Sovereignty, Responsibility and Recompense; Luke 19:11-19

Delivered during the Sunday Morning Worship Service, 1/12/2025. One of the most difficult paradoxes in biblical teaching is the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. These are two truths that sometimes seem to be in conflict with each other, but are both clearly taught in Scripture. In His final parable before the Triumphal Entry, Jesus tells a story grounded in history that reflects His relationship with three specific groups: faithful servants, unfaithful servants, and enemies. In this message, we will concentrate on the first group-- the two faithful servants. We will learn that even though God is sovereignly in control of our lives, determining the ability, circumstances, and opportunities for each believer-- we are all still responsible to "engage in the business of the Kingdom". We will discuss what this "business" is and then rejoice as we consider the incomprehensible nature of the recompense for those who faithfully serve Him.