"Remaining Faithful" (Morning Service)

Shawnee Bible Church Pastor Jon Gohdes Sunday March 29, 2020 “Remaining Biblically Faithful” In Matthew 25 Jesus told this story: Matthew 25:14–30. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells two parables emphasizing the importance of waiting for the coming kingdom that he will bring when he returns. We as Bible-believing Christians believe that Jesus is coming again. Jesus himself (and the NT authors) make it clear that he will return in power and great glory at which point he will establish his actual kingdom on earth. (We are premillennial, not amillennial or postmillennial) The coming of Christ gives us assurance because it means that the perfect kingdom will come when the Perfect King comes. Winston Churchill is credited with saying this: “Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time…” (winstonchurchill.org/resources/quotes/ the-worst-form-of-government) What Churchill is really hitting at is this: there is no such things as perfect government. Every form of government in our world is corrupt because ultimately the heart of every person is corrupt! History has proven that the best we can come up with is the collective democratic process of self-government. However, biblically speaking, the perfect form of government is one under a perfect ruler (dictatorship of Christ!). What does this mean? For one, it means that when we face crisis, we learn to long for the coming of Christ and his perfect rule! In our parable in Matthew 25, Jesus is represented by the man who goes on the journey and leaves his possessions to be managed by his slaves/servants (representing believers). The whole point of this (“The Parable of the Talents”) is not to look to the future and do nothing in the present. Rather, it’s the exact opposite—because we know the King is coming back, it motivates us to remain faithful! 1 This is a “keep going!” message—it’s a “don’t give up” message! We as Christians are NOT ones who throw in the towel; we ARE ones who persevere in being faithful—in good times and in bad. But the question from this parable = “How does Jesus motivate us to remain faithful?” None of us can assume that we are perfectly faithful or that we will remain faithful. Especially during times of crisis, our faithfulness is easily strained, stretched, and tested; and we’re going to be tempted to let areas of our lives slide during times like these. This parable is extremely helpful for us because Jesus first motivates us by teaching that… 1) Realizing our responsibility keeps us faithful (vv. 14–15). It’s important for us to understand that with this parable Jesus is speaking about the Christian life (as we wait for the King/kingdom to come). It’s the same dynamic that Paul mentioned in Philippians 3:20. Our true and eternal citizenship is ultimately in heaven. However, none of this drives us to be lazy and indifferent people. There’s often a criticism leveled against conservative Christians claiming that we’re “so heavenly minded we’re no earthly good.” I’m not going to engage in the question of whether that’s a fair accusation or not but only emphasize that in Jesus’ thinking there is NO tension between being “heavenly minded” and being “earthly good!” Christians are those who, like these slaves, their master has gone and left them; in charge of responsibilities! The issue here is not specific numbers or ratios (“the 5 means this, and the 2 means this, and the 1 means this!”). No, no, no; Jesus is making two simple points: ➔ Differing amounts of responsibility were entrusted to each slave: “Slave” = one owned by another but given responsibility and authority. (Cross reference with Joseph’s life) In Jesus’ story, the first slave was entrusted with 5 talents; the second slave with 2; and the third slave with 1. This term “talent” was simply a measurement of weight. Jesus specifically uses it to mean different amounts of money. This makes sense for the 2 parable, but the real application for believers goes far beyond our bank accounts! J. C. Ryle comments very helpfully on this passage: “Anything whereby we may glorify God is a talent. Our gifts, our influence, our money, our knowledge, our health, our strength, our time, our senses, our reason, our intellect, our memory, our affections, our privileges as members of Christ’s Church, our advantages as possessors of the Bible— all, all are talents. Whence came these things? What hand bestowed them? Why are we what we are? Why are we not the worms that crawl on the earth? There is only one answer to these questions. All that we have is a loan from God. We are God’s stewards. We are God’s debtors. Let this thought sink deeply into our hearts.” (Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Volume One: Matthew–Mark, 336–37) Just as different weights of money were given to these slaves, differing weights of “talents” (as Ryle just clarified) are given to us (believers). Paul describes our “talents” in Romans 12:3–8, where he says the real issue corresponds to our faith, not possessions. I believe the real “talents” given to us by Christ are actually the levels of faith that grow in correspondence with abilities, opportunities, and possessions he gives us! (“allotted to each a measure of faith,” v. 3) (So, the first simple point Jesus makes = differing amounts of responsibility were entrusted to each slave) Second simple point Jesus makes = ➔ Differing abilities for responsibility were evident in each slave: The amount of responsibility that these slaves could handle was evident and known by their