WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:02.280 Great stuff. Well, great to see you this morning, folks. 00:00:03.580 --> 00:00:06.560 As Christy said, my name is Graham. I've got the privilege of being the pastor here at the church. 00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:10.960 And it's just a joy to see you this morning, to see many new faces and to see many returning faces. 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:13.519 It's great. It's like back to the future here at Brunsfield. It's brilliant. 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:17.900 Let me invite you to grab your Bibles and turn back to those verses of Matthew 25. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:25.160 And this afternoon, we're finishing this short little series that we've been doing over the past few weeks 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:33.500 where we've been sitting at the feet of Jesus and we've been allowing him to teach us, his disciples, about money. 00:00:34.519 --> 00:00:39.359 And we've heard emerge as disciples not to hoard up their possessions on earth, 00:00:39.399 --> 00:00:43.859 not to live for the things that are temporary, that are here one day and they're gone tomorrow, 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:46.260 but rather to store up for themselves treasures in heaven. 00:00:47.480 --> 00:00:53.640 And we saw last week that encounter that Jesus had with a rich and religious young man. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:57.259 And we thought about the fact that the problem wasn't that he had money. 00:00:57.340 --> 00:00:59.700 That's never the problem. The problem was that money had him. 00:01:00.520 --> 00:01:02.820 It had him. It had the number one place in his heart. 00:01:03.020 --> 00:01:07.319 And Jesus unearthed the fact that Jesus wasn't number one in his heart. 00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:15.099 And this man was unwilling to surrender money and to allow Jesus to be number one in his life. 00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:18.719 And as we round off today, we're going to see Jesus outline 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:23.879 what he wants his followers to do with the things that he has entrusted to them, 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:28.200 what he wants them to do particularly with the money that he has given to them. 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:32.620 And I guess as I've been spending time with this passage this week, 00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:37.819 it's reminded me of one of the jobs I had as a student one of the university summers. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:41.799 And I used to work as a bank teller. 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:43.639 I used to work as a bank teller. 00:01:43.699 --> 00:01:46.759 So the people who, as you go into the bank, they're the front of house. 00:01:46.839 --> 00:01:48.500 They're the people who deal with your cash. 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:52.639 And there was a group of us who started this job at the same time. 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:54.319 I'm trying really hard not to say the bank, 00:01:54.579 --> 00:01:56.239 so I don't get accused of favourite banks. 00:01:57.060 --> 00:01:59.839 There was a group of us that started working at this bank at the same time. 00:02:00.679 --> 00:02:02.459 And before they let us loose on the public, 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:04.819 they sent us on a two-week training course. 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:09.699 And really the two-week training course was to get us used to doing two things. 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:12.180 Firstly, how to use the computers, because they are difficult. 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:15.180 And secondly, how to deal with customers. 00:02:17.019 --> 00:02:19.039 And when somebody came to draw out money, we were trained, 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:22.259 this was in our mindset, we were trained to ask them two questions. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:24.819 Firstly, how would you like your cash? 00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:26.439 Ever been asked that one at the bank? 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:28.819 I'm letting you in on the trade secrets here, folks, okay? 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:30.199 How would you like your cash? 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:31.240 That was number one question. 00:02:31.240 --> 00:02:35.500 Second question was, once you sussed out what they had, 00:02:36.140 --> 00:02:37.219 second question was, 00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:40.300 would you be interested in speaking to one of our financial advisors? 00:02:40.520 --> 00:02:42.360 We had that one as well, yeah? 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:45.640 Would you be interested in speaking to one of our financial advisors? 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:52.939 And behind that was the mindset that we want people to be investing here. 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:54.480 Okay? 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:57.520 Come and invest your stuff with us. 00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:04.200 And what we're going to see this afternoon is Jesus tell his disciples quite clearly, 00:03:04.880 --> 00:03:08.760 invest what you have in my kingdom. 00:03:08.920 --> 00:03:12.540 Really simply this morning, invest what you have in my kingdom. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:15.800 So Matthew 25, if you've got it there, 00:03:16.660 --> 00:03:18.160 Jesus is on the cusp of the cross. 00:03:18.260 --> 00:03:19.980 This is where we pick it up in Matthew's gospel. 00:03:20.100 --> 00:03:22.140 He's on the cusp of the cross. 00:03:22.300 --> 00:03:24.640 The days following this, we'll see him die. 00:03:25.700 --> 00:03:27.060 We'll see him rise. 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:31.439 And we'll see him ascend to his father's right hand. 00:03:31.500 --> 00:03:35.780 The place where he is today, the place where he rules and he reigns all things. 00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:39.939 And the place where he lives to intercede for his people. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:45.340 But in Matthew 25, Jesus is telling his disciples to know that one day, 00:03:45.420 --> 00:03:46.699 on a day that they don't know, 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:49.039 but on a day that they won't miss, 00:03:49.420 --> 00:03:52.140 that he is going to return in glory. 00:03:52.139 --> 00:04:01.339 So the disciples will soon find themselves in that waiting time between Jesus' going and Jesus' return. 00:04:02.619 --> 00:04:06.799 And of course, that's exactly where we find ourselves in God's grand story of redemption, 00:04:06.799 --> 00:04:08.959 as we see it in the pages of Scripture. 00:04:09.079 --> 00:04:10.139 This is God's great story. 