Counting the Cost and True Conversion, Matthew 25

In Matthew 24 Jesus prophesied about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and told of us of the nature of His return.

As I stated in the last sermon

Jesus told us to Live Ready.

In Matthew 24:4-28 Jesus gave clear signs that would let His immediate hearers be ready and safe when the Roman army came to attack the city of Jerusalem and destroy the temple of the Lord. He told them what not too consider as the signs of the destruction of the temple, and then He gave them one clear sign that the destruction of the temple was near. That sign was the Abomination of Desolation, the presence of an enemy army in the temple of the Lord. Luke records this for a Gentile audience in Luke 21 when he writes…

Jesus’ warnings included instructions for them to run for the hills without trying to go back and save any of their belongings. The fact that Jesus told them they could avoid the coming destruction lets us know that the destruction of the temple and His return would not be at the same time.

When Jesus spoke of His second coming, He didn’t use language that would allow them run and be safe. Jesus tells that there is no warning sign of His second coming, but He makes sure we know that His second coming is certain and it will be swift.

Mathew 24:36-51 says,

36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone. 37 As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. 39 They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding grain with a hand mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. 44 This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Because the return of Christ will be swift and final, He gives us a series of parables to help us know what it looks like to Live Ready.

Living ready is characterized by counting the cost and the evidence of true conversion

Matthew 25:1-13 (CSB) says,

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; 4 but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. 5 When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 “Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’ 12 “He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’ 13 “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.

In this parable there are 5 foolish and five wise. At a glance there is no distinguishable difference between the two sets of five. But, when the groom finally comes the difference is immediately noticeable. This is how it will be when Jesus comes.

Jesus said “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.”

I ran track… I wasn’t a great sprinter, and I wasn’t really the best at anything. But, I was faster than average. As a senior I ran the 400m and 800m, along with the corresponding relays (1600 & 3200). Like I said, there were plenty of people in MS faster than me, but I was able to run around a 50s quarter mile and close to around a 2min half mile. There were two three things that I remember focusing on. Having a good start, pushing through the mid point, and then leaving it all on the track in the last section of the race.

I was thinking about the tension of the start of a race. You get in starting position before the starter gun goes off. Once you are in position you must be alert, every muscle ready and with your mind focused on one thing… listening for the start of the race. Getting distracted in that moment could result in losing the race. You had to be alert, fully engaged and ready to run.

This is the posture that Jesus is telling us to have. We don’t know when He is going to come back. But, we do know that when He comes back we must be ready. We cannot be like the 5 who looked ready, but at the time of the groom’s arrival revealed that the their lamps were empty.

Living ready means being born again. It means you have counted the cost and chosen Jesus over the world. Living ready is evidenced by your conversion. There is evidence of your salvation in readiness of your heart, mind, mouth, and life to say yes to the Lord with obedience.

I’m not talking about whether or not you have you walked an aisle, attended church your whole life, and participated in the programs and things other Christians do. I am speaking of true conversion, the kind of life changing experience that cannot be undone. The kind of transformation that renders you weary of the world and satisfied with the grace and love of Jesus. The kind of experience that results in a different way of decision making and living compared to the world. I am talking about a change that God makes that only be described as if you were born again.

This kind of life change comes through a full surrender of your life, heart, mind, and will to God. It is born from the belief that Jesus is the son of God, the Messiah sent from heaven to save the world from its sin. Conversion follows repentance from sin and is bathed in the forgiveness and grace of God. Salvation belongs to the Lord and all those who belong to Him.

Have you been converted by the power of the gospel and the surrender of your will to the Lordship of Christ and received the indwelling Holy Spirit?

In a sermon on this same parable, one preacher said, “Are you ready? I do not ask, Have you responded to a gospel invitation? Have you joined a church? Or do you believe in Jesus’ second coming? I ask, Have you been born again? Have you believed on Jesus as your Savior from sin? Are you living for Jesus now? Are you truly ready, or are you among those who only seem to be prepared?"

Living ready requires faith based obedience.

Matthew 25:14-30 (CSB)

14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’ 21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ 22 “The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’ 23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ 24 “The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 “His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, 27 then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money back with interest when I returned. 28 “ ‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw this good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Living ready requires faith based obedience, and that doesn’t always make sense to the people around you.

Faith based obedience can feel a little bit risky… but its because it requires all of you and not just some of you.

Too many Christians are just trying not to lose what they have rather than making the most of what God has given them.

There are plenty of people in the church who are trying to get more of the world, I am not talking about simply trying to grow your net worth or increase you earning potential. I am talking about the Christian life and whether or not your life is growing and multiplying the kingdom or not.

You have been declared righteous through the blood of Christ and declared and heir of the kingdom of God.

You have been given a salvation that cannot be taken away.

You have been promised an inheritance that will not perish.

You cannot live the Christian life just hoping not to lose ground or make a mistake. God’s love drives out fear, therefore those who belong to Him don’t live in fear… they don’t worry about preserving, they strive to advance the kingdom of God with their lives.

God’s kingdom is advancing, and His followers join with Him and one another to advance the kingdom with what He has given them.

Notice in the parable there is no excuse for the one who was given less. And, there is an equal praise to the ones who multiplied their talents. A talent was not what you think of when you hear a talent. It’s a measurement of money, not of abilities.

