WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:03.680 You're listening to The Bible Guys, a podcast where a 2 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:06.440 couple of friends talk about the Bible in fun in 3 00:00:06.559 --> 00:00:07.480 practical ways. 4 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:13.759 Hey, good morning everybody. We are the Bible Guys, and 5 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:17.039 we are back. We are back today. What is today? 6 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:17.920 Wednesday or Thursday? 7 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:18.440 I don't know. 8 00:00:18.839 --> 00:00:19.960 I don't know either. 9 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:20.480 How many? 10 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:21.079 How many do we do? 11 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:22.879 We've been going back to back to back to back. 12 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:26.000 Baby, all right, we did Monday, we did Tuesday, we 13 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:31.160 did Wednesday. Oh, today is Thursday. People are yelling Thursday, yes, yes, 14 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:32.359 Oh no, Today's Wednesday. 15 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:34.880 Okay, dad, gummt. I'm sorry, it's Wednesday. 16 00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:37.560 So Wednesday is humpday. 17 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:39.399 It is the middle of the week, middle of the week. 18 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:42.479 I hope that everybody is doing well getting through the week. 19 00:00:42.679 --> 00:00:45.119 This is going to be amazing. So we've been working 20 00:00:45.159 --> 00:00:47.079 on you know, you've mentioned several times you want to 21 00:00:47.119 --> 00:00:50.679 reshoot our roll in. Oh yeah, sure, walking in. So 22 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:52.840 we need to redo that. But we also feel like 23 00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:56.280 it's time to upgrade the theme song. We need a 24 00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:58.719 theme song, which we have none. We need a theme song. 25 00:00:59.159 --> 00:01:01.159 So we've tried, we have great or nothing. 26 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:05.799 We've tried so many options, all kinds of TV theme songs, 27 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:08.760 you know, to the tune of dukes of hazard and 28 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:11.719 cheers and all those. Well, today, what I thought is 29 00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:13.760 what we need? None of those worked for us. They've 30 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:18.560 been good, Chris, You've done a noble job trying to 31 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:21.280 make it work. But what we were thinking is perhaps 32 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:27.840 we need something more, more regal, more impressive, with more 33 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:30.560 just make you want to stand up and salute. Right, 34 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:35.200 So we asked chat gpt. We asked chat gpt to 35 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:38.680 help us write a theme song for The Bible Guys, 36 00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:41.120 which is just a podcast about two guys, two buddies 37 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:42.680 who like to talk about the Bible in front of 38 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:47.439 practical ways. And we asked chat gpt to write us 39 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:50.760 a theme song to the tune of the Star Spangled Banner. 40 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:52.959 Which which can get? 41 00:01:53.159 --> 00:01:55.000 Can you get more pretentious? 42 00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:55.560 Yeah? 43 00:01:55.879 --> 00:01:58.159 So so I'm really curious to see how that worked 44 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:03.480 out for you. Would you sing it for Chris grace us? 45 00:02:03.719 --> 00:02:06.319 Have you ever sung the Starspanko banner at a baseball game? I? 46 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:09.080 Have you have? Of course? You have? 47 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:09.479 Have you not? 48 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:11.759 No? No, I wasn't a good a single. 49 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:17.120 Okay, here we go, okay, and by the way, my 50 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:23.080 throat like, here we go, and I'm not hopefully, I'm 51 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:23.719 want to get this right. 52 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:24.439 Here we go. 53 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:29.840 It goes, Oh, say, can you hear from your couch, 54 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:35.919 car or phone to best butts cracking jokes with a 55 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:42.199 Bible in tone, with a verse in one hand and 56 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:50.360 some coffee nearby. They'll explain live Viticus and probably why 57 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:55.520 this way too high? We will dive deep into truth 58 00:02:56.319 --> 00:03:02.360 while still making you laugh lo cast on it plagues 59 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:05.759 to Paul's missionary path. 60 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:08.919 So grab your. 61 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:19.039 Ear buds and lower your expectation. It's the Bible show 62 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:22.159 heard around the name. 63 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:33.400 Shall you literally fit in Leviticus. 64 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:36.240 And the Yes and Paul's missionary journeys? 65 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:40.000 And lower your expectations. So let's set the table. Yes, 66 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:43.520 I think we should seriously consider adopting that one. Oh 67 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:44.680 you think so yeah? 68 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:48.719 Wow? That so far? Wow, that's the front runner? 69 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:51.919 Feels like it to me. I mean the tune was right, 70 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:54.800 The tune was right. Yeah, it has all the all 71 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:57.840 the the panache that a show like this deserves. 