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:12.560 This is where we find ourselves this morning, this afternoon. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:18.379 And that's why what Jesus says here to his disciples has so much to teach us. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:27.040 Because Jesus' outlines here is his disciples will find themselves waiting in between the going and the coming again of Jesus. 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:33.899 He's teaching them how to wait, how to wait, and how to wait well for his coming. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:39.079 So if you look at it there, verse 42, if you scan your eye just a little bit back, 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:41.560 verse 42 of chapter 24 says, 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:45.280 Jesus wants them to be ready to meet him. 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:47.379 You've got to be ready, you've got to be alert. 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:50.240 That's the kind of language we see Jesus using here. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:51.439 Verse 46, 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:57.120 when he returns, he wants to find them doing the job that he's given them. 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:01.800 And so he tells them this parable that we pick up in Matthew 25, 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:04.340 which is actually one of three in this chapter, 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:07.079 and he tells it to help them and us understand 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:09.579 that as we wait for his return, 00:05:09.579 --> 00:05:12.620 we're to invest the things that he has given us, 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:14.519 entrusted to us, 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:16.979 to advance his kingdom. 00:05:18.979 --> 00:05:20.399 Sorry, I'm going to talk louder, okay? 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:24.800 So, here's the searching question that this passage is going to ask us this morning. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:28.319 Both individually and collectively as a church, 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.780 here's the question, okay? 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:34.660 What are we doing with the stuff that God has so graciously entrusted to us? 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:36.220 That's the question. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:39.960 What are we doing with God's stuff? 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:42.519 Our jobs. 00:05:42.599 --> 00:05:44.259 Think about what's going on in your life. 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:50.219 Our jobs, our opportunities, our friends, our circles of influence, our homes. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:56.879 What are we doing with the things that God has so graciously entrusted to us to use for his glory? 00:05:58.299 --> 00:05:59.679 And particularly thinking about our money. 00:06:01.159 --> 00:06:02.079 What are we doing with it? 00:06:03.179 --> 00:06:06.060 Are we thinking kingdom or are we thinking self? 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:09.240 So, all we're going to do this afternoon, 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:13.339 to feel the challenge of what Jesus, our master, is saying here, 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:15.019 is that we're going to walk through this parable 00:06:15.019 --> 00:06:16.980 and we're just going to ask ourselves two questions 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:18.420 to feel the force of what he's saying. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:19.120 Does that sound okay? 00:06:19.540 --> 00:06:20.300 Two questions. 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:21.420 Here's the first question. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:24.079 What has the master entrusted to us? 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:28.300 Picking up the parable of verse 14, 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:30.860 Jesus speaks about a master, 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:31.660 do you see it? 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:33.699 Who's going on a journey. 00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:36.319 And given that in verse 19, 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:40.339 this master is going away on this journey for a long time 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:42.639 and given everything that we've just thought about, 00:06:42.699 --> 00:06:46.240 you can understand and appreciate that the master represents him. 00:06:48.219 --> 00:06:50.139 And so the master gears up for this journey. 00:06:50.219 --> 00:06:50.680 What does he do? 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:51.000 Do you see? 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:53.839 He calls his three servants to him and he gives them talents. 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:58.480 Now that word in this day does not mean what the word talent means in our day. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:06:59.480 This is not like the Incredibles. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:00.560 Okay? 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:02.659 This is not abilities that Jesus is talking about. 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:07.620 This is not like Dave can play the cello where Judy can run 100 meters in sub 10 seconds. 00:07:08.580 --> 00:07:10.660 A talent is a sum of money. 00:07:12.580 --> 00:07:14.160 And it's a huge sum of money. 00:07:15.400 --> 00:07:17.760 Now it's generally understood, commentators will tell you, 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:23.680 that a denarii is what the average worker earns in a day in this culture. 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:25.860 And a talent, get your heads around this, 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:28.440 is 6,000 denarii. 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:31.860 So this is 6,000 days wages. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:33.399 That's what a talent is. 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:38.399 Now, this is well over 20 years worth of wages here. 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:43.079 Now, if you think about it, the point is that this is a life's work. 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:44.079 Okay? 00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:46.779 This is a life's work, a talent. 00:07:46.779 --> 00:07:52.799 And it's important we soak in that word entrusted. 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:55.819 You see, the master doesn't give. 00:07:55.959 --> 00:08:01.519 He entrusts this huge amount of money to his servants. 00:08:02.059 --> 00:08:02.919 He doesn't give it to them. 00:08:02.979 --> 00:08:04.279 He entrusts it to them. 