WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.400 Well, Jenny and I, we are in a life group, and we meet on Thursday nights. 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:10.560 In life group, I didn't tell you I was going to do this. 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:13.480 This is part of having a preacher in your life group. 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:15.880 But everything's open for illustrations. 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:23.379 Well, we were talking about the return of Jesus Christ, 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:26.240 and it was an encouraging time together. 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:29.979 Jenny and I left literally encouraged. 00:00:30.299 --> 00:00:32.280 We were compelled by our conversation. 00:00:32.420 --> 00:00:37.140 But what's interesting about that conversation was there was a point where we were talking about bananas. 00:00:38.739 --> 00:00:40.479 And the question came up like this. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:46.420 Well, if Jesus is coming back at any time and I'm at Woodman's, what kind of bananas do I buy? 00:00:47.420 --> 00:00:50.599 Do I buy the really green ones? 00:00:51.459 --> 00:00:55.439 And if I buy them and he comes back tomorrow, those green ones, it's going to be a waste. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:56.640 We're not going to be able to eat it. 00:00:56.719 --> 00:00:59.759 Or do we buy the really ripe ones? 00:01:00.579 --> 00:01:04.319 And if we buy the really ripe ones, but he delays, then we won't eat. 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:06.759 Which bananas should we buy? 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:10.219 You know what the question is. 00:01:11.319 --> 00:01:12.239 How do we live? 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:17.680 If Jesus is coming back, we know when he's coming back. 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:18.420 That he is. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:19.039 Excuse me. 00:01:19.140 --> 00:01:20.079 He is coming back. 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:21.439 But we don't know when. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:29.500 And in God's design, he intends us to live in that sense of uncertainty. 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:31.719 So we live with tension. 00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:33.640 That's normal. 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:37.819 And so it raises questions like, what kind of bananas do I buy? 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:51.819 I mean, should we all liquidate all of our assets, give it to worldwide missions, set up a tent, tent city out in front of the church here, and just hope Jesus is going to come back tomorrow? 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:54.199 Is that how we're supposed to live? 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:00.659 What we do know is we must be ready. 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:08.379 And what we're going to look at this morning is Jesus telling us how to be ready. 00:02:08.579 --> 00:02:11.439 And the way he does it is in classic Jesus style. 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:16.439 Instead of kind of laying out a four-point outline, he lays out four parables for us. 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:25.939 Four pictures of what it means to be ready and living in this tension of not knowing when he's coming back. 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:29.960 Isn't he so kind to give us pictures of it? 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:33.120 And so this morning, we're going to look at four parables. 00:02:33.920 --> 00:02:40.180 Four parables that illustrate for us what it looks like to be ready for his coming. 00:02:41.020 --> 00:02:45.879 And I'm just going to give you a tip of the hat as to where we're going. 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:53.980 To be ready for that day is to be faithful to him this day. 00:02:53.979 --> 00:03:03.799 To be ready for him on that day, we don't know when that day is, is to be faithful to him today. 00:03:04.599 --> 00:03:06.979 Our readiness means faithfulness. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:13.459 And we're going to be faithful day in and day out until he comes back. 00:03:13.460 --> 00:03:19.900 To be ready for him on that day is to be faithful to him on this day. 00:03:20.100 --> 00:03:22.560 So let's look at the first parable. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:27.659 It's in Matthew chapter 24 and it's in verses 43 through 44. 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:28.700 It's just two verses. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:30.460 It's a wee little parable. 00:03:31.620 --> 00:03:32.879 But it gets a lot done. 00:03:34.219 --> 00:03:35.340 Let me read it for you. 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:38.900 Matthew 24, 43 through 44. 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:46.939 Jesus says, but know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, 00:03:47.379 --> 00:03:51.159 he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:57.439 Therefore, you also must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 00:03:58.500 --> 00:04:00.400 And so here we have this wee little parable. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:05.020 And compared to the next three parables, it's brief and to the point. 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:08.520 And what Jesus is basically saying is this. 00:04:09.020 --> 00:04:17.939 He's comparing his unexpected coming to the unexpected coming of a thief to your house trying to steal your stuff. 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:20.680 And here's the logic. 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:27.939 If there's a master of a house who knows what time of night, the window when a thief is coming, 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:32.120 he's going to be ready for that thief to not come in. 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:38.500 Has anybody seen the wonderful Christmastime film Home Alone? 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:40.480 Yes. 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:41.899 Or not, huh? 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:49.659 That little boy, he knew two bad guys were going to be coming to his house one particular night. 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:52.019 And because he knew that, what did he do? 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:56.259 I mean, I don't know which one was your favorite. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:58.479 Mine was the superheated doorknob. 00:04:59.019 --> 00:05:00.479 That was my favorite. 00:05:01.039 --> 00:05:05.120 But he sets up all these booby traps because he knows the thief is coming. 00:05:05.299 --> 00:05:06.379 He was ready for them. 00:05:08.299 --> 00:05:13.299 Now, if I knew a thief was coming to my house tonight, do you know what I would do? 00:05:13.719 --> 00:05:14.859 Here's how I would get ready. 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:19.160 I would get a pot of coffee rolling, and I'd just start drinking it. 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:23.120 And I would be, I'm like, I'm going to be juiced for this guy or whoever's coming. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:24.680 And then, do you know what I would do? 00:05:24.900 --> 00:05:29.759 I would have my phone, 911, and I'm ready to press that send button. 