The Second Coming of Christ - Part 7: While We Wait for the Lord’s Return...

The Second Coming of Christ

Part 7: While We Wait for the Lord’s Return...

The Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 25:13-30; Luke 19:11-17

Sermon by Rick Crandall

(Prepared March 15, 2023)

BACKGROUND:

*Please open your Bibles to Matthew 25:13. Most of you know that by now, it was only 2 or 3 days before the cross. In Matthew 23, Jesus was in the temple, and He very publicly condemned the scribes and Pharisees for stubbornly rejecting Him as the Messiah. The Lord also condemned them for their spiritual pride, corruption, lack of mercy, hypocrisy, and more.

*Then on the way out of the city, the disciples stopped to admire the temple. Matthew 24:1 says, "Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came to Him to show Him the buildings of the temple."

*It's understandable that the disciples were impressed by the temple, because Herod's temple in Jerusalem was a sight to behold. Work on the complex started before Jesus was born. Ten thousand skilled workmen were employed for the task. And ironically, the work was not entirely finished until 63 AD, only 7 years before the destruction of the entire temple.

*The actual temple building itself could have fit inside a baseball infield. But the large structures around the temple, like the storerooms, porticos and courts built by King Herod filled an area that could hold 25 football fields. This temple was built of white marble and covered with heavy plates of gold in front. Rising high above its marble-covered courts, the temple looked like a snow-covered mountain. (1)

*No wonder the Lord's disciples were impressed. But in vs. 2, "Jesus said to them, 'Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.'''

*The disciples were probably in shock at what the Lord had prophesied about the temple. And vs. 3 tells us that "As He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?'''

*We have studied the Lord's answer for several weeks, looking at the sure truths, the warnings, the mysteries, the Old Testament background, the rapture of the Church, and the final fulfillment of His words. But as Jesus answered the disciples' questions about His second coming, He used parables to help them understand. Today we will study another of these parables, because it can help us be ready for the Lord's second coming. Let's get started by reading Matthew 25:13-30.

MESSAGE:

*In vs. 13, Jesus tells us to "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." Jesus is coming again! And it could be today. But what if it's not today? While we wait for the Lord’s return, we must be sure to answer four questions:

1. FIRST: WHAT GIFTS DO I HAVE FROM GOD?

*This question comes from the Lord's words in vs. 14-15. Here Jesus said:

14. . . "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."

*Notice here that God gave some of His goods, (His possessions, His property) to all of His servants. They didn't all get the same amount, but all of them got something. And the Lord wants us to understand that He has also given some valuable gifts to us. God wants us to discover our potential, and when we do, we will learn we are worth more than we dreamed.

*One servant here received 5 talents, one received 2 talents, and another received one talent, "to each according to his own ability." This reminds us that God is not going to give us more than we can handle. And praise the Lord for that! But how much is a talent? -- Turns out, it's a lot. A. T. Robertson tells us that just one talent was equal to 6,000 days' pay for an average worker. By that measure, one talent was worth about 20 years of work! Two talents were worth 40 years of wages, and 5 talents were worth a hundred years of labor! (2)

*Christians: The Lord has put some very valuable things in our hands: Natural talents, abilities, and resources, plus spiritual gifts from His Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul talked about spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8, and there he wrote:

6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

7. or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;

8. he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

*There Paul listed seven spiritual gifts: Prophecy (or preaching), ministry, teaching, exhortation (or encouragement), giving, leading, and mercy. We need to know that this is not a complete list of God's spiritual gifts. There are two other lists in 1 Corinthians 12, and some writers also include the list of church leaders in Ephesians 4:11. (3)

*When it comes to the seven gifts in Romans 12, John Phillips explained that three of them are for expanding God's Word, and four are for expanding God's Work, basically "being the hands and feet of Jesus" in this broken and hurting world. Both types of gifts are desperately needed in our world. (4)

*God gives gifts for Christians to preach, teach and encourage because the Bible is the Word of God. And everybody needs God's Word for this earthly life. Most of all, we need God's Word for eternal life. That's why 1 Peter 1:23-25 tells Christians that we have:

23. . . been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

24. because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,

25. but the word of the Lord endures forever.'' Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

*Church: We can never overstate the importance of God's Word, because no one can be saved without hearing and believing the good news about Jesus Christ. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO BE SAVED! And if God has given you these gifts, try your best to make the most of them!