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:08.699 You know, every Friday I pick up our girls from nursery. 00:08:09.859 --> 00:08:11.519 And we just, quite often we just go to the library. 00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:12.579 Just go to the library. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:13.319 We love the library. 00:08:14.479 --> 00:08:15.399 We'll take out a book. 00:08:16.579 --> 00:08:17.979 A few weeks ago it was Where's Wally? 00:08:18.039 --> 00:08:20.079 I think I got way more enjoyment out of it than they did. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:20.579 Okay? 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:23.719 But what happens when you take out a book? 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:24.899 Have you had this experience before? 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:25.779 You go take out a book. 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:26.819 What did the library do? 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:28.500 They don't just give it to you, do they? 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:32.059 They take it and they open it and they stamp it. 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:37.860 And that's a way of saying, effectively, that this book is ours. 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:40.659 And we're giving it to you for a short period of time. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:42.480 But we want it back. 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:43.700 Yeah? 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:45.240 Want it back. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:48.580 See, knowing that, I tell you, Wally was well looked after. 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:50.000 Know that it wasn't mine. 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:52.539 But this is what Jesus is saying here, isn't it? 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:55.179 Friends, everything that we have is the Lord's. 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:57.299 Everything that we have is the Lord's. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:09:01.899 As the psalmist would say that the whole earth and the fullness thereof is his. 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:08.519 It says to give, it's to take away everything I have, my money, my home, my family. 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:09.339 It's not mine. 00:09:11.579 --> 00:09:15.279 If you were to open the front cover of my life, the stamp inside would read, 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:16.439 The Masters. 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:18.759 This is what Jesus is saying here. 00:09:18.819 --> 00:09:20.659 He's entrusted this stuff to us. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:22.359 And it's sovereignty. 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:24.159 According to our abilities. 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:25.839 According to what he knows we can handle. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:30.379 He's sovereignly given us things, his possessions, to use for his glory. 00:09:31.680 --> 00:09:36.500 You know, we often have that phrase, don't we, in our society, that so-and-so is a self-made man or woman. 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:38.540 Now, I know what we mean by that. 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:39.680 We all know what we mean by that. 00:09:39.740 --> 00:09:44.200 But I do always laugh because my first response is, I wonder what part of them did they make? 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:47.100 Was it their two hands? 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:49.560 Was it their two feet? 00:09:49.660 --> 00:09:50.540 Was it their intellect? 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.960 Was it their mental capabilities? 00:09:53.520 --> 00:09:57.320 Was it them who decided to be born with opportunities ahead of them? 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:03.700 Former Dutch Prime Minister in theology, Abraham Kuyper, says, 00:10:03.700 --> 00:10:11.340 There's not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, mine. 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:15.200 You see, the things that we have are not ours. 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:18.500 They're entrusted to us by our Master. 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:27.160 And we see, don't we, verse 16, these first two servants, they take the Master's possessions and they put it to work. 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:27.580 Do you see? 00:10:28.020 --> 00:10:29.639 And do you see how we get that word immediately? 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:34.500 They immediately put it to work, which I think is a hint that we're supposed to pick up on, 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:38.460 that these servants, they possess hearts that beat for their Master's mission. 00:10:39.800 --> 00:10:44.480 They get it, they're bought in, they take it and they immediately put it to use. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:46.400 And because of that, do you see that they make a profit? 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:51.240 Now, we're not told how they did it, we're not told what they did, 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:57.779 but we're told that somehow or another, both of them, they double the Master's assets. 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:09.019 But the third servant, he, even though he's got less to lose, he digs a hole in the ground and he puts the talent, 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:11.600 remember that extortionate amount of money, he puts it there. 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:17.180 He's not working for it, he's not interested in it, it just sits there. 00:11:17.179 --> 00:11:23.339 So friends, let me ask you, how are you using the stuff that God has entrusted to you? 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:28.759 As a church family, how are we using the stuff that God has entrusted to us? 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:31.239 Are we thinking self? 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:36.319 When it comes to our things, are we thinking his kingdom? 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:39.539 That's the invitation that Jesus is making here, to think kingdom. 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:45.620 Secondly, what will the Master say to us when he returns? 00:11:46.099 --> 00:11:48.779 Really simply, what will the Master say to us when he returns? 00:11:48.939 --> 00:11:52.120 Verse 19, do you see after a long time, the Master comes back? 00:11:53.799 --> 00:12:00.199 And the first two servants, they approach their Master and they present him with double what he gave them in the first place. 