Culver Community Church

Pastor Chris Sweeney

Sermon Notes

March 17, 2019

Matthew 25:14 – 46 – Eschatology Parables (Part 3)

{vs. 14-15} It is important to understand that this parable is paired to the last one (the Ten Virgins).  We see this in part because of the ‘again’ and also because instead of once again stating “the Kingdom of Heaven” we have “it will be like”.  This is a continuation of the description began in verse 1.  More than that, it is an important counter balance to the principle taught in the first thirteen verses.  As we said, the Ten Virgins teach us to be prepared, to wait until Christ once again sets His feet upon the Earth bringing the time of the tribulation to a close.  However, what we will see in this parable is that it aligns with the faithful/wicked servant – Be faithful!  When you put the two together, we see that we must work while waiting and that our salvation is only by faith/grace but works are the natural result of true faith.  It is easy to go to one extreme or the other – the Thessalonians had to be told to get to work because they were sitting around gossiping and watching the sky for Christ’s return.  However, Peter had to warn scoffers who asked “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4) – God is not slow in coming – watch for Him!  As with much of life, God requires that we find the proper balance in this.  Yes, we must wait and yes our salvation is dependent upon the oil (the Holy Spirit), not works but we must also work for the time is short and we don’t know exactly how short! 

These first five verses give us the setup for the illustration.  In those days, a long journey was not just a hop onto a train or airplane - - - it could take months or even years depending on the reason for the journey.  Any person of means, with land and possessions could not liquidate and take it with them (nor would they want to) and they could not just leave it unattended either.  So, the master calls his three servants, entrusting each with some of His wealth according to their capabilities (to one five, another two and the last one talent).  God’s investment in each of us (believers and unbelievers alike) is at His discretion, but notice that the parable gives multiple examples so that we know it is not about what we are given but it is about what we do with it!  The man with only two could say, “What can I do, I don’t have five like him?” – but God knows what we can handle (without overburdening us) and it is our talents that we should be concerned with, not comparing our situations with others!  (Only Billy Graham is expected to do Billy’s ministry – just as you/I are expected to serve as God enables us!)

{vs. 16-19} Each one was required to give account!  Good and wicked we will all stand before Christ to explain ourselves.  For believers, it is a judgement of rewards not condemnation or punishment.  For everyone else, it will only be based on one question – Who do you say that Jesus is?  Having rejected God’s grace, the weight of their sins remains on them and determines their fate.

{vs. 20-23} While this is again about that tribulation generation - - - it easily applies to all who claim to be servants of the Lord!  Notice that each of the three claimed to belong to the Master’s household . . . but we will see that only two truly knew Him and willingly served Him!  In every generation there are those who hear the message and claim to belong - - - but in the end, we find out that they are poor soil, tares among the wheat or virgins with no oil!  The faithful servants both come with excitement (looking forward to his return) and both receive the same rewards -

· Commendation - “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (not just a good job but also praise for who they are, their character).  Can you imagine standing before the Lord (whom you love) and hearing anything more beautiful?  This is the desire of every true believer!

· Responsibility – Because of their faithfulness, their integrity (even when it seems that Master was not watching – God is always watching!) they will be given responsibility over many things.  Notice, that the reward is the same – it’s not about the amount given or the amount of return - only about their character.  What we do with what God has entrusted to us (opportunity, giftings, etc.) will determine our rank in Heaven (not our admission).  God is perfectly just too, we’ll each understand and be grateful for the position given (whatever it is it will be more than we deserve!)  We must also realize that this is a privilege – here on earth, responsibility or a job is a burden but in Heaven, it will be an opportunity, a chance to do for the One we love!

· Master’s Happiness (Joy) – These two are also, most importantly invited to enter into their Master’s Joy.  This is significant and much more than I can express even if I took the whole of our time here today!  Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him.  That Joy is much more than a sense of completion or accomplishment, knowing that it would soon be over or in light of a reward waiting on the other side of the suffering.  This Joy is a complete and total sense that redemption is accomplished, all will be set right, dwelling in the presence of God and His pleasure, it is perfect well-being, heaven, wholeness and more all wrapped up!  Wouldn’t you like to enter into and reside forevermore in that Joy?!!!

