As America recently marked another Fourth of July, I’m reminded how blessed we are to worship freely—a privilege not afforded to many around the world. I thank God for our country and for the men and women who, seeking God first, founded this nation on His principles. Yet amid national celebrations, my heart stirs for another kind of citizenship: our place in God’s Kingdom and our calling as the overcoming church.
For several months, our church has been in a series called The Overcoming Church. A couple of weeks ago, Pastor David spoke about preparing for the return of Jesus—a foundational belief for every Christian. Jesus is coming back for a bride who has made herself ready. That’s why today, I want to share what it means for us to “occupy until He comes.”
A Parable With a Purpose
Our key text comes from Luke 19:13, where Jesus tells a parable of a nobleman who goes to a distant land to receive a kingdom and then return. Before leaving, he entrusts his servants with resources and commands them: “Occupy until I come.”
The people surrounding Jesus at the time were convinced the Kingdom of God would appear immediately—that He would overthrow Rome and establish a physical kingdom. But Jesus corrected that misconception. His Kingdom wasn’t coming in the way they expected; it would first come spiritually and dwell within us.
Jesus’s parable carries a weighty message. Servants who invested what they were given were rewarded with authority over cities. But the one who hid his talent out of fear was rebuked, losing even what little he had. Jesus made it clear: the coming of His Kingdom demands a decision—and that decision is no light matter.
Three Truths for the Overcoming Church
From this parable, we glean three vital truths for living as an overcoming church: stewardship, accountability, and urgency.
1. Stewardship: Faithfulness in Every Sphere
We’re called to be faithful stewards of all God has entrusted to us—our gifts, influence, finances, and witness. Faithful stewardship means honoring God not only in spiritual settings but in our daily lives: our families, workplaces, and communities. We can’t live separate spiritual and secular lives. As Pastor Shelly powerfully reminded us, “We do not live two lives. We are one person, and we need to be representatives of Christ in all areas.”
She shared a testimony of Tim Morton, a local business owner, who chose kingdom principles over competition when one of his longtime barbers left to start her own shop. Rather than viewing her as competition, he publicly celebrated her new business. That’s kingdom living—blessing others even when it might cost us.
Our homes are our first ministry. Husbands are to love their wives, wives to honor their husbands, and parents to teach their children the ways of God. We’re called to bring kingdom principles into every part of our lives.
We are also stewards of the Gospel. It’s not enough to simply believe—we’re commanded to proclaim it. Acts 1 reminds us that we’ve received power to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. We are ambassadors for Christ, carrying a message of reconciliation to a world desperate for hope.
Finally, we’re stewards of God’s glory. Everything we do should reflect His character and presence. Creation itself waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God, eager to see God’s glory manifested through His people.
2. Accountability: We Will All Give Account
Jesus’s return means each of us will give an account—not for salvation, but for what we did with what He entrusted to us. Whether we produced tenfold or fivefold, the master’s commendation is the same: “Well done.” The key is not comparison but obedience. Are we doing something with what God has given us?
Pastor Shelly emphasized that the servant who hid his talent did so out of fear—a fear rooted in a distorted view of the master as harsh and untrustworthy. When we misunderstand God’s character, we live paralyzed by fear rather than propelled by love. But as she encouraged us, “God is love first and foremost. And when we understand that, it’s not fearful to invest what He’s given us.”
Godly fear produces worship and obedience, not dread. We must reject the enemy’s lies that say our efforts are too small to matter. Every act of faithfulness counts in God’s Kingdom.
3. Urgency: The Time is Short
The command to “occupy until I come” carries urgency. The harvest is ready, and people are desperate for truth. The gospel isn’t just good news—it’s urgent news. Pastor Shelly reminded us that “The gospel is not spread by accident. It is spread through intentional obedience.”
