"As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, "'A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,[a] he gave them ten minas,[b] and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.'" Luke 19:11-15
“It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life—daily and hourly. Our answer must consist, not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct.” Viktor Frankl, Austrian Holocaust survivor and author of “Man’s Search for Meaning”
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more." William Shakespeare, Macbeth
"The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid daily on my back . . . There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." C. S. Lewis
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings[a] and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. Psalm 8:3-8
LIVING WITH SIGNIFICANCE I.E. JOYFUL SERIOUSNESS
1. Continually live with an understanding of the centrality of the cross work of Jesus. “Because He was near to Jerusalem . . .” Luke 18:31-34
As we live with an understanding of the cross we will find our rest in Him. John 8:31-32, Ephesians 4:17
The cross of Christ is our reference point.
2. We embrace the kingdom of God AS THE RULE OF GOD IN HIS PEOPLE IN HIS CREATED ORDER.
Q. What does the second petition mean?
A. “Your kingdom come” means: 1. Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. 2. Preserve your church and make it grow. 3. Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force which revolts against you and every conspiracy against your holy Word. 4. Do this until your kingdom fully comes, when you will be all in all. Heidelberg Catechism, Question 123
3. Significance is found in embracing with joyful seriousness our calling, giftedness, and accountability to the Father. “The task of the church is to make the invisible kingdom visible.” John Calvin
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25
QUESTIONS:
1. Why is the quote by Victor Frankl an example of nobility of purpose that lacks a foundation?
2. Why does C. S. Lewis say that man is significant? How was his statement in line with the concept expressed by the Psalmist in Psalm 8:3-8?
3. According to Luke 19:11 Jesus told this parable for two reasons. What were the two reasons?
4. Define the “kingdom of God.” This week I will make the kingdom of God more visible in my _______________ by ___________________. (Think of two to three areas that you can make application regarding the kingdom of God.)
5. Pray through Heidelberg Catechism Question 123 and ask the Lord to give you wisdom in extending His rule in your circle of influence.