God's Lordship and Ownership

* The Cost of Discipleship — Luke 14:28 -33

28 For which of you, wishing to build a farm building, does not first sit down and calculate the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it?29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to complete [the building], all who see it will begin to mock and jeer at him,30 Saying, This man began to build and was not able (worth enough) to finish.31 Or what king, going out to engage in conflict with another king, will not first sit down and consider and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand [men] to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?32 And if he cannot [do so], when the other king is still a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks the terms of peace.33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple.

* The Faithful and Wise Servant —

Matthew 24:45-51

45 Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time?46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing.47 I solemnly declare to you, he will set him over all his possessions.48 But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, My master is delayed and is going to be gone a long time,49 And begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken,50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware,51 And will punish him [cut him up by scourging] and put him with the pretenders (hypocrites); there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

Luke 12:42-48

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful steward, the wise man whom his master will set over those in his household service to supply them their allowance of food at the appointed time?43 Blessed (happy and to be envied) is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he arrives.44 Truly I tell you, he will set him in charge over all his possessions.45 But if that servant says in his heart, My master is late in coming, and begins to strike the menservants and the maids and to eat and drink and get drunk,46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he does not know, and will punish him and cut him off and assign his lot with the unfaithful.47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act as he would wish him to act shall be beaten with many [lashes].48 But he who did not know and did things worthy of a beating shall be beaten with few [lashes]. For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required; and of him to whom men entrust much, they will require and demand all the more.

* The Great Banquet — Luke 14:16 -24

16 But Jesus said to him, A man was once giving a great supper and invited many;17 And at the hour for the supper he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for all is now ready.18 But they all alike began to make excuses and to beg off. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of land, and I have to go out and see it; I beg you, have me excused.19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine and put my approval on them; I beg you, have me excused.20 And another said, I have married a wife, and because of this I am unable to come. 21 So the servant came and reported these [answers] to his master. Then the master of the house said in wrath to his servant, Go quickly into the great streets and the small streets of the city and bring in here the poor and the disabled and the blind and the lame.22 And the servant [returning] said, Sir, what you have commanded me to do has been done, and yet there is room.23 Then the master said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and urge and constrain [them] to yield and come in, so that my house may be filled.24 For I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall taste my supper.

* The Master and His Servant — Luke 17:7-10

7 Will any man of you who has a servant plowing or tending sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, Come at once and take your place at the table?8 Will he not instead tell him, Get my supper ready and gird yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; then afterward you yourself shall eat and drink?9 Is he grateful and does he praise the servant because he did what he was ordered to do?10 Even so on your part, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, We are unworthy servants [possessing no merit, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have [merely] done what was our duty to do.

* The Shepherd and His Flock — John 10:1-18

1 I ASSURE you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber.2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.4 When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.5 They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.6 Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.7 So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep.8 All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them.9 I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. 12 But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock].13 Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].14 I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me--15 Even as [truly as] the Father knows Me and I also know the Father--and I am giving My [very own] life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep.16 And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd. 17 For this [reason] the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life--to take it back again.18 No one takes it away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily. [I put it from Myself.] I am authorized and have power to lay it down (to resign it) and I am authorized and have power to take it back again. These are the instructions (orders) which I have received [as My charge] from My Father.

* The Tenants — Matthew 21:33 -44;
33 Listen to another parable: There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a hedge around it and dug a wine vat in it and built a watchtower. Then he let it out [for rent] to tenants and went into another country.34 When the fruit season drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his [share of the] fruit.35 But the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first time, and they treated them the same way.37 Finally he sent his own son to them, saying, They will respect and give heed to my son.38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, This is the heir; come on, let us kill him and have his inheritance.39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes back, what will he do to those tenants?41 They said to Him, He will put those wretches to a miserable death and rent the vineyard to other tenants of such a character that they will give him the fruits promptly in their season. 42 Jesus asked them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The very Stone which the builders rejected and threw away has become the Cornerstone; this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 I tell you, for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the fruits of it.44 And whoever falls on this Stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom It falls will be crushed to powder [and It will winnow him, scattering him like dust].

Mark 12:1-11;

1 AND [Jesus] started to speak to them in parables [with comparisons and illustrations]. A man planted a vineyard and put a hedge around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower and let it out [for rent] to vinedressers and went into another country.2 When the season came, he sent a bond servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.3 But they took him and beat him and sent him away without anything.4 Again he sent to them another bond servant, and they stoned him and wounded him in the head and treated him shamefully [sending him away with insults].5 And he sent another, and that one they killed; then many others--some they beat, and some they put to death.6 He had still one left [to send], a beloved son; last of all he sent him to them, saying, They will respect my son.7 But those tenants said to one another, Here is the heir; come on, let us put him to death, and [then] the inheritance will be ours.8 And they took him and killed him, and threw [his body] outside the vineyard.9 Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and give the vineyard to others.10 Have you not even read this [passage of] Scripture: The very Stone which [after putting It to the test] the builders rejected has become the Head of the corner [Cornerstone];11 This is from the Lord and is His doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?