Master. The same is true of believers. Jesus knows us, and he entrusts to us what he knows we can handle. Providentially, Jesus works out our lives to bring us to the place we are: where we are a whole amalgamation of “talents.” Spiritually speaking, not all people are created/gifted equally… 3 We will specifically apply this parable at the end of the message; but for now, you need to realize that responsibility keeps you faithful. Second… Jesus motivates us to be faithful by teaching us that we are responsible. Second… 2) Realizing our accountability keeps us faithful (v. 16–19). The Christian life is one of accountability to the Master. We often have big eyes or big appetites that desire more and more responsibility or privilege, but we often forget that the more we are given, the more accountable we are. No one can improve upon how Jesus said it in Luke 12:48. In our parable, the first two slaves understand this but the third one does not. The first two get busy investing and using what they’ve been given, but the third slave out of fear hides what he’s been given. “Talents” are a sobering thing. We often think of them merely in terms of the benefits. To prove this, I want you to picture in your mind the young person whose life is largely ahead of him. He’s a healthy good-looking teenager. He’s grown up in a loving Christian family; his father and pastors have discipled him well. He’s driven to finish high school and college. He looks forward entering a meaningful career, getting married, purchasing a home, raising a loving stable Christian family himself, participating as a member and eventually as a leader in his local church, and being one who makes a difference in his community. Exciting prospects, right??? These are all potential “talents” that God may give him. Many of us have been given many of these “talents” by Jesus our Master; others of us are still longing to be given some of these “talents.” But the sobering reality is not to desire such experiences, responsibilities, and gifts because of the benefits but to remember the accountability that comes with them. Verse 19: Realizing our accountability motivates us to be faithful. The day will come when Jesus settles our account. KJV says the master came and “reckoneth” with his slaves. We are not ultimately in control of the amount of responsibility we are given, but we are 100% accountable to glorify God with what we have been given. 4 Jesus’ parable motivates us to be faithful by teaching us we are accountable… but finally 3) Realizing our rewardability keeps us faithful (vv. 20–30). Verses 20–30 is the part of the parable that makes us cringe and squirm! We can see what’s coming! We’ve all been there: We haven’t been preparing like we should, and the time comes when we need to talk about it! In this parable, the reckoning corresponds to each slave’s rewardability, which is not inherently positive (it’s both positive and negative). Positive reward: the first two slaves were rewarded for managing well what they were given (vv. 20–23). Their positive reward included three things: Praise (vv. 21 & 23) “Goodness has to do with what I am, including my motives. Faithfulness has to do with what I do, assuming that my motives are right.” (Lou Priolo, Faithfulness: No More Excuses, 15) More Responsibility (vv. 21 & 23) The principle is explicit in verse 29 “Faithfulness Steps” Joy (vv. 21 & 23) Negative reward: the third slave was condemned for not managing anything he’d been given (vv. 24–30). His reward also included three things: Condemnation (vv. 26–27) Loss of responsibility (v. 28) Misery (v. 30) In English and Greek, faithfulness and faith are intertwined terms. Faith (πίστις) = “Belief, firm persuasion, reliance upon someone or something.” Faithful (πιστός) = “Reliable, believing, worthy of requiring responsibility.” Faith is the ability to “see the end.” Faithfulness is living in light of that end. If we lose sight of the end, we cannot and will not be faithful. 5 Applications Our salvation has nothing to do with our faithfulness! Jesus was faithful so that we would be rewarded with eternal life! To become a Christian means you forsake your own faithfulness and trust Jesus’ faithfulness for forgiveness of sins! When you trust in Jesus, you’re trusting that He took on your responsibility to be perfect (life) He took on your accountability for not being perfect (death) He gives you his rewardability for being perfect (justification) However, in salvation he buys us as slaves who: Are responsible Are accountable Will be rewarded Jesus never asks us to do anything he is not willing to do himself. We will never be called upon to go through a crisis where more faithfulness will be required of us than was required of the Son of God! You might be one who wants responsibility or runs from it! The Parable of the Talents teaches that faithful Christians want responsibility. We as Christians are not fearful, lazy, indifferent, laissez faire people; on the other hand, we as Christians are not revolutionaries out to upset and overturn everything. Christians are slaves who belong to their benevolent Master who has graciously given us remarkable responsibilities which he expects us to faithfully fulfill. Specific application for this time of crisis: List your top 10 responsibilities you need to fulfill during this time. Note which responsibilities you want to do and which you don’t want to do. Recognize and confess your fears that hinder your faithfulness With such awareness be faithful to fulfill your responsibilities! Have faith to see “the end”! 6