00:05:29.840 --> 00:05:30.819 I'm ready to go. 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:31.680 But that's not all. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:35.660 I would, I like chopping wood, and I have all these broken axe handles. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:39.439 So I would have my hickory axe handle with me as well. 00:05:40.080 --> 00:05:40.780 But that's not it. 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:42.460 The piece de la resistance. 00:05:42.459 --> 00:05:47.099 I've got this, I've got this dog. 00:05:49.219 --> 00:05:57.599 He's a 112-pound English black lab named Gus, a.k.a. Beastie. 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:04.439 And I can, I just go, and when I do that, he's up, and he's like, haunches up. 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:07.740 Man, I would be ready. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:16.500 If I knew that was coming, I would have everything ready to welcome that thief and send him away packing. 00:06:17.960 --> 00:06:22.160 The comparison here is Jesus' unexpected return. 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:23.100 That's the emphasis. 00:06:23.400 --> 00:06:24.639 We don't know when he's coming back. 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:28.620 The difference between the parable and us as Christians is this. 00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:30.740 The parable focuses on one night. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:37.300 What Jesus is saying is, be ready every day and every night until he comes back. 00:06:37.400 --> 00:06:39.319 What he's getting at is a mindset. 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:43.000 He's getting his coming on our minds. 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:45.540 That it's controlling the way that we live. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:49.220 It dictates how we go around, go about life. 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:54.380 So, the question is, what difference does that make? 00:06:55.500 --> 00:07:09.140 When you start taking the return of Jesus seriously, when you start owning it, not just agreeing to it, but saying, I'm going to live in light of that, do you know what happens? 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:14.680 First thing, you tend to loosen your grip on the things of this world. 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:18.879 Because you start to see through things. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:25.779 When it comes to possessions and to position and to power, you see through it. 00:07:27.019 --> 00:07:28.699 It doesn't satisfy. 00:07:29.300 --> 00:07:30.500 It's not there. 00:07:31.019 --> 00:07:34.560 And so, you loosen your grip on it because you see it for what it is. 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:38.019 But you not just loosen your grip on those things. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:46.199 When you get the return of Jesus on your mind, it focuses your attention on mission. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:51.000 I see through the fake stuff and I see what the real stuff is. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:53.979 I understand what's most important. 00:07:56.039 --> 00:08:03.519 And the most important things are the things having to do with God and his word, his kingdom and the souls of man. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:15.539 And so, what happens is when I get the return of Jesus, not only on my mind, but saturating my life, it makes me mission-minded. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:22.620 This picture of a thief coming. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:26.640 It's picked up by three other apostles. 00:08:26.900 --> 00:08:29.680 It impressed the apostles. 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:31.980 It functioned in their life. 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:39.139 And so, John the Revelator, he talks about the return of Jesus like a thief in Revelation 3.3. 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:41.759 Peter, 2 Peter 3.10. 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:44.519 Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5.2. 00:08:44.699 --> 00:08:47.340 Each one refers to Jesus coming like a thief. 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:53.159 It was the teaching in all the churches in the first century. 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:54.939 It was normal. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:58.600 It was how they lived and how we are to live now. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:10.620 So, this first little parable about Jesus coming like a thief, it's to be a mindset we take. 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:14.360 So, you know what you can put up in your house somewhere, hang on. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:18.340 Hey, is Jesus coming today? 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:19.080 Is that what that says? 00:09:22.040 --> 00:09:23.800 Put that somewhere where you'll see it. 00:09:24.440 --> 00:09:25.920 Is Jesus coming today? 00:09:26.040 --> 00:09:27.440 It's moving the ball forward. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:30.040 Lord, it's getting you thinking a certain way. 00:09:30.800 --> 00:09:33.540 Is Jesus coming today? 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:35.700 That's the first parable. 00:09:36.680 --> 00:09:37.700 Be watchful. 00:09:38.660 --> 00:09:39.680 You know how you'd be ready? 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:41.740 Be watchful. 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:45.860 The second parable is the parable of the two servants. 00:09:46.260 --> 00:09:50.080 And we see that in 24 verses 45 through 51. 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:57.080 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? 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:04.260 Blessed is that servant whose master will find so doing when he comes. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:07.720 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:15.360 But if that wicked servant says to himself, my master is delayed and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:19.399 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him. 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:20.879 And at an hour, he does not know. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:24.840 And will cut him to pieces and put him out with the hypocrites. 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:29.519 In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:32.420 And so the first parable was about watchfulness. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:41.040 This second parable, this parable is about being faithful to the task entrusted to you. 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:47.580 Jesus opens up this parable with a very interesting question in verse 45. 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:48.940 It's a question for us all. 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:50.900 He's asking this. 00:10:51.460 --> 00:10:58.260 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? 00:10:58.660 --> 00:11:00.280 And then he gives us two options. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:05.600 Jesus is saying, hey, which one is the faithful and wise servant? 00:11:06.420 --> 00:11:07.480 And then he defines it. 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:12.040 The faithful and the wise servant who he set over his household with a specific task. 00:11:12.400 --> 00:11:14.080 To feed the other servants. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:18.000 And then he goes to option number one. 00:11:18.420 --> 00:11:22.300 And we see option number one in verse 46. 00:11:23.520 --> 00:11:28.320 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:37.520 The faithful and wise servant is the servant that when the master comes back, he's doing what his master told him to do. 00:11:39.520 --> 00:11:42.879 What we learn here is that the master left. 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:46.240 The master went somewhere. 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:49.600 The master entrusted a responsibility and then left. 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:55.960 And it's in verse 46 that we get a hint that he's coming back from somewhere. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:12:03.300 If you look at verse 48, this second option, the wicked servant, is saying in his heart, my master is delayed. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:04.420 He's not there. 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.480 He's gone. 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:15.019 Jesus is referring to himself, of course, that he will be gone, but he will come back. 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:18.019 And when he comes back, we must be ready. 00:12:19.300 --> 00:12:21.659 So option one, blessed is that servant. 00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:26.039 When his master comes back, he finds him doing what he was told to do. 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:34.259 And what we see in verse 47 is this contrast with this other servant we'll see in a minute. 00:12:34.599 --> 00:12:37.019 And what it is is the rewards. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.480 Blessed is that servant. 00:12:41.199 --> 00:12:42.379 Joyful, happy. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:47.000 His master has come back and found him faithful. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:50.399 Faithful to what he was called to do. 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:53.799 And then there's this reward in verse 47. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:56.019 He's given more responsibility. 00:12:56.860 --> 00:13:00.960 He's found faithful and therefore is entrusted with more. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:05.740 Option one is the blessed one. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:08.639 Option two is a very different picture. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:10.000 And we see that in verse 48. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:12.320 It's a contrast. 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:12.440 Trust. 00:13:13.260 --> 00:13:14.040 Verse 48. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:20.780 This second servant says inside of him, literally in his heart, my master is delayed. 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:23.920 The cat is away. 00:13:25.020 --> 00:13:26.400 The mice will play. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:29.520 You know what that is getting at? 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.600 Accountability is gone. 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.680 He's gone. 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.260 Let's live it up. 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:48.319 And so what this second servant sees is the departure of the master is an opportunity to exploit this situation for his personal gain. 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:51.700 And do you see what he does in verse 49? 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:59.059 Instead of feeding the servants that he was supposed to do, he beats the servants. 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:05.579 Instead of eating with the servants, he's eating and drinking with drunkards. 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:15.839 And you've got to ask the question, is it the food intended for the master's servants that this wicked servant is sharing with drunkards? 00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:20.259 Quite a contrast. 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:24.179 And then the consequence. 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.059 Verse 50. 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:28.220 The master comes back unexpectedly. 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:35.319 He cuts him to pieces and puts this wicked servant out with the hypocrites. 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:39.360 This servant is no servant. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:47.720 He claims to be on the payroll of the household of the master, but his actions prove otherwise. 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:49.539 He's a hypocrite. 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:52.179 And he's put out. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:56.500 Quite a contrast. 00:14:57.539 --> 00:15:02.259 The blessed servant who is faithful in the task entrusted to him. 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:04.439 He's feeding his fellow servants. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:08.480 And when his master comes back, he welcomes him back. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:13.679 And it is a happy day when he gets to say, hey, I've been doing everything you've asked me to do. 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:16.939 And the master says, hey, I got more for you to do. 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.980 I'm glad you're in my household. 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:27.720 Compared to the second, master comes back, finds him beating and exploiting. 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:31.100 And he's cut to pieces, thrown out with the hypocrites and punished. 00:15:31.560 --> 00:15:33.100 So back to Jesus' question. 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:36.000 Which one is the faithful and wise servant? 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.240 It's the first one. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:47.779 To be faithful to him on that day. 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.360 On this day. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:53.399 To be faithful to the task he's entrusted to us. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:55.620 Which begs the question. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:16:00.679 What task has he entrusted to us? 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:11.139 The primary task that our Lord Jesus has entrusted to us, Christ of the King Church, is to fulfill his great commission. 00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:13.019 Matthew 28. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.739 Go make disciples of the nations. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:18.620 To lead people to Christ. 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:21.680 And those who come to Christ to help them to follow Christ. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.940 But it doesn't stop there. 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:28.220 For those who we help follow Christ, we help them lead other people to Christ. 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:35.120 And then those people they lead to Christ, we help them help those they've led to Christ follow Christ. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:39.820 That's the task given to us. 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:48.679 To be ready for his coming on that day is to be faithful to his task of the great commission on this day. 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:50.620 So let me ask you a question. 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:57.720 How are you actively fulfilling the great commission? 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:05.019 What are you involved with that is advancing the call? 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.119 What are you involved with that? 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:07.119 What are you involved with that? 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.119 What are you involved with that? 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:11.000 Maybe you're a mom of little kids here and you're like, you know what? 00:17:11.439 --> 00:17:19.000 I can, the only thing I can do right now is try to make disciples of my little guys. 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:21.739 And it is an all day venture. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.099 Blessed are you, sister. 00:17:24.939 --> 00:17:26.699 Be faithful to that task. 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:31.979 Maybe you're involved with the King's Place or King's Kids or Wilson Partnership. 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.979 You're leading a life group. 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:36.420 You're supporting missionaries financially. 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:39.319 You're helping out with a Sunday morning breakfast. 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:42.140 Keep on keeping on. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:46.160 We're fulfilling the great commission through all of these. 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:52.140 Do you have any great commission fulfilling ideas? 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:53.860 We would love to know them. 00:17:53.859 --> 00:18:05.919 Or maybe you're like, eh, he's coming back later. 00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:08.240 I'll have a blast now. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.979 Maybe that's where you are. 00:18:12.979 --> 00:18:14.099 Do you know what that sounds like? 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:17.459 You sound like a wicked servant. 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:20.279 My master is delayed. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:26.740 So let me call you to come and be a part of the mission. 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:29.819 Lay your hand to the task. 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:37.379 If you're looking for a place to serve and fulfill the great commission, we've got a spot for you. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:40.039 We've got a spot. 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:43.679 If you need to know, talk to me. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.619 Talk to Billy, Matt, one of the other elders. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:53.000 We will get you serving somewhere and be a part of this global task of fulfilling the great commission. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:58.940 You know, there's an emphasis here on when this master returns. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:09.000 When he returns, blessed is the servant that when he returns, the master finds him doing what he's been called to do. 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:18.099 So, what do you want Jesus to find you doing when he comes back? 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:32.079 To be ready for that day is to be faithful to the task entrusted to us on this day. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:38.160 The third parable is in Matthew 25, 1 through 13. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:40.720 And it's the parable of the ten virgins. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:50.440 Again, these parables are pictures of how to be ready for his unexpected return. 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:54.080 So, we've got to be looking like a thief. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:58.340 We've got to be faithful to what he's entrusted to us, like the good servant. 00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:04.519 And now, we must be prepared for his delay. 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.840 If he should delay. 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:14.680 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:17.240 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:21.120 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them. 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.779 But the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:28.039 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:32.039 But at midnight, there was a cry, here's the bridegroom, come out to meet him. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:35.259 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:40.140 And the foolish said to the wise, give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:47.700 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. 00:20:48.060 --> 00:20:51.259 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came. 00:20:51.520 --> 00:20:54.200 And those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast. 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.460 And the door was shut. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:59.880 After the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:03.540 But he answered, truly, I say to you, I do not know you. 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:09.860 Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.400 Be ready. 00:21:15.260 --> 00:21:19.300 And the way to be ready, according to this parable, is to be prepared for a potential delay. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:26.220 Now, when you hear this read, I'm guessing in you there's this immediate sense of cultural distance. 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:29.859 Like, oh, there's a wedding custom here that I am unfamiliar with. 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:31.200 What's up with the lamps? 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.619 What's up with the ten virgins? 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:33.859 What's going on here? 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:39.519 Well, here's a little first century wedding custom primer. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:44.279 Wedding ceremonies took place typically in the evening. 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:48.480 They would, people would work and they would have to do these things kind of in the evening. 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:51.319 That explains the lamps, why there's a need for light. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:56.740 But what would happen is the party would start at the bridegroom's place. 00:21:56.960 --> 00:22:00.000 And he would leave his house with a posse of people. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:03.920 And they would go then to the bride's home. 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:06.259 And there, they would actually get married. 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:10.000 And after they get married, they go back to the bridegroom's house for a party. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:19.400 And so what we see going here, on here is the bridegroom is going to be going to the bride's place. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:26.259 And the ten virgins, virgins are the bridesmaids who are going out to meet him, to welcome him. 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.900 And so these ten virgins are bridesmaids. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:34.400 Don't think about them as ten options for the groom. 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:37.820 They're bridesmaids. 00:22:39.320 --> 00:22:46.160 And what this is getting at is that special moment when the groom arrived at the house. 00:22:46.540 --> 00:22:50.880 And it was this moment where the groom comes for the bride. 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:55.500 It was climactic. 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:59.980 It was a moment to be remembered. 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:07.160 So this parable is about ten bridesmaids going out to welcome the groom. 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:10.400 They're anticipating his arrival, but they don't know when. 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.940 Sound familiar? 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:15.319 So here's the contrast. 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:21.819 In verse 2, you have five foolish bridesmaids and five wise bridesmaids. 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:27.019 Three, the reason why they are foolish, they didn't bring oil for their lamps. 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:31.799 Four, the reason why they're wise, they brought flasks of oil for their lamps. 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.259 Here's the modernized version. 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:37.379 Okay, think of a wedding, outdoor, in the evening. 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:40.079 There's no outlets anywhere. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:45.940 You have ten bridesmaids with their cell phones, and they've got full batteries. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:53.799 But for some reason, the groom is delayed in coming, and their battery power in their phone is going down. 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:56.619 The foolish bridesmaids didn't bring a battery back up. 00:23:57.019 --> 00:24:05.400 But the wise bridesmaids brought a battery back up, and they plug in, recharge their phone, and when the groom comes, they're partying. 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.759 There's the delay. 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:14.079 In verse 5, we learn that the bridegroom was delayed. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:19.299 All throughout the Bible, God pictures himself as the husband to his people. 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:28.039 And Jesus here is saying, I am the bridegroom to my people, and I'm coming. 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:38.539 The surprise in verses 5 and 6 is that it gets so long in the delay, all the bridesmaids fall asleep. 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:44.180 And in comes the announcement that the bridegroom has arrived. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:53.639 So this unexpected arrival, and with it is this kind of crisis of accounting for what you got. 00:24:55.119 --> 00:25:01.399 Verse 9, all ten virgins go to trim their lamps to brighten them, but the foolish go to trim it. 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.279 Nothing happens. 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.160 It says, oh no! 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:08.779 The wise have just enough for themselves. 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.259 They're ready. 00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:11.639 There's the delay. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.559 Some were foolish, not ready. 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:15.339 Some were prepared, and were ready. 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:19.440 In verse 10, while the foolish bridesmaids are out getting oil, 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:23.779 at the all-night oil supply shop right around the corner, 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.500 the bridegroom comes. 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:30.059 And that word come is repeated throughout this passage. 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.240 Come, come, come. 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:32.259 He's coming, coming, coming. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:34.079 He's coming at an unexpected time. 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:41.299 And when he comes, those bridesmaids who are ready, 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:46.480 he brings them in with him to the wedding feast and shuts the door. 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:51.799 Those who are ready are with the bridegroom at a party. 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:57.539 And then the consequences, the foolish come back. 00:25:58.440 --> 00:26:00.419 They say, Lord, Lord, open to us. 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:03.180 It's the same language in Matthew 7. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:07.119 Those who say, Lord, Lord, aren't all a part of the kingdom. 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.319 They come. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.539 They say, Lord, Lord, open to us. 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.599 But they're denied. 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:16.359 I don't know you. 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:19.419 They weren't ready. 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:29.320 The point is to be ready for that day by being prepared for his potential delay. 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.680 He may come tomorrow. 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.900 He may not. 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:42.019 We pray that he will come tomorrow, but we prepare for the long haul. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:51.180 This summer, we spent money as a church to fix a pipe down a couple layers from here to heat this place. 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.400 Do you know why? 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:55.299 We don't know when he's coming back. 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.859 We got to be prepared. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.059 We're doing gospel ministry. 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:07.779 So we pray for him to come today, but we prepare in case he doesn't, in case there's a delay. 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:13.220 All throughout this passage, Jesus is preparing his disciples for potential delay in his return. 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:24.720 So we must be ready in case he returns in two days or in two weeks or in two years or in two decades. 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.619 We must be ready. 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:34.359 Now you may be wondering, why the delay? 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:37.740 Why is Jesus talking about delay? 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:41.240 What's the delay about? 