On The Outskirts of Jerusalem

We're going to look at Luke 19 11 through 27, and I'll get to that in a minute and we'll read it. It's a little bit longer of a passage than we normally read. My title, and I think you'll catch hold of this by the end of the sermon, why I entitled this sermon, On the Outskirts of Jerusalem. if you'll think back last week I preached a sermon entitled what does Debbie and I were visiting after church and she was quick to mention to me that and I'm putting it in my words her words were more poignant and simple to me but that faith is not simply a posture of intellectual assent, but it was a process of trust. You know, I've heard many scholars say, faith is not a noun, it's a verb. classical in Hebrews 11.8 you can go read all of Hebrews it's about the faithful it says by faith Abraham when he was called obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance and he went out not knowing where he was going. Now he's not just sitting there in his chair going well move my legs God. God called him and he moved out in faith. Faith implies movement that we walk following the Lord. James put it this way in James 2.20 Faith without works is dead. Now James is not saying that we are saved by works. But he is saying that faith real, authentic faith were produced fruits, actions. Faith births an obedient response of movement. Can I get an amen on that? That's the biblical understanding of faith. Faith is seen in the stories and parables that we looked at last week. The unhinged widow, the undeserving sinner, the undivided child, the uncompromising disciples, and the unyielding blind man. Those were movement, weren't they? It wasn't just a posture of just movement on their part. We could have also tied in, and I gave a specific reference to this unfolding theme of faith from Luke 19, 1 through 10 the story of Zacchaeus which I used as an example the undeserved sinner because this sinner was identified as a tax collector To follow that idea, I would have labeled, if I just specifically looked at that story, I would have labeled his example as the unable Zacchaeus. In verse 3, It said, and he was trying to see who Jesus was. And he was unable because of the crowd. The unable Zacchaeus. For he was small in stature. Verse 4 says, his unableness literally forced him. That gives me hope The shortest man on the block Became the tallest man on the block You see the movement of faith there Salvation was brought to his household From that story I want you to hear this Jesus lives on the outskirts of Jerusalem so look at Luke 19 11 through 27 I want to read this to you it's a little longer I'm going to try to just read it and not make comments and then we'll talk about it okay so we won't be here all morning. Starting with verse 11. And while they were listening to these things, he went on to tell a parable. Now, I'm going to give you a little prejudice in my idea about parables. The foundation of parables is, I'm already making a note there, aren't I? The foundation of parables is this. They are a warning to different groups built on compassion. Jesus told us because he was near Jerusalem. You see this? Keep those words underscored. Because he was near Jerusalem. And they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. That was their eschatology idea at that time, that he would usher in the kingdom immediately. And he said, therefore, a certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself and then returned. Now, it's not hard to figure who that nobleman is, is it? and he called ten of his slaves and gave them ten minas now minas was like three months of wages in that day a minna was like three months of wages he gave them ten minutes and said to them do business with this until I come back. But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him saying, we do not want this man to reign over us. And it came about that when he returned after receiving the kingdom he ordered that these slaves to whom he had given the money be called to him in order that he might know what business they had done. And the first appeared saying Master, your minna has made ten minnas more. Now, that's a pretty good multiplication, isn't it? And he said to him, well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing. Be in authority over ten cities. And the second came saying Your minna master has made five minnas And he said to him also And you are to be over five cities And another came saying Master behold your minna Which I kept Put away in a handkerchief For I was afraid of you circle those words. I was afraid of you because you are an exacting man and you take up what you did not lay down and you reap what you did not sow. He got a lot of sovereignty, doesn't he? He said to him, by your own words, you've incriminated yourself. By your own words I will judge you You worthless slave I would define that as You unfruitful slave One that wasn't walking in faith Did you know that I am an exacting man Taking up what I did not lay down And reaping what I did not sow He knew that He already said that about him. He realized that the nobleman was a man of accountability. Then, why did you not put the money in the bank? And having come, I would have collected it with interest. Back then, they didn't have banks like we have today, but they had storehouses. and they would charge you a fee to protect your money and they charged enough that you made some interest. They say that they might have made as much as 5% or 6% interest. Don't you wish your CDs would do that today? 