Pastor Aaron Garza’s sermon, “The Parable of the Ten Minas: Faithful Living in the Interim,” from Luke 19:11-27, concludes a 17-week series on the parables in the Gospel of Luke. This sermon illuminates Jesus’s teaching on stewardship and faithfulness in anticipation of His return, directly addressing the disciples’ misconception that the Kingdom of God would immediately appear.

Key themes explored in this sermon:

• Understanding the Parable’s Context: Situating the parable within its historical and biblical setting, including Jesus’s proximity to Jerusalem and the audience’s expectation of an immediate earthly kingdom.
• The Historical Parallel of Archelaus: Connecting the parable’s narrative to the contemporary story of Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, who sought kingship in Rome but faced rejection and received only partial authority, thereby clarifying Jesus’s message.
• Identification of Key Characters: Identifying the Nobleman/King as Jesus Christ, the Servants as believers entrusted with a “good deposit,” and the Enemy Citizens as those who reject Jesus’s kingship.
• The “Good Deposit”: Defining the “mina” as the “good deposit” (2 Timothy 1:14), encompassing the gospel mission, spiritual gifts, and life itself that God has given to each believer.
• The Question of Faithfulness in the Interim: Highlighting the central question: “When Jesus returns, will He find you faithful with the good deposit He’s entrusted to you?” emphasizing the importance of living actively for God in the time between Christ’s first and second comings.
• The Three Types of Servants: Differentiating between the diligent, faithful servants (who are rewarded with greater responsibility) and the unfaithful servant (who represents a nominal Christian and faces rebuke for poor stewardship and slandering the master).
• Faithfulness vs. Outcomes: Stressing that God’s measure of “success” is faithfulness, not necessarily quantifiable results or perceived outcomes, particularly in areas like parenting, ministry, and church leadership.
• God’s Unwavering Faithfulness: Reassuring believers that even when they fall short, Jesus remains perfectly faithful, serving as the ultimate example and source of grace.
• Jesus as the “True and Better”: Presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of various parable characters—the true and better friend, patient gardener, good shepherd, loving father, and righteous judge.
• Living in Anticipation of the Kingdom: Encouraging believers to live lives that reflect the values of God’s kingdom—being good neighbors, treasuring God above possessions, counting the cost of discipleship, and responding to the gospel—as they await Christ’s return.

This sermon challenges believers to actively steward the “good deposit” of their lives and faith, focusing on faithfulness and obedience rather than outcomes, all while drawing strength and assurance from the unwavering faithfulness and grace of Jesus Christ, who will one day return to judge the living and the dead.

Key verses: Luke 19:11-27.