{"id":1174,"date":"2019-11-11T16:38:36","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T00:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1174"},"modified":"2019-11-11T16:51:42","modified_gmt":"2019-11-12T00:51:42","slug":"are-you-ready-for-the-kings-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/11\/are-you-ready-for-the-kings-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Ready for the King&#8217;s Return?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"color:black;font: 10pt arial;\"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   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\tfont-size:11.0pt; \tfont-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\"; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1174-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Last-Judgment-11-10-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Last-Judgment-11-10-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Last-Judgment-11-10-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Sunday of Last Judgment <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">November 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Luke 19:11-27<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Are You Ready for the King\u2019s Return?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He said:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cA man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Put this money to work,\u2019 he said,\u2018 until I come back.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, \u2018We don&#8217;t want this man to be our king.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He was made king, however, and returned home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first one came and said, \u2018Sir, your mina has earned ten more.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Well done, my good servant!\u2019 his master replied.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The second came and said, \u2018Sir, your mina has earned five more.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>His master answered, \u2018You take charge of five cities.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then another servant came and said, \u2018Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.\u2019 His master replied, \u2018I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You knew did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why then didn&#8217;t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then he said to those standing by, \u2018Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Sir,\u2019 they said, \u2018he already has ten!\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He replied, \u2018I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them\u2014bring them here and kill them in front of me.\u2019\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Just in case you missed the memo\u2014 we are now entering into the busy holiday season of the year.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Eighteen days from today is Thanksgiving Day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is the menu set?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Have the dinner invitations been sent?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Forty-five days from today is Christmas Day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are you ready?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is the shopping done?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Are the presents all wrapped?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Right about now you might be thinking, \u201cI still have plenty of time to get ready!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You watch the calendar.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You are very aware of when both Thanksgiving and Christmas will arrive.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You know exactly how much time you have left to get ready.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But, what if, my friends, what if Thanksgiving was not always on the fourth Thursday in November?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What if Christmas was not always on the 25<sup>th<\/sup> of December?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would that change your planning process?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What if Thanksgiving or Christmas could come at any time and every time you got up in the morning you had to check the news to see if perhaps today was Thanksgiving Day or if perhaps today was Christmas Day?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would that impact how you prepared?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It probably would.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Today is the Sunday of Last Judgment.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today is the day when we stop to remember that Judgment Day is most definitely coming\u2014 we just don\u2019t know when!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today then is a very good day for us to look at the portion of Scripture that is before us this morning and ask ourselves the question:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Are You Ready for the King\u2019s Return?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we contemplate that question let\u2019s consider two more questions.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, what does our King expect from us?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then, what can we expect from our King?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Once again the setting of our text is extremely helpful in giving us a proper understanding of this text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Luke gives us the setting when he says in the opening verse of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhile they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus was now making His way to Jerusalem to suffer and die for the sins of the world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sensing that something \u201cbig\u201d was about to take place the people were hoping that Jesus was finally ready to do what they had long wanted Him to do:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>openly declare Himself to be the King of the Jews and visibly establish His Kingdom right here on this earth with the beloved city of Jerusalem as His capital city.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even Jesus\u2019 own disciples had this false hope in their hearts!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Matthew 20:20-28; Acts 1:6)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore Jesus once again tries to clear up their misunderstanding of what the Kingdom of God was about by teaching them\u2014 and us\u2014 the Parable of the Ten Minas.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It was very common back in this day and age that a person had to travel to a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdistant country\u201d<\/i> in order to be publicly appointed as a king.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even Herod had to go to Rome to receive official ruling power in Palestine.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So the primary premise of this parable was something with which Jesus\u2019 disciples were indeed very familiar.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With this parable then Jesus teaches His disciples\u2014 including us\u2014 that His kingdom will indeed be visibly established for everyone to see, but <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> until Judgment Day arrives.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While Jesus is most certainly the King of kings and the Lord of lords He told His disciples that He is going to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgo away\u201d<\/i> for awhile.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See John 14:1-21)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How long will Jesus be gone?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He doesn\u2019t say.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When will Jesus return?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He doesn\u2019t say.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What does Jesus say?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verse 13 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cSo he <\/i>(the king)<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Put this money to work,\u2019 he said, \u2018until I come back.\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">This one verse reveals to us exactly what our King expects from us while He is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgone away.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus expects us to faithfully <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cput to work\u201d<\/i> the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmina\u201d<\/i> that He Himself has given to each and every one of us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s that simple, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The question then becomes\u2014 what does the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmina\u201d<\/i> here in this parable represent?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What has our King given to each and every one of us to use, to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cput to work,\u201d<\/i> until He returns\u2014 no matter how long that might be?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The only answer to that question that \u201cfits\u201d with the rest of Scripture is:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>the precious Means of Grace, that is, the Gospel as it comes to us in Word and Sacrament.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">We cannot lose sight of the fact that the precious message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most precious blessing that our King has personally placed into our hands.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we put God\u2019s holy Word and Sacraments <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cto work\u201d <\/i>our own personal faith is strengthened and nourished.