LOOKING FOR A GOOD INVESTMENT? Luke 19:11-27

While the people were listening to this, Jesus continued and told them a parable. He was now almost at Jerusalem, and they supposed that the Kingdom of God was just about to appear.

So he said, "There was once a man of high rank who was going to a country far away to be made king, after which he planned to come back home. Before he left, he called his ten servants and gave them each a gold coin and told them, 'See what you can earn with this while I am gone.'

Now, his own people hated him, and so they sent messengers after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' "The man was made king and came back. At once he ordered his servants to appear before him, in order to find out how much they had earned.

The first one came and said, 'Sir, I have earned ten gold coins with the one you gave me.' 'Well done,' he said; 'you are a good servant! Since you were faithful in small matters, I will put you in charge of ten cities.'

The second servant came and said, 'Sir, I have earned five gold coins with the one you gave me.' To this one he said, 'You will be in charge of five cities.' Another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it hidden in a handkerchief. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man.

You take what is not yours and reap what you did not plant.' He said to him, 'You bad servant! I will use your own words to condemn you! You know that I am a hard man, taking what is not mine and reaping what I have not planted. Well, then, why didn't you put my money in the bank? Then I would have received it back with interest when I returned.'

Then he said to those who were standing there, 'Take the gold coin away from him and give it to the servant who has ten coins.' But they said to him, 'Sir, he already has ten coins!' 'I tell you,' he replied, 'that to those who have something, even more will be given;

but those who have nothing, even the little that they have will be taken away from them. Now, as for those enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and kill them in my presence!' " (Luke 19:11-27 GNB)

1.What does this passage SAY? 1.What does this passage MEAN? 1.What does this passage MEAN TO ME?

1. Our MESSAGE - the centrality of Christ God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. (Colossians 1:27 MSG)

2. Our MISSION – to complete Christ’ great commission Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. (Matthew 28:18-20 CEV)

3. Our MOTIVATION – to bring back the King And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come. (Matthew 24:14 MKJV) 4. Our METHOD – planting missionary churches (Acts) 5. Our MISSIONARIES – committed, well trained and competent

6. Our MEMBERS – form a missionary movement 7. Our MEANS – Great Commission Fund 8. Our MOBILITY – strategic redeployment to the cutting edge 9. Our MANAGEMENT – integrity 10. Our MARKS – by God’s grace significant achievements

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND ACTION