{vs. 24-26} This question is rhetorical not factual.  What we have represented here is the servant’s opinion of the Master (not a very good one at that)!  In this we see the wicked servant’s heart – his distrust and lack of loyalty/love for the master.  He is accusing the master of being mean/evil (to be feared) and stealing from others (gathering where you have not sown).  This is a rationalization of a man caught unprepared.  Perhaps he thought that the master would never return, return after he was dead/gone or that there would be time to work later, but because he had nothing to show – he made up excuses.

{vs. 27-30} Out of his own heart/words the master judges his actions.  If his opinion was true (and it’s not) – this would be all the more reason for the man to work hard, to not receive the wrath of the fearful master.  As excuses go this is poorly thought out.  The punishment is harsh because of his rebellion, wicked heart and laziness – he will lose what was entrusted to him, and be cast out of the household (Kingdom).  What we see is a ‘wanna be’ servant – notice what it says, “Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them”.  This man did not really have what he appeared to have – he never made use of or appropriated the endowment of the master.  This was never a servant (Once God’s – always God’s!) but is someone living for himself, trespassing at the master’s house!  The master is generous and willing to receive all who will serve – but he wanted the benefits of being attached to the master without the commitment or responsibility to him.  Be faithful, work for the day is coming and you know not when!

{vs. 31-34} This is the Messiah that the disciples and Jews of Jesus’ day were expecting!  Not the humble servant but the glorious judge and king!  What’s left of the world will be a mess and Jesus begins by sorting out who will enter into the Millennial Kingdom and who will be taken away to judgement (as we saw earlier in this sermon).  This is not the believer’s Bema Seat judgement (rewards) or the White Throne Judgement (where those who did not put their faith in Jesus will be judged by Him).  At His return, there is no time for changing hearts/minds or making up for previous actions – it is a simple up or down vote: “Enter in” or “Be gone, I never knew you!”  Those who enter in are the blessed by God – this will be as close to the way life was intended to be in the Garden of Eden!  However, sadly even after a thousand years of peace some born in this time will follow Satan for one last hurrah before being thrown into the Lake of Fire!

{vs. 35-36} Here we see the criteria for this judgement (often called the Judgement of the Sheep and Goats) and for entrance into the Kingdom.  Jesus sorts them into:

· His brethren - Jewish believers including the 144,000 sealed witnesses who will not be able to buy or sell during the tribulation

· the Sheep – Gentile believers who rejected the Beast and showed kindness and compassion to the brethren

· the goats - those who went along with the Beast, taking his mark and helping to persecute the believers

The brethren and sheep will pass through the valley of decision (created when Jesus puts His feet down on the Mount of Olives) into the Kingdom and the goats will be taken away to be held for ultimate judgement at the White Throne after the 1,000 years is over.

{vs. 37-40} As is often true, the righteous were doing what is right because of who they are and the love of Jesus within them – not even realizing the importance it would have upon them!  They did not understand that Jesus personally identifies with all those who are His and “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me.” (Matthew 10:40a) Sadly, the unrighteous also do not understand -

{vs. 41-46} This last verse describes their ultimate heading or destination – this is not at this time, but rather after the 1,000 years.  The brethren are believing Jews, the sheep are believing gentiles and they are blessed by the Father (insert called, chosen and elect) – those destined to enter the Kingdom.  They will go in in natural bodies and have children who will need to come to faith during that time or they will be among those who fall for Satan’s final deception.

Here in these two chapters, Jesus is talking about The End, before the end of His Earthly ministry.  We see repeated, somber warnings that:

· The end will not come as quickly as you think (the Bridegroom tarries & the Master will be delayed), but be watchful, be prepared and be faithful until He comes!

· Those caught unprepared, living for themselves and not God will suffer unimaginable loss – “eternal punishment” and “darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Jesus’ words not mine).  He paints a picture of a place without God’s light (goodness and blessings), a place of sorrow and anguish that is inescapable and that will go on for all eternity!

As messengers of the gospel (good news), we need to remind the world that this is not God’s desire for anyone (not even Judas or Hitler!)  Anyone who goes to Hell will have chosen to go there over God’s invitation to go to Heaven and be part of His family.  Hell was created for the Devil and his angelic followers, the only people who will go there will have to have rejected God (Christ) repeatedly and chosen to align themselves with Satan.