WHAT ABOUT HEAVENLY REWARDS
WHAT ABOUT HEAVENLY REWARDS
Background Passage: Luke 19:1-48
Lesson Passage: Luke 19:12-27
BIBLICAL SETTING
1. Salvation for Zaccaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
2. Parable for the Disciples (Luke 19:11-27)
3. Concern for Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-44)
4. Respect for the Temple (Luke 19:45-48)
LESSON PASSAGE OUTLINE
1. Faithfulness is Expected (Luke 19:12-14)
2. Faithfulness is Rewarded (Luke 19:15-19)
3. Unfaithfulness is Displeasing (Luke 19:20-23)
4. Unfaithfulness is Costly (Luke 19:24-27)
KEY BIBLE VERSE Luke 19:26
BIBLICAL TRUTH
Believers have the assurance of heavenly rewards for faithful service.
LIFE IMPACT
To help you help you serve God faithfully.
FAITHFULNESS IS EXPECTED (LUKE 19:12-14)
(Luke 19:12) He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into afar country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
The "certain nobleman" represents the Lord Jesus Christ. He will receive the kingdom from his Father — not from us. He is not asking anyone to vote for Him the next time He comes. People will either receive Him or they will be destroyed. He came the first time as a Savior. Next time He will come as King.
(Luke 19:13) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
The parable, the Lord Jesus Himself is the certain nobleman who went to heaven to await the time when He would return and set up His kingdom on earth. The ten servants typify His disciples. He gave each one a mina and told them to do business with this mina until He came again. While there are differences in the talents and abilities of the servants of the Lord (Matthew 25:14-30), there are some things which they have in common, such as the privileges of sharing the gospel, and representing Christ to the world, and the privilege of prayer. Doubtless the mina speaks of these.
(Luke 19:14) But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
The citizens represent the Jewish nation. They not only rejected Him, but even after His departure, they sent a delegation after him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us." The embassage might represent their treatment of Christ's servants such as Stephen and other martyrs.
This is the message the world has for the Lord Jesus Christ today. This, however, will not keep God from sending His Son back to earth. They rebelled against God and His Messiah. They did not want Him to rule over them; so they nailed Him to a cross.
FAITHFULNESS IS REWARDED (LUKE 19:15-19)
(Luke 19:15) 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.
Here the Lord is seen, in type, returning to set up His kingdom. Then He will reckon with those to whom He gave the money.
Believers in this present age will be reviewed as far as their service is concerned at the Judgment Seat of Christ. This takes place in heaven, following the rapture.
(Luke 19: 16-17) (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.
While He is away, friend, He has given you a pound. He has given every one of His servants an opportunity and that opportunity is the pound. You are to be faithful to that over which He has made you steward. Your pound may be an entire city, a hand fill of people, or a home. Whatever it is, you are to be faithful. Some may gain five pounds and some may gain ten pounds while the Lord is away but when He comes again, He will reward you according to your faithfulness.
The Master praised him as being faithful in a very little —a reminder that after we have done our best we are unprofitable servants. His reward was to have authority over ten cities. Rewards for faithful service apparently are linked with rule in Christ's kingdom. The extent to which a disciple will rule is determined by the measure of his devotion and self-expenditure.
(Luke 19:18-19) (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.
The second servant had earned five minas with his original mina. His reward was to be over five cities.
UNFAITHFULNESS IS DISPLEASING (LUKE 19:20-23)
(Luke 19:20-21) And another came, saying, Lord behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: (21) For I fear thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
The third came with nothing but excuses. He returned the mina, carefully kept...in a handkerchief. He had earned nothing with it. Why not? He as much as blamed the nobleman for it. He said the nobleman was an austere man who expected returns without expenditure. But his own words condemned him. If he thought the nobleman was like that, the least he could have done was to turn the mina over to a bank that it might earn some interest.