72 00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:01.000 Yeah, I didn't sleep well last night and you can 73 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:01.560 hear my voice. 74 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:02.159 I'm struggling. 75 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:03.879 Well. The Bible says that the Lord gives rest to 76 00:04:03.919 --> 00:04:04.759 those he loves. 77 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:08.319 And then I wow, is that all you sleep like 78 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:10.360 a baby, Jack, because everybody knows you do. 79 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:14.639 Everybody knows you do you straight to bed like a baby? 80 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:14.960 I do. 81 00:04:15.639 --> 00:04:18.800 And uh anyway, but then I started this in like 82 00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:20.199 what like the highest key ever. 83 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:23.800 Yeah, that was funny. Anyway, that was awesome, Chris, Yeah, 84 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:26.959 that man, it was a treat. Yeah, you're in your 85 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:30.399 pay today. That was fab which means. 86 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:33.879 Uh, uh we get absolutely zero for the podcast. 87 00:04:33.879 --> 00:04:34.199 That's right. 88 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:36.319 So we're gonna get a raised today. 89 00:04:36.360 --> 00:04:39.240 Yeah. Double, We're gonna double it today. Yeah, you're getting 90 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:39.920 a hazard pay. 91 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:40.720 That's right. 92 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:42.079 Hey is that coffee in your cup? 93 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:42.959 From nothing to nothing? 94 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:43.240 Yes? 95 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:45.199 Okay, Well so then you were being honest about it 96 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:47.120 because I don't drink coffee, So I was thinking that 97 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:49.319 lyric is not entirely true. But you're drinking coffee, Oh 98 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:49.680 it is? 99 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:50.839 Yeah, oh because the lyrics. 100 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.959 Yeah, you with coffee and uh, what did you say, 101 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:55.240 coffee in one hand or something? 102 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:57.319 Yeah, verse in one hand and some coffee nearby. 103 00:04:57.639 --> 00:04:57.920 Yeah. 104 00:04:58.040 --> 00:05:01.079 Wow, Hey, how did you know that we drink That's fantastic. 105 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:04.959 I don't know, it's probably just an assumption. Well, hey, 106 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:10.000 talking about I have no idea. I have no transition 107 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:10.519 for this one. 108 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:12.480 Oh, have that one? 109 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:16.240 Yes, So the thing is well done, thou good and 110 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:16.879 faithful servant? 111 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:17.199 Yes? 112 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:21.199 Oh oh yeah, well done, Chris, Thank you, well done, Chris, 113 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:23.160 thank you. Speaking of well done. 114 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:25.199 You know I've always tried Jeff to be a good 115 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:31.319 and faithful service. When you asked me to do these crazy. 116 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:32.439 Speaking of being a good and faithful service, yes, yeah, 117 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:35.879 it's okay, perfect. That was a perfect setup. Good job, Chris. 118 00:05:36.279 --> 00:05:40.079 So we're doing this series. We're in on the podcast, 119 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:42.240 which is what if Jesus had a podcast? 120 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:44.079 That segment only works if I did well? 121 00:05:44.160 --> 00:05:47.720 Yes, yes, and you did okay, good, fabulous, already said fabulous? 122 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:48.040 Yes. 123 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:50.040 When was the last time I said? I've said fabulous 124 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:52.959 five times on this show, which is five times more 125 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:55.439 than I've said on any other show of the almost 126 00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:58.680 nine hundred episodes we've done. Wow, right you think about it. 127 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:06.439 Wow fabulous Chris, that's six six times. So anyways, serious 128 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:08.879 about Jesus. Yeah, if Jesus had a podcast, and so 129 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:10.879 we're just taking famous statements that he made, and the 130 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:13.480 well done, good and faithful servants. One of his famous 131 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:15.879 statements we find this in Matthew chapter twenty five, and. 132 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:19.720 This is the statement that we all long to hear 133 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:23.199 exactly right. So when we get to heaven, one of 134 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:24.879 the things that we want is this. 135 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:29.000 I would say, up until this point in heaven, by 136 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:31.040 the time we hit that mark, I don't think that 137 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.920 in that moment there will be nothing more important in 138 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:37.120 all of our existence than that moment. Yeah, I can't think. 