Engaging in the King's Business: Sharing the Gospel

Devotional

Day 1: Stewardship of the Gospel's Gift

The parable of the ten minas in Luke 19 is not just a story; it's a call to action. It reminds believers that the gospel is a precious gift, one that carries with it the responsibility of stewardship. This stewardship is not about hoarding the gift for oneself but about investing it in the world. As one faithfully stewards the gospel, it should transform every aspect of life, influencing how one interacts with others, makes decisions, and sets priorities. The reward for such faithfulness is not material but spiritual—greater trust and influence in God's kingdom. This is a response to God's love and grace, a way to participate joyfully in His work. [47:13]

"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away." (Matthew 25:14-15 ESV)

Reflection: How are you investing the gospel in your daily life, and in what ways can you better steward this gift to impact those around you?

Day 2: Unbeatable in Christ

Fear can be a significant barrier to sharing the gospel. It can manifest as a fear of rejection, misunderstanding, or even persecution. However, this fear is based on a lie—the lie that one can lose something of eternal value by being faithful to Christ. The truth is that in Christ, believers are unbeatable. The early Christians faced the ultimate risk of martyrdom, yet they did not waver because they knew the power of the resurrection. Believers today are equipped with the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, and with this empowerment, they can boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ. [53:58]

"But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth." (2 Timothy 4:17 ESV)

Reflection: What fears have been holding you back from sharing your faith, and how can you rely on Christ's strength to overcome them?

Day 3: God's Sovereign Plan and Our Response

Refusing to engage in the King's business does not thwart God's sovereign plan, but it does represent a missed opportunity for the believer. God's desire is for His children to experience life in its fullness, which includes participating in His work and purposes. When one chooses to surrender to God and join in His mission, life takes on a new dimension of purpose and significance. This is not about earning God's favor but about responding to His invitation to live a life that truly matters. [01:02:39]

"Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches." (1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways might you be resisting God's call on your life, and what steps can you take to align yourself with His sovereign plan?

Day 4: The Power of a Praying Church

Prayer is not a passive activity; it is engaging in the King's business at the most fundamental level. When a church commits to prayer, it aligns its heart with God's heart and becomes a powerful force for the kingdom. Through prayer, believers can intercede for their communities, leaders, and the world, bringing about change in ways that are often unseen but deeply impactful. A praying church is a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of God's presence among His people. [01:07:44]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—" (Colossians 4:2-3 ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your commitment to prayer this week, and what specific matters can you bring before God on behalf of your community?

Day 5: The Gospel Flows Through Us

The gospel is not a stagnant pool but a flowing river, meant to reach every corner of the earth through the lives of believers. If one hoards the gospel without sharing it, spiritual stagnation sets in. Serving and using spiritual gifts are not optional extras; they are essential expressions of faith. These acts of service, both within the church and in the wider community, demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. When believers use their gifts, they become conduits of God's grace, love, and truth. [01:08:20]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—" (1 Peter 4:10-11a ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual gift have you been neglecting, and how can you begin to use it to serve others and share the gospel this week?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I began by setting the stage with the context of Luke 19, where Jesus tells a parable to His disciples as they approach Jerusalem for the triumphal entry. This follows the story of Zacchaeus, illustrating Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost. The parable of the ten minas is a depiction of the kingdom of God, with Jesus likening Himself to a nobleman who entrusts his servants with money to do business while he is away. The nobleman represents Jesus, who will return as King, and the servants represent us, the followers of Christ, who are entrusted with the gospel.

I emphasized the importance of being about the King's business, which involves stewarding the gospel and allowing it to transform every aspect of our lives. The gospel is not only a gift of salvation but also an opportunity to participate in God's work. The servants who invested their minas were rewarded with authority over cities, illustrating that faithfulness in God's kingdom leads to greater trust and influence.

I shared personal reflections on the impact of ministry, recalling how my father and grandfather, both pastors, prioritized the King's business over personal comfort. I urged the congregation to not leave the work of the gospel solely to church leaders but to actively participate in sharing the gospel in their own spheres of influence.

I addressed the fear of risk, which can paralyze us and cause us to hide the gospel instead of sharing it. I reminded the congregation that the disciples and early Christians faced martyrdom because they were not afraid to take risks for the sake of the gospel. I encouraged everyone to embrace the challenges of sharing the gospel, knowing that we cannot lose in Christ.

I also spoke about the folly of refusal, warning that rejecting God's call does not change His sovereign plan. I stressed that God desires for us to be part of His work and to experience the fullness of life He offers. I called for a response, inviting those who had not yet surrendered to Christ to do so.