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:02.480 Now, why have they done that? 00:12:02.579 --> 00:12:06.679 They've done that because they love their Master, they have hearts that have bought into his mission, 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:10.779 they want to please their Master, and there's nothing else that they'd rather live for than that. 00:12:11.959 --> 00:12:15.000 And look what the Master says to them, verse 21 and 22. 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:23.120 Well done, good and faithful servants. 00:12:24.459 --> 00:12:26.779 Now let's just pause there and think about that for a second. 00:12:27.359 --> 00:12:30.859 There are, if you think about it in life, there are many great words worth living for. 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:34.859 Many words that are lovely to hear, aren't they? 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.060 You're hired. 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:37.940 You're starting. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:39.879 I love you. 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:42.680 You've retained the Calcutta cup. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.360 You didn't think I was letting that one go, did you? 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:47.899 But there are many words in life that are lovely to hear. 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:52.399 But can I suggest that there are no greater words for us to live for 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:58.000 than the ones that the Master gives to his servants here. 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:03.180 Well done, good and faithful servant. 00:13:03.179 --> 00:13:04.699 You waited well. 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:06.239 Just think about that for a minute. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:14.219 Our Creator, as we were praying earlier, our Saviour, the one who sustains all things, Jesus Christ. 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:17.719 The one who's entrusted us, it's not even our stuff, he's entrusted it to us. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:20.379 And on that final day when we present it to him, he says, 00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:23.539 Well done, good and faithful servant. 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:29.519 Friends, there are no words that compare with that when we hear them in the final day. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:32.100 Words worth living for. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:34.299 And the Master says, look at it, do you see it? 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.480 Enter into my joy. 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:39.519 You see, they both had different talents. 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:41.899 They both had different amounts of talents. 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:44.039 They both gave him back different amounts of talents. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.740 But do you see how the word is exactly the same? 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:52.000 Because these guys were faithful with what the Master had given them. 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:53.360 Just soak in that for a minute. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.840 Well done, good and faithful servant. 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.240 Can you think of better words to hear? 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:59.920 Can you think of better words worth living for? 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:04.139 And then chew on this one. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:09.440 If our Master was to return today, and that could happen, 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:14.899 if he was to return today and give his honest assessment with how we've used his possessions, 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:17.100 would those be his words to us? 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:24.220 Now I'm 34 in a few months' time. 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.480 Let you have that one. 00:14:25.540 --> 00:14:26.659 34 in a few months' time. 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:29.580 But see, as I look back on my 20s, 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.879 my one regret 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:34.220 is that I played it 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:36.620 far too safe when it came to investing 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.680 in Jesus' kingdom. 00:14:38.540 --> 00:14:39.840 Played it way too safe. 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:42.259 Now of course, we're always going to look back, aren't we? 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:44.680 I wish that we'd made more of our opportunities. 00:14:44.800 --> 00:14:45.840 We're always going to think that. 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:48.019 But as I look back and I think about it, 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:50.000 the friends that I had the opportunity 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.399 to speak about eternal things with, 00:14:52.540 --> 00:14:54.399 to speak about the things about Jesus with, 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.440 and I ducked it, 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:57.759 thinking that an opportunity might come later on, 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.280 and it didn't. 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:01.720 And then I think about the money that I used to earn 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.519 as a young lawyer, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:04.800 and I focus way too much on saving it 00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:08.220 and spending it on clothes that are long since in charity shops, 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:10.540 rather than thinking kingdom 00:15:10.540 --> 00:15:12.240 with my disposable income. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.600 I think about that, 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:17.180 that I didn't use it to bless his people 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:19.159 or create opportunities for gospel work 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.039 or to build the church 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:21.299 or reach the lost. 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.700 I think about that. 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.620 And then I think about it to the time 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.840 in a few years time when I'm 40. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:30.620 And friends, I do not want to look back in my 30s 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.899 and think I did exactly the same. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:37.060 Are we using the things that God has entrusted to us? 