139 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:40.560 And here's what it says again. The Kingdom of heaven 140 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:42.519 can be illustrated by the story of a man going 141 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:44.759 on a long trip. He called together his servants and 142 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:46.759 entrusted his money to them while he was gone, and 143 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:49.279 he gave five bags of silver to one, two bags 144 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:51.360 of silver to another, one bag of silver to the last, 145 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:54.839 dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left 146 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:57.399 on his trip. The servant who received the five bags 147 00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:59.879 of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 148 00:07:00.279 --> 00:07:02.160 The servant with two bags of silver also went to 149 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:04.680 work and earned two more. But the servant who received 150 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:06.480 one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground 151 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:09.240 and hid the master's money. After a long time, their 152 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:11.959 master returned from his trip and called them to give 153 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:14.959 an account of how they had used his money. The 154 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:17.199 servant to whom he'd entrusted five bags of silver, came 155 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:19.240 forward with five more and said, Master, you gave me 156 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:21.639 five bags of silver to invest, and I've earned five more. 157 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:25.120 The master was full of praise. Well done, my good 158 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:27.879 and faithful servant. You've been faithful in the handling of 159 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:31.000 this small amount, so now I will give you many 160 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:34.879 more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together. The servant who'd received the 161 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:36.519 two bags of silver came forward and said, Master, you 162 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:38.319 gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I've 163 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:41.040 earned two more. The master said, well done, my good 164 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:43.879 and faithful servant. You've been faithful in handling this small amount, 165 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:47.399 so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's 166 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:50.360 celebrate together. Then the servant with the one bag of 167 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:52.639 silver came and said, Master, I knew you were a 168 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:55.639 harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant, and gathering crops 169 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:58.040 you didn't cultivate. I was afraid i'd lose your money, 170 00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:00.240 so I hid it in the earth. Look here your 171 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:04.439 money back. But the master replied, you wicked and lazy servant. 172 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:06.839 If you knew I harvested crops I didn't plant, and 173 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:09.439 gathered crops I didn't cultivate. Why do you need deposit 174 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:11.360 my money in the bank. At least I would have 175 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.680 gotten some interest on it. And then he ordered take 176 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:15.399 the money from this servant and give it to the 177 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:17.800 one with the ten bags of silver. To those who 178 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:20.639 use well what they are given, even more will be given, 179 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:23.079 and they will have an abundance. But from those who 180 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:26.240 do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 181 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:29.519 Now throw this useful servant into outer darkness, where they'll 182 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:34.600 be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Whoo yeah, wow, yeah, 183 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:37.639 no kidding. What a story. Yes, I like most of it. 184 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:40.399 This is also a big fanom like two thirds of 185 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:43.360 that story, right, big fan, big fans. 186 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:46.639 This is also known as the Ten Talents, right, yeah, 187 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:50.639 that's right. So it translates here into bags of silver 188 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:57.840 in this translation. But a talent was a form of payment. 189 00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:02.440 Right yeah, it was like a guess, that's exactly the US. 190 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:05.799 That's exactly what us. But but a lot of versions 191 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:06.559 use the word talent. 192 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:08.240 It's all I was trying to say, Yeah, it was. 193 00:09:08.279 --> 00:09:10.440 It was a form of currency, so that the talent 194 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:12.240 was like saying one hundred dollars bill. 195 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:16.440 Which which I've always didn't like because we hear the 196 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:17.200 word talent and. 197 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:19.240 We think of skill ye, skill sets, right. 