story and its purpose by stating, "As they heard these things, he proceeded to state a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the land of God was to look instantly." This statement indicates that the story is connected to current events and sheds light on why Jesus chooses to use parables. In his teachings, Jesus frequently refers to "the land of God". At this time, there were individuals among his followers who held misunderstandings about the genuine significance of the land of God.

As Jesus journeyed from Jericho to Jerusalem during Passover, there was a prevalent belief that he would lead as a military

figure and free Israel from Roman control. The people eagerly anticipated this moment as the time when Jesus would ascend to power. Recognizing these hopes, Jesus chose to relay a parable, aiming to communicate insights about the arrival of God's kingdom.

In terms of the application, it is important not to limit ourselves to considering this only as a historical account. We engage in similar behavior, as we have our own perspectives and plans. When we turn to Jesus, we view him through the filter of our expectations. We project our desires or requirements onto him, and then see him accordingly.

I am in need of a new job, so I turn to Jesus as the one who can provide that for me. Others wanted a political leader, so they saw Jesus in that light. Jesus explains this through a parable. Let's read the parable, paragraph by paragraph, and pay attention to the characters. "A nobleman went into a far country to acquire land for himself and then return."

The Lord chose ten of his retainers and gave each of them ten mynas. He told them to manage his affairs until he comes back. However, his citizens did not like him and sent a delegation to express their opposition to him ruling over them. This parable features a Lord who needs to go to another country for a particular reason: "to acquire land for himself and then return". The Lord has to leave in order for this to happen, but when He returns, He will have the land (and the kingship). This concept appears quite peculiar.

Providing some historical background will help explain the situation. A couple of decades

prior to the birth of Christ, Herod the Great rose to power. He was the person visited by the wise men who followed the star from the East. Herod, although a Jew, was not favored by the devout Jews and instead aligned himself with the Romans.

He went to Rome where the Roman senate awarded him the title "King of the Jews" and officially gave him control over Judea and the surrounding area. Among the people there are citizens, as well as slaves or retainers. The citizens are delighted that he has left. Their excitement is so great that they make special efforts to convey their determination. They send a deputation after him, declaring, "We don't want this ruler." (vs.)

14). The parable explicitly denies the Lord's permission. The parable does not mention them again until its final verse, (spoiler alert), when the king labels them as "enemies" and commands, "bring them here and kill them in my presence." Herod's son is then required to do the same! The majority of the parable's events revolve around the ten retainers (some translations use the term 'slaves'). Each retainer receives an equal amount, one mina each. This amounts to a significant sum of money, approximately ten thousand dollars in today's currency.

Their instructions are simple, but broad: "Engage in concern until I come". Let's read: When he returned, holding received the land, he ordered these retainers to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might cognize what they had gained by making concern. The first came before him, stating, 'Lord, your myna has made ten mynas more.' And he said to him, 'Well done,

good retainer! Because you have been faithful in a really small, you shall hold authorization over 10 metropoliss.' And the 2nd came, stating, 'Lord, your myna has made five mynas.' And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five metropoliss.

'So, when he returns, he wants the slaves to provide an accounting. Those of you who are students, do you prefer surprise trials or tests? Most likely not. It's easier when you know what to expect. What exactly is a 'trial'? It's an accounting.'

The professor recommends taking stock of the students' learning progress and assigning a grade and letter to it. It was clear that there would be an assessment, but the timing was uncertain. The initial two participants demonstrate humility by acknowledging their teacher's influence rather than highlighting their own achievements or efforts. A third participant confesses fear of the stern teacher, presenting themselves as a servant who had been kept hidden in cloth.

You receive what you did not invest and harvest what you did not sow. The third point stands out as distinctive. The person has merely concealed their excuse without taking any action regarding it. For instance, have you ever come across a weak excuse? As an educator in high school, I come across numerous justifications for unfinished assignments. "My computer is infected with a virus" - but what about using pen and paper, were they affected too? Regardless of the setting - be it professional, academic, or parental - excuses are commonplace.

What is the alibi for his actions? The king's tough nature and high expectations intimidated him, resulting in his failure to follow instructions and be prepared for the

king's return. Now, he simply wants to avoid responsibility by returning it to the King.

Despite the dire circumstances, they are actually even worse. The male ruler responds by reaping what he did not sow, suggesting his laziness as he benefits from his followers' hard work. He scolds the follower, stating "I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a terrible man, taking what I did not deposit and harvesting what I did not sow? So why didn't you put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have collected it with interest?" The king accuses the follower based on their own confession. Despite being aware of his atrocious nature, the follower took no action. Instead of allowing for growth (i.e., letting the bank pay interest), why didn't the follower receive something without effort? Ultimately, instead of properly safeguarding it, they recklessly conceal the money.