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.539 Not for self. 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:41.719 Yes, we enjoy the good things that God has given us, 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:43.799 but are we using these things for his glory 00:15:43.799 --> 00:15:45.959 and for the advance of his kingdom? 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:48.500 Life's short. 00:15:49.719 --> 00:15:50.579 Both Alex and I, 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:52.319 we've both had relatives who've died 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.219 in the last couple of weeks, 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:54.299 and it's reminded us both 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:56.659 that life is here today and gone tomorrow. 00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:59.059 It is fleeting, it is vapor, 00:15:59.599 --> 00:16:00.740 and there's one life, 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.159 and then it's gone. 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:06.379 And Jesus says that life, 00:16:06.839 --> 00:16:07.919 live it for my glory. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:09.919 You know, I was thinking of the words this week 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:11.459 of C.T. Studd, the missionary, 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:12.980 who said, 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:15.179 Only one life, a few brief years, 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.719 each with its burdens, hopes, and fears, 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.980 each with its clays I must fulfill, 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:23.019 living for self or in his will. 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:25.740 Only one life will soon be passed. 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:29.459 Only what's done for Christ will last. 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:31.480 That's so true. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:33.820 You know, maybe today, 00:16:33.900 --> 00:16:35.340 by God's grace and by his spirit, 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:38.259 is the day that our hearts become set on those words, 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.879 and we use our money for those words. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.800 In actual fact, if you think about it, 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:44.160 we're just simply giving back to God 00:16:44.160 --> 00:16:44.960 what's already his. 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.560 If you've never thought about it before, 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.420 if you're a member here, 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.820 if this is your spiritual family, 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.519 can I encourage you to think about giving? 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:55.980 You know, not so we can do more things, 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:58.139 so that we can set aside and train more people 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.179 for gospel work, 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.439 as Heber was saying earlier, 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:02.740 that we can send more laborers into the vineyard, 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:05.019 that we can support more missionaries, 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.799 that we can support church planters, 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.779 both local and global, 00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:08.740 but first and foremost, 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.819 so that we can see more people come to know 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:13.579 this glorious Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:16.339 Well done, good and faithful servant. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.299 This is what he's saying. 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.740 What amazing words, 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:21.480 from the lips of an incredible master. 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:24.440 What a privilege it is to serve the King of Kings, 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:26.220 as we see him here in Matthew 25. 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:29.339 And I was reading this book last week, 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.980 when we were off for a few days, 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.180 called Gospel Patrons. 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:35.140 And it's the book that's filled of stories 00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:37.819 about how wealthy Christians over the years, 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:38.779 they've used their money, 00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:40.519 and they've used their spheres of influence 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.720 for gospel work. 00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:43.940 Now, if you've got your Bible in front of you, 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.900 you'll notice that it's in English, yeah? 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.440 Now, let me tell you, 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:49.039 there's a story in here about the guy called 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:49.940 William Tyndale, 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:52.079 who gave his life to make sure that that Bible 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.220 was translated into English. 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:55.420 William Tyndale, 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:57.360 he put his heart on translating the Bible 00:17:57.360 --> 00:18:00.220 from Latin into English in the early 1500s. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.400 Tyndale had two big problems. 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:04.799 Firstly, he didn't have the cash to finance himself, 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:06.440 to set himself aside for the work. 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:08.420 And secondly, it was illegal, 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.299 which is a problem. 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.259 Two big problems. 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.799 And he just so happened, 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.920 as he was praying about this, 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:17.480 to meet a man in London called Humphrey Monmouth, 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.120 who's a very, very rich Christian 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:20.359 with tons of contacts. 