5% or 6%. He's saying at least put it in a storehouse and let it make interest. And he said to the bystanders, the bystanders, we'll talk about that at the end of the sermon. Take the minute away from him and give it to the one who has ten minutes And they said to him Master he has ten minutes already I tell you, that to everyone who has shall more be given. but from the one who does not have even what he does have shall be taken away but these enemies of mine those that did not want him to reign over them, these enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them bring them here and slay them in my presence now I have to show my bias when I approach these parables Jesus has not gone to the cross yet and he is forewarning them different groups here the outcome of what would take place. And the underlying story is always because of his compassion. You can go look at all the parables. Now they may have specific tenets in reference to what I'm saying, but the foundation of parables is a compassionate warning because he desires none, none to be destroyed. Location, location, location. If you're starting a business, that's one of the things you consider. Where am I going to build this business? If you're starting a church, location, location, location. When I started Alderscape, Lakeridge was on 82nd Street over by Slide. and at that time and in the studies I did I saw that it would be 20 years before there was a lot of growth in the Cooper district but friendship was going to keep booming go back and look at a history of that Lubbock grew southwest before it grew south and so I debated with the city board of missions y'all keep this land here and y'all let me move two miles on down Iola because the church in Woolford was dead at that time and let me build a church at 82nd and Iola that's about to land there and build it there My feelings are And they refuse to do that But that church would now be Twice as large as this church If they had built it that time In that location Now I can't prove that But that's just me saying that In Luke 9, 22 After Peter's confession of faith Jesus narrowly defines his mission and purpose for coming to this earth. Do you remember those words? The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised up on the third day. We just read about that in the previous chapters. In Luke 9, 51. And it came about when the days were approaching for his ascension, he resolutely set his face to go to Jerusalem. He knew why he was going there. He knew that the end of his time on this earth would end there. Luke 19, 11. And while they were listening to these things, he went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem on the outskirts. And they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. In Acts 1, 12, after Jesus' death, his resurrection, and his ascension Luke records this then they his disciples returned to Jerusalem from the mount of Olivet and the Bible says which is near Jerusalem same language used here that was used in that parable. A Sabbath day journey away. Now let me pose a question to you. Do you think it was simply circumstance that Luke in his gospel writes writes that Jesus told this parable on the outskirts of Jerusalem? Could it have been on the Mount of Olives where he told this parable? Near Jerusalem. In Acts, near Jerusalem. a Sabbath day's journey. Zechariah 14, verse 4 and verse 9, when prophesying, the last chapter in Zechariah, when prophesying of the expectation of the second return of the Lord, the second coming, It says, and in that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. This is after the rapture. His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east. and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a large valley so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and half will move toward the south and the Lord will be king over all the earth in that day the Lord will be the only one and his name the only one. Location, location, location. Now, whether Jesus told this parable from the Mount of Olives or not, I can't prove that. I have my own feelings about that. But whether he told it from there or not does not affect the overall message. Here's my summary of the parable. It is Jesus' last ditch effort revealing God's forbearance. God's forbearance. Have you done much thinking about God's forbearance? God's forbearance is a constant theme running throughout the Old and New Testament. It expresses the patient love of God. His long suffering that none should perish. In verse 12 here, it says a certain nobleman, and if you hadn't figured out who that nobleman is, let me suggest to you, it's Jesus. And a certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself. He has ascended to his heavenly throne, to the heavenly kingdom. and then return. And then simply can refer to an extended period of time. We're living in that time right now. He has ascended to his throne. He is seated at the right hand of God. He is withdrawn to his throne and will remain there until the father tells him, Son, it's time to restore the kingdom on the earth. The father calls that shot. The apostle Paul in Romans 2, when talking about the long-suffering judgment of God when contrasted to the quick judgment of mankind poses this question to the judgmental. In verse 4 he said, Do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God, listen to this, leads you to repentance. You see that? The forbearance of God gives us time to repent. 