He told the bystanders to give the myna bird to the person who already had ten mynas. The bystanders said, 'Lord, he already has ten minas!' He stated that those who have more will receive even more, while those with nothing will lose what little they have. Moreover, he ordered for those who opposed his rule to be brought forward and executed in front of him.

Fictional Characters

To understand its importance completely, let us connect this parable with the story about the 'land of God'.

Jesus, referred to as the "nobleman," comes from a noble lineage but has not yet been officially crowned as king. The awaited land is gradually approaching, although Jesus must depart first. This idea is not novel; John

the Baptist heralded the arrival of the revered "land of Eden." Jesus extensively instructed others about this promised land.

And in this passage, the Lord urges Christians to be prepared. He promises to come back, and indeed he does return as a reigning king. Who do the citizens and the retainers symbolize? The disobedient citizens represent those who refuse to repent, and ultimately they are referred to as "enemies" and wiped out. They will not survive the judgement. The retainers symbolize Christians, and they can be either faithful or unfaithful. Despite knowing the instructions, some are completely unprepared.

Despite not being destroyed, the unfaithful retainer has failed the trial. This story is not primarily about avoiding evil, but rather about remaining faithful to do good. Christians who fail in their tasks are considered unfaithful. They are not sentenced to hell, but they are also not rewarded. This time of year is filled with sadness. If you are a student, you will experience regrets.

I had the entire summer to accomplish everything I wanted! But it seems like the time went by so quickly. And even as an adult, time doesn't slow down. One of my goals was to learn Spanish. Where did the summer go? Now, in this analogy, it represents a life filled with sorrow. Not necessarily a life of sin and indulgence.

Rather than a life of good purposes, the point of the fable is that the King will eventually return, and his followers should consistently remain focused on His concern until that Day.

Mynas

This brings us to the myna, which represents something specific.

Surprisingly, I will tell you this for free: a myna is a form of currency.

However, I don't think minas actually symbolize money. Allow me to explain. Money is a recurring metaphor in the narrative of Luke's gospel.

A proxy or an alternative stands in for various things. In this parable, the myna are given to the retainers so that they can "engage in business until I come" (Luke 19:13). They symbolize something valuable that God has entrusted to us. And this entrusted responsibility encompasses a variety of things! This includes money, of course. However, it is not limited to just money; it encompasses time, skills, spiritual gifts, or any other resources we have available to carry out the master's business until His return.

Let's categorize them all as "opportunities". The details may vary, as God's people differ, but everyone will be held accountable in the future for their actions. Faithfulness will lead to more responsibilities. A myna may be a significant amount of money, but it is still relatively small compared to having control over cities. In the parable, each servant is given the same amount of money, but they each yield different profits from their myna.

Some do better than others. This is a trial of fidelity - how faithful will we be with what we have been given? By comparing, the fable of the Endowments in Matthew chapter 25 involves differing sums, and encourages us to be faithful with whatever we are given, be it much or small.

Money

So, what about money? Churchs have a repute for prophesying about money so that people will donate more. You wo n't acquire that about here.

We do not have a specific home base to go through when it comes to offerings. However, it is

important to discuss this. Jesus focused on the topic of money more than any other in his teachings. In fact, in the Gospels, approximately one out of every 10 verses, totaling 288 verses, deals with the subject of money.

Sixteen of our Lord's 38 fables deal with the same subject. The Bible contains approximately 500 poems about prayer, less than 500 poems about religion, but over 2,000 poems about money and possessions. So why is money at the top of the list? Why does the Bible have so much to say about it? Money will reveal our true intentions and distract us from God.

Jesus is focused on embracing the law and applying it with compassion. Money can be a hindrance. It is not inherently evil, but it can lead to various forms of immorality. Financial pressures drain our vitality completely.

We must embrace it, seeking God's perspective on everything, even our possessions. I desire to elucidate a divine viewpoint on parables - specifically, an extraordinary one.

In Luke 16:1-4, Jesus told his followers a parable about a wealthy man who had a manager. The man received reports that the manager was wasting his possessions. The wealthy man called the manager and confronted him about the allegations, demanding an account of his management. The manager, knowing he was about to lose his job, panicked and thought to himself, "I don't have the strength to dig and I am too ashamed to beg. I know what I'll do, so that when I lose my job people will welcome me into their houses." He then summoned each of his master's debtors and asked the first one, "How much do you owe

my master?" The debtor replied, "A hundred measures of oil."

'He said to him, 'Take your measure, and sit down rapidly and write 50.' Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred steps of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your measure, and write 80.' The maestro commended the dishonest director for his astuteness. For the boies of this universe are more shrewd in covering with their ain coevals than the boies of visible radiation. (Luke 16:5-8) And I tell you, do friends for yourselves by agencies of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may have you into the ageless homes.