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:22.539 And Tyndale shared his ambition 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:24.179 with Humphrey Monmouth, 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.399 that he wanted to get the Bible 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:26.799 from Latin into English 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.699 so that the everyday people of England 00:18:28.699 --> 00:18:30.079 could pick up the Bible, 00:18:30.239 --> 00:18:30.539 read it, 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.859 and understand it for themselves. 00:18:31.979 --> 00:18:32.739 His famous line, 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:34.239 that when I'm finished with my work, 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.299 the plow boy in England 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.359 will know more about the Bible 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.179 than the Pope does. 00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:39.299 And this is what happened. 00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:40.359 Monmouth caught the vision, 00:18:40.459 --> 00:18:41.439 and Monmouth housed him. 00:18:41.979 --> 00:18:42.939 Monmouth fed him. 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:45.019 Monmouth financed him, 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.099 as Tyndale went to Europe 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:47.179 to finish his work. 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:49.100 And when Tyndale had finished the work, 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:49.700 Monmouth did, 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:51.039 he used his cargo ships, 00:18:51.080 --> 00:18:52.220 that's what he did in his life, 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.539 and he used them to smuggle them 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.480 back over to England 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.920 and distributed to them 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.840 up and down the coast. 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.180 And both men paid a huge price 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:00.860 for what they did. 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:02.160 Monmouth ended up in prison, 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:04.960 and Tyndale ended up dead. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.160 But the thing is, 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.620 without their boldness, 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.320 and particularly without Monmouth's 00:19:11.320 --> 00:19:12.640 catching the vision, 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.420 a generation of people 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:15.200 wouldn't have had the Bible 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.140 in their own language. 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.980 In fact, the writer here says 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:19.220 that every English translation 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.800 of the Bible 00:19:19.800 --> 00:19:21.360 has its starting point 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.500 in Tyndale's work. 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:26.320 Friends, living for those words, 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:29.060 well done, good and faithful servant. 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:31.400 You see, servants number one and two 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:31.980 in the parable, 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:33.100 they live for those words, 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.300 they worship their master, 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.620 they declare to be trustworthy, 00:19:36.020 --> 00:19:37.520 but verse 24, 00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:38.960 what the master says 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.060 to the third servant 00:19:40.060 --> 00:19:42.680 should be chilling to us. 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.300 What has he done with his talent? 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:45.300 He's done nothing with it. 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.619 Why? 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:47.440 We'll see the excuse at verse 24. 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:50.180 I knew you were a harsh man. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:52.059 I was afraid of you. 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:52.779 So in other words, 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:54.339 the fault's not with me, master, 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:55.339 the fault's with you, 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:56.240 because if you weren't 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.460 such a cutthroat dealer, 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:59.659 if you weren't a cruel taskmaster, 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:01.079 then maybe things would have 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:02.659 worked out differently for us. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.680 But you see how the master, 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:07.000 he sees right through the facade 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.779 of those words, 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.919 because if that's what really 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:09.960 was the case, 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.799 he would have nipped down 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.279 to the bank, 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:12.079 filled in the form, 00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:12.940 opened up the cheeky 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.059 savings account on the side 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.359 and placed the money in there 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:16.639 and it would have made a profit 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.159 and he wouldn't have even 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:18.339 needed to lift a finger. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.279 Whereas before him, 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.259 the servants were met 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.779 with those words, 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.200 well done, 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.200 good and faithful servant. 