2 Peter 3 when Peter was speaking about the second coming of Christ gives this admonition to the repentant In verses 14 and 15, Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, he's talking about the signs of the second coming, be diligent to be found in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation. On the outskirts of Jerusalem, Jesus telling this parable in that location is pure and simple. It's more than just a lesson on stewardship. I've heard thousands of sermons on this parable about stewardship and I'm not going to eliminate those. But it's much more. It is His divine call for all of them to wake up and see the King and see the kingdom is at hand revealing the forbearance of God. there are three parables actually there are four but I want to talk about the three and then conclude with the fourth all of these would fall under the forbearance patience and goodness of God none are excluded here when you read it just surface level you think horror But if you understand the parable, it's built on a foundation of forewarning and compassion. The only thing that excluded them was their own choice. So I want you to see these crowds today. Number one, the faithful servants. In verse 13, 16, 17, and 19, let me read it to you. And he called ten of his slaves and gave them ten minnas and said to them, Do business with this until I come back. And the first appeared to him saying, Master, your minna has made ten minnas more. And he said to him, Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, be an authority of over ten cities. And the second came saying to him, your men as master have made five menas. And he said to him also, and you are to be over five cities. Now do you remember in the previous chapter when Jesus was concluding the story about the rich young ruler in outlying the cost of following him? and Peter concerned that they had not done enough says to Jesus Lord we left our homes to follow you so Peter your sacrifice of faith has not gone unnoticed and you will be rewarded in this life in the life to come You know all the way through the gospel Jesus has a running conversation by contrast about bad fruit and good fruit The contrast is between false prophets and true followers, between Jewish religious leaders and his dedicated disciples. You will know a false prophet, the Bible says, by its fruit. And you will also know a true follower of Jesus by his fruit. Remember what John the Baptist in Matthew 3, 8 says? Therefore, bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance. These that Jesus alludes to first are his faithful servants who were living in active response to the faithfulness of God. I'm sure when they heard that first part of that parable, his disciples went, shh. I'm going to be blessed and rewarded. I've left home. But he's noticed it. Secondly, the fearful servant. Verse 20 through 23. And another came saying, Master, behold your minna, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man. You take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow. And he said to him, By your own words. You know my nature. He said, why did you not do something about it? By your own words I will judge you. You worthless slave, you unfruitful slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? Then why did you not put the money in the bank and having come I would have collected it with interest? Now I don't have time to go into a deep conversation about this servant's problem. It will suffice for me to simply say because of his fear of the nobleman he froze in place. You see that picture? He froze in place. The number one offensive, hear me, the number one offensive, tempting attack of the devil is to provide a distorted view of God's nature, of God's character. Where did it start at? go back and read Genesis chapter 3 all the way back in the beginning the devil's The idea was to distort the character of God to Adam and Eve. Did God tell you this? Why, God wouldn't do that. Distortion of God's nature. When we buy into that temptation, faith ceases to be active the Bible says you cannot please God without faith faith always dismisses fear here's the message to this fearful servant don't walk in fear I've told you fear not I am God you can take it to the bank and earn interest on that statement when I give you a minute walk in faith and I will reward you I've sat across my desk In counseling sessions with parishioners And I'm going to tell you Almost 99% of the time They came forward with a distorted view Of who God is And was you know we would say draw a picture of God on this piece of paper here some might draw him with a big paddle up here or a big frown you know just a distorted view of God when our image of God is defaced it affects our