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The Life of Jesus (31). Teachings Concerning Judgment The Lord’s Return (2) Matthew 25:14-46. In Matthew 24-25:14. We continue our study of Judgment as Jesus taught it during His final week of teaching leading to His death. Matthew 24-25 - Background.
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The Life of Jesus (31) Teachings Concerning JudgmentThe Lord’s Return (2) Matthew 25:14-46
In Matthew 24-25:14 • We continue our study of Judgment as Jesus taught it during His final week of teaching leading to His death.
Matthew 24-25 - Background • 24:1-2 – Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple • 24:3, “When will these things be?” “What will be the signs of Your coming and of the end of the age.”
Matthew 24 – The Message • 24:4-35 – the coming destruction of JerusalemAnswering the 1st question! • 24:36-25:46– “But of that day and hour no one knows…” Answering the 2nd question!
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • 25:14-30 – Three servants given talents to manage “according to their ability”. • The master goes on a journey to a far country (long time)
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • The 5 & 2 talent servants double their resources • The one talent man buries his talent in the ground (i.e. he did NOTHING!)
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • The master returns to settle accounts • The 5 & 2 talent servants present their efforts and are rewarded accordingly (25:21, 23)
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • The 1 talent servant • Returns the talent to the master • Speaks of his harsh conduct (25:24-25) • He makes excuses
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • Why the accusation? • If descriptive of God, is it true? • Certainly NOT!
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • God does NOT take what does not belong to Him • What belongs to Him? Everything! (1 Cor. 10:26, 28; Psa. 24:1, Ex. 19:5) • His critics make harsh accusations against Him
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • “You have what is Yours” • Is this a true statement? • What about his abilities and time, as a steward? • Was he capable of managing 1 talent?
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • One talent man’s response: • Rather than take responsibility, he made excuses! He accused others! • How many blame God because they don’t want to take responsibility?
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • “You wicked and lazy servant” (25:26-28) • Why did master reply this way? • Plausible: He answers “a fool according to his folly”
Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” • “You wicked and lazy servant” (25:26-28) • Why wicked? • Did the servant act honorably?Did he steal (Eph. 4:28)Did he slander?
Matt. 25:14-30 – Lessons: • We don’t know when the master will return! • When He returns we will give an account for our conductWe have abilities (Rom. 12:3-8, 1 Pet. 4:7-11, cf. 1 Cor. 12:11, 18)
Matt. 25:14-30 – Lessons: • God detests laziness! • When He returns we will give an account for our conductWe have abilities (2 Thess. 3:10-12, Heb. 6:11, 1 Thess. 4:11, Prov. 6:6-11, 10:4, 18:9, 20:13, etc.)
Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment • Jesus now describes the judgment directly • Son of Man – Jesus (Matt. 9:6, 12:8, 12:40, 26:2) • He will come in glory – Phil. 2:5-7, John 17:1-5, 2 Thess. 1:9-10
Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment • With his angels – 2 Thess. 1:7, Matt. 13:41, 49 • He will sit in judgment on His throne! Rom. 2:16, 1 Cor. 4:5, 1 Tim. 4:1
Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment • A day of separation – 32-35 • All nations (souls) gathered before Him! • Separated THEN John 5:28-29, Rev. 20:12,…
Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment • The sheep on the right – 34-40 • Inherit the kingdom… • How? They did good to His brethren
Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment • The goats on the right – 41-46 • “Depart from Me…”Rev. 20:10, 15, 21:8 • Why? They did NOT do good to His brethren
Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment • The goats on the right – 41-46 • NOTE: It was not the “horrible” sins cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Rev. 21:8, Gal. 5:19-21, … Sin is sin! • They did not recall their failure
Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment • The goats on the right – 41-46 • Their fate – “everlasting destruction”
Matt. 25:31-46 – Lessons • While our salvation is not based upon works – a godly life WILL be filled with good works Titus 2:14, Eph. 2:10, cf. Jas. 2:14-18, 24 • Do we care about the needy as we ought to? Gal. 6:10
Matt. 25:31-46 – Lessons • There are only two directions of judgment • “everlasting” & “eternal” are same word • When we stand before God we will be sentenced one way or the other!
We WILL stand before God! Are you ready?