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.079 This man is met 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.519 with the words, 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.559 you see it in the passage, 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:30.240 you good for nothing servant. 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:33.000 First two masters, 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.379 they share in their master's joy. 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.279 The third servant 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.779 is banished to a place 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.259 of weeping 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.200 and gnashing of teeth, 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.680 which is a typical description 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.580 that Jesus uses 00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:42.380 to talk about internal condemnation, 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.259 talk about hell. 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.799 We just have to make the point 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.559 that this is serious 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.640 what we do with these things. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.500 And in verse 28, 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.980 do you see how he orders 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.140 that third servant's talent 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:54.120 to be taken from him 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.299 and given to the first one 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:57.000 because he's proved himself 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:59.120 trustworthy in the master's eyes. 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.980 He loves me 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.519 and those are the kind of servants 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.120 that I'm after, 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:02.940 says the master. 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.160 But thinking this week, 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.080 where did it all go wrong 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.000 for this third servant? 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.599 We've been thinking that 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.259 as you've read it through. 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.659 Where did it all go wrong for him? 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:14.179 Because the way the parable's told, 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.259 the focus is on him. 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:15.960 He's the one that gets 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.839 the most airtime. 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:19.539 Well, I think it all went wrong 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:21.059 for that servant in his heart. 00:21:22.699 --> 00:21:23.679 Because the servants, 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.339 one and two, 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.099 their hearts are filled 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.759 with adoration. 00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.740 They love their master. 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.259 But the third servant, 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.939 his heart is filled with apathy. 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.679 He doesn't really know 00:21:32.679 --> 00:21:33.539 his master at all. 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:34.720 And actually, 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.639 everything that he's saying 00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.139 about him 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:38.380 is a slander in his character. 00:21:41.020 --> 00:21:42.100 He doesn't love his master. 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:42.820 He doesn't buy into 00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:43.380 what he's about 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.360 and it reflects himself 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.000 in his work. 00:21:46.300 --> 00:21:47.640 So let me ask you this morning, 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.900 when it comes to your relationship 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.840 with the Lord Jesus, 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:53.080 which heart is more like yours? 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.240 Are you like the first two? 00:21:57.320 --> 00:21:57.880 Do you have a warm 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.840 and a receptive heart? 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.759 Do you love the Lord? 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:02.020 Or are you like the third servant 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.639 who has a very low view 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:06.139 of his master in his mind? 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:06.940 Because, of course, 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.980 everything that's driving this, 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.240 friends, 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.519 is a love for the Lord Jesus. 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.480 It's a love for him. 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:12.619 Otherwise, 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:14.160 this is simply just legalism 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:14.960 or moralism 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.539 and both of them 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.579 are fruit of dead religion. 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.940 Do we love this master? 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.980 Because if you think about it, 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.000 in Matthew 25, 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:25.180 this master who's speaking here 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:27.980 has invested his whole life 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.480 in his father's will. 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.720 He's about to do exactly that. 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:32.339 Jesus, the one who was rich, 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.559 became poor. 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.559 In fact, so poor, 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.559 so lowly, 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.660 so did he humble himself 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.880 that he became sin 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.559 for us on the cross. 