THE POTENTIAL OF ONE LIFE

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LUKE 19:11-27
Lesson #51
THE POTENTIAL OF ONE LIFE

• Memory Verse: Luk 19:26
• In Luke chapter 19 Jesus is near Jerusalem and near the time of the crucifixion. He told us in our previous lesson that the time of salvation was now because He came to seek and to save those that were lost. (9-10) Then, to emphasize His point, He gives us another parable of how we are to live our Christian life.
• Read Luk 19:11-27 The Parable of the Pounds
  • Historical background:
    • In the year 8 BC Archelaus, whose palace was at Jericho, went to Rome and left the interests of his little kingdom in the hands of his servants.
    • While he was absent, a group of 50 Jews strongly protested his kingship. They were so successful that Archelaus never received the title of king from the government of Rome.
  • To whom is the parable spoken?
    • Jesus spoke this parable to a mixed multitude including Zacchaeus, a hated Jewish tax collector.
    • In our last lesson we saw this tax collector receive his salvation.
    • For what reason did Jesus speak the parable? (11)
      • Jesus spoke this parable because he was “near Jerusalem” and the crucifixion.
      • Jesus spoke this parable because his believers thought it was time for the beginning of the millennial kingdom when Jesus would set up his earthly kingdom.
      • Therefore, Jesus wanted to correct their thinking.
    • Therefore, this is a prophetic parable having to do with the second coming of Christ when Jesus will come to establish His earthly kingdom for 1000 years.
  • Who does the certain nobleman represent? (12)
    • The nobleman represents Jesus Christ.
    • Notice that Jesus describes himself as one having royal authority.
    • When Jesus Christ returns to this earth, He will return as the King of kings.
  • What does the “far country” represent in the parable?
    • The far country represents Jesus’ ascension to heaven after his crucifixion and resurrection.
    • Of course, at that specific point in time, those who heard this parable did not know that.
  • Who do the ten servants represent in the parable?
    • The ten servants represent believers in Jesus Christ.
    • Why are there ten?
      • The number, 10, is a symbolic number in the Bible. It represents God’s governmental standard by which man is tested.
      • For example:
        • There were 10 plagues that tested pharaoh.
        • There are 10 commandments that tested man in the Old Testament.
        • There was the parable of the 10 virgins.
  • Since all servants receive the same amount, what does 1 pound represent?
    • The monetary value of 1 pound amounts to about $9.00 today.
    • Spiritually speaking, the one pound represents one life to live for Christ.
    • After a person receives Jesus Christ as his personal savior, he now has a new life in Christ because he is a new creation, having his past sins forgiven. (2Cor 5:17)
      • Read Jude 1:3
      • Read Gal 2:20
  • Who do the citizens represent in the parable? (14)
    • The citizens represent the non-believers.
      • These are people who reject the sovereignty of God over their lives.
      • These are people who are God’s enemies. Of course, at that time when Jesus spoke the parable, he was surrounded by those who were plotting to kill him.
    • The non-believers are not looking for Christ’s coming. Neither do they desire His kingdom on earth.
    • The reward of the citizens (non-believers):
      • At the second coming of Christ, all non-believers will die in the battle of Armageddon.
      • In verse 27 Jesus calls them His enemies.
  • Considering the meaning of 1 pound that represents the life of a Christian, how should a Christian gain by trading it? (15) What does it mean to trade your life?
    • A pound is equal to about 3 month’s wage.
    • It is not a terribly large amount, nor is it a terribly small amount.
    • Therefore, it is an average amount and refers to a person’s life as a Christian.
      • The word, “occupy” means = to do business with.
      • This is the person who spends his life by pouring it out in service to others for the glory of God.
      • In other words, the Christian is trading his old lifestyle for a new life in Christ.
        • He is trading his old desires and plans for his life to do God’s will instead of his own will.
        • He is trading his eternal future in hell in payment for his sins for a new eternal life in Christ with God for eternity.
  • The returning nobleman and his rewards:
    • We are told about only three of the ten servants:
      • Servant #1: (a 100% return)
        • His one pound gained 10.

Notice that he did not say, “I gained 10”.

This is a servant with humility.

• • • • • He gets to keep the original 10.
      • Servant #2: (a 50% return)
        • His one pound gained 5.

Notice that Jesus does not reprimand him for only increasing by 4.

The Lord knows what our capacity is and does not require more than we can produce.

• • • • • He gets to keep the original 10.
      • Servant #3: (a 0% return)
        • His one pound gained nothing.
        • He does not get to keep the original 10.
        • We will discuss him more fully in a moment.
    • What is the nobleman seeking in his servants on his return?
      • Christ seeks faithfulness, diligence, and spiritual wisdom.
        • In other words, God desires that the Christian build his character.
        • Faithfulness means that the Christian is stable over the long haul in his relationship with God.

That is to say he is praying when times are good and when times are bad.

That is to say he is reading the Word when life runs smoothly and also when problems arise.