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we put God\u2019s holy Word and Sacraments <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cto work\u201d<\/i> we are comforted with the assurance that all of our sins <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">are<\/i><\/b> completely forgiven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we put God\u2019s holy Word and Sacraments <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cto work\u201d<\/i> we are able to share with others both the true message of Jesus\u2019 cross as well as the true message of Jesus\u2019 physical resurrection from the dead.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we put God\u2019s holy Word and Sacraments <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cto work\u201d<\/i> we are able to openly reveal our dedication to fulfilling the two greatest Commandments of all\u2014 <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cLove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind\u2026Love your neighbor as yourself\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 22:37, 39).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we put God\u2019s holy Word and Sacraments <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cto work\u201d<\/i> we have the confidence of knowing that we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">are<\/i><\/b> ready for our King\u2019s return\u2014 no matter when He comes back.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why our King <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">expects<\/b> that we will take the Means of Grace that He has given to us and <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cput it to work\u201d<\/i> both in our own hearts and lives as well as in the hearts and lives of others.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">What can we expect from our King when He returns to this earth in all of His power, majesty and glory?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verse 15.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHe was made king, however, and returned home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When Jesus our King returns to this earth we can expect that we will summoned before Him and we will be required to give an account to Him for how we have used His Means of Grace while He was gone.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Those who have faithfully used His Means of Grace can expect to receive the King\u2019s <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201creward\u201d<\/i> of grace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Those who have neglected to use Jesus\u2019 Means of Grace can expect to receive the King\u2019s judgment.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">How does this apply to you as an individual child of God?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 16-18.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe first one came and said, \u2018Sir, your mina has earned ten more.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Well done, my good servant!\u2019 his master replied.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The second came and said, \u2018Sir, your mina has earned five more.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>His master answered, \u2018You take charge of five cities.\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">There are two important points that we want to highlight here.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, note very carefully that neither of these servants takes any credit for themselves whatsoever.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They openly acknowledge that the credit for any <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cincrease\u201d<\/i> that was gained while the king was gone goes completely to the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmina\u201d<\/i> which their king gave to them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s exactly how it is to be with us, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we faithfully use the Means of Grace which our King has given to us we consciously strive to make sure that we never claim any credit for the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cincrease\u201d<\/i> that only God\u2019s holy Word and Sacraments have the power to achieve\u2014 whether that is the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cincrease\u201d<\/i> in our own personal faith, or the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cincrease\u201d<\/i> in our ability to live a God-pleasing life, or the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cincrease\u201d<\/i> in the number of people who come to know Jesus as their Savior and their King!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are only instruments through which God\u2019s powerful Means of Grace work.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the apostle Paul himself confessed, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow\u201d<\/i> (I Corinthians 3:6-7).<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Secondly, while <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">all<\/i><\/b> of God\u2019s people who faithfully use the Means of Grace given to them by their King will inherit the eternal glory and perfection of heaven this portion of Scripture suggests that there are \u201cdegrees of glory\u201d in our heavenly Father\u2019s home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Christian who has faithfully used God\u2019s precious Means of Grace in all the various aspects of their life\u2014 at home, at church, at work, at school\u2014 will be granted greater glory in heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here I think of people such as the apostle Paul, the parent and the grandparent who humbly strives to teach and to model God\u2019s Truth to their children and their grandchildren, or the child of God who faithfully and generously supports God\u2019s Kingdom work here on this earth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These are the people who rightfully receive greater glory in heaven.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">At the same time look at verses 20-24 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus also makes it powerfully clear that the servant who does not put God\u2019s Means of Grace <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cto work,\u201d<\/i> that is, those who are \u201ctoo busy\u201d to use the King\u2019s Means of Grace or those who do not support God\u2019s Kingdom work here on this earth because they think that there is \u201cnothing in it for them\u201d\u2014 they can expect that when the King returns to this earth on the day of Last Judgment He may indeed take away from them the precious blessing that was once theirs.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">This reality will lead each of us to examine our own heart and our own life to see how faithfully we are using the precious Means of Grace that our King has given to us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do we join with great King David and say, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI rejoiced with those who said to me, \u2018Let us go to the house of the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u2019\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">(Psalm 122:1), or do we consider our church attendance a chore?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do we eagerly open up our Bible and study it\u2014 both here at church and at home\u2014 or is Bible study something that rarely crosses our radar?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do we cheerfully share with others the full and free forgiveness that our King won for us on the cross (Pointing to the cross), or do we withhold forgiveness from people until they meet our requirements and fulfill our expectations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When our King returns to this earth will we give Him reason to say to us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 25:40), or will the lack of the fruits of faith in our life cause our King to be angry with us? <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Most of us do not need a memo to remind us that Thanksgiving and Christmas are indeed coming.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We know exactly when those events are going to take place and therefore we know exactly how much time we have left to get ready for those events in our lives.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As you and I, my friends, draw near to the end of yet another church year this is indeed a very good time for us to remember that our King has promised to return to this earth as the Judge of the living and the dead \u2014 we just don\u2019t know when that event will take place.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A very good question for each of us to contemplate then is our main question for this morning:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Are You Ready for the King\u2019s Return?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You know what your King expects of you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He expects that you will faithfully use and faithfully share His precious Means of Grace while He is gone.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You also know what you can expect from your King when He returns.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You can expect that He will <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201creward\u201d<\/i> you according to how you used His Means of Grace while He was gone.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>May God grant that we will all be numbered among those to whom the King will say, \u201c<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Well done, my good servant!\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Last-Judgment-11-10-19.mp3\">Last-Judgment-11-10-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Sunday of Last Judgment November 10, 2019 Luke 19:11-27 Are You Ready for the King\u2019s Return? &nbsp; While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.&nbsp; He said:&nbsp; \u201cA man of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1174\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}