Luke 19:11-27
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This is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom. This sermon is ‘Returning King’.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: How can you invite the lost in to hear more of the Good News of Jesus?
WARM-UP
- How often do you think about Jesus returning? Does it change your priorities when you do?
- What is the recent regional history that Jesus is likely alluding to in this parable? If Jesus is not saying that he is like Archelaus in character, what is the parallel that he is drawing?
READ Luke 19:11-15
- What were people expecting of Jesus as he arrived in Jerusalem? What was actually going to happen?
- How is it evident in the parable that the gifts ultimately belong to the master?
- What gifts do you think God has entrusted to you? What does it mean to you to recognise those gifts as ultimately belonging to God?
- What is the ultimately purpose to which we are to put our gifts to work? What do you think that looks like on one of your frontlines? (You might even be able to offer suggestions to one another.)
- How was the third servant’s failure to act really an act of disobedience and rebellion?
- How do you think God could be leading you to grow or focus your gifts more intently for his Kingdom purposes? Are there any gifts, time, or resources that you resist using for God’s purposes?
- If Jesus is returning, how do you think it should shape your approach on one of your frontlines?
- Which do you think you’re ever most in danger of: (a) underestimating the value of God’s gifts entrusted to you; (b) failing to recognise that those gifts belong to God; or (c) being risk-averse with what God has entrusted to you? What could help you avoid whichever you are most susceptible to?
READ Luke 19:16-27
- What most surprises or confuses you about this part of the parable? What were the lasting effects?
- How could we read this part of the parable incorrectly as pointing to a Gospel of works?
- To what extent are the rewards disproportionate to the acts of obedience? How is this God’s grace?
- How do you think God multiplies out his gifts through our obedience? How do have you witnessed God’s gracious multiplication (for his glory) at St Bart’s? What could that look like in the future?
- How does accepting Jesus as Lord mean that we are recipients of his grace? How does rejecting Jesus mean that we face judgment on our own?
APPLY: How can you maximise your gifts in service of the returning King?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you so much that Jesus went to the cross for us, rose from the dead, and is coming back again. Please help us to be aware of the gifts that you have entrusted to us, motivated to use those gifts for your Kingdom purposes, and mindful of the account we will give when you return. Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: What is distinctive about how you see others serving Jesus on their frontlines? Make time to encourage them?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
- AUDIO: “The Promised Delay” by William Taylor
- AUDIO: “Work and Money in the Book of Luke’ by Rico Rice
- AUDIO: “Luke 19-20” by Gary Millar
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
- OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions:
https://bit.ly/39w5Ggk - FOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3Mf
- WEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJ
- BOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme Goldsworthy
- BOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom Wright
- Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
https://bit.ly/3pGDVH7 (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)