(Luke 19:22) And he saith unto him, out of thine own mouth will 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:
Why was the nobleman so hard on this man who had not increased the money? He punished the man because (1) he didn't share his master's interest in the kingdom; (2) he didn't trust his master's intentions; (3) his only concern was for himself, and (4) he did nothing to use the money. Like the king in this story, God has given you gifts to use for the benefit of his kingdom. Do you want the kingdom to grow? Do you trust God to govern it fairly? Are you concerned for others' welfare as you are for your own? Are you willing to use faithfully what he has entrusted to you?
In quoting the words of the nobleman, Jesus did not admit that they were true. It was simply the sinful heart of the servant that blamed the master for his own laziness. But if he really believed them he should have acted accordingly.
(Luke 19:23) Wherefore then gavest thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
This verse seems to suggest that we should either put everything we have to work for the Lord, or turn it over to someone else who will use it for him.
UNFAITHFULNESS IS COSTLY (LUKE 19:24-27)
(Luke 19:24-26) (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 everyone which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that hath shall be taken away from him.
The nobleman's verdict on the third servant was to take the mina from him, and give it to the first who had earned the ten minas. If we don't use our opportunities for the Lord, they will be taken from us. On the other hand, if we are faithful in a very little, God will see that we will never lack the means to serve Him even more. It may seem unfair to some that the mina was given to the man who already had ten, but it is a fixed principle in the spiritual life that those who love Him and serve Him passionately are given ever widening areas of opportunity. Failure to buy up the opportunities results in a loss of all.
(Luke 19:27) But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
The citizens who would not have the nobleman as their ruler are denounced as enemies and doomed to death. This was a bad prediction of the fate of the nation that rejected the Messiah.
1. Christians who serve Jesus faithfully are doing what He expects.
2. Christians who do what Jesus expects will be rewarded with more opportunities for service and thus also with opportunities for even greater rewards, some of which will
be in heaven.
3. Christians displease the Lord when they are-unfaithful and refuse to use opportunities of service He has given them.
4. Unfaithful Christians lose the opportunity for further service and thus also the opportunity for further rewards, including some in heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daniel McGee: Teaches Adult Sunday school at South River Baptist Church, Statesville NC. He may be reached at: 172 Seven Springs Loop, Statesville, NC 28625
Background Passage: Luke 19:1-48
Lesson Passage: Luke 19:12-27
BIBLICAL SETTING
1. Salvation for Zaccaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
2. Parable for the Disciples (Luke 19:11-27)
3. Concern for Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-44)
4. Respect for the Temple (Luke 19:45-48)
LESSON PASSAGE OUTLINE
1. Faithfulness is Expected (Luke 19:12-14)
2. Faithfulness is Rewarded (Luke 19:15-19)
3. Unfaithfulness is Displeasing (Luke 19:20-23)
4. Unfaithfulness is Costly (Luke 19:24-27)
KEY BIBLE VERSE Luke 19:26
BIBLICAL TRUTH
Believers have the assurance of heavenly rewards for faithful service.
LIFE IMPACT
To help you help you serve God faithfully.
FAITHFULNESS IS EXPECTED (LUKE 19:12-14)
(Luke 19:12) He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into afar country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
The "certain nobleman" represents the Lord Jesus Christ. He will receive the kingdom from his Father — not from us. He is not asking anyone to vote for Him the next time He comes. People will either receive Him or they will be destroyed. He came the first time as a Savior. Next time He will come as King.
(Luke 19:13) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
The parable, the Lord Jesus Himself is the certain nobleman who went to heaven to await the time when He would return and set up His kingdom on earth. The ten servants typify His disciples. He gave each one a mina and told them to do business with this mina until He came again. While there are differences in the talents and abilities of the servants of the Lord (Matthew 25:14-30), there are some things which they have in common, such as the privileges of sharing the gospel, and representing Christ to the world, and the privilege of prayer. Doubtless the mina speaks of these.
(Luke 19:14) But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
The citizens represent the Jewish nation. They not only rejected Him, but even after His departure, they sent a delegation after him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us." The embassage might represent their treatment of Christ's servants such as Stephen and other martyrs.
This is the message the world has for the Lord Jesus Christ today. This, however, will not keep God from sending His Son back to earth. They rebelled against God and His Messiah. They did not want Him to rule over them; so they nailed Him to a cross.