198 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:22.720 So I like this translation better. Yeah, But however, I 199 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:27.159 just want to say this. I remember, uh, this scripture 200 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:34.360 being taught, and I remember a friend and a mentor 201 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:36.639 of mine for a short time when I lived in 202 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:43.000 Atlanta was Louis Giglio, And so Louis was talking about 203 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:47.080 the idea that there are some people who are one 204 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:51.799 talent people, and there are some that are five talent people, 205 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:53.919 and there are some that are ten talent people. And 206 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:58.240 he says, it's not it's not, it is just what 207 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:01.840 it is like to some people, God just gives many 208 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:06.240 more responsibilities, and then that person thrives when they're given 209 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:08.480 a certain aoun responsibilities. Then God gives them more, and 210 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:10.279 then God gives them more, and God gives them more. 211 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:12.879 And he says, in some people they're just you know, 212 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:17.200 they're given two talents, and then they end up getting 213 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:19.440 four talents, and then they spend most of their ministry 214 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:23.320 being sort of like four talent people. And it was 215 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:27.519 interesting how he was able to sort of talk about 216 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:29.480 it in a sense to where he was looking at 217 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:32.000 all these college pastors in the room. We were all 218 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:35.360 the pastors of college ministry. And he goes, and some 219 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.480 people might say. 220 00:10:36.320 --> 00:10:37.840 Hey, what's the big idea. 221 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:40.639 He goes, I've worked really hard, I'm faithful, and I 222 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:44.159 only have like twenty college students in my ministry. He goes, well, 223 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:46.360 you work really hard and you have like a thousand 224 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:49.000 college students. He goes, I only have two talents. What's 225 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:49.559 the big deal? 226 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.120 And he goes, I'll tell you what the big deal is. 227 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:51.399 He goes. 228 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:54.960 He goes, you had no talents and God gave you two, 229 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:55.960 so be grateful. 230 00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:59.399 That's what he said. You had no talents and God 231 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.919 gave you you to talents. 232 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:02.840 And he says, and that's what God wants you to 233 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:05.320 work with, and be grateful that God has given you. 234 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:07.159 And he says, do the best you can with those 235 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:10.240 two talents. And I started thinking to myself, Wow, that's 236 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:13.679 one of the first times that I've ever heard somebody 237 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:19.000 actually say it's okay that that God has planned to 238 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:22.399 use some people for greater influence, and it's okay that 239 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:26.440 God has planned for some people to to you know. So, 240 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:30.399 my friend, our friend Nick Boring always says God has 241 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:34.440 all different kinds of churches everywhere for all different kinds 242 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:34.960 of people. 243 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:37.519 Right, Yeah, isn't that interesting. 244 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:40.720 Yeah, So when he's saying, hey, here's bags of money. 245 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:45.159 What anytime you read these these stories that Jesus tells, 246 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:49.840 there's always the rich man, there's the father, there's the 247 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:53.799 business man, right, and that always represents who It always 248 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:57.720 represents God fund that's right. So here it's a The 249 00:11:57.799 --> 00:11:59.639 Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of 250 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:01.960 a man a long journey. He calls together his servants 251 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:05.759 and then he entrusts them with his stuff. Right. This 252 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:08.320 is a common theme in Jesus' stories too. Oh yeah, right, 253 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:13.399 So all the stuff is the rich man's stuff, all 254 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:16.000 the stuff is the boss's stuff, All this stuff is 255 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:20.600 the father stuff. It's with the prodigal son. It's the 256 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:23.200 younger son who doesn't deserve it, who goes to his father. 257 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:25.200 All the stuff is his father's and he asks for 258 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.399 some of it. Right. In this situation, it's the same. 259 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:29.879 And it's a rich man who brings the servants and 260 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:32.519 all the stuff's my stuff. I'm gonna give you five, 261 00:12:32.679 --> 00:12:34.919 I'm gonna give you two, I'm gonna give you one, 262 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:38.000 and hey, i'd love it if you guys areld do 263 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:41.159 something with it. And so we have to remember, first 264 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:44.200 of all, in every story, Jesus tells us, none of 265 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:47.200 the stuff is actually our stuff, right, that would totally 266 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:48.120 change our perspective. 267 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:50.159 It's his vineyard, it's his money. 268 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:52.759 So whether you're talking about talents, you're talking about money, 269 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:55.639 you're talking about opportunities, you're talking about your house, your car, 270 00:12:55.759 --> 00:13:00.279 your kids, your career. None of your stuff is actually 271 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:04.639 your stuff. It's the king's stuff, it's the rich man stuff, 272 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.240 it's the father's stuff. 