Blessed Sunday!

Today in worship we celebrated graduates both from high school and universities. Pictures were shown on the screens of each of the graduates from babies to cap and gown. It was really wonderful.

Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy which your master enjoys.”

This whole passage beginning with vs. 14 tells the story of the talents and the vineyard owner who gave three servants talents of gold to invest and multiply while he was away. The first two servants, upon the owner’s return, had increased the vineyard owner’s wealth twofold. The owner invited the two servants to fellowship in all that the benefits and joys that he enjoyed with him because of their actions. The third servant had buried the money in the ground and returned the money to the owner just as he had been given it. The owner was very angry with the third servant’s behavior and banished the servant forever.

I had never quite understood this story until today. It was just one of those moments as this passage was being read to the congregation this morning that I began to understand (again) why Jesus spoke in parables. His parables were all to show us about the kingdom of God. God sent Jesus for the salvation of all people. Jesus died for all of us and we are given all of the blessings that God has to offer through Jesus. If we take the gift of salvation and do not share it with others then we are just like the man who buried the talents. But if we share the love of Christ then we are investing all of the riches of the kingdom of God and God’s kingdom grows on earth. More people learn of Him and learn to love Him. More people are blessed by His love, grace, forgiveness and tender mercies because God has trusted His kingdom on earth to us. Tell someone about Jesus today and what He has done for you. Invest in the kingdom and watch it grow.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.