Parables of Christ - Part 25

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Stewardship and Reward

The Audio Version of today’s note advised

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241028 - Stewardship And Reward - Parables Of Christ - Part 25

Luke 19:11-27 KJV

[11] 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.

Note for 20241028

You can also read a related account of this in Matthew 25:14-30 KJV, which was part of my reading this morning. We look at this account in Luke today because of the reward spoken about, where the faithful servants who were good stewards of their master's goods are given cities to rule over. May I show you something? Isaiah wrote something about the building up of waste places.

Isaiah 58:6-14 KJV

[6] Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? [8] Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. [9] Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; [10] and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: [11] and the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. [12] And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. [13] If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: [14] then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

This was written by Isaiah on what the LORD said is acceptable fasting in His sight, the fast which He has chosen.

In the Matthew 25 account of these good stewards and the reward that they shall receive, after it, Christ speaks on the separation of the goats and sheep. Permit me to include an extract of that here for you, though I do suggest you read this in full.

Matthew 25:33-40 KJV

[33] and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. [34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [35] for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: [36] naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. [37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Who can still say the Word of GOD is inconsistent? Now, if you read on from here in Matthew 25, you will also see what happens to the goats at the left hand of this King. Even so, in the account of the servant that was profitable the King was cast outside where there would be a weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What are the talents the Lord gave us to be used for, to build a kingdom up for ourselves? To gather unto ourselves and not hold the fast GOD chose for us to uphold? Since we are looking at these cities in today's reading, let us also look at the city of GOD. Now, once more I urge you, it is best to read all of chapter 21.

Revelation 21:22-27 KJV

[22] And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. [23] And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. [24] And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. [25] And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. [26] And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. [27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Remember how I wrote unto you that we look at the sermon on the mount and the parables of Christ in response to Revelation 21 and 22?

From where we are now, there still remains a 1000 years of peace under the rule and reign of our Lord Jesus Christ here on earth. This is ushered in when Christ returns, and is marked by the first resurrection of the dead. It is also at that time when those who are still alive and believe in Jesus will be changed. Remember how we read at the start of the Sermon on the Mount that Christ said, blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth? How shall we then rule and reign with Him then, even forever, if we can not rule and reign over ourselves by the Spirit of GOD that was poured out in us here? Don't you know that here and now we are trained by the LORD to rule and reign in the righteousness of Him?

So, what talents have you received of GOD? What is it to be invested in, what is the fast that He has chosen for us? How are the sheep and the goats separated from each other, what is the reward of each and dare I ask, who will rebuild the cities under the reign of Christ Jesus here on earth? Do you still think that going to the Lord Jesus Christ is a retirement of some sort? Don't you know we have been chosen for service to the Lord our GOD? But, not as slaves. No, we will be the children of GOD and joint heirs with Christ. Is that not written too? Don't you know you are being trained for royalty, an office that is high and lifted up; but to hold that office, the Love of GOD Almighty for His Creation must be installed in us too. Do you still ask why we must enter the Kingdom of GOD through trials and tribulation? Will the Lord give such great power and authority to the wicked?

The wicked have their best time now. Here on earth they work themselves to a disqualification of all that is of righteousness to come. No wonder they cannot let go of what they have here, because this here is as good as it will ever get for them, until Christ comes to overthrow their wicked rule on the earth. This here, in Christ Jesus our Lord, is not just the path unto Salvation alone; but also the way of birthing the Children of GOD. How shall I say it then: The best of Life is still to come. In travail we will be birthed into heaven. Joint heirs with Christ of all that GOD has created. Now look again at Revelation 21, who can enter into the city of GOD, and who must remain outside.

Shalom

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

(YouVersion - Expanded from verse 34)

Matthew 6:31-34 KJV

[31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.