*The other four gifts are also essential in God's Church. In Romans 12:7 we see the gift of ministry (or serving), and in Romans 12:8 we see the gift of giving. All Christians are supposed to be givers, because God is a giver, and He has commanded us to give. But some Christians are blessed with extra resources, and an extraordinary spiritual gift of generosity. In Romans 12:8, we also see the gifts of leading and showing mercy. God doesn't want us to kick people when they are down. And some people have a special gift for showing His mercy. Maybe that's you.

*As God graciously supplies His spiritual gifts to us, we are to serve faithfully, give generously, lead diligently, and show mercy cheerfully. These spiritual gifts help the Gospel be spread and show the Lord's compassion to hungry and hurting people.

*Right now, you may be wondering, "What are my spirit gifts, and how can I learn to use them?" Well, we used to teach classes and give spiritual inventories to help people discover their spiritual gifts. That's a good thing to do, and you can find some good resources online today.

*The reality for most Christians is that our place in church service is usually a Heaven-sent blend of our God-given natural abilities and His gifts of the Spirit. If you have a beautiful voice, then God may give you the gift of helping lead people in worship. If you can't sing a note, then that's probably not going to happen.

*Here's the way service gifts usually work. All true Christians are born again by God's Holy Spirit. Then, as we get involved in a local church, God begins to grow and shape this new life we have in Christ. Then God calls us to serve in one way or another. It might begin as a holy hunger, or it can crash in like a flash of lightening. But God leads us, He calls us to serve in one way or another. Along the way, He gives us opportunities to train for His calling, and He begins to open doors. We usually start small at first, and more opportunities come our way as we grow in Christ.

*The Lord has put some very valuable things in our hands: Spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, and resources. We just need to realize what they are, and begin to use them for the Lord. While we wait for the Lord’s return, we must be sure to answer this question: What gifts do I have from God?

2. BUT ALSO ANSWER THIS: AM I GAINING ALL I CAN FOR GOD'S KINGDOM?

*This question arises from vs. 16-18, where Jesus said:

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."

*Am I gaining all I can for God's Kingdom? Again, God has surely given each of us gifts and abilities, but are we using them for the glory of God? We must not bury our talents! We must get busy, and put our talents to work for God. Verse 16 says the man with 5 talents "went and traded with them." The idea behind this word "traded" is somebody working, somebody carrying out a task.

*Jesus told a similar parable in Luke 19:12-13 and said, "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, 'Occupy till I come.'"

*We might say: "Get an occupation," or "Get busy," or "Get a job!" Jesus Christ wants us to get enthusiastically involved in serving His cause: Praying, going, giving, helping, teaching, leading, serving the Lord any way we can.

*While we wait for the Lord’s return, be sure to answer this question: Am I gaining all I can for God's Kingdom?

3. BUT ALSO ANSWER THIS: WHAT IS OUR ULTIMATE GOAL FOR LIFE?

*Jesus tells us in vs. 19-23:

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.'

*We see it twice in these verses. -- Obviously our ultimate goal as Christians is to hear the Lord say, "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."

*Please notice here Christians, that we are accountable to our Lord. We will give an account of our lives to Jesus Christ. God's Word makes this truth clear in Scriptures like Romans 14:10-13, where Paul wrote:

10. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11. For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.''

12. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

13. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

*2 Corinthians 5:8-11, also says this to us as Christians:

8. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

9. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

11. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well-known to God, and I also trust are well-known in your consciences.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." Paul was not talking about lost people there. He was talking about saved people. Our appearance before the Judgment Seat of Christ takes place in Heaven, probably after the Rapture, and before Christ returns to rule on the earth. But understand that this is not a judgment of our sins. Christians, all of our sins are washed away by the saving blood of Jesus Christ! Jesus paid it all. He paid the full price for our sins when He died on the cross for us.

*That's why John 3:18 tells us, "He who believes in Him is not condemned." And John 3:36 says, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life." The judgment seat of Christ is not a judgment for our sins. It's a judgment of our service to the Lord. And Christians, "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

*God saves us to serve Him. And while we wait for the Lord, He wants all of us to be occupied in serving Him. We should be occupied serving the Lord in Sunday School, or the music ministry, Children's Church, Upward, Orange, the Nursery, Ladies' Ministry, Committees and more.

*We should also be occupied serving the Lord where we live, work, and play. And there is no telling how much good can come when we get busy serving the Lord. Remember that in Matthew 10:42 Jesus said, "Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.''

