 | Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.
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Religion
2010-01-01 15:32:00
What does “much” mean in this context?
Question: Luke 12:48 states, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Is it possible that when our Lord used the word “much” the first time, He was talking about all of the chances we have in this life to hear and heed the Word of God, as opposed to meaning material things?
Answer: This passage is set in the context of Jesus teaching His disciples as His popularity is growing and the crowds are swarming to have more of Jesus, like a celebrity or a rock star (Luke 12:1). But Jesus is addressing His disciples who would carry on His work after he leaves because He knows how both persecution and on the other side, success can turn a head and destroy great leadership and ministry, something leadership in every age needs to hear. Most of us have heard the phrase, “absolute power corrupts absolutely,” and Jesus was giving a seminar on this to His disciples in order for them not to get side tracked.
He begins the discourse on the danger of hypocrisy (12:1-12), when you say one thing to put on the show to friends, parishioners or constituents and do something else ourselves. Remember we will answer to the Lord and every word will be known. Don’t fear their threats and persecution because God has our backs. Just acknowledge God and the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say.
Second, beware of wealth (12:13-21) and the tendency to be greedy. It can make us arrogant, turn our heads from God and presumptively think that it will always be there, that we are the masters of our own fates, who with lip service say we depend on God but in all reality really acting like we don’t need God. But remember, life with money and material props will not last, and there will come a day, when we will face Him and none of it will do us good.
The third lesson is about worry (12:22-34), especially the material things of life. Jesus speaks of nature and how they are effortless in preparation and yet they are provided and cared for richly by the heavenly Father with abundance. The key comes in verses 33-34 where we are told to “… seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
In the fourth lesson He spends more time on being careful to prepare for His coming (12:35-48). He tells two parables, the first illustrating through a wedding groom coming to pick up his bride but not knowing the time he was coming but being ready so not to miss the opportunity. In the midst of this the disciples ask if this is just for us disciples or for everyone. Here he says it for those who are faithful followers who are not only watching and waiting for His coming, but are actively doing His will and work in the world, that all the talents, gifts, abilities and blessings we have been given are being used by us as the stewards of these gifts. Are we squandering them with frivolous living, selfish living, and presumptive living or do we use them to bring Glory to God? Do we use them to bring our friends to Christ?
In this passage Jesus is talking to us about everything we have is a gift from God (James 1:17) “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” For the believer, there will be accountability for what we have been given and what we have done with what we have been given. In fact we will be rewarded for what we have done. (Revelation 20:12) As we look over all these blessings, we need to ask ourselves, have I used what God has given me for the purposes He has ordained them for? (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) Will we be found ready when He returns fulfilling His game plan and executing His plays on the field of life? (1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 2:10) Are we discovering the deposit God has given us and striving to improve in its use? (2 Timothy 1:6) Striving to grow in His grace with you everyday! Pastor Dave
