30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
LUKE 19 11-27 TO EVERYONE WHO HAS, WILL BE GIVEN 18 Set free from the self
📖 Luke 19:11-27
26Dec2020 - *Set free from the self* - _Luke 19:11-27_ - TO EVERYONE WHO HAS, WILL BE GIVEN 18 – Bible reading: _John 15:5-6_
Two of the servants had produced results from the investment that was made into their lives. The third servant then came along and made known what had happened with the mina that was invested in him.
_Luke 19:18-20 And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' (19) Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.' (20) “Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief._
Before we consider what had happened with the third servant, let us go over our purpose statement.
_We are citizens of the kingdom of God here on earth, redeemed and reconciled back to God, through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This world is being driven by the evil one, through man, who has become his prisoner._
_We, citizens of the kingdom of God, live and work, fulfilling all the elements of the creation or cultural mandate, in the image of God, which is to give of Himself. We use the capital that God has invested us with, in the enablement and wisdom of the Holy Spirit._
_The kingdom of God has already begun, which will come into its full effect when the Messiah returns. As we prayerfully await His return, we reach out to an audience that is rejecting God but with boldness and love._
_In the eternal kingdom of Jesus, we will continue with the theme of having dominion, which was our theme here on earth. We will be assigned roles and responsibilities, depending upon the results that we produced here on earth, with the capital that God has invested in each of us._
The third servant did not do anything with the mina that was given to him. He kept the mina to himself.
God has made investments into each of us, in order that we will be free of the self. God is expecting us to serve and enrich others. He is expecting us to replenish the earth, occupy or do business for the good of society.
Saying that I lived for myself, I did not produce anything with what was given in my hand, is not acceptable.
The Christmas message is of God who considered us and did what was needed for us to live the abundant life and in turn give life to others.
The nature of God is love. Love is the opposite of living for ourselves. If our life is centred only on ourselves then how can we call ourselves as representatives of Jesus? How can we be His kingdom people? How can we claim to have passed from death to life?
_I John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death._
_Philippians 2:5-9 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (9) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,_
This is why Jesus went to the cross. He went to the cross so that we no more live for ourselves.
_II Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again._
Fruit-bearing is about being others concerned and living to serve and enrich others. If there is no fruit-bearing taking place in our lives then the action taken against us will be severe.
_John 15:5-6 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned._
_Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire._
*Thought to ponder*
```The church must be weaned away from an ‘I’ centred existence to that of being concerned for others.```