FAITHFULNESS IS REWARDED (LUKE 19:15-19)
(Luke 19:15) 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.
Here the Lord is seen, in type, returning to set up His kingdom. Then He will reckon with those to whom He gave the money.
Believers in this present age will be reviewed as far as their service is concerned at the Judgment Seat of Christ. This takes place in heaven, following the rapture.
(Luke 19: 16-17) (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.
While He is away, friend, He has given you a pound. He has given every one of His servants an opportunity and that opportunity is the pound. You are to be faithful to that over which He has made you steward. Your pound may be an entire city, a hand fill of people, or a home. Whatever it is, you are to be faithful. Some may gain five pounds and some may gain ten pounds while the Lord is away but when He comes again, He will reward you according to your faithfulness.
The Master praised him as being faithful in a very little —a reminder that after we have done our best we are unprofitable servants. His reward was to have authority over ten cities. Rewards for faithful service apparently are linked with rule in Christ's kingdom. The extent to which a disciple will rule is determined by the measure of his devotion and self-expenditure.
(Luke 19:18-19) (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.
The second servant had earned five minas with his original mina. His reward was to be over five cities.
UNFAITHFULNESS IS DISPLEASING (LUKE 19:20-23)
(Luke 19:20-21) And another came, saying, Lord behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: (21) For I fear thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
The third came with nothing but excuses. He returned the mina, carefully kept...in a handkerchief. He had earned nothing with it. Why not? He as much as blamed the nobleman for it. He said the nobleman was an austere man who expected returns without expenditure. But his own words condemned him. If he thought the nobleman was like that, the least he could have done was to turn the mina over to a bank that it might earn some interest.
(Luke 19:22) And he saith unto him, out of thine own mouth will 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:
Why was the nobleman so hard on this man who had not increased the money? He punished the man because (1) he didn't share his master's interest in the kingdom; (2) he didn't trust his master's intentions; (3) his only concern was for himself, and (4) he did nothing to use the money. Like the king in this story, God has given you gifts to use for the benefit of his kingdom. Do you want the kingdom to grow? Do you trust God to govern it fairly? Are you concerned for others' welfare as you are for your own? Are you willing to use faithfully what he has entrusted to you?
In quoting the words of the nobleman, Jesus did not admit that they were true. It was simply the sinful heart of the servant that blamed the master for his own laziness. But if he really believed them he should have acted accordingly.
(Luke 19:23) Wherefore then gavest thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
This verse seems to suggest that we should either put everything we have to work for the Lord, or turn it over to someone else who will use it for him.
UNFAITHFULNESS IS COSTLY (LUKE 19:24-27)
(Luke 19:24-26) (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 everyone which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that hath shall be taken away from him.
The nobleman's verdict on the third servant was to take the mina from him, and give it to the first who had earned the ten minas. If we don't use our opportunities for the Lord, they will be taken from us. On the other hand, if we are faithful in a very little, God will see that we will never lack the means to serve Him even more. It may seem unfair to some that the mina was given to the man who already had ten, but it is a fixed principle in the spiritual life that those who love Him and serve Him passionately are given ever widening areas of opportunity. Failure to buy up the opportunities results in a loss of all.
(Luke 19:27) But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
The citizens who would not have the nobleman as their ruler are denounced as enemies and doomed to death. This was a bad prediction of the fate of the nation that rejected the Messiah.
1. Christians who serve Jesus faithfully are doing what He expects.
2. Christians who do what Jesus expects will be rewarded with more opportunities for service and thus also with opportunities for even greater rewards, some of which will
be in heaven.
3. Christians displease the Lord when they are-unfaithful and refuse to use opportunities of service He has given them.
4. Unfaithful Christians lose the opportunity for further service and thus also the opportunity for further rewards, including some in heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daniel McGee: Teaches Adult Sunday school at South River Baptist Church, Statesville NC. He may be reached at: 172 Seven Springs Loop, Statesville, NC 28625
Comments