Monthly Archive for March, 2009

Matthew 25:28f

Published on March 31, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Continuing the parable of talents Jesus draws a conclusion about the unfaithful servant in verses 28-30.
25:28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
God took the talent from the man who buried his talent and gave it to the man with ten talents (the man with the greatest sense of responsibility).
25:29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
God will give those who are authentic in the use of His resources more resources. They will have greater opportunity to serve God.
25:30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
This servant was without saving faith and will land in hell. “Outer darkness” is hell. In hell there is unbroken agony of separation from God.
In the argument of Matthew the unprofitable servant represents unbelieving Jews at the end of the Tribulation. The purpose of the Tribulation is to bring Israel back to God.
PRINCIPLE: We either use it or lose it.
APPLICATION: The local church from the first century has had spurious people who are not truly Christian. Their work does not benefit the cause of Christ.
Christians who waste their gifts and abilities will lose reward (1 Co 3:15).

Matthew 25:24f

Published on March 30, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

The unfaithful servant offers an excuse why he did make money with his lord’s money.
25:24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
The third slave did not make his lord profit but offered an excuse for not producing money with his resources. His excuse was to transfer blame to the master! What unabashed impudence! He even charged his master with being a hard-nosed, harsh businessman. This slave even accused this businessman as earning money on the backs of others; that is, he accused his lord of exploiting others! He was blind to the fact that his lord wanted him to experience wonderful joys. This is a picture of the non-believer’s view of the Lord.
There are many people who will blame God for their own lack of faith. This servant was like many today who blame those who produce capital.
25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
The third servant operated on fear. Fear always distorts and destroys the work of God. Attempt nothing and it will lead to nothing. It is nothing ventured, nothing gained.
25:26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
The lord’s scathing reply falls into three categories corresponding to the two faithful servants:
1.    Stern characterization of the faithless servant—“wicked” and “lazy.”
2.    The lord charged the unfaithful servant with timidity—should have reaped and deposited the lord’s money.
3.    The fate of the lazy servant (faithless) has a double pain—loss and suffering.
The master pronounced his verdict on this faithless servant. The servant was “wicked” in that he twisted the master’s character. The master characterized this servant as “lazy,” indicating lack of faith in him. Fear and laziness go hand-in-hand.
25:27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
The lazy servant did not use the opportunity that his master presented him. No wonder he did not anticipate the master’s return. His business was more important that his master’s business.
This servant represents those who do not look for Jesus at the Second Coming; they are unbelievers.
PRINCIPLE: There is satisfaction in a life lived for the Lord, a life free from fear.
APPLICATION: Many Christians live useless lives that do not count for eternity. They are more concerned about me, myself, and mine. This kind of thinking goes to what they think of their Lord. He and His program are irrelevant to them. They have little regard for His person or work. Our excuse becomes our reason for not serving Him.
Fear paralyses our service. It will cut the nerve of dynamic service for the Lord. There is no excuse in saying “God challenges are too great for me.” God always makes a way for those who are willing to trust Him.
Fear is the reason many do not embrace the finished work of Christ on their behalf as well. They cannot bring themselves to trust the Lord as their Savior.

Matthew 25:19f

Published on March 29, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Jesus’ followers will face a time of reckoning when He comes back.
25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
The master called his servants to account as his first order of business when he came back from his long journey (Second Coming). “Long time” indicates indefinite delay in the Lord’s return. There was a long time between His ascension after the resurrection until He comes again.
25:20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
The first servant did not brag about his success but simply stated a fact about his success in investing.
The servants here represent those who are present at the Second Coming.
25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.
The master both praised and rewarded the faithful servant.
Enter into the joy of your lord.’
We will experience joy in the kingdom when we realize we served the Lord faithfully in time.
25:22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
The second servant did the same as the first servant with the resources he had.
25:23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
The lord gave the same commendation to the second as the first servant. God rewards us not for our brilliance but for our faithfulness. Excellence of service has its reward—appointment and promotion to higher office.
PRINCIPLE: God always gives us ministry capital to do ministry.
APPLICATION: Paul was under no illusion about his success in ministry. He did not brag about what he accomplished but stated a sense of fulfillment about what God did through him. At the end of his life, he made this statement:
2 Ti 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
We will receive the Lord’s words “well done” when we accomplish ministry for Him. That is pleasure in His pleasure in us. God takes care of His balance-sheet.
God lends us a certain amount of ministry capital. It takes money to make money. It honors Him if we use it wisely. We cannot offer the excuse that we are not talented as others. God gives gifts and talents to trade for spiritual capital. He does not give them for our exclusive enjoyment.

Matthew 25:16f

Published on March 27, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

The parable of the talents is a trilogy of three parables that encourage us to love the Lord’s appearing. We look forward to the day we have been faithful to Him and His pleasure at what we did for Him.
25:16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
The Lord’s gift to the five talent person was beneficial because he invested those sums of money and made a profit of five more talents.
25:17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
The two talent person gained profit as well but with lesser capacity. He was just as faithful as the person with five talents. He doubled his master’s money as well as the first servant.
25:18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
The third slave had a fear of failure. He did not risk his resources; he didn’t even attempt to invest his capital. He hid his talent in the ground, a common practice in that day. Anxiety paralyzed his risk point of reference. This is an issue of not putting trust in the Lord. Insecurity always goes toward refuge. Safety inevitably takes priority over risk.
God does not expect us to do what others with greater capacity can do. All He expects is to do what we can with what we have. Nothing more, nothing less. There is no justification for cowering in fear because God gives us the capacity to do what He asks of us.
PRINCIPLE: If we are faithful in a few things, God will entrust us with many things.
APPLICATION: Disciples fall into two categories—unfaithful and faithful. Faithful servants put their gifts and talents to work for the Lord. Unfaithful servants hide their abilities. If we do not use our capacities, we may blunt our service for the Lord. The Lord ultimately took the unfaithful servants talent from him.
Wasted opportunity is heartbreak. John Greenleaf Whittier wrote these words that sum up the point of the principle: “For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these; ‘It might have been!’” We need to buy up every opportunity to serve the Lord.
Eph 5:15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time (the Greeks says literally—buying up every opportunity), because the days are evil.

Matthew 25:14f

Published on March 27, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

The next section of Matthew (25:31-46) concerns judgment of the Gentile nations at Christ’s Second Coming.
25:14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants (slaves) and delivered his goods to them.
Jesus compares the kingdom to a man who entrusts his resources to three men. This trip would take a long time because he went to “a far country.”
25:15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one,
By leaving his wealth with these three men, they operate under the owner’s authority. These slaves were responsible for handling his assets properly. The owner expected to profit from his investments.
A “talent” is a measure of weigh or unity of exchange, not a specific amount of money. A talent of gold and a talent of sliver would differ greatly. A talent weighed somewhere between 58 and 80 pounds indicating a large sum of money.
to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
The owner left his capital in the hands of these three according to their ability to handle them.
The owner in the parable represents Jesus. The slaves represent believers in the kingdom.
PRINCIPLE: There is a common answerability for differing levels of accountability based on personal ability.
APPLICATION: God only expects us to do what we can with what we have. He does not expect more or less than that. Differing individual believers range in intellect and natural talents; they also vary in opportunity and privilege. God wants us to achieve as much as our opportunities, capacities, and talents will allow.
God requires the same fidelity of everyone no matter how much talent they have. If God gave us one talent, He expects us to be true to that responsibility. We have a responsibility toward the capital we possess.
1 Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Matthew 25:6f

Published on March 26, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Verses 6-13 continue the parable of the 10 virgins.
25:6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
The bridegroom arrives at midnight. This was an unexpected time. They were to be ready to welcome him at any point.
1 Th 5: 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
At the arrival of the bridegroom the virgins trimmed their lamps. Trimming has to do with cleaning wicks, lightening them, and adjusting the flames.
25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
The five foolish virgins did not bring enough oil for such a late appointment. The foolish bridesmaids realized how unprepared they were for the bridegroom’s coming.
25:9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
The unprepared virgins had to go to the market to search for oil. This took some time. They missed the arrival of the bridegroom. Israel in the Tribulation will not be prepared for the Second Coming. They will miss out on the Millennial Kingdom. The wise bridesmaids could do nothing for the foolish ones.
25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
The prepared virgins were invited into the wedding feast and the door was closed to any further guests. There will be Israelites who will not enter the kingdom but there will be a remnant of Israelites who will be prepared for Christ’s coming. The judgment here is not the Great White Throne judgment but judgment at the end of the Tribulation.
25:11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
The foolish bridesmaids appealed directly to the Lord. Arriving late for the feast, the foolish virgins were denied entrance to the party.
25:12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
People have to live by the consequences of their decisions.
25:13 “Watch therefore (Jesus draws a conclusion from the parable), for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Jesus in the Olivet Discourse calls for people to be “alert” or “watch” for His coming (24:36, 42, 44, 50).
Mt 24: 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
PRINCIPLE: Readiness for Christ’s coming is of high value to the Lord.
APPLICATION: There are a number of benefits to anticipation of the Lord’s return. There is a cleansing element (1 Jn 3:1-3). Focus on future personal fellowship with the Lord is another.

 

Matthew 25:1f

Published on March 25, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the 25bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

Chapter 25 continues the Olivet Discourse started in chapter 24.
This chapter introduces judgment on the nation Israel (25:1-30). At Christ’s Second Coming separations will occur. The parable of the 10 Virgins shows judgment on living Jews at that time (25:1-13). Jesus demonstrates a further separation in the parable of the sheep and goats (25:31-46).
25:1 “Then (connects to preceding chapter—the time of the Second Coming) the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Jesus pictures Israel as 10 virgins (bridesmaids) awaiting the return of the bridegroom with his bride. Return of the bridegroom in Jesus’ day indicated return from the bride’s house to his own house where the bridesmaids enjoyed a banquet with the new couple. Jesus will invite some Jews (the prepared bridesmaids) in the Tribulation to come to a banquet.
25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Preparation is necessary to attend the wedding banquet for a night procession to the wedding place.
25:3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
It was necessary to bring oil for their lamps (torches) but five of them did not bring oil for their torches for the night wedding.
25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
The five wise virgins were prudent to take oil for their lamps.
25:5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
All ten virgins slept while waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. The bridegroom tarried. All ten bridesmaids became sleepy or dull about the bridegroom’s coming.
PRINCIPLE: It is important to be prepared for Christ’s coming whether it is the Second Coming or the Rapture.
APPLICATION: The Lord’s coming has been delayed for a long time. This is no excuse not to be prepared for His coming. The Lord requires that we stay vigilant about His return.
It is especially important for those who have never received the claims of Christ to recognize that there will be a judgment day for them.
There is solemnity about the coming of Christ. We dare not treat it lightly. Our welcoming of Christ is important to Him. It is an issue of placing value on meeting Him personally. We dare not delay preparation for His coming.

