Parables of The Kingdom pt.2

Introduction

The parables of the Kingdom in the Olivet Discourse are driving home the application to the Christian believer in light of the second coming.

If Jesus is coming again what is it that we are supposed to be doing until He returns.

Last Sunday we saw that we are to be focused on His return by being preoccupied with the Kingdom.

Virgins with Oil in our lamps which reflects that we are anticipating His return at His time and we live the Christian life with that truth always before us.

But this is more than just a mindset that we are to have. It is not just something that we believe but something we are to put into practice as we learn today in our text.

This parable is often referred to as the parable of the talents and it deals with a Master in relationship to His servants. As we unpack this Parable we see in verses 14-18 that the Master entrust his servants with talents.

I. The Parable (14-28).

The Master entrust his servants (14-18*).

So what we see is there are three servants and each are given a measure of talents. One recieved 5 talents and another 2 talents and finally another servant recieved 1 talent.

They were given their talents based on their ability.

A talent in ancient times was a measurement of weight and it usually meant a measure of gold, silver or copper.

Some scholars believe that it would amount to a value of about $200,000 per talent in today’s currency.

The first two servants upon the masters departure went and invested their talents and doubled their allotment for their master.

The third went out and dug a hole in the ground and put the talent entrusted to him in the ground and hid it. Then eventually the master returned to settle the accounts in verses 19-28.

The Master returns to settle the accounts (19-28*).

There is a reward given to the first two servants. They had doubled their master’s investment and he commends them for it (19-23).

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 (vs. 21,23).

Then the third servant came forward and begins by explaining his fear when it came to investing his master’s money (24-28).

Notice that the servant blames the character of his master for his fear. He knew his master was a hard man who reaped where he did not sow and gathered where no seed was scattered on the part of the master.

This was the basis for the servant’s fear and what motivated him to bury the money and to play it safe.

This made the master furious and he rebukes his servant declaring that he is a “wicked and slothful servant” and could have at least been willing to put his money in the bank on interest.

The master takes the talent from him and orders it to be given to the servant with the ten talents. This is all done due to the master’s principle that is given in verse 29.

II. The Principle (29).

The principle of verse 29 is driving home the critical nature of the true believer living in light of their Kingdom purpose. The Master expects His servant to multiply the talents.

It seems to me that the wicked servant was motivated by the fear of facing his master with empty hands in the end and risking punishment.

At he heart of this was his desire for self preservation by playing it safe with his master’s talent. Therefore there was no initiative to promote the interest of His master.

Life in the Kingdom as a believer is calling us to promote the interest of our Master above our desire to live without any risk or cost involved.

The challenge is always to embrace life in the Kingdom in such a way that promotes the glory of Christ in the world over and above any self-interest.

We have been given talents of a different kind. Gifts and abilities in keeping with the ministry that we are called to be engaged in.

Opportunities of influence that God gives for us to minister the gospel and to do good works for Kingdom promotion needs to be something that we look for.

People who own companies usually are very happy with those employees that are focused on the promotion of their business.

These are the kind of employees in the business world who usually are all about the success of the company. They go over and above to make sure the objective of their employer is accomplished.

Quite frankly this is how we should live as Christians when it comes to our secular employment. But why would we be any other way when it comes to our Christianity before Christ?

Well Pastor, that's the business world. Christianity is by grace and therefore there is no reason for us to have such urgency when it comes to living out the Christian life.

Christian grace doesn’t absolve you of the responsibility of obedience to the Master in your Christian discipleship.

Theologian D.C. Steinmetz says that: "The swift justice meted out to the lazy servant puts a merciful end to any notion that the disobedient and the dishonest will be able to blackmail their way into the Kingdom of heaven by manipulating the goodness of God or playing on divine pity. God's goodness is too clever to be taken in by such nursery tricks divine pity will forgive sins but it will not condone them."

Christian we have already seen back up in Matthew 24:45-51 that the wise servant is the one who is found to be active in Kingdom ministry when his Master returns.

Why would we embrace a gospel that doesn’t transform us into disciples who pursue the objective of the Master and His Kingdom?

Unless it is a gospel of our own making? Something that we created in order to affirm ourselves in our own deception.

The fact that there is a punishment to be handed out is a sobering reality to the words of Christ and those words call us to examine ourselves in all seriousness.

Look back at your text to verse 30 as we see the command of the Master:

III. The Punishment (30).

Outer darkness

This is the place of complete and final rejection. A place where there is extreme anguish as is depicted by the idea of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Leon Morris says, “We should bear in mind that this is not here pronounced over someone who has done some particularly heinous crime. It is the final result for the man who had only one talent and who steadfastly refused to use it.” Leon Morris

Conclusion

Today is the day of opportunity to refuse no more. God is full of mercy and grace showing His loving kindness on thousands upon thousands.

Today is the day to encounter His transforming gospel through faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t be deceived the gospel transforms us into disciples for the Kingdom who pursue obedience for the glory of our King.

Believe the gospel by faith alone in Christ alone. (Unbeliever)

Christian maybe you are wondering where it is that God would use you in His Kingdom.

He may have a place of formal ministry for you but there are ways to serve in the Kingdom in very practical ways. A good practice is to take inventory. You may be doing a lot right now in ministry.

Or you may find that you need some help. I would be glad to help you. Make an appointment or call me up for a phone conversation. God has a place of ministry for you Christian.

We don’t always do it perfectly but disobedience is not an option. Confess your sin and rest in His grace as you work for the Kingdom.

Let’s Pray!