• • • • • Diligence means that the Christian perseveres in his faithfulness even when times get rough.
        • Spiritual wisdom is the result of faithfulness and diligence for God does not reveal His spiritual secrets to those He cannot trust.
      • The purpose of the Christian life is to draw closer to God and become more like Christ so that your life is one of Christian maturity.
    • What does “authority over cities” represent? (17, 19)
      • Literally it represents areas of responsibility during the millennial kingdom.
        • Read Rev 20:6
        • Believers in Jesus Christ will reign with Christ having positions of authority over cities and groups of people, and areas of responsibility in the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ according to our maturity and spiritual gifts that God has given us to develop.
      • Therefore, this life on earth is a training camp for our future rulership with Christ.
  • The third servant:
    • Remember that the third servant had nothing to show when his master returned.
    • The third servant’s pound gained nothing.
      • How can a Christian “keep and lay up his pound in a napkin”? (20)
        • This is the same illustration as a believer hiding his light under a basket. (Mat 5:14-15)

This is the believer who spends his life as though Christ were not his Lord and Master.

Therefore, he does not develop Christ-like character qualities in his life.

Neither does he witness of what the Lord has done in his life.

• • • • • He lives for himself and not for the Lord. People around him do not know that he is a Christian because his lifestyle and conversation never present a living testimony of Christ to those around him.
        • This is the carnal Christian. (You cannot determine a difference in his life from that of a non-believer.) (1Cor 3:11-15)
      • The reward of the third servant:
        • Jesus says, “out of your mouth I will judge you.” (22)

What did Jesus mean?

The man said that the Lord was harsh and unfair expecting his servants to live for the Lord.

Therefore, Jesus would judge him harshly and give him what he expected.

What does this tell us about our relationship with God?

We need to discover and see God exactly as He is and not how we think He is.

If we do not have an accurate picture of God, His character, and how He acts, we can base our eternal future on a false belief in the same way as this third servant.

We can only gain an accurate picture of who God really is from His Word.

• • • • • This servant loses his one pound.

What does it mean to lose your one pound?

Read 1Cor 3:11-15

At the judgment seat of Christ, the unprofitable believer loses the equivalent value of what a life lived for Christ would be had he lived it faithfully.

This servant has only wood, hay, and stubble at the judgment seat of Christ.

These elements burn easily and have no eternal value.

Therefore, there is nothing left. (1Cor 3:12)

• A comparison:
  • We are going to compare this parable of the pounds in Luke with the parable of the talents and rewards found in Mat 25:14-30. Why?
    • The parable of the pounds and the parable of the talents are frequently confused.
    • Many people think they are the same parable.
    • Because there are too many differences between the two, we need to see them side by side to determine the differences and the message.
  • Read Mat 25:15 The Parable of the Talents and Rewards
    • Notice that everyone was given different amounts.
      • We learned in that parable that each believer is given different talents, different gifts, different capabilities.
      • We are to use what is given to us to the fullest extent that we can for the glory of god.
      • The parable of the pounds is different because each servant is given the same amount.
    • The similarities of the two parables:
      • Both parables teach that the Lord gives privileges and demands faithfulness.
      • Both parables teach that the Lord gives rewards at his coming.
      • Both parables deal with the basic difference between the faithful servant and the unfaithful servant.
    • The differences between these two parables:
      • The amount given is unequal in the Matthew parable and equal in the Luke parable. This is a crucial point to notice that will determine how you interpret these two parables.
      • The parable in Matthew focuses on individual talents, gifts, and capabilities given to each believer, while the parable in Luke focuses on one’s life as a whole after accepting Christ as savior with no regard to individual talents or gifts.
    • What is the central truth of the two parables?
      • Luk 19: Each believer is given one life to live for Christ. He will be rewarded according to his faithfulness to use that life for the glory of God.
      • Mat 25: Each believer is given a variety of gifts to develop and use to serve Christ. He will be rewarded as to how well he has developed and used his gifts for the extension of God’s kingdom and for the glory of God.
  • The kingdom principle (Luk 19:26):
    • To everyone who has, more will be given.
    • From everyone who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
• Application:
  • The Christian has a choice, either he uses what time and energy God gives him in his life for the glory of God, or he will lose the potential of a life lived for Christ and will suffer the reward of loss.
  • Remember in 1Cor 3:15, the carnal believer is saved but he suffers the loss of potential rewards that he could have had if he had lived his life for Christ.

Homework
Luk 19:28-48

• Application of Luk 19:11-27
  • On a scale of 1-10 (ten being best), how would you rate the value of your life lived for Christ if you were the one judging the profitability of your work as a servant to Christ?
  • In what ways can you improve your profitability according to:
    • …the development of better character qualities?
    • …the testimony that your life presents to non-believers?
    • …the testimony that your words give of what Christ has done for you?
    • …your overall faithfulness and obedience to Christ?
    • …your overall diligence to pray and read the Word of God?
• Preparation for Luk 19:28-48
  • Read Luk 19:28-48
    • Why did Jesus ride on a colt? What is its significance?
    • What kind of Messiah did the people think Jesus was when he entered Jerusalem? On what verse do you base your answer?
• Memory Verse: Luk 19:38