TAKE A LESSON FROM SONS OF DARKNESS

Luke 16:1- 15

Wors

hip

Op

en

ing

Pra

yer

An

nou

nce

men

ts

Wors

hip

TAKE A LESSON FROM SONS OF DARKNESS

Luke 16:1- 15

Parable of the Shrewd Manager Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. 2 So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’

Luke 16:1-15 (NLT)

3 “The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. 4 Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’5 “So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’

Luke 16:1-15 (NLT)

6 The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons.’ 7 “‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels.’

Luke 16:1-15 (NLT)

8 “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. 9 Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

Luke 16:1-15 (NLT)

10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

Luke 16:1-15 (NLT)

13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. 15 Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.

Luke 16:1-15 (NLT)

TAK

E H

OM

E   The World has some lessons to teach us…about 

being shrewd, committed and motivated.

Disciples of Jesus are expected to be creative, on the ball and always ‘on purpose’.

Who’d think Jesus would want us to imitate some of the characteristics of a conniving thief?

 ‘Business as usual’ won’t hack it with our Master.     

What A Way To Treat Your Boss

About to be released, due to poor performance.

There’s time to cook the books.

Why not do myself a few favors before getting the final boot?

So, how much do you owe my master?   Let me give you a break.

Wait Til The Big Guy Hears About This.  He Said What?

His master commends him.  Surely you are kidding.

Shrewd is the name of the game in some circles.

Jesus: Children Of Light Could Learn A Thing Or Two From Our Naughty

Neighbors They are shrewd.

You need to be shrewd too!

Use what’s in your hands for Kingdom purposes.

Relationships matter.  Material goods can open doors for Heaven’s sake.

It Is All About Stewardship…managing Stuff, Skills And Relationships With

Heaven On Our Mind

We have to be genuine.

Don’t manipulate people.

Don’t be a trickster.

Be smart…street smart.

When The Final Bell Sounds We’ll Need To Give An Account

How did we use what we had…like the parable of talents.

Is there a way to turn my garden, auto,  volleyball skills, friendships and my mediocre voice into something magnificent?

How about my fishing boat, good looks, school seating assignment, computer or rocking chair? n your hand?

When The Final Bell Sounds We’ll Need To Give An Account

Is there a place in God’s economy for my past failures, rocky relationships, smudges and bailouts?  Ask the woman at the well.

God to Moses: What’s in your hand?

When The Final Bell Sounds We’ll Need To Give An Account

Is there a place in God’s economy for my past failures, rocky relationships, smudges and bailouts?  Ask the woman at the well.

God to Moses: What’s in your hand?

The Reward For Good Stewardship… More To Manage!

The way to know how you’d treat a lottery windfall?  Look at how you manage the small change in your pocket.

How can we gain a larger ministry?  Be faithful, enthusiastic and effective with the little you have in your grasp now.

The Reward For Good Stewardship… More To Manage!

The steward who doubles his master’s treasure gets even more to put to use.

 Matt 25:14- 30

So What Does ‘Profit’ Or ‘The ‘Master’s Good’ Look Like

Relationships where seeds can be planted

Living Parables that put flesh and blood on the Gospel

Winning the right to speak

Honest to goodness friendships with Kingdom Intentions

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

I trust him as my Lord and Savior. C

on

fess

ion

Off

eri

ng

TAK

E H

OM

E   The World has some lessons to teach us…about 

being shrewd, committed and motivated.

Disciples of Jesus are expected to be creative, on the ball and always ‘on purpose’.

Who’d think Jesus would want us to imitate some of the characteristics of a conniving thief?

 ‘Business as usual’ won’t hack it with our Master.     

Pra

yer

GOand be wise!