Occupy Till I Come 4

Topic:  Occupy Till I Come 4

Memory Verse: …  ” Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” Matthew 28:19 (AMP).

Text: Luke 19:11-27.

Spiritual Emphasis: Christ will return soon. This should motivate us to work hard on the end time harvest. In the parable of the ten pounds in our text, Jesus essentially said that we are to remain occupied, doing business in working hard for His Kingdom until He returns. Last words are lasting words. The last words before the departure of Jesus Christ pointed to the end time with the expectation of a Global Harvest. The words are accompanied by a specific task in mind. What is this task? Our memory verse is this specific task.

      Believers Responsibilities

• Be sensitive and alert to every opportunity or time to occupy for HIM: How often does the LORD bring people who do not know HIM our way and we miss the opportunity to introduce them to CHRIST. The reason is that we do not live in the consciousness of CHRIST as fully as we ought to. CHRIST has provided us with opportunity and time, we must learn to make use of these opportunities and time – 1 Corinthians 2:2; Ephesians 5:14-17; 1 Chronicles 12:32.
• Use the sphere of influence God has provided you to occupy for HIM: Every believer has a sphere of influence; some may have a wider sphere than others. What are you doing with your sphere of influence the Master has given you? Do you influence those in your sphere to hate or to love; to help or to hinder; to build or to tear down; to unit or to divide. Do you influence them for CHRIST or against CHRIST? – Proverbs. 22:6; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 4:6; Titus 2:7.
• Use the physical and spiritual resources provided by God to occupy for HIM: The Master gives us a measure of affluence to do business for HIM. Are you investing “your” money wisely for the Master’s business? What about the spiritual resources – Prayers. Is your voice being heard in heaven for God to act? Acts 4:32-37; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 18:1; 1Thessalonians 5:17.

           Questions/Activities: How best can we as believers redeem our time for the Master?

Conclusion. The entire essence of our being on earth is to occupy for Christ. When the Master comes, He shall require the accounts of stewardship. Some will be profitable and some unprofitable. What you do now or leave undone will determine which category you belong to. Let us therefore arise and occupy for the Lord before He comes. Great rewards await the faithful servants, while rejection awaits the unfaithful servants.

Shalom! Self-Study: 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Matthew 24:1-51; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Peter 3:3-4; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Mark 13:32; 1 Corinthians 15:52-54; Joel 2:28-32; Ezekiel 36:24.