Parable of the Pounds, #2 (Luke 19:11-27)

The point: Do not allow cynicism and doubt to take over your hearts regarding the delay of Christ's coming.

Martin uses the analogy of the nobleman's journey to receive a kingdom not being a 'weekend trip' to illustrate that the time between Christ's first and second comings would be considerable, not just a few days.

The concept of the far country, opportunity and time to trade, bringing alongside of it the parallel in the previous parable in which the language of our Lord in that parallel parable was that the master distributes the talents, goes into another country, but in 2519 Jesus said, now after a long time, the Lord of the world, of the slaves comes. And so in this passage, bringing alongside the added testimony of the parallel but not identical passage,

9:43 - 10:27 Read in full sermon

The point: Remind yourselves that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day, so time does not affect the promise of His coming.

Martin uses the analogy of 'two days' in God's reckoning (2,000 years) to explain that the delay in Christ's return should not cause doubt, as God's perception of time differs from human categories.

else in conjunction with the lord's return don't forget this that one day is with the lord is a thousand years and a thousand years as one day how many days has the master been in the far country receiving his kingdom two days not even a full weekend thousand years as one day in other words time as we reckon time does not in any way affect the promise of his coming we are not to think of it

12:10 - 12:51 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The difference is not in the fundamental character. Both of those first two are good and faithful servants. One receives a larger reward than the other. Why? Because from the human perspective, this one traded more effec…

Martin uses the contemporary athletic term 'focus' to describe the diligence and determination of the servant who brought back ten minas, contrasting it with the less focused servant who brought back five.

And with less diligence, with less consistency, with less industry, or to use the in-term in athletics now, with less focus, everybody says, well, how do you think you're going to do in the game? Well, I've got to remain focused. That's the in-word. Focused.

23:32 - 23:48 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The difference from the human perspective lies in the diligence, the enterprising determination to get maximum returns with common gifts and graces and privileges conveyed by the gospel.

Martin uses the Parable of the Sower to illustrate varying degrees of fruitfulness (thirty, sixty, a hundredfold) from the same 'seed' (gospel), applying it to the different returns from the common 'mina'.

Romans 8 makes it clear that once within the orbit of grace, we can never, never be taken out of it. From eternity to eternity, whom he foreknew, he ultimately justifies, sanctifies, glorifies every single one of them. But as with the parable of the sower and the soils, there are degrees of fruitfulness from the same seed. The seed falls on good ground.

25:43 - 26:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Avail yourself of your privileges with greater diligence; do not pray only when convenient, or let programs keep you from communion with Christ.

Martin shares a pastoral anecdote about the 'joyful but also grievous things in a lengthy pastoral ministry' where some people flourish spiritually, while for others, one needs a 'magnifying glass to see if you can even find a blossom,' illustrating the visible differences in diligence and fruitfulness among believers.

optimum returns and you see it's what we're doing now that is going to come to light then we may fool one another and we may have people think of us well surely that man that woman that guy that gal they're going to be able to present ten minor it's not what others think we may present it's what we're able to present in the presence of him whose eyes are as a flame of fire and before whom all things are naked and laid bare it's one of the joyful but also grievous things in a lengthy pastoral ministry to see people you

30:27 - 31:07 Read in full sermon

The point: Avail yourself of your privileges with greater diligence; do not pray only when convenient, or let programs keep you from communion with Christ.

Martin uses the metaphor of a 'spiritual economy' where some are 'flourishing with double digit returns' while others are 'barely keeping up with inflation' to describe the varying levels of spiritual growth and diligence among believers.

and running but halting divided mind messed up priorities and the very influences that cause some to flourish and to use the monetary concept the same spiritual economy in which some are flourishing with double digit returns you're barely keeping up with inflation some of you why? it's because you're not giving yourself with all diligence to the priorities by which alone you will be able to bring forth tenfold

31:50 - 32:32 Read in full sermon