Stand Alone Sermon: “Entrusted & Empowered” Luke 12:48

INTRO> In 2002 the movie “Spider-Man” released staring Toby Maguire. In 2002 it was an instant box office hit, it grossed over $100 million dollars it’s opening weekend and worldwide total sales it made, $821.7 million dollars! Making it one of the most successful movies of all time! There is a scene at the beginning of the movie where Peter Parker has been bitten by the spider and is starting to get his super powers. His uncle Ben, who has basically raised Peter since his parents death notices some things are changing. In the very famous scene Uncle been turns to Peter and says, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

APP> That quote is not new with Spider-Man, it has been traced back to the 1700’s and the french revolution. It has been used by Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt but almost everyone agrees that it’s source and origin comes from the lips of Jesus Christ himself in this very passage.

CONTEXT> The context of the passage is that Jesus is telling a parable, which is an earthly story that has a heavenly point. Jesus uses this story to explain when he (the master) leaves and returns what his workers (the disciples) should be doing in the mean time. What makes this parable very special is that it is directed to the disciples, not the crowd.

Big Idea > Jesus has entrusted us with kingdom work and empowers us to accomplish it.

APP> Today I want to use this text to guide us as a church in two areas. 1) To look at what God has given us as a church. 2) To see what God is requiring of us in this season as a church.

1. What God has entrusted to us.

• • • • v44 “ he will set him over his possessions….” two times in this parable you have Jesus saying that when the master (himself) leaves he will give his servants (us) possession of some things.

1. God has given us people. There has been a lot of things happen here at West Side but really in the past 4 years God for whatever reason in his sovereignty has seen it fit to entrust us with people. We average about 350-370 people on a Sunday. We also gained 73 new members last year.Why is that important to note? Not because its all about the number but because each year we have grown by about 10%. 87% of churches report either a plate or decline in attendance.

APP> People are the point. It’s not about programs, building or anything like that, it’s about people… look all through the gospels and see that Jesus is more interested in people than his disciples are!

• • • “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”  Matthew 9:36
    • “When the preferences of the church members are greater than their passion for the Gospel, the church is dying.” (Thom Rainer)

APP> Where there are people, there are problems.

“Give yourself to the Church. You that are members of the Church have not found it perfect and I hope that you feel almost glad that you have not. If I had never joined a Church till I had found one that was perfect, I would never have joined one at all! And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect Church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us… The Church is the nursery for God’s weak children where they are nourished and grow strong. It is the fold for Christ’s sheep—the home for Christ’s family.” -Charles Spurgeon, “The Best Donation,” (No. 2234) an exposition of 2 Corinthians 8:5 delivered on April 5, 1891 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England.

B.   God has given us children. This is important for us to highlight. An average total check in for us is 114 kids (45 a week) 1st ever guest check-in’s = 62.

APP> “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:13-14

APP> A healthy children’s ministry produces a healthy student ministry, a healthy student ministry produces healthy disciples and healthy disciples make really good church members.

2) What God has empowered us to do.

• • • • “entrusted much they will demand more” the way this is laid out in the original languages carries this idea that the master gives them work and the power to do it.

APP> The sing of the good servant in the passage is one thing. What does it look like to be empowered by God to do his work? Faithful servants of Jesus are fruitful servants of Jesus.

1. Faithful serving- There are many areas of service for you to serve in the church, jump in and do it.
2. Faithful giving- we met our budget last year, thanks be to God! This year we are looking at hiring more staff and expanding ministry needs. Ministry doesn’t follow money, money follows ministry. *ILL> For us to meet our budget this year we would need every single person, babies and all to give $22 a week.
3. Faithful persevering- We need people for the longhaul man. “Dicipleship is a long obedience in the same direction” – Eugene Peterson

Big Idea > Jesus has entrusted us with kingdom work and empowers us to accomplish it.

Close>

*The French hugounots where a group of French protestants who during the 16th century where getting slaughtered by the Roman catholic church. A group of them set sail to England, being England’s first “immigrants”. They had to many of them on the boat and the boat began to sink. Without hesitation and without discussion, the leaders got into the water and began to swim next to the boat, then when they got tired another group got in. Men, women and even young children that could swim, took turn getting into the water so the boat could get across.

APP> That is a great picture of the church. The question is, are you willing to get into the water? (Illustration adapted from Rev. Scott Alexander’s sermon, “taking your turn in the channel”)