A holiday and guest preacher has kept me out of the pulpit for a couple of weeks. So the notes restart wirth some thoughts on The Parable of the Talents or the Three Servants or the Ruthless Master or a Story of Investment.

Matthew 24:14-30
How much risk do we like to take? It’s the question the Financial Advisor will ask and the answer will determine whether we invest in a savings account, a safe managed fund or a risk-taking fund.

At various time in our life we will wonder how much risk? Where has such a question taken you?

How do we wait? - passively or actively - is it a gender thing? - some will always find something to do as they wait others will stand at the bottom of the stairs saying “you look great - let’s go”

Continuation of the bridesmaid story - what is readiness? It is not a matter of passively waiting, but of responsible activity, producing results which the coming master can see and approve - a period of opportunity.

Jesus belittled the prudent man and praised the extortionist as the image that revealed the Kingdom. Jesus uses dramatic irony to commend the sort of passionate risk-taking and commitment that he expects of the disciples during the time of waiting. This is not a time for prudent burying. The kingdom is not for a small, select group like the Essenes, who waited in the desert, withdrawing from society and keeping themselves “pure” and untainted. The gospel is supposed to be salt and light and yeast. The followers of Jesus are not to be withdrawn from society and the world, but to “get out there” and do the job of sowing the seed – or investing the money – so that it will yield huge increases. (Borrowed from http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/A/33-a/A-33-a.html and http://disclosingnewworlds.blogspirit.com/archive/2005/11/07/pentecost-26.html

Matthew 25 continues - feed the hungry - God offers salvation - restoration - life - through faith - but our faith will be revealed through the way that we use it - through our active waiting - through our active concern for justice.

Jesus invites us to risky living - in fellowship with God, within the body of the the people of God -

Isaiah 45:1-7

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Matthew 22:15-22

To what do you belong? To whom do you belong?-Different answers, different levels? -To what extent do you belong to Caesar and to God?

Render – take back – take this coin and the system it represents give it back to him – you enjoy the fruits of collaboration, power, position, prestige, wealth – so pay Caesar for all you enjoy. But remember you have failed to pay God what you owe God.[Source]

What belongs to God? Implication for Jesus is everything – what is it for you?

It is our AGM today -looking back a year it has been a good year, a lot happening, new people, new iniatives – our own good work? Or do we owe it to God? -We belong to God and all that we do is God’s – recognise gifts, thank people for work well done – give glory to God.

Thessalonians -  “in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it” in giving everything to God, the gospel is lived out, it bears fruit, -  in declaring Jesus is Lord – nothing else gets to make the same claim – when worldy powers – nation, employer, ambition, respectability, achievement claim your allegiance – ask them to show you the coin – to declare their loyalty – and give back to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God whatever belongs to God.[Source]

Psalm 23
Phillipians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14

In the Psalm and Matthew we have two King images

1. The Shepherd - leading , providing, protecting etc, (Sheep wandering all over Whitworth Road this morning could have done with one!) - Yet also uncomfortable images - dark valley, table laid in the presence of enemies.
2. King who puts down rebellion with great force - drags in new followers - throws out those who don't dress properly. -Is this God? - Most commentators say yes - but gloss over the goury bits and focus on the wedding feast as an example of grace - all are welcome, the good and the bad all they have to do is dress properly - show respect. Hints of second half of Psalm 23 -dark valleys, table spread before enemies.
3. Alternative (very minority) reading - contrasts God's kingship with the violent ways of earthly kings - the God of mercy and forgiveness does not treat people in this way. One (and only one) suggestion is that the Jesus figure in this story is the man thrown out of the wedding feast - speechless, naked, rejected. It is a reading worthy of further reflection - but not for this moment.

Assuming that the King is to be identified with God then this is a story about authority - story of political rebellion - implications of which are known - God demands loyalty, obedience - feast is open to all - but response is required - response includes clothing - garments of salvation, robe of righteousness, (Is 61:10) - putting on Christlikeness.

We wear different clothing for different circumstances - it can change the way we feel - present ourselves - our image, our confidence - What is appropriate clothing for the Kingdom? Col 3:12- "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness (gentleness), patience ... Above all clothe yourselves with love" From the vineyard - justice, righteousness - from the wedding feast - obedience, radical hospitality,

Jesus demands a response - chief priests rejected, plotted to kill - the invitation for you is to follow, to put on garments of praise, to worship joyfully, to clothe yourselves in Christlikeness and live out lives through which the good news of the Jesus Christ is proclaimed -

If that sounds daunting be reminded of Paul's encouragement to the church in Philippi "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus"