Sheep And Goats

This familiar parable has some valuable lessons.

Matthew 25:31-46

End of the world.

• all nations shall be assembled (this did not happen in 70 AD.)
• separation between the righteous and the wicked
• eternal rewards and punishments
• The glory of the Son of Man. He who was humiliated shall be glorified

Sheep

• a kingdom prepared for them before the foundation of the world; before they had done, thought, or decided anything (v. 34).
• blessed of my Father—by creation, providence and electing grace
• those who have been thus blessed will do good, not as the basis of grace but as the result of grace (35-40).
• to do good expecting nothing in return, not even a favorable nod, is to be like God

Goats

• everlasting fire—prepared for the devil and his angels. Those who distort God’s electing grace complaining that some men have been predestined to hell need to read this verse again.
• the unrighteous are not habitually kind and are always “keeping score” hoping to earn favor with God

Acts of kindness

• Food
• Water
• Shelter
• Clothing
• Visiting/friendship

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The Parable Of The Talents

What have you done with the stuff God has given you? Is your conduct defensible before God?

Matthew 25:14—30

“The kingdom of heaven is like…” tells us that we will have to think about something.

Responsibility (vs 14-18)

• The master is going away. Before he goes, he distributes silver, in varying amounts, to his servants.
• The servants are expected to use the money to make more money for the master.
• Two of the servants succeed in making profit.
• The third servant hides the money so nobody can steal it.

Reckoning (vs 19-30)

• After a long time, the master returns to hear how his servants have been doing with their business ventures.
• Those who increased the master’s wealth are deemed “good and faithful”; and they are promoted.
• He who has no profit to show is stripped of his responsibilities and called “wicked and slothful” and “unprofitable”. More, he is thrown out.

Rationale

Even the relatively low-interest profit of depositing the money with the bank would have been better than doing nothing with the money (v 27).

The offense is greater because the servant knew the master’s reputation for business (v. 26).

Fear paralyzes us from doing what we know we should do (v. 25).

Unprofitable servants, like tasteless salt, are good for nothing but to be thrown out.

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The Wise and Foolish Virgins

The lesson of this parable is plain: Be prepared for the coming of Jesus (Matthew 25:13)

Matthew 25:1-13

• Unlike our modern, finely scheduled weddings, ancient marriages involved an indefinite period of time between the engagement (which was considered binding) and the actual wedding feast. So when the text says that the virgins were waiting, it is true to custom.
• All ten of the virgins waited, all ten had lamps with a bit of oil, all ten fell asleep waiting.
• But only 5 had sufficient oil in their lamps to last the waiting period. The other five, foolishly, had not prepared for the long wait.
• When the 5 foolish virgins asked the others to share oil, the answer was a resounding “No!”. They were advised to go buy more oil for themselves (at midnight). They went to buy.
• But in the meantime the bridegroom arrived, entered, and closed the door. He refused to grant entrance to the 5 foolish virgins who had gone off to buy oil. (Maybe they should have stood beside somebody with light.)

The lessons:

1. We don’t know the day or hour when Jesus is coming back.
2. We should be prepared for a long wait, just in case.
3. We should be watching for him to arrive.

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Faithful Or Evil Servant?

Neutrality is not an option. Which kind of servant are you?

Matthew 24:43-51

• The faithful and wise servant diligently works and watches for the arrival of his master.
• He will be promoted.
• The evil servant ignores the coming of his master, mistreats his fellow-servants, and parties all the time.
• He will be fired (or worse).
• In either case, the master arrives unannounced. So Jesus, too, will return to earth unannounced. We should be working until he returns. We should be looking for his return.

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