faith. You see what I'm saying there? This fearful servant he just hid it in his handkerchief. You know he took the logic I'm better off not doing anything. And that's an opposition to God's nature always. Faith is dead without movement. Thirdly, crowd. Verse 14 and 27. And even sent a delegation after him, saying, we do not want this man to reign over us. And then the last of the parable, But these enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence. The eternal judgment of God. In the final end, this is where these people will end up. But let me ask you a question. If you understand the foundation of parables As a warning by compassion Is there a chance For the repentant for repentance in this crowd You hear what I saying? Is there a chance? He hasn't even gone to the crowd yet. He's telling them, here's where you're headed. Wake up! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Is there a chance for repentance for this crowd? Romans 5.10 says this. For while we were yet enemies. Enemies hate, don't they? We see that in our world so prevalent today. There are people groups that hate each other to the core. we will reconcile the God through the death of his son much more having been reconciled we shall be saved by his life let me ask you a question Romans 5 10 who wrote this who wrote Romans 5 10 the Apostle Paul who once led the charge to eliminate every Christian believer from this earth. At one time the Apostle hated Jesus with a passion in everything he was all about. even God's forbearing love can be extended to those who have hated him isn't that amazing conclusion conclusion I entitled my conclusion to fly on the wall. This is my description of the fourth crowd. And I'm going to show my prejudice here. I think that this was the largest crowd. Verse 24 through 26. And he said to the bystanders, to the flies on the wall, I hate to make this analogy But I think that may be where most of the church is today They just want to be flies on a wall They want to be observers But listen to their response He said take the men away from him And give it to the one who has ten men And they said to him Master, he has ten minutes already. Now listen to what they're saying. Don't involve us in this. Don't get us involved in participating in the faithfulness of this one who had doubled his menace. Don't get us involved in this. Just let us be flies on the wall. Let us be observers We don want to be moving in faith And he says I tell you that everyone who has more shall be given He's saying to them, you guys get involved in this ministry and you'll be blessed also. But for the one who does not have, you're not going to take that minute. you're not going to have. But to the one who does not have even that which he does not have shall be taken away. You're going to end up in the same place as the enemies of God. What's he saying? Get off the wall. Quit being a fly on the wall. If that isn't a warning, get off the wall. Take the minna and give it to the one who doubled them. Get involved. Be a part of the faithful. Don't just be a bystander. If you've been around ministry very much, you heard the 80-20 rule, hadn't you? You know what that is, don't you? 20% of the faithful do everything. They give 90% of the money. 20% the 80% are flies on the wall they sit in church Sunday after Sunday after Sunday and never walk in faith that always put a heavy burden on me on Sunday mornings how do you get that 80% out of their pews walking in faith now where did he tell the parable on the outskirts on the outskirts. I wondered to myself when they hung him on the cross and the crowd that was around. How many of them thought about this parable? He was warning me that he was going to do something about this and I had a choice. You won believe this but when I was coming to Christ I heard a preacher preach on the coin where in the scripture where it says give unto Caesar what is Caesar and give unto God what is God's. That sermon led to my conversion. respect Caesar but follow God I was a good hearted bloodied American but I was lost lost lost I got off the wall I got off the wall when they asked me to start prodigal church and Kubi gave me a good word today I thought man I've worked 50 years I believe I'm going to withdraw to the wall and the Lord said no No. I'm not done with you discipling some people. I'm not done. I don't know if you ever get your retirement papers if you're a true believer. You hear what I'm saying? My challenge to you is don't be a bystander. if the Lord gives you a minute, get involved. Get involved. We all have different gifts, and we all have different personalities, and we all have different callings, but to be the body of Christ. This parable was recorded only by Luke. It's not in the other gospels. Location Location Location on the outskirts I'm fixing to go into the hallelujah say amen to that amen let's bow together in prayer Lord thank you for your word for how real and true it is Lord help us no matter what age we're at young or old to not just be a fly on the wall just an observer Lord help us walk in faith Lord believing that Jesus died for our sins was raised on the third day has ascended to heaven and is coming back. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.