273 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:09.240 And the reason why that is is because we recognize 274 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:13.399 that all blessings come from God, even children, right, children 275 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:16.440 come from God. All of our money, God gives us 276 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:20.120 our opportunities. In fact, we just planned this series yesterday 277 00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:24.279 where the idea was upcoming like eight weeks from now 278 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:27.399 at Heritage Church. And the idea is, people say, hey, 279 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:31.840 I earned my money. I earned Who do you think, 280 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:33.759 who do you think takes care of me? You know 281 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:36.279 what the idea is, I take care of me. And 282 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:39.120 whereas God would say, and he has said to job, 283 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:42.080 who do you think gave you intelligence? Who do you 284 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:44.200 think made the blind, the deaf, and the dumb? 285 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:47.240 Who gave you the ability. 286 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:49.519 To have the opportunities? Everything comes from God. 287 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:52.919 So this is how Jesus stories always go. It's all his. 288 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:57.360 And then I love it the fact that it says 289 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:01.799 he gave five to bags of silver to one guy, 290 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:03.879 two bags of silver to another, and one bag of 291 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:08.360 silver to the last, dividing in proportion to their abilities. Yep, 292 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:10.679 and then he left it up to them. Yeah, he 293 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.399 left on the trip. 294 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:14.919 Isn't that crazy? 295 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:19.600 Yeah? And God, Jesus never tries to send this idea 296 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:25.000 of of fairness. So it is interesting because Jesus does 297 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:28.200 promote the idea of equality. God loves the whole world. 298 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:30.799 God so loved the whole world that he gave us 299 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:36.639 one gospel and it's available to everyone who. Jesus literally says, 300 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:41.759 whosoever will may come, that's what he says. So equality 301 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:46.279 is a part of Jesus' mindset in that your value 302 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:50.200 is the same as others to God, he wants you 303 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:54.720 in his kingdom, but your abilities are not equal. Right, 304 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:57.480 So fairness is never part of the story. He looks 305 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:59.919 at the abilities, how you're wired, the opportunities you've had, 306 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:02.120 all these things. He goes, Okay, I'm gonna trust you five. 307 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:05.960 So the story for the listener, we're tempted to hear 308 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:09.159 that's not fair. Five two and one is what we 309 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:11.399 all heard. We all heard five two and one. 310 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:11.919 That's right. 311 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:16.639 But for the King, for this Master, it was not 312 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:19.960 about five two and one. It was about what did 313 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:24.600 you do with what you have? He did not challenge 314 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:26.919 the guy with one thing and say, why didn't you 315 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:30.240 get me five more? Right? Right? He didn't say that right. 316 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:32.480 He doesn't say to the one with two who came 317 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:35.960 back with four, four is good? But you hear about 318 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:39.720 that other guy he brought me ten. He never compares them, 319 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:43.200 because God is not comparing us to the other person. 320 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:46.639 You will not be measured by the accomplishments of somebody else. 321 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:49.799 You will only be measured by God, whether you're a 322 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:53.200 good and faithful servant or a wicked servant, only based 323 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:55.879 on what you did with what God gave you. And 324 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:58.879 I've heard so many Christians go, I just don't really 325 00:15:58.919 --> 00:16:01.799 have much to offer God. And my response almost always is, 326 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:04.720 but are you giving all of what you have to God? Right? 327 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:06.840 Are you doing all you can for him? He's not 328 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.440 going to measure you based on what Jeff can do, 329 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:09.919 or what Chris can do, or somebody else can do. 330 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:12.039 He's going to measure you based on the investment he 331 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:14.159 made in you, and he wants you. By the way, 332 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:18.799 one hundred percent return is really impressive, Right, He's not 333 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:21.919 looking for a thirty five percent return. Hey, I'd love 334 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:24.600 it if you just remember fact. He's frustrated with this guy, going, dude, 335 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:27.440 these other two doubled it, but here you are. You 336 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.799 didn't even think to put it in the bank. Get 337 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:32.399 a little interest. Right, He's looking for some kind of return. 