Faithful Stewardship: Living for God's Kingdom

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound responsibility we have as Christians to manage the resources God has entrusted to us. This responsibility extends beyond mere ownership; it is about stewardship and using what we have for the advancement of God's kingdom. We began by discussing the importance of voting as a reflection of our Christian values, emphasizing that our decisions should be prayerfully made, aligning with God's desires and principles.

We then celebrated the launch of a new church in Moorpark, highlighting the excitement and urgency in spreading the gospel. This new church is a testament to the mission we are all called to—reaching out and sharing the love of Christ with others. The expansion of services in our own church is another opportunity to invite more people to experience the transformative power of the gospel.

The core of our discussion centered on the parable of the Minas from the book of Luke. This parable illustrates the concept of stewardship, where servants are entrusted with resources to invest and grow for their master. It challenges us to view everything we have—our money, time, and talents—as belonging to God. We are merely managers, tasked with using these resources wisely for His purposes.

We also touched on the reality of Jesus' return and the accountability we will face. The parable warns against complacency and excuses, urging us to be proactive in our stewardship. The rewards in eternity are directly linked to how we manage what God has given us in this life. This is not just about financial resources but encompasses all aspects of our lives, including our influence and opportunities to serve others.

Finally, we were reminded of the ultimate authority of Jesus as King. Whether we acknowledge it or not, He is the rightful ruler, and our lives should reflect His lordship. This message is a call to action, to live with intentionality and purpose, fully surrendered to God's will.

Key Takeaways:

1. Stewardship Over Ownership: As Christians, we are called to be stewards, not owners, of the resources God has given us. This mindset shift requires us to manage everything—our money, time, and talents—for God's kingdom, recognizing that all we have belongs to Him. [17:18]

2. Prayerful Decision-Making: Our decisions, including voting, should be made with a biblical mindset, seeking God's guidance and aligning with His desires. This involves prayer and discernment, ensuring that our choices reflect our faith and values. [00:50]

3. Urgency in Mission: The launch of new churches and the expansion of services are opportunities to reach more people with the gospel. We are reminded of the urgency of our mission to share Christ's love and invite others into a relationship with Him. [02:21]

4. Accountability and Rewards: The parable of the Minas teaches us about accountability and the eternal rewards linked to our stewardship. Our actions and decisions in this life have eternal significance, and we are called to be faithful with what God has entrusted to us. [31:33]

5. Acknowledging Jesus as King: Jesus is the rightful King, and our lives should reflect His lordship. This involves surrendering our will, resources, and plans to Him, living with intentionality and purpose for His glory. [29:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Encouragement to Vote
- [01:50] - Launch of Moorpark Church
- [03:24] - Expansion of Church Services
- [04:45] - Vision for Inner City Ministry
- [07:09] - Bearing Fruit for God's Kingdom
- [08:24] - Parable of the Minas Introduction
- [09:18] - Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem
- [12:15] - Explanation of the Parable
- [14:33] - Servants and Stewardship
- [17:18] - Concept of Ownership vs. Management
- [23:08] - Surrendering Our Possessions
- [26:07] - Managing God's Resources
- [29:48] - Jesus as King
- [31:33] - Accountability and Eternal Rewards
- [38:02] - Call to Surrender and Worship

Study Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Luke 19:11-27 - The Parable of the Minas
2. Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents
3. John 15:1-8 - The Vine and the Branches

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Observation Questions:

1. In the Parable of the Minas, what were the servants instructed to do with the resources given to them by their master? ([14:52])

2. How did the people react to the nobleman in the parable, and what does this signify about their acceptance of his authority? ([27:30])

3. What was the response of the master to the servant who did not invest the mina, and what does this reveal about the expectations of stewardship? ([33:28])

4. How does the parable illustrate the concept of accountability and reward in the context of Jesus' return? ([31:33])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the parable suggest about the relationship between stewardship and ownership from a Christian perspective? How does this challenge common views on personal possessions? ([17:18])

2. How does the urgency of the mission to spread the gospel, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the parable's message about using resources wisely? ([02:21])

3. In what ways does the parable of the Minas emphasize the importance of prayerful decision-making in our daily lives, including voting and other responsibilities? ([00:50])

4. How does the parable address the consequences of complacency and excuses in our spiritual lives? What does this imply about our accountability to God? ([35:31])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current mindset regarding your possessions. Do you see yourself more as an owner or a manager of what God has entrusted to you? How can you shift towards a stewardship mindset this week? ([17:18])

2. Consider a recent decision you made. Did you approach it with prayer and discernment, seeking to align it with God's desires? How can you incorporate more prayerful decision-making in your daily life? ([00:50])

3. The sermon emphasized the urgency of spreading the gospel. Identify one person in your life who you can share Christ's love with this week. What steps will you take to reach out to them? ([02:21])

4. Think about the resources you have—time, money, talents. How are you currently using them for God's kingdom? What is one specific change you can make to better invest these resources for His purposes? ([31:33])