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:43.819 Why? 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.740 So that we, 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:47.079 who are poor, 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:49.319 might become rich, 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.700 adopted as sons and daughters 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.680 of the living God. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.420 What a master. 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.500 Friends, 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.600 do you love him this morning? 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.539 Do you love him? 00:22:56.539 --> 00:23:01.139 The words of Christian missionary 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:01.779 C.T. Studd, 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.720 I know I've quoted them earlier, 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.539 but I love this quote. 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:05.139 If Jesus Christ be God 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:06.099 and died for me, 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:08.240 then surely no sacrifice 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.579 can be too great for me 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.460 to make for him. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.039 Friends, 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:13.099 just as we finish up, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.200 Jesus is holding up. 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.319 Do you see what he wants to see 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.019 in his disciples? 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:18.139 Particularly when it comes to them 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:19.299 and handling their money, 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.220 what does he want to see? 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.559 He wants to see faithfulness. 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.460 Faithfulness. 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:26.500 Here is Jesus saying to his disciples, 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.319 I'm going away, 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:29.360 but one day I will return 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:31.059 and until then, 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:33.600 invest the things 00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:34.799 that I've entrusted to you 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:36.680 in my kingdom. 00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:39.059 So just as we close 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:40.259 and this morning 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.700 we leave this little series 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.799 we've been thinking about money, 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.579 why don't we just pause 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.120 for a moment 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:47.279 and let's just allow God 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.980 by his spirit 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:49.620 as the word does its work 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.600 in our lives this morning, 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:53.500 just to be silent 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.480 and to reflect on that 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.240 and then I'll pray 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.839 and we'll close. 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:03.500 Take my will 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.719 and make it thine. 00:24:05.939 --> 00:24:06.939 It shall be 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:08.139 no longer mine. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.419 Take my heart, 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.399 it is thine own. 00:24:11.699 --> 00:24:12.579 It shall be 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:14.319 your royal throne. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.019 It shall be 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:17.679 your royal throne. 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.960 Our heavenly father, 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:20.759 we thank you 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:22.220 for your goodness to us, 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:23.539 your lavish grace 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.860 that you shower upon us 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:25.820 in Jesus Christ. 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:27.940 And we pray, 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.220 father, 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.039 as we've thought about 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.759 our possessions, 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:30.860 as we've thought about 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:31.539 the things that you've 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.380 entrusted to us, 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.019 we pray 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.759 that you would help us 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.420 to be people 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.840 who live for those words, 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.400 well done, 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:41.680 good and faithful servant. 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:42.940 Would you, 00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:43.620 by your spirit, 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.500 help us to be 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.259 those servants 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.200 who are marked 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:48.319 by a resolute devotion 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.059 to you 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.259 and are marked 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.720 as those who seek 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:53.440 first the kingdom of God 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.879 and his righteousness. 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.079 So Lord, 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.740 be with us now, 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.319 we ask, 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:59.079 in Jesus' precious name. 00:24:59.400 --> 00:24:59.740 Amen.