338 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:35.240 But in Jesus' story, the return that was given was 339 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:37.000 one hundred percent. That was that well done, good and 340 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.039 faithful servant kind of thing. As I took what you 341 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:41.960 had and I doubled up, I overshot, I shot the moon. 342 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:45.000 And that's really something when we think about it, that 343 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:50.679 this is God's expectation, is significant return for the investment 344 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:54.320 he's made in your life. Right. There's frustration with the 345 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:56.840 guy that he didn't at least get a little interest. 346 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:59.960 But it's clear in Jesus' story what he's wanting is 347 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.840 significant return for what God's invested. 348 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:05.519 Yeah, and there's a direct correlation with blessings here because 349 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:07.839 what he's saying is is he saying, like, hey, you've 350 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:11.240 not been faithful with what little I gave you, So therefore. 351 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.400 I'm not gonna give you anymore, right right, I'm gona 352 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:12.799 trust you more. 353 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.519 I'm gonna trust you more. He goes, In fact, I'm 354 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:16.359 gonna get. I'm gonna get with what I gave to you, 355 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:18.359 and I'm gonna give to this other guy who's really 356 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:22.519 faithful and so so it just goes to show you 357 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:26.079 that regardless of how much you have, as long as 358 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:28.839 you're faithful with what God has given you, God then 359 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.319 will know that he can trust. 360 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:32.160 You with more. Here's what I like to do with 361 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:34.079 these stories. I don't know if our listeners do this. 362 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:36.079 When I read the stories like this and I see 363 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:40.279 Jesus break it into threes, I want to be the 364 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:42.880 good and faithful servant, don't you? Oh yeah, okay? So 365 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:45.680 usually what I do in these stories is I set 366 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:48.240 aside the bad part of the story, and I go, 367 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:51.519 that's not gonna be me, right, So then I'm not 368 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:54.400 thinking about fairness. I'm just thinking about I don't know 369 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:56.000 if I'm a five talent guy, but I do believe 370 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:58.519 i'm a two talent guy. I'm gonna give him everything 371 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:04.000 I got because his intent was you've been faithful handling 372 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:06.039 this amount. So it was a test you understand that 373 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:08.240 the whole thing. It was never about the two or 374 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:10.839 the five or the one. It was the test of 375 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:13.400 can I trust you because I've got more for you? 376 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:16.400 That's exciting to me if you can move beyond the 377 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:19.799 story of saying God expects a return and instead realize 378 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:22.759 he has more for me, if I'm faithful with what 379 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:25.960 he gives me right now, that's exciting to me. So, dude, 380 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.680 I want to take the two and turn it into four. 381 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:31.079 But wait, wait, it doesn't end at four. There's more. 382 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:33.839 Not only that. He says, let's throw a party, let's 383 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:37.319 celebrate together. God's intent is he wants to celebrate. He 384 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:40.359 wants this to be fun. He wants this to be 385 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:42.599 beyond the kind of joy that you and I could 386 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:45.680 imagine they only saw two. He doesn't say, hey, listen, 387 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.920 I'm going to give you two, but I've got a 388 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:49.960 big plan beyond the two. He just goes, let's see 389 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:52.160 how you do with the two, and then he comes 390 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:54.799 back with four, and God goes, dude, I can trust 391 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:56.759 you with a little bit. I'm gonna give you way more. 392 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:59.920 Let's have a party, and so let's set aside the negative. 393 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:02.039 But let's just decide we are not going to be 394 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:05.039 the unfaithful servant. And let's go and say I might 395 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.839 not be the five talent that Chris is, but I'm 396 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:10.799 a two talent, right, so I'm gonna I'm gonna do 397 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:13.000 the very best I can with what God gave me. 398 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:16.559 And then just understand he intends to do far more 399 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.960 than we could have imagined. 400 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:20.599 Always always take the five talent. And I placed it 401 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:22.079