Sermon Notes | Sunday, May 28th, 2023

The Fruit of Stewardship | Managing Mysteries 

Pastor Chris Pletcher 

5/21 Recap // Parable of the Talents 

Jesus crafted this parable to teach us about the nature of serving the Lord by being faithful with what is His. God is looking for faithful sons and daughters that He can trust with His possessions, and He both grows us and tests us by giving us assignments "according to our ability" and letting us learn how to work with what we've been given to see an INCREASE for His glory. 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 

Managing Mysteries 

1. The Message of His WORD (Col. 1:24-28) 

2. The Miracle of His GRACE (Eph. 3:1-10) 

3. The Management of His HOUSE (Heb. 3:1-6) 

4. The Maturity of Our GIFTS (1 Peter 4:7-11) 

5. The Maintenance of His TEMPLE (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

The Message of His WORD // Colossians 1:24-28 

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 

Matthew 13:10-17 

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 

This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do 

they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.ʼ 

But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 

How do you steward the word of God? 

LISTEN // Mark 4:21-25 

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” 

BELIEVE // Matthew 11:25-27 

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 

THE SON CHOOSES TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO CHILDREN (TO FAITH!) 

Colossians 1:9-10 

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing FRUIT in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 

Psalm 119:9-11 

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 

Ephesians 5:3-12 

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving For you may be sure of this that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure or who is

there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 

Refreshment in Repentance // Acts 3:19-21 

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 

"Search me and know me, Lord!" 

Specific Areas: 

1. Lust and Pornography 

2. TV Shows/Entertainment 

3. Social Media, News Sources or anything else that enters your EYES AND EARS and is dulling your heart.