Beyond Sunday - Actions Reveal Priorities
BEYOND SUNDAY
Week of July 28, 2024
“Actions Reveal Priorities” Luke 19:11-27
Thoughts:
Several years ago, I worked briefly for a law firm where I had responsibility for all the administrative functions. I was surprised and disappointed when the managing partner, a fellow Christ follower to whom I reported, explained that I simply had not met their expectations. My protestations that those expectations had never been clearly communicated were in vain, because, as I realized in that moment, I had never really asked for clarification. At that point it was too late.
In Luke 12:35-48, Jesus tells another parable about a servant whose master goes on a journey, leaving his servant in charge of his entire estate. That servant loses sight of his priority—serving the master by diligently caring for his estate and his fellow servants—and becomes self-indulgent and irresponsible. His actions reveal that his priority is self-gratification. He is punished severely when the master returns. Jesus ends that parable with these words, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Fortunately, my experience at the law firm resulted in much less severe consequences for me than for that irresponsible servant. Some months after moving on from that law firm job, I felt convicted and reached out to my former boss to apologize for letting him down. I confessed to him my realization that I had not given him or the firm my best, and that reflected badly on him personally. I asked for his forgiveness, which he graciously gave. We reconciled that day, and still talk occasionally.
I don’t want to ever lose sight of my priority of serving Jesus and His Kingdom. I want my actions to reveal that priority.
Read:
Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
>> Ephesians 2 is one of the places where the Apostle Paul explains that we cannot earn salvation by our “works.” Then he goes on to explain that we are all “God’s handiwork,” and that He prepared in advance “good works” for us to do.
What does that Truth tell you about God?
>> Ephesians 4 reveals that some people have been given gifts of leadership so that ALL of God’s people can be equipped for “works of service.” I take that to mean that while the leaders may have a more obvious or visible role, every other person has their own role to play, their own ways to serve. Paul goes on to say that “…as each part does its work…” God’s purposes will be fulfilled.
>> Paul devotes a lot of his New Testament writing to describe and explain spiritual gifts. Some are supernatural, but most are not. Suffice it to say, that every follower of Jesus has received gifts (talents and abilities) from God. Using some of our gifts will come naturally and easily, and we will have work to do to develop fully those in which we have room to grow. All our gifts, talents, and abilities are like the silver given to the servants in Luke 19:11-27. They come with a responsibility to use them wisely and diligently, and to the Glory of God.
>> The dictionary defines “admonish” as “to warn or reprimand someone firmly.” That has a rear-view mirror orientation. You reprimand someone for something they have already done. However, the Biblical connotation of “admonish” is future oriented, hopeful, and encouraging. As used in Scripture, it means, “to put in mind, to caution or reprove GENTLY, to warn.”
Pray:
Thank God for who He is, and for all His gifts. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to be a good steward of those gifts. Ask God to reveal to you how He wants you to serve Him and His Kingdom.
Next Steps:
Week of July 28, 2024
“Actions Reveal Priorities” Luke 19:11-27
Thoughts:
Several years ago, I worked briefly for a law firm where I had responsibility for all the administrative functions. I was surprised and disappointed when the managing partner, a fellow Christ follower to whom I reported, explained that I simply had not met their expectations. My protestations that those expectations had never been clearly communicated were in vain, because, as I realized in that moment, I had never really asked for clarification. At that point it was too late.
In Luke 12:35-48, Jesus tells another parable about a servant whose master goes on a journey, leaving his servant in charge of his entire estate. That servant loses sight of his priority—serving the master by diligently caring for his estate and his fellow servants—and becomes self-indulgent and irresponsible. His actions reveal that his priority is self-gratification. He is punished severely when the master returns. Jesus ends that parable with these words, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Fortunately, my experience at the law firm resulted in much less severe consequences for me than for that irresponsible servant. Some months after moving on from that law firm job, I felt convicted and reached out to my former boss to apologize for letting him down. I confessed to him my realization that I had not given him or the firm my best, and that reflected badly on him personally. I asked for his forgiveness, which he graciously gave. We reconciled that day, and still talk occasionally.
I don’t want to ever lose sight of my priority of serving Jesus and His Kingdom. I want my actions to reveal that priority.
Read:
Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
>> Ephesians 2 is one of the places where the Apostle Paul explains that we cannot earn salvation by our “works.” Then he goes on to explain that we are all “God’s handiwork,” and that He prepared in advance “good works” for us to do.
What does that Truth tell you about God?
- How would you explain the difference between trying to earn salvation and doing “good works”?
- Who do you believe benefits the most from those good works, and why?
- What good works has God prepared in advance for you personally to do?
>> Ephesians 4 reveals that some people have been given gifts of leadership so that ALL of God’s people can be equipped for “works of service.” I take that to mean that while the leaders may have a more obvious or visible role, every other person has their own role to play, their own ways to serve. Paul goes on to say that “…as each part does its work…” God’s purposes will be fulfilled.
- How would you describe God’s purposes for each person doing their work, their works of service?
- How are you/could you be working to participate in building up His church?
>> Paul devotes a lot of his New Testament writing to describe and explain spiritual gifts. Some are supernatural, but most are not. Suffice it to say, that every follower of Jesus has received gifts (talents and abilities) from God. Using some of our gifts will come naturally and easily, and we will have work to do to develop fully those in which we have room to grow. All our gifts, talents, and abilities are like the silver given to the servants in Luke 19:11-27. They come with a responsibility to use them wisely and diligently, and to the Glory of God.
- As Jerod Yancey said, when Jesus asks, “What did you do with what I gave you,” how will you answer?
- What gifts come easily and naturally to you, and in which do you have room to grow?
- How could you grow in your ability to use your God-given gifts to His glory? Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14
>> The dictionary defines “admonish” as “to warn or reprimand someone firmly.” That has a rear-view mirror orientation. You reprimand someone for something they have already done. However, the Biblical connotation of “admonish” is future oriented, hopeful, and encouraging. As used in Scripture, it means, “to put in mind, to caution or reprove GENTLY, to warn.”
- What warning did you take from Sunday’s message?
- What hope and/or encouragement did you take away?
Pray:
Thank God for who He is, and for all His gifts. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to be a good steward of those gifts. Ask God to reveal to you how He wants you to serve Him and His Kingdom.
Next Steps:
- If you have not yet completed Rock Hills’ Growth Track, learn more and sign up here.
- If you have completed Growth Track and are ready to serve, sign up using this link.
- We all need to surround ourselves with a community of others fully surrendered to God, a community that will support us as we walk closer to Him. Starting September 4th, we will be kickstarting our fall small groups. Make sure to sign up for a small group when they go live on the website in August!
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