Matthew 24:48f

Published on March 24, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

24:48 But (contrast to faithful slave) if that evil (shameful) servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’
The unprepared believer will count on the Lord’s delay of His coming. He does not prepare himself for the coming kingdom.
24:49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,
The Lord’s coming means He will hold us accountable for what we do. Many believers will squander their opportunities because of an attitude of lack of urgency toward the Lord’s coming. They will live for their evil ends and indulge in their own pleasures. They even move into brutality.
24:50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,
The Lord’s coming will surprise those who live for themselves. There is an urgency in waiting for the Lord to come.
Ro 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
1 Co 1:7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ph 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
He 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Ja 5:8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
1 Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Re 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
24:51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.
Jesus will assign professing believers in the category of hypocrites. They are religious phonies. They represent two opposing principles simultaneously.
This punishment is retribution, not extinction. This is the discipline of what unwatchfulness leads to if it is not awakened.
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Weeping and gnashing of teeth represent grief and torment. It is remorse for loss. This does not refer to hell but to discipline. It is a metaphor of sever judgment. This is how God deals with believers out of fellowship.
PRINCIPLE: Trifling with truth manifests independence from the Lord.
APPLICATION: By ignoring the reality of the coming of the Lord we trifle with truth. This results in independence from the Lord. There will come a day when we give account for what we do with our lives. We view all service in light of the coming of the Lord. God will measure our faithfulness to Him at that time.

Matthew 24:45f

Published on March 23, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

Jesus gives an analogy of a trusted slave to make the point of faithful stewardship in service (24:45-47). He also gives the picture of an unfaithful slave who is careless about the Lord’s coming (24:48-51). These are two attitudes toward the return of the Lord.
24:45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
Jesus raises the question of faithfulness in service. Slaves had the responsibility to faithfully distribute food to an estate.
24:46 Blessed is that servant (slave) whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
“So doing” has to do with watchfulness and preparedness when the Lord returns (vv 43-44).
24:47 Assuredly (important statement), I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
God rewards faithfulness. Faithful believers in the Tribulation will have greater responsibility in the Millennium.
PRINCIPLE: Faithfulness in a narrow sphere leads to a wider sphere.
APPLICATION: God gives each believer a stewardship on earth in time to serve Him. The reward for faithful service is grander service. God will give us greater dominion in eternity for service in time.
Believers are compelled to serve the Lord faithfully because of God’s grace. God gave us spiritual gifts, talents, personality, a place and time to serve Him. True service counts on God’s promises. Faithful believers say “Maranatha”—the Lord is at hand.”
1 Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Matthew 24:42f

Published on March 22, 2009 in Matthew. 0 Comments
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42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Jesus speaking from the Mount of Olives continues his sermon with a warning to watch for His coming (24:42-44). He gives an illustration of a thief coming unexpectedly.
24:42 Watch (be alert) therefore,
Jesus makes a call for urgency for those at the end of the Great Tribulation. Believers at that time need to keep awake like a guard on duty. Torpor or spiritual drowsiness presents problems.
for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
People at the end of the Tribulation will not know the exact time of the Second Coming of Christ. They could watch for the signs Jesus presented earlier in the chapter but those signs do not give an exact time of His coming.
24:43 But know this, that if (Greek=but he didn’tknow) the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into (literally, dug through as through a clay house).
No thief announces his plan to rob a house. No head of the household would fail to make plans if he knew a robber was going to break into his house. A thief comes unexpectedly. The head of house’s ignorance of the time that the thief would come is no excuse. Ignorance is no excuse. Paul said, “You are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief.”
Jesus will come unexpectedly. He is like a thief in that one respect. Most people in the Tribulation will not expect His coming even with the unimaginable disasters unfolding before them. Believers should expect His coming because of the signs preceding His coming in the Tribulation.
24:44 Therefore you also be ready,
Readiness is the consequence of watchfulness. The idea is to become prepared. The word “be” is literally become. They were not ready but they should become ready. Spiritual preparation does not come automatically.
for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Readiness allows believers to greet the Lord with joy.
PRINCIPLE: Spiritual lethargy is deadly to a dynamic walk with the Lord.
APPLICATION: The attitude of expectation of the Lord’s coming whether at the Rapture or the Second Coming is a vital perspective spiritually. Many people today are asleep spiritually because they are uncertain about the Lord’s coming. Some but not many are wide awake to spiritual realities.
Christ’s coming and the reality of the eternal state are so far off that we give little heed to its reality. Uncertainty can blind us to truth. Oh, that we might welcome the Lord’s coming. Vigilance toward the Lord’s coming is vital to spiritual health.
1 Th 5:3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.