I concluded by challenging the congregation to move beyond surface-level interactions and to engage deeply in the King's business, which includes prayer, serving, and using spiritual gifts. I shared my own conviction to be more proactive in sharing the gospel and invited the church to join me in this commitment.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the parable of the ten minas, what did the nobleman (representing Jesus) instruct his servants to do with the money he entrusted to them? ([32:57])
How did the nobleman respond to the servants who invested their minas and those who did not? ([33:30])
What was the reaction of the citizens towards the nobleman, and what was the nobleman's response to them upon his return? ([34:41])
What does the parable suggest about the relationship between faithfulness in small things and being entrusted with greater responsibilities? ([33:30])

Interpretation Questions

How does the parable of the ten minas illustrate the concept of stewardship in the kingdom of God? ([42:00])
What does the nobleman's reward to the faithful servants tell us about God's expectations and rewards for our faithfulness? ([46:03])
How does the fear of risk impact our ability to share the gospel, according to the sermon? ([50:45])
What are the consequences of refusing to participate in the King's business, as highlighted in the sermon? ([01:01:13])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have been hesitant to share the gospel due to fear of risk? How can you overcome this fear and step out in faith this week? ([50:45])
The sermon emphasized the importance of not leaving the work of the gospel solely to church leaders. What are some practical ways you can actively participate in sharing the gospel in your own sphere of influence? ([59:28])
Consider the concept of stewardship presented in the parable. How can you better steward the gifts and opportunities God has given you to further His kingdom? ([42:00])
The sermon mentioned the importance of prayer in the King's business. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to align your heart with God's? ([01:07:44])
Think about a specific spiritual gift you have. How can you use this gift to serve both within the church and in your community this week? ([01:08:20])
Reflect on a time when you chose comfort over the King's commission. What steps can you take to prioritize God's call over personal comfort in the future? ([55:04])
The sermon challenged us to move beyond surface-level interactions. Identify one person you can engage with more deeply this week and share the gospel with them. ([01:05:29])

Sermon Clips

"We've seen 118 people get saved since January and that's incredible. How many more could it be? 118 is not a dent, it's impact, but it's not a dent. How much more could it be? Please stop leaving it up to us, us in Ministry. We can't handle it all. Our job is to equip you." [01:06:38]( | | )

"You are unbeatable in Christ, so the fear that you're living in is a lie. It's a lie and you're believing lies this morning. You have not been given a spirit of fear but of sound mind and self-control. You have everything that you need." [54:33]( | | )

"Refusal is folly because it's not going to stop His Reign. It's also sorrowful because God wants you to be a part. He wants to give you that Resurrection Life, that breath that you can't catch on your own. He wants to give you a life that's walking in real purpose." [01:02:39]( | | )

"Prayer is the king's business. My house will be a House of Prayer. What could happen if this whole house was actually a House of Prayer? I've learned more about the heart of God through the people in this church at those prayer meetings than anything in my time here." [01:07:44]( | | )

"If you find yourself in that place and all you do is take in but never let it flow out, you're not getting wise, you're getting lazy. You're a tick swelling up and you will burst and your faith will crumble because you were made to let the gospel and the power of God flow through you." [01:08:20]( | | )

"God has entrusted you with the privilege of participating in the building up of His kingdom. He didn't have to. He could have just snapped His fingers, reset everything when everything happened in the garden. He didn't have to include you, but He's so kind." [44:58]( | | )

"When you're about the king's business, there is a reward of faithfulness that comes. We saw that as the servants who stewarded the gospel properly received a reward. This morning we have a responsibility that we must recognize if we want to receive that reward." [43:05]( | | )

"The reward is so worth it even though it can be so difficult at times. Rest from your toil does not await you on this earth. We have to learn to rest in our toil, we have to learn to rest in our work, we have to learn to rest through our sweat as we are trying to steward the gospel." [49:40]( | | )

"When you avoid risk, you abstain from blessing. When you are in a place and God is calling you to another place, there is a risk of 'Will I fall from here to here?' When you choose comfort, you stay here, and the blessing that was coming into your life, it's not going to come that way anymore." [57:41]( | | )

"God did not give you the gospel for you to hide it away and to live a safe, cozy, comfy life. That's not guaranteed anywhere in here. Why did all of the greats die? Why did all of the disciples get martyred? I think it's because they were not afraid of risk." [52:51]( | | )

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