Sovereignty, Responsibility and Recompense
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus tells a powerful parable on God's sovereignty, Christian responsibility, and the incomprehensible reward for faithfulness.
Text: Luke 19:11-19
Date: 01/12/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 178
Description:
One of the most difficult paradoxes in biblical teaching is the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. These are two truths that sometimes seem to be in conflict with each other, but are both clearly taught in Scripture. In His final parable before the Triumphal Entry, Jesus tells a story grounded in history that reflects His relationship with three specific groups: faithful servants, unfaithful servants, and enemies. In this message, we will concentrate on the first group-- the two faithful servants. We will learn that even though God is sovereignly in control of our lives, determining the ability, circumstances, and opportunities for each believer-- we are all still responsible to "engage in the business of the Kingdom". We will discuss what this "business" is and then rejoice as we consider the incomprehensible nature of the recompense for those who faithfully serve Him.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 19:11-27.
A. Context
1. Keeping our perspective, Rom. 9:19-21.
2. Anomalies
3. The historical background.
B. A parable of responsibility and reward.
1. Setting the scene, vs. 11.
a. A change in venue.
b. An atypical, allegorical parable.
c. The reason for the parable, Acts 1:6.
2. The nobleman's departure, vs. 12-14.
a. The extended absence, vs. 12.
i. The nature of the absence, Luke 12:43,45.
ii. The reason for the absence, Dan. 7:14, Matt. 25:31.
b. The ten servants, vs. 13.
i. Noticing the numbers.
1) The significance of ten servants.
2) The value of ten minas.
ii. Noticing the task.
1) The business of the world.
2) The "business" of the Kingdom of God, Matt. 28:19-20; John 20:21, 21:15.
3) The call to Christ-likeness, 2Pet. 2:1; Matt. 7:21-23; Phil. 1:27.
iii. Noticing the two groups.
c. The rejected King, vs. 14.
i. The the meaning within the parable.
ii. The historical context.
iii. The spiritual significance, John 3:19-20, 7:7, 15:18.
iv. The third group, Phil 3:18-19; Matt. 16:18.
3. The king's return, vs. 15-27.
a. The reckoning, vs. 15, Luke 9:29; Rev. 1:14-16; 2Cor. 5:10.
b. The two faithful servants, vs. 16-19.
i. The report of business done.
1) Different increases.
2) Different capabilities.
3) The spiritual application.
ii. The reward.
1) Rewards commensurate with fruitfulness.
2) A reward far greater than the increase, Luke 6:23.
III. Application, Eph. 2:10.
IV. Conclusion
