Labor Day: By Ronald E. George Jr. at the
Fayetteville Baptist Church
What does God want us to do?
Scripture text: Luke
19:11 (KJS) And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable,
because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom
of God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman
went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto
them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a
message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us. 15
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom,
then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given
the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And
he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful
in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second
came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said
likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying,
Lord, behold, [here is] thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou
layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto
him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou
knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and
reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into
the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it]
to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten
pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be
given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away
from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign
over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.
Intro: (vs.11)
If & when the Kingdom will come, what should we do until then?
(Acts 1:9-11) Why are we
standing looking around on the job? Get
busy - He's coming.
1.
The Nobleman: The
Nobleman had gone to become king.
2.
The Servants: Those
who had been left in charge.
3.
The pounds:
The gifts that had been
given to the servants. Each one
received one. The pounds
represent what we have. All is to
be used to bring a profit for the Lord.
1Pet 4:10 (KJS) As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister
the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
4.
The command:
“Occupy until I come.” Don’t give up and quit. Don’t
switch your allegiance. But work
for me so that when I come again I will have a profit for my money.
1Cor 10:31 (KJS) Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Use your gifts to glorify God in the church and out of the
church. Are you continuing to
occupy until the Lord comes? Will
you begin again?
5. The
Choice:
A.
To be faithful: will
receive even more. Continued to
labor while He was
gone.
Didn't give up, quit. Used
what little God gave them. God
blessed their labors
(faithfulness).
B. To
be unfaithful: Lost even what he had.
It is important to remember that to be neutral is not good.
What positive impact are you making for the Lord’s work.
Are you using your talent for him.
It seemed no one else, so why keep on?
Afraid of being laughed at - failing.
Fear of failure - overcame his obedience.
He's coming again - have you quit?
Are you still being faithful to serve?
Even when others fail, quit. Will
you keep on?
6.
The Reckoning: There
will be a day of reckoning when you will be rewarded for all that you have
given to the Lord. Or you will loss what you could have had for the Lord.
But in the Lord’s kingdom the faithful will have more than the
unfaithful. Is your time to
occupy over. Or is it not over
until it’s over.