*Today I was thinking about one of those faithful servants in my life, and it took me back to my high school days, over 50 years ago. It took me back to one of the most faithful witnesses to me. His name was Wesley Humphreys, and when it came to being a Christian, he was the real thing. No matter how much I argued with him, no matter how much I ridiculed him, Wesley never gave up on me.

*He was always willing to speak the truth to me. And he always did it with a patient, kind, friendly spirit. Wesley sat in front of me in one of my classes, but I haven't seen him since 1969. He had no idea that I got saved six years later and was later called to preach.

*Eighteen years ago, I started thinking about all of this, and I decided to try to call Wesley. I wanted to thank him for being such a great example and faithful witness to me, so I searched for him online. Thank the Lord, his name wasn't Bill Smith! There aren't too many men named Wesley Humphreys, and I found him in Orlando. Then I called to say thanks. What a shock; what a pleasant surprise for him!

*Wesley was a grandfather by then, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was overjoyed to hear from me. He was amazed to learn what God has done in my life. And I believe that for all his prayers, patience, and kindness to me, one day Wesley will hear words like Jesus said in Matthew 25:23, "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."

*Don't you want to hear that too? -- It should be our ultimate goal as Christians, so while we wait for the Lord's return, answer this question: What is my ultimate goal?

4. BUT ALSO ANSWER THIS QUESTION: DO I REALLY KNOW GOD?

*This is the question that rises from vs. 24-30 where Jesus said:

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. Therefore you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

28. Therefore 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.'"

*The wicked and lazy servant said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown." But let me ask you this question: Did that man really know the Lord? -- Not a chance. Our God is merciful, kind, and gracious!

*Think about the great abundance of God's mercy. Christians: It’s for all of our sins, for all who believe in Jesus Christ, for all time! And all of this mercy comes from God. In 2 Corinthians 1:3 the Bible tells us that God is "the Father of mercies," and He surely is.

*Psalm 100:5 tells us that "the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations." Notice that there God put His mercy and truth together. And I am glad He did, because we cannot have God's mercy without God's truth. And the truth is that we all need God's mercy.

*King David surely did. In Psalm 6:1-4, David prayed this prayer:

1. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.

2. Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

3. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD how long?

4. Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake!

*In Psalm 86:3-5 David also cried out to God and said:

3. Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long.

4. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

5. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

*King David was willing to seek for God's mercy. And he was sure of God's mercy, so at the end of the 23rd Psalm David proclaimed, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever."

*Our God is merciful, kind, and gracious. But it took the greatest sacrifice the world will ever see: Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins.

*One of the most moving sacrifices I ever saw happened at Captain D’s of all places. Back in the 1990’s, I was going into the restaurant at the exact same time a young mother with her tiny baby was coming out. When I was about 10 feet away, that mom tripped over the concrete curb in front of her car. She was falling straight forward with that little baby in her arms. It seemed like she was falling in slow motion, but I was too far away to help. And it looked like the worst was about to happen.

*But then I was astounded to see this ordinary mother whirl around like a cat, and fall flat on her back to protect her baby. The problem was: She had no way to protect herself. She took the fall. She slammed into that parking lot. She took the full force of the fall to protect her little baby. And that is what Jesus did for us on the cross.

*Thank the Lord, that mother was not seriously injured by her sacrifice. But Jesus suffered and died so that we could live with Him forever. Now our Risen Savior will surely save anyone who puts their trust in Him. This is the merciful God we know as Christians. And the heart of Christianity is a close, personal relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. God wants everyone to know Him as Lord, Savior, Father, and friend.

CONCLUSION:

*Jesus is coming again! And it could be today, but what if it's not today? While we wait for the Lord’s return, we must be sure to answer these 4 questions:

-What gifts do I have from God?

-Am I gaining all I can for God's Kingdom?

-What is our ultimate goal for life?

-And do I really know God?

*Please think about those questions. And if you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, call on the Lord to save you now, as we go back to God in prayer.

(1) Sources:

-INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA - "IV. The Temple of Herod" - James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor - Published in 1915, 1939; public domain.

-Got Questions: What was Herod's temple? - https://www.gotquestions.org/Herod-third-temple.html

-Bible History - "Rebuilding the Temple" - https://bible-history.com/jewishtemple/rebuilding-the-temple

(3) QUESTION: Is there a biblical spiritual gifts list? - https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-gifts-list.html

(4) EXPLORING ROMANS by John Phillips, Kregal Publications, Grand Rapids - "The Christian's Responsibilities to Other Brethren" - Romans 12:6-13 - Downloaded to "Bible Study 6" from Olive Tree Bible Software, Inc.