March 6, 2011
Morning Service

Matt. 25:14-30

 

Review:

1.                   Since the questions were ask, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  Jesus answered them in chapter 24, and is now telling them what things are going to happen when He returns at the end of the age.

2.                  In chapter 24 Jesus gave them the parable of the days of Noah.  “It will be like in Noah’s days, very frivolous, and sinful times.”  Could anyone doubt that it is not like that now?  People are not interested in the things of God, but the things of the world, that will satisfy their flesh, and not their spirit.  At the end of this parable Jesus said, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.”

3.                  Then He gave them the parable of two servants.  One wise who gave His servants meat in due season, and the other a slothful, and self indulgent servant who looked out only for himself.  The admonition at the end of this parable was, Mat 24:50-51 KJVR  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,  (51)  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

4.                  Last Sunday morning we discussed the parable of the ten virgins.  Five were wise, and five were foolish.  The wise were filled with the Spirit of God, and the foolish had allowed apathy to take over their lives, and the Spirit of God had left them.  The admonition to them was, “Watch for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

5.                  In these parables Jesus is very clearly addressing His coming, and the end of the age.

 

One scripture we used last week to help give us some encouragement, and motivation, was ICor. 15:58;  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

It also means that you will be watching for our Lord to return.

 

This morning we want to look at another parable that goes along the same idea that the ten virgins does.  Be busy, not slothful, nor sleeping, but about your Father’s business.  Be active in the kingdom, fulfilling your duties that He has left for someone to do.  LET THAT SOMEONE BE YOU.

 

Mat 25:14-30 KJVR  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  (15)  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 

• Now this very clearly describes Jesus, and His followers.  He went away.  He left the Apostles in charge of His church, or called out ones.  They all had different talents to be used for the glory of God. 
• He gave, or entrusted to everyone a talent, or something to do, and something that is very noteworthy, to every man according to his several ability.  There are many tasks, and duties in the Kingdom.  Many positions in the church that must be filled.  Duties to be performed.  And it is up to us to fill these positions with the most qualified people.  And that the most qualified people accept their calling for service.
• Paul teaches us concerning this matter:

Eph 4:1-32 KJVR  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,  (2)  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  (3)  Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  (4)  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  (5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  (7)  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  (8)  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (9)  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  (10)  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  (11)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

WHY DID HE GIVE THESE GIFTS?  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

HOW LONG WILL WE NEED THESE GIFTED PEOPLE?   (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 

(14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

• Paul also in the Roman letter;

Rom 12:3-8 KJVR  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  (4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  (5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  (6)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  (7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  (8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

• Then in the Corinthian letter, ICor. 12;

Paul begins chapter 12 with, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”  Then goes on, 1Co 12:4-7 KJVR  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  (5)  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  (6)  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  (7)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

• Paul goes on and lists the different gifts that are given to the church.  It is for us to remember that the gifts are given by God, to every man according to his several ability, for the edification of the church, and till the Lord returns, or till we all grow into the full stature of Christ.  His return will come first.

SO NOW THAT YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOMETHING TO DO ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITIES, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH IT?    YOU SEE, THIS IS WHAT JESUS IS SAYING IN THIS PARABLE.   NOTICE. 

(16)  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  (17)  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 

• These that recognized their God given talent, and what it was, cultivated it, or worked at getting better at what their talent was.  These were multitalented people.  Busy people, not idle, or slothful.

(18)  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 

• The person that had one talent, did not use it for the glory of God, and benefit of mankind, but squandered it, or just kept it to himself.

(19)  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  (20)  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  (21)  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  (22)  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  (23)  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

• So we can see the reward for using your gifts for the glory of God.

(24)  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed:  (25)  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.  (26)  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed:  (27)  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  (28)  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  (29)  For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  (30)  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

IT IS CLEARLY SEEN, IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, PEOPLE WERE NOT INTERESTED IN GOD.  IN THE TWO SERVANTS, ONE WAS SLOTHFUL, NOT LOOKING FOR THE LORD’S RETURN.  THE TEN VIRGINS, FIVE WERE FOOLISH.  PARABLE OF THE TALENTS, SOME WISE, AND SOME FOOLISH.

IN EACH PARABLE, A REWARD, AND PUNISHMENT, WHAT WILL YOUR’S BE?