But, I believe this parable is applicable to our abilities, our belongings, our thoughts, our words, etc.

Like the person who attends church but hasn’t been born again, the one who buried the talent revealed the true nature of His faith in his action, and when the master returned it exposed the true condition of his heart.

If Jesus was to return right now, would He find you making the most of what He gave for the sake of His kingdom? Are you living to multiply His kingdom or preserve your own? You cannot do both…

Living ready involves caring for one another with the right heart

Matthew 25:31-46 (CSB)

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels, with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations, will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35 “ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t take me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of me.’ 44 “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’ 45 “Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Living ready involves caring for one another with the right heart.

You cannot ever get away from the truth that your vertical relationship with God will be displayed through your horizontal relationship with others.

Jesus doesn’t just tell them that they need to help one another. Jesus makes sure to bring the motive of the heart into the equation. Christians are not told to do acts of kindness toward one another. They are called to genuinely and sincerely care for one another.

This parable teaches us that impartiality reveals the truth about our motives. Within the body of Christ there is no place for partiality, in fact favoritism is labeled sin in the Bible. James 2:1 (CSB) says, “My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” Then, later in the passage it says in James 2:9 (CSB), “9 If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

Notice in the parable that those who were considered righteous did not remember caring for the needs of their king. But, as Jesus tells the parable the king said whatever you did for the least of these you did for me.

They didn’t remember caring for the king because they didn’t care for the king dressed in his royal robes. In fact, they didn’t directly care for the king at all. But, the parable demonstrates the truth that we are to receive other Christians the same way that we would receive Christ. And, when we receive and care for one another, we are ministering to Christ by caring for His body.

This doesn’t meant that the church shouldn’t care about the world. But it does mean that Jesus meant it when said, “35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (CSB) Jesus tells us directly that we are to love one another as an evidence of our salvation.

D.A. Carson writes, “True disciples will pass an examination not because they are trying to pass an examination but because they will love his brothers and sisters—and therefore Jesus. Goats will fail because, of course, they will not particularly care for Jesus’ brothers and sisters, and thus will be rejecting the Messiah himself (10:40–42)—just as Saul, in persecuting Christians, was actually persecuting Jesus (see Acts 9:5).”

The love that we have for one another is displayed in its greatest degree when we go to the greatest lengths to care for one another. When the church acts like the world toward one another it may very well be revealing that it isn’t the church or sheep at all, but instead goats masquerading as sheep.

In the parable Jesus tells us that the inverse is true. The goats in the story are the ones who did not care for the needs of other Christians. They ask the question in the negative, “Lord when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you? The king responded with “whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Living ready is characterized by counting the cost and the evidence of true conversion

Practical Application Points:

1. The second coming of Jesus may seem delayed, but when He comes it will be swift and final.

The time that is passing is by God’s design. He is waiting on purpose. He is carrying out all of His plans. Don’t wait… it might seem like it will never happen. It may cause you to think that you have time that you don’t have. When He comes it will be like a strike of lighting… and when He comes the moment is gone and it will reveal the truth about every one.

2. You must have your own salvation, you cannot borrow someone else’s faith when the end comes.

No one is saved because of the faith of another. Abraham had faith and it was credited to Him as righteousness. But, it does not say that Abraham had faith it was credited too Isaac as righteousness.

God saves individuals into His family. Each person in God’s kingdom is converted. They are regenerate: justified, sanctified, and eventually will be glorified.

Jesus is coming back, you are moving one day closer to the end of your life every day. Are you ready? Or are you hoping to borrow from another or pass on someone else’s merits.

3. Focus on advancing the Kingdom of God rather than your own agenda and platform.

You can focus on one thing, not two. Your life is either for the advancement of God’s kingdom or the preservation of your own kingdom.

Only you know right now what your motivation is. In the end, when Jesus returns He will know your motive and He will reward or punish based on your heart.

Advancing the kingdom means choosing the way and mission of God over the ways and plans of the world over and over again…

Advancing the kingdom means worrying less about your name and more about the name of Jesus.

Advancing the kingdom requires humility, and advancing the kingdom is an individual and a church-wide effort.

One of my greatest hopes for Harrisburg is that we advance the kingdom of God through evangelism, missions, church planting, and church revitalization.

I pray for the day when there are churches all over North MS and the Southeast that were started out of this congregation. I look forward to a day when we are training future pastors, sending out members to help dying churches, commissioning groups to go and start new churches, and continuing to share the gospel from house to house.

We had such an incredible time of worship on our one service Sunday, that I found myself telling a few people we could have one service every week, and when we were overflowing start a new church rather than another service.

My heart really is the advancement of God’s kingdom. I don’t mean I want to see a church become bigger. I mean I want to see the kingdom of God grow, and if that means we are the mid-sized church that fuels a mega sized movement than I am down for that. If future pastors and church planters become more widely known that Harrisburg, I’m down for that, and a great deal of my approach to ministry is built on the vision of advancing the kingdom by equipping the church to do the work of ministry and raising up leaders, rather than growing my own platform.

4. Love one another for the right reasons and in every way possible.

Living ready is characterized by counting the cost and the evidence of true conversion