Romans 10 says people can’t believe unless they hear, and they can’t hear unless someone tells them. That “someone” is us. We’re not waiting for God to move; He’s waiting for us to move. Each moment matters, because every moment delayed is a moment someone might perish without knowing Christ.
The Call to Occupy
We cannot stand still in the Christian life. As William Barclay wrote, “There is no such thing as standing still in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have.” The command to occupy is a divine mandate to be faithful stewards, resilient laborers, and bold witnesses.
Let us be found working, witnessing, and worshiping when Christ returns. May we live as the overcoming church—present and focused, yet always looking ahead with expectation. It’s not only our responsibility—it’s our honor.
As Pastor Shelly concluded:
“Occupy until I come is a divine mandate to be faithful stewards, witnesses, and resilient laborers. Let us be found working, witnessing, and worshiping when Christ returns. Amen.”
Excellent! Based on your prior requests for discussion guides, here’s a guide in the same format you’ve used previously, drawn from Pastor Shelly Foley’s message you sent. It includes an icebreaker, summary, discussion questions, and a closing prayer. Let me know if you’d like it shorter, longer, or customized for a specific group (e.g. youth, men’s group, women’s group, mixed adults, etc.).
Discussion Guide
Occupy Until He Comes – Pastor Shelly Foley
Icebreaker
“If you were handed $10,000 today and told to ‘occupy until I come back,’ what’s the first thing you’d do with it—and why?”
Message Summary
Pastor Shelly Foley shared a powerful message titled “Occupy Until He Comes,” emphasizing Jesus’s parable from Luke 19. In the story, a nobleman goes away to be crowned king and entrusts his servants with resources, commanding them to “occupy until I come.”
Pastor Shelly reminded us that:
- Jesus is coming back. He’s returning for a church that is prepared, faithful, and active.
- The Kingdom of God isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual and within us.
- As believers, we are called to be the overcoming church, living productive, faithful, and purposeful lives.
- The parable highlights three critical truths for believers:
- Stewardship: Faithfully managing everything God has entrusted to us—our gifts, finances, influence, and our witness for Christ.
- Accountability: One day we will all give account for what we did with what God gave us—not about salvation, but about our faithfulness.
- Urgency: The gospel is not just good news—it’s urgent news. The world needs Jesus, and we are God’s messengers.
Pastor Shelly warned against fear and complacency, reminding us that ungodly fear paralyzes, while reverence for God inspires obedience and action.
Ultimately, she called us to live as the overcoming church—working, witnessing, and worshiping until Christ returns.
Stewardship
- What does “occupy until I come” mean to you personally?
- How does it apply to your daily life right now?
- Pastor Shelly said: “We do not live two lives. We are one person, and we need to be representatives of Christ in all areas.”
- In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to integrate your faith? Work? Family? Friendships?
- Tim Morton’s story about blessing a departing barber demonstrates kingdom stewardship.
- Share a time when you (or someone you know) chose to act with kingdom principles over self-interest. What was the result?
Accountability
- Pastor Shelly said the servant hid his talent because he feared the master.
- Have you ever felt “afraid” to step out and use your gifts for God? Why?
- How do you think a distorted view of God’s character might cause someone to “bury” their talents instead of using them?
- Romans 14 says we’ll each give account to God.
- Does that idea motivate you, intimidate you, or both? Why?
Urgency
- Pastor Shelly said: “The gospel isn’t just good news—it’s urgent news.”
- How can we keep urgency without becoming anxious or pressured?
- Jesus said the harvest is ready.
- Where do you see opportunities around you to share the gospel right now?
- What’s one small step you could take this week to “occupy” more intentionally for God’s kingdom?
Prayer
“Lord, thank You for trusting us with Your kingdom work. Help us to be faithful stewards of every gift, resource, and opportunity You’ve given us. Replace fear and comparison with confidence in Your love. Give us urgency to proclaim Your gospel and wisdom to occupy faithfully until You return. May our lives reflect Your glory in all we do. In Jesus’ name, amen.”