(Luke 16:9) The purpose of money according to the Bible is not to say that money is evil. So what does it say? It states that the love of money is the cause of various immoral acts (1 Tim 6:10). However, money itself is not inherently evil, but rather useful in life.

I once listened to a story on the radio a long time ago that I still remember: Love people and use money, but we often get it the other way around. Are we using stewardship as an excuse to be selfish? I admit that I sometimes do.

A Warning: Plants

But let's not jump to the conclusion that we have to do extraordinary things to be redeemed.

Zaccheus generously donated a portion of his wealth, but that did not save him. However, through his faith in Christ, he found redemption. His life underwent a significant and visible transformation due to his trust in Christ. This is because salvation comes through grace, not through one's own efforts. It is a

gift from God and not something to boast about.

According to Ephesians 2:8-10, we are considered as God's creation, crafted in Christ Jesus for good works. However, it is important to note that some people misunderstand this concept. They assume that since we are saved by faith and not by works, our actions have no significance. However, it is crucial to understand that salvation comes through faith and not through our actions.

However, what matters is not just intentions for redemption, but taking actions. People often treat redemption like fire insurance, a means to escape consequences without changing themselves.

I am saved and on my way to heaven, enabling me to multiply abundantly. It is comparable to being born into a family, which is a significant occasion worth celebrating: a "birthday". Without being born, everything else would be meaningless. However, birth is merely the initial stage.

Transformation and Growth
We must undergo a process of turning and maturing, not just to become part of a family, but because it is natural for individuals to change within a family setting. Becoming a Christian is not the end, but rather the beginning. It is the most significant event in your life, but it is not the only thing that matters.

Chuck Colson, who passed away earlier this year, desired to be remembered as a sinner saved by God's grace. Despite his imperfections, he attempted to fulfill his duties and live a purposeful life. Although his faithfulness did not save him, it held significance and was valuable. He received many blessings from God as a result of his fidelity. Chuck Coleson's commitment to using the gifts bestowed upon him has had a positive

impact on someone he never knew in Moscow, Idaho.

Application

Fables focus on application, requiring the audience to participate. They prompt individuals to imagine themselves within the story and ask how they would react. The concept of faithfulness is ongoing and persistent. We are unaware of when we will be held accountable, but Jesus has provided written instructions in the form of the Bible for Christians to follow.

Am I ready to recount my history when the King returns? I cannot claim ignorance. The Bible's meticulous authentication has been preserved to this day, providing Christians with specific instructions for following Christ. Allow me to provide some examples that may apply to some of you: For some of you, God has granted you four years at the University of Idaho. (Maybe five, or six. The law students out there are saying "three!") What will you do with that time? What a privilege you possess...most individuals throughout history or even in today's world will never have the opportunity to dedicate years of their lives to full-time study.

How are you going to make use of the time? Being a parent lasts for about 18 years. If you are a parent, that time flies by! How are you maximizing that opportunity? Currently, I have certain coworkers. They might not be the same ones next year. How can I relate to them? We need to be knowledgeable in our ministry.

Some of you have been blessed with gifts and accomplishments. I appreciate Geoffrey's willingness to use his woodworking accomplishments to repair our Windows. I also appreciate Brenda's gift and willingness to sing harmoniously. She truly has a talent. I could talk about these things

endlessly.

This church building is meant to be utilized, even if it means things may become damaged. Rugs may eventually wear out, but this should not deter us from embracing the people and making use of the building.

Decision

The Christian life is characterized by faithfulness. Our faithfulness, or lack thereof, will be made evident. Christians, especially American Christians, often seek God's approval but fail to recognize that we will be held responsible for our actions. Christianity can be seen as a demonstration of our commitment.

I will go to church and see what they have for me this week. Some of it might be useful! But ultimately, it's my life and I will bring God into it here and there, when he's useful. What exactly is a Reference Book? It contains valuable information, but you don't just sit down and read it. You only consult it when you need it. That's how we treat God, like a reference book.

Some great material is available at that place, but it must be taken off the shelf only when it is needed. It is easy to understand intellectually that Christ will come back, but we often selfishly focus on our own lives and ignore His commands. In the parable, there was an unspecified period of time before the King returns. Let me explain, that is called "life". The point of the fable is this: The King will come back, and His followers should always be engaged in His work until that Day.

We do not have a desire for success, but instead, our only desire is to be faithful. The exact day and time of Jesus' return is unknown to everyone.

Despite this, we must continue with our mission. We cannot hide our light or allow ourselves to become distracted like the Disciples. Christ will return to take care of all believers' matters.