Lesson 8

Review:

We have been in our series on the parables of Jesus

We talked last week abut the Pharisee & the Tax Collector

Question: Has there been a parable that has stood out to you or helped you see things clearer?

Set-Up:

In the book of Matthew, there are two big discourses that Jesus did. The Sermon on the Mount and the Olivet Discourse

The Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24-25, Jesus is seated on the mount of Olives and is speaking to His closest disciples about his second coming.

In the Olivet Discourse there are parables that Jesus used in describing His second coming….Some people have hijacked Jesus teaching on the second coming.

What’s The Point of the Discourse? “The answer is simple and obvious: it is an extended exhortation from Christ to His disciples, urging them to remain faithful until He returns.” - John Mac

Jesus tells the parables to cover every possibility of questions the disciples may have had concerning the return of Christ

Today, We are going to look at three parables that help us understand some things about Jesus second coming.

If you could summarize these three parables in regards to Christ return they would be: expectantly watching, patiently waiting, and diligently working.

The Parable of Two Servants (Matt.24:45-51)

Matthew 24:45–51 “45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

The Faithful servant knew what was at stake and was being faithful

The absence of the master actually caused more of a burden on him but he remained faithful

Because of his faithfullness he was rewarded.

What is seen? The master comes back and find the servant being faithful

Question: Do you think right now that this could be said about you?

Notice the contrast of the other servant, the wicked servant

48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The Contrast between the two servants is extreme but it paints a good picture.

The Evil Servant did what he wanted…He represents people who identify with church and pretend they are serving the master.

The Master comes on a day that he did not expect

The outcome is not …He is cast into hell

Jesus uses the term weeping and gnashing of teeth on multiple occasions

We must make sure that we are prepared for his arrival.

Christ’s return in imminent

We dont know the hour

Matthew 24:42 “42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”

2 Peter 3:3–4 “3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.””

What we see from this parable?

We need to understand that Christ will return at any time… we should be watching for his return.

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13)

We Cant be caught off guard if Jesus does delay though

There still needs to be a readiness about it

We must remain patient and be faithful even if Jesus doesnt show up when we think he should

Background:

The marriage process back in Jesus day was different then ours. It was a three phase process:

First, was the promise of marriage = usally arranged between the families

second, was the betrothal = this began with with public exchange of vows and gifts. The couple was legally committed to mmarry one another

third, the wedding feast = the marriage was not fully consummated until after the feast

Matthew 25:1–13 “1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

It was customary that unmarried girls served as bridesmaids back in Jesus day

There are ten bridesmaids which means that it was very big and grand wedding

The bridesmaids would meet the groom in the streets or the village and escort him to the destination with oil filled lamps or torches

A lot of these festivities would be at night

2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose 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, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Again, Jesus is telling them to watch and pay attention to what is going on around them

The point is that the groom may arrive later than we expect, but that we should be prepared

The only time we can prepare is now… tomorrow never comes

If people are not ready, they will be completely and permanently shut out of the wedding feast

The Parable of the Talents

This parable helps us see that we should be diligent in working for him until he returns

A talent is not a coin or currency but a unit of weight (a heavy amount)

This was gold or silver a veyr large sum…It was a great fortune

Matthew 25:14–30 “14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

The man was not fearful or faithful to the master

His faithfulness was exposed

If Jesus comes earlier or later than expected, we should be found working

What can we take away from these parables?

The Lord is going to return

There is a reward for the faithful

There is judgement for the unfaithful

All of these parables teach us the imortance of being ready

Question: Do you think that you are ready for the return of Jesus…What would you change if you new it was tomorrow?