5. Reflect on the authority of Jesus as King in your life. Are there areas where you struggle to surrender to His lordship? What practical steps can you take to live more intentionally under His rule? ([29:48])

6. How do you respond to the idea of eternal rewards based on your stewardship in this life? Does this motivate you to change any current habits or priorities? ([31:33])

7. Identify a specific area in your life where you have been complacent or made excuses. What action can you take this week to address this and be more proactive in your faith journey? ([35:31])

Devotional

Day 1: Stewardship as a Divine Trust
As Christians, we are called to be stewards, not owners, of the resources God has given us. This mindset shift requires us to manage everything—our money, time, and talents—for God's kingdom, recognizing that all we have belongs to Him. The parable of the Minas in Luke illustrates this concept of stewardship, where servants are entrusted with resources to invest and grow for their master. It challenges us to view everything we have as belonging to God. We are merely managers, tasked with using these resources wisely for His purposes. This is not just about financial resources but encompasses all aspects of our lives, including our influence and opportunities to serve others. [17:18]

"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific resources or talents has God entrusted to you, and how can you use them more effectively for His kingdom this week?


Day 2: Aligning Decisions with God's Will
Our decisions, including voting, should be made with a biblical mindset, seeking God's guidance and aligning with His desires. This involves prayer and discernment, ensuring that our choices reflect our faith and values. As Christians, we are called to be intentional in our decision-making, allowing our faith to guide us in all areas of life. This means taking the time to pray and seek God's wisdom, especially in decisions that impact our communities and the world around us. [00:50]

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a decision you need to make soon. How can you incorporate prayer and biblical principles into your decision-making process today?


Day 3: Urgency in Sharing the Gospel
The launch of new churches and the expansion of services are opportunities to reach more people with the gospel. We are reminded of the urgency of our mission to share Christ's love and invite others into a relationship with Him. This urgency is driven by the understanding that the gospel is transformative and life-giving. As believers, we are called to actively participate in spreading this message, whether through personal evangelism, supporting church initiatives, or simply living out our faith in a way that draws others to Christ. [02:21]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel, and what steps can you take this week to share Christ's love with them?


Day 4: Accountability and Eternal Rewards
The parable of the Minas teaches us about accountability and the eternal rewards linked to our stewardship. Our actions and decisions in this life have eternal significance, and we are called to be faithful with what God has entrusted to us. This parable warns against complacency and excuses, urging us to be proactive in our stewardship. The rewards in eternity are directly linked to how we manage what God has given us in this life. This is a call to live with intentionality and purpose, fully surrendered to God's will. [31:33]

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how you are currently managing the resources God has given you. What changes can you make to ensure you are being a faithful steward?


Day 5: Living Under the Lordship of Jesus
Jesus is the rightful King, and our lives should reflect His lordship. This involves surrendering our will, resources, and plans to Him, living with intentionality and purpose for His glory. Acknowledging Jesus as King means recognizing His authority over every aspect of our lives and allowing His teachings to guide our actions and decisions. It is a call to live in a way that honors Him, demonstrating our commitment to His kingdom and His purposes. [29:48]

"And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Colossians 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes

Our decisions, including voting, should be made with a biblical mindset, seeking God's guidance and aligning with His desires. This involves prayer and discernment, ensuring that our choices reflect our faith and values. [00:00:50]

We are reminded of the urgency of our mission to share Christ's love and invite others into a relationship with Him. [00:02:21]

This is a mission we're on. Sometimes we forget that we're here on Earth to get some things done, to really tell people about how great our God is. [00:04:45]

Everything I read in scripture is about me bearing fruit and about me having a mission here on this Earth and a job for me to do. [00:07:09]

We are not owners of anything; we are managers. That's all we are. What is there on this Earth that God does not own, that God did not make? [00:17:18]

Every year, God gives me, He entrusts me with thousands of dollars. Every year, ever since I started working, He's given me thousands of dollars, and He says, "Okay, Francis, this is for you to manage for me. It's not your money. You just figure out how to profit my kingdom with this money." [00:23:08]

We've got to get rid of this concept that 10% belongs to God. That's just ridiculous, that 10% is His and we get 90%. That is not what the scriptures teach. It teaches that 100% is His, and we manage it. [00:26:07]

Jesus is the rightful King, and our lives should reflect His lordship. This involves surrendering our will, resources, and plans to Him, living with intentionality and purpose for His glory. [00:29:48]

This is really cool because He's talking about eternity, and He's explaining that right now He's entrusting some of you guys. Think, "Oh, look at all my money." You guys, it's just money, okay? You're going to die, okay? And then where's the money going to go? [00:31:33]

I want to be a good manager. We need to be good managers. [00:37:02]

It's time for us just to surrender as servants and to give and to say, "Lord, this is all yours." [00:38:02]

Maybe today you say, "You know, I want to surrender. I want to live for Him. I want to manage His stuff rather than trying to take it from Him." [00:39:48]

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Transcript
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