Luke 20:9-18

9 Then He began to relate to the people this parable (this story to figuratively portray what He had to say): A man planted a vineyard and leased it to some vinedressers and went into another country for a long stay. 10 When the [right] season came, he sent a bond servant to the tenants, that they might give him [his part] of the fruit of the vineyard; but the tenants beat (thrashed) him and sent him away empty-handed.11 And he sent still another servant; him they also beat (thrashed) and dishonored and insulted him disgracefully and sent him away empty-handed.12 And he sent yet a third; this one they wounded and threw out [of the vineyard].13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; it is probable that they will respect him.14 But when the tenants saw him, they argued among themselves, saying, This is the heir; let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.15 So they drove him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?16 He will come and [utterly] put an end to those tenants and will give the vineyard to others. When they [the chief priests and the scribes and the elders] heard this, they said, May it never be!17 But [Jesus] looked at them and said, What then is [the meaning of] this that is written: The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief Stone of the corner [Cornerstone]? 18 Everyone who falls on that Stone will be broken [in pieces]; but upon whomever It falls, It will crush him [winnow him and scatter him as dust].

* The Thief — Matthew 24:42-44;

42 Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming.43 But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a night or a morning] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into.44 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.

Luke 12:39-40

39 But of this be assured: if the householder had known at what time the burglar was coming, he would have been awake and alert and watching and would not have permitted his house to be dug through and broken into.40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour and a moment when you do not anticipate it.

* The Two Sons — Matthew 21:28 -32

28 What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, go and work today in the vineyard.29 And he answered, I will not; but afterward he changed his mind and went.30 Then the man came to the second and said the same [thing]. And he replied, I will [go], sir; but he did not go.31 Which of the two did the will of the father? They replied, The first one. Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the harlots will get into the kingdom of heaven before you.32 For John came to you walking in the way of an upright man in right standing with God, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots did believe him; and you, even when you saw that, did not afterward change your minds and believe him [adhere to, trust in, and rely on what he told you].

* The Unfruitful Fig Tree — Luke 13:6-9

6 And He told them this parable: A certain man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find [any].7 So he said to the vinedresser, See here! For these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue also to use up the ground [to deplete the soil, intercept the sun, and take up room]?8 But he replied to him, Leave it alone, sir, [just] this one more year, till I dig around it and put manure [on the soil].9 Then perhaps it will bear fruit after this; but if not, you can cut it down and out.

* The Unmerciful Servant — Matthew 18:23 -35

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a human king who wished to settle accounts with his attendants.24 When he began the accounting, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents [probably about $10,000,000],25 And because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.26 So the attendant fell on his knees, begging him, Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.27 And his master’s heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [cancelling] the debt.28 But that same attendant, as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a hundred denarii [about twenty dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe!29 So his fellow attendant fell down and begged him earnestly, Give me time, and I will pay you all !30 But he was unwilling, and he went out and had him put in prison till he should pay the debt.31 When his fellow attendants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and told everything that had taken place to their master.32 Then his master called him and said to him, You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to.33 And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?34 And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.35 So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.

* The Watchful Servants — Mark 13:34-37;

34 It is like a man [already] going on a journey; when he leaves home, he puts his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and he gives orders to the doorkeeper to be constantly alert and on the watch.35 Therefore watch (give strict attention, be cautious and alert), for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming--in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning--36 [Watch, I say] lest He come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep.37 And what I say to you I say to everybody: Watch (give strict attention, be cautious, active, and alert)!

Luke 12:35-40

35 Keep your loins girded and your lamps burning,36 And be like men who are waiting for their master to return home from the marriage feast, so that when he returns from the wedding and comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.37 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are those servants whom the master finds awake and alert and watching when he comes. Truly I say to you, he will gird himself and have them recline at table and will come and serve them!38 If he comes in the second watch (before midnight) or the third watch (after midnight), and finds them so, blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are those servants!39 But of this be assured: if the householder had known at what time the burglar was coming, he would have been awake and alert and watching and would not have permitted his house to be dug through and broken into.40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour and a moment when you do not anticipate it.

* The Wedding Banquet — Matthew 22:2-14
2 The kingdom of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son3 And sent his servants to summon those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they refused to come.4 Again he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have prepared my banquet; my bullocks and my fat calves are killed, and everything is prepared; come to the wedding feast.5 But they were not concerned and paid no attention [they ignored and made light of the summons, treating it with contempt] and they went away--one to his farm, another to his business,6 While the others seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and put them to death.7 [Hearing this] the king was infuriated; and he sent his soldiers and put those murderers to death and burned their city.8 Then he said to his servants, The wedding [feast] is prepared, but those invited were not worthy.9 So go to the thoroughfares where they leave the city [where the main roads and those from the country end] and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.10 And those servants went out on the crossroads and got together as many as they found, both bad and good, so [the room in which] the wedding feast [was held] was filled with guests.11 But when the king came in to view the guests, he looked intently at a man there who had on no wedding garment.12 And he said, Friend, how did you come in here without putting on the [appropriate] wedding garment? And he was speechless (muzzled, gagged).13 Then the king said to the attendants, Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the darkness outside; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.14 For many are called (invited and summoned), but few are chosen.

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