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:46.599 Well, we're not told here what the delay is about. 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:50.459 But we're told elsewhere what the delay is about. 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:53.059 And that's found in 2 Peter 3. 00:27:54.199 --> 00:28:02.619 2 Peter 3 helps us understand why Jesus is not coming back, why there's delay apparently. 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:07.759 In verse 4, there's this question, hey, where is the promise of his coming? 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.879 Where is he? 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:10.439 Shouldn't he have come back by now? 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:15.799 And Peter responds by saying, God's in control over it all. 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:17.359 One day is like a thousand. 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:19.679 A thousand years is like one day. 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:23.859 His delay is not slowness. 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:27.619 His delay in coming back is patience. 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:34.159 For he does not want any to perish. 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:40.139 He wants all to reach repentance. 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:45.359 His delay is a loving delay. 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:52.979 So that all who he has purchased with his blood will come to know him and be saved. 00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:59.939 All who are appointed for salvation will reach repentance and trust in him. 00:29:00.219 --> 00:29:02.759 That's what he's tarrying for. 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:11.640 All heaven waits for that last sinner appointed for eternal life to reach repentance. 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:14.059 And then he comes back like a thief in the night. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.759 2 Peter 3.10 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:24.740 His delay is not an opportunity for us for selfish gain. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:32.019 His delay is an opportunity for us to fulfill the great commission. 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:34.519 To be a part of his work. 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:39.380 His delay is for kingdom gain. 00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:52.319 So these parables are pointing, are giving us pictures of what it means to live knowing that he's coming but not knowing when. 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:54.480 And it's a call to be ready. 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:57.960 To be looking. 00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:59.859 To be faithful. 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.779 To be prepared. 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.960 For his, in his delay. 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.920 The last parable. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:09.160 Is the parable of the talents. 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:12.759 And that is found in 25, 14 through 30. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:15.900 It is quite a parable. 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:22.759 And again, the reason why it's here is to help us understand what we must be doing while we're waiting. 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:25.859 And the point of this parable is this. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:35.259 Until he comes, we risk his resources for his gain. 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:42.200 Now, what's important to get clear right out of the gate is the word talent. 00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:45.220 To one he gave five talents. 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:50.180 So there's this man going on a journey and he gives talents to three servants. 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:53.759 And then he comes back and there's an accounting and some consequences. 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:56.840 So the question is, what's a talent? 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:56.919 Talent. 00:30:58.059 --> 00:31:01.099 Now, I think I might know what's going on in your mind right now. 00:31:01.419 --> 00:31:07.039 You're thinking talent, talent show, singing, dancing, comedy routines. 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.879 America's got talent. 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:12.799 The regurgitator is a guy with some really unique talents. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:18.359 But that's not what Jesus means by talent. 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:25.039 In Jesus' day, a talent was a unit of wealth. 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:33.619 One talent equaled 6,000 days of labor. 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.799 I did some math. 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:45.119 That's the equivalent of 23 years of a day's laboring work taking weekends off. 00:31:46.899 --> 00:31:55.599 And so if this is paid at 20 bucks an hour, do you know how much money this is? 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:59.139 It's just short of a million dollars. 00:31:59.140 --> 00:32:04.640 So one talent is a huge amount of money. 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:16.259 So we get into this parable and you need to realize, for the original hearers of this, this master is loaded. 00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:23.040 And what you need to think about this master is that he is a venture capitalist. 00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:25.300 You know what a venture capitalist is? 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:34.139 It's a guy with a lot of money who's looking to invest his money in startup businesses in order to get a lot more money back. 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:39.680 He is going to venture his capital to get a gain back. 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:43.579 And so what we have here is a master who's a venture capitalist. 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:49.960 And he hands out a lot of money to his servants in order to get back money. 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:53.659 They're going to risk his resources to get him gain. 00:32:55.299 --> 00:33:00.960 So the kingdom of heaven here is being compared to an investment firm. 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:07.559 In verse 16, servant one is given five talents, five million dollars. 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:12.680 And he doubles that really quick and gets back ten million dollars total. 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:15.279 17, there's a second servant. 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:18.680 And that second servant is given two talents, two million dollars. 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:25.120 And he goes and invests it, starts a business, invests in others, and he gets back another two million dollars. 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.720 They've doubled their investments. 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:28.299 That's a really good return. 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.539 And then the contrast. 