Until I Come

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Sermon Outline

Why does Jesus tell this parable at this place and time?

• “because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately” (v.11)
• The Jewish expectations of a Messiah and his coming kingdom needed a reorientation.
• This parable serves to reorient the disciples to the true nature of the kingdom and its king (see Luke 17:20-22, Luke 18:31-34).

The nobleman needs to leave and gives a simple charge to his servants.

• We are introduced to a nobleman who must go away to receive a kingdom and return (v. 12)
• The servants are given a simple command: “Engage in business until I come.” (v. 13)
• What is the kingdom being described in this parable? What kingdom does the nobleman receive?

While the nobleman is away…

• Foolish Rejection by the citizens: “We do not want this man to reign over us.” (v. 14)
  
  • The return of Jesus is certain…and so is his judgment (vv. 13, 15)
  • The foolish citizens are condemned to be slaughtered. (v. 27)
• Faithful Response of the first and second servants: tenfold and fivefold increase (vv. 16, 18)
  
  • Jesus is coming back, and when he returns, he will call every servant to give an account (v. 15b)
  • Believers will answer for every deed done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Cor. 5:10-11; Rom. 4:10-12)
  • The rewards of believers will not be the same; they will correspond with the deeds done in the body. (1 Cor 15:41-42; 2 Cor. 9:6; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; Mt. 5:11-12).
  • No deeds will remain unnoticed by the Judge; our actions will matter both for good and ill (1 Cor 3:12-15; Mt. 10:42; Mt. 12:36)
• Faulty Reasoning of the third servant: a hidden mina because “you reap what you did not sow” (vv. 20-21)
  
  • The third servant appears to be part of the kingdom at first, but his faulty reasoning and faithless response prove he isn’t part of the kingdom at all. He is condemned as a wicked servant and loses everything. (vv. 22-26)

Truths to Consider and Apply:

1. Those who don’t want Jesus to reign over their lives have no part in the kingdom.
2. Believing wrong things about Jesus will not be an excuse for disobedience or poor stewardship.
3. The evidence that you are part of the kingdom is not something you have hidden away; it’s the fruit of faith in action in your life.
4. Jesus is coming, you will give an account for every word and action, so get about the Master’s business.
5. Don’t compare; get excited about the fruitfulness of others, and celebrate the faithfulness you observe.
6. Remember that while you labor in doing well, God is the one who provides the will to work and the good works themselves, so when all is said and done, He receives the glory!