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:32.700 Servant three in verse 18. 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:35.460 He's given one talent, which isn't small. 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.620 It's a million dollars. 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:40.400 He digs a hole and hides it. 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:43.600 He doesn't do anything with it. 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.759 He takes no risks. 00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:50.000 And then there's the delay. 00:33:50.300 --> 00:33:53.940 This master who gives them the money goes on a journey. 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:58.519 And in verse 19, he comes back after a long time. 00:33:58.920 --> 00:33:59.780 Think delay. 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:06.480 We've seen it now in all of these parables that the master of the two servants goes and comes back after a delay. 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:08.300 The bridegroom is delay. 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.139 He comes back. 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:13.239 And now this master comes back after a delay. 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:17.880 And he's coming back to settle accounts with these three servants. 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:21.400 And we see that settling of account in verse 19. 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:32.280 He comes back and he wants to know what these servants have done with the money, the talents he's given them. 00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:35.940 So the consequences in verse 20. 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:38.119 Servant one says this. 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:44.200 Master, you delivered to me five talents. 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:48.039 Here, I have made five talents more. 00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:51.380 Here, I'm giving them. 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.240 I have made five talents more. 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:56.599 What does the master say in verse 21? 00:34:57.160 --> 00:35:00.440 Well done, good and faithful servant. 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:04.420 You have been faithful over a little. 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:06.220 I will set you over much. 00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:09.519 Enter into the joy of your master. 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:13.400 Faithful, faithful, faithful. 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:16.599 Enter the joy of your master. 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.920 Servant two, verse 22. 00:35:19.660 --> 00:35:20.340 It's his turn. 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.680 He goes to the master. 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:23.600 Master, you delivered to me two talents. 00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:25.940 Here, I have made two more. 00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:28.500 He's giving them back to his master. 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:29.860 They're not his. 00:35:30.600 --> 00:35:31.920 They belong to the master. 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:42.099 And in verse 23, the master uses the identical language and he commends this second service. 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:45.720 And he says, you have been faithful. 00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:48.659 You well done, good and faithful servant. 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.880 You've been faithful over a little. 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:51.340 I will set you over much. 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:53.480 Enter into the joy of your master. 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:54.480 It's the same commendation. 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.159 It's the same commendation. 00:35:55.659 --> 00:36:01.780 Two men, different abilities, both faithful, and they get the same commendation from their master. 00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:05.500 We've got different abilities in the room. 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.880 The call is to faithfulness. 00:36:10.680 --> 00:36:11.560 Entering his joy. 00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:13.680 And then the contrast, servant three. 00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:15.500 What's this guy going to say? 00:36:15.600 --> 00:36:16.600 He's the guy that buried it. 00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:17.600 What is he going to say? 00:36:17.720 --> 00:36:19.280 I'm really interested in what he's going to say. 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.620 What does Jesus have him say? 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:26.539 He who had received the one talent came forward saying, master, I knew you to be a hard man. 00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:31.380 Reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:36.799 That's another way of saying, hey, you come in, you exploit opportunities, you're a hard-nosed business guy. 00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:39.420 So I was afraid. 00:36:40.319 --> 00:36:42.579 And I went and hid your talent in the ground. 00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:44.980 Here, you have what is yours. 00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:46.599 Let me take the dirt off it. 00:36:46.779 --> 00:36:48.219 It's your million dollars back. 00:36:50.619 --> 00:36:54.319 The master does not affirm him. 00:36:54.480 --> 00:37:03.400 In 26 in verse through 30, it's the extended response of the master to this unfaithful servant. 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:06.679 Wicked and slothful, he calls him. 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:13.699 You knew that I would, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scatter no seed. 00:37:14.779 --> 00:37:19.159 If that's true of me, which we're not saying it is. 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:28.759 If his perception of him is right, then verse 27, you should have put it in a CD at the bank and got at least a little interest back. 00:37:29.719 --> 00:37:30.859 But he doesn't. 00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:33.259 Something going on here. 00:37:33.260 --> 00:37:42.300 So for this servant who definitely was ashamed and afraid of his master coming back at an unexpected time, and now he's got to give an account. 00:37:45.240 --> 00:37:46.340 It doesn't jive. 00:37:47.180 --> 00:37:51.240 This is the master who said to the other faithful servants, enter the joy of your master. 00:37:52.240 --> 00:37:53.780 Is this guy a hard man? 00:37:53.780 --> 00:38:07.760 He goes on to say, verses 28 and 29, take that talent away and give it to the guy with the $10 million. 00:38:10.140 --> 00:38:11.860 Because he's been faithful. 00:38:11.860 --> 00:38:22.840 For everyone who has, because they've been faithful, will be given more, because they've been proven faithful, and he will have an abundance. 00:38:23.200 --> 00:38:28.740 But for the one who has not, because they've not been faithful, even what he has will be taken away, because they're unreliable. 00:38:31.240 --> 00:38:35.160 And then verse 30, and cast the worthless servants into the outer darkness. 00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:38.800 In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:46.180 All three of these last parables have a putting out of those who are unfaithful. 00:38:48.240 --> 00:38:49.260 Here's the point. 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:59.440 We get ready for that day by risking his resources for his gain on this day. 00:38:59.720 --> 00:39:02.240 We don't do nothing. 00:39:03.380 --> 00:39:06.260 We take risks for the kingdom. 00:39:06.260 --> 00:39:12.980 We take risks for what he's entrusted to us so that we can make a gain for the kingdom. 00:39:14.520 --> 00:39:23.360 And what I want to convince you of in our last moments here is that the risen Jesus has entrusted to us all sorts of valuables. 00:39:23.880 --> 00:39:24.920 All sorts of valuables. 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:26.620 Let me highlight three. 00:39:27.740 --> 00:39:29.620 We must be faithful to it. 00:39:30.120 --> 00:39:31.440 We must risk these. 00:39:32.340 --> 00:39:34.060 That's how we're ready for his coming. 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:38.880 The first valuable thing entrusted to you is time. 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:42.659 How do you think about time? 00:39:43.519 --> 00:39:46.719 Do you think about time as your time? 00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:51.820 Or do you think about time as what God has entrusted to you? 00:39:52.799 --> 00:39:53.679 It's his time. 00:39:54.579 --> 00:39:56.500 How are you going to use his time? 00:39:56.500 --> 00:40:00.820 How are you going to make much of that valuable commodity? 00:40:01.219 --> 00:40:03.920 How are you going to get a gain back on it for the kingdom? 00:40:04.280 --> 00:40:06.420 You've got to risk your time. 00:40:07.380 --> 00:40:09.880 You've got to use your time for kingdom purposes. 00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:17.039 Are you risking your time? 00:40:17.039 --> 00:40:20.719 Or are you playing it safe? 00:40:22.239 --> 00:40:24.179 We don't know when he's coming back. 00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:28.340 Are you risking time? 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:33.000 Are you using it for his purposes? 00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:37.460 The second valuable talent. 00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:41.240 Now I'm not talking about the 6,000 day talent. 00:40:41.420 --> 00:40:43.800 I'm back to the America's got talent talent. 00:40:46.320 --> 00:40:47.760 God has given you talents. 00:40:47.880 --> 00:40:48.840 He's gifted you. 00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:52.599 He's gifted you for his kingdom. 00:40:54.780 --> 00:41:03.420 We've got brothers and sisters in this room who are seeking to leverage their talent and their time for the glory of Christ and his kingdom. 00:41:03.420 --> 00:41:10.900 Your talents and your gifts, they've been given to you. 00:41:12.220 --> 00:41:13.340 They're not your own. 00:41:14.820 --> 00:41:15.980 You're to steward them. 00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:18.720 You're to invest them. 00:41:19.579 --> 00:41:21.240 You're to risk them for the kingdom. 00:41:23.019 --> 00:41:24.659 Do you know how God has gifted you? 00:41:25.180 --> 00:41:28.260 The spirit of God gifts every Christian for the building up of the church. 00:41:28.900 --> 00:41:33.340 So whether you're gifted to serve or to teach, to evangelize, counsel lead, 00:41:33.619 --> 00:41:35.180 show mercy, administrate, 00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:41.760 are you using those gifts from the Holy Spirit to advance the kingdom? 00:41:46.099 --> 00:41:51.500 Are you showcasing your talents for yourself or for the king? 00:41:54.220 --> 00:41:56.280 Risk your talents, brothers and sisters. 00:41:57.360 --> 00:41:58.460 Put them in play. 00:41:58.460 --> 00:42:02.659 Come out of the stands and onto the field. 00:42:03.260 --> 00:42:04.199 Put it in play. 00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:05.760 Use your gifts. 00:42:07.380 --> 00:42:08.840 Third, treasure. 00:42:12.099 --> 00:42:15.980 How do you think about the money in the bank? 00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:19.980 How do you think about the possessions in your home? 00:42:19.980 --> 00:42:28.559 What you possess has been given to you, has been entrusted to you. 00:42:29.260 --> 00:42:32.559 And not just some of it, all of it. 00:42:33.300 --> 00:42:38.940 All of it was entrusted to you by your wonderful God. 00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:42.659 And you are to risk it for the kingdom. 00:42:43.260 --> 00:42:44.380 Put it in play. 00:42:44.380 --> 00:42:50.160 How you use your treasure for his kingdom now matters. 00:42:51.619 --> 00:42:54.500 Could you imagine you have this gigantic house. 00:42:54.700 --> 00:42:55.960 Jesus comes and returns. 00:42:56.320 --> 00:42:58.720 And you're like, Jesus, look at the crown molding. 00:42:58.800 --> 00:43:00.519 Jesus, you know what kind of tile that is? 00:43:00.800 --> 00:43:03.099 Oh, Lord Jesus, we brought that marble in from Africa. 00:43:03.440 --> 00:43:04.780 Oh, Jesus, look at this place. 00:43:05.059 --> 00:43:05.920 You know what he's going to say? 00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:07.440 Eh, eh. 00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:10.519 You should see my mansion. 00:43:12.039 --> 00:43:16.559 But if he came back and you have this mansion and you're saying to Jesus, 00:43:16.880 --> 00:43:20.940 Jesus, we put the former prostitutes in this room. 00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:25.200 And then we put the refugees from Qatar in this room. 00:43:25.380 --> 00:43:29.340 And then we set up an ESL class in this room. 00:43:29.559 --> 00:43:31.659 This is how we use this mansion for your glory. 00:43:31.780 --> 00:43:32.860 You're putting it in play. 00:43:34.000 --> 00:43:36.320 Use your treasure for the kingdom. 00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:44.460 When he comes back, what will you present to him? 00:43:46.460 --> 00:43:47.659 Here's what I want to do. 00:43:49.099 --> 00:43:52.559 Lord Jesus, here are all the people. 00:43:53.400 --> 00:44:01.920 Here are all the people that I got to influence with the resources you entrusted to me for the glory of your name. 00:44:02.260 --> 00:44:03.039 Here they are. 00:44:03.579 --> 00:44:04.300 Here they are. 00:44:05.200 --> 00:44:05.840 Here they are. 00:44:05.840 --> 00:44:05.880 Here they are. 00:44:07.100 --> 00:44:11.680 May that be our testimony when he comes back. 00:44:12.800 --> 00:44:14.880 To be ready for that day. 00:44:15.740 --> 00:44:24.760 To be ready for that day is to be faithful to him this day with all the resources entrusted to you. 00:44:24.760 --> 00:44:28.340 So let me conclude by just saying this. 00:44:28.560 --> 00:44:29.960 We know he's coming. 00:44:30.240 --> 00:44:31.860 We don't know when. 00:44:32.300 --> 00:44:33.660 So we must be ready. 00:44:33.820 --> 00:44:37.360 And the way that we're ready, looking for his coming. 00:44:38.360 --> 00:44:39.760 Faithful to his task. 00:44:40.200 --> 00:44:41.400 Prepared for his delay. 00:44:41.940 --> 00:44:44.400 And risking his resources for his gain. 00:44:44.400 --> 00:44:45.400 We're ready for that day. 00:44:45.400 --> 00:44:49.220 We're ready for that day by being faithful on this day. 00:44:53.059 --> 00:44:54.240 What's your next step? 00:44:54.239 --> 00:44:59.199 If we can help you in any way, we would love to. 00:44:59.199 --> 00:45:07.500 We want to be a church of disciples who make disciples all the way until he comes back. 00:45:07.500 --> 00:45:09.039 Let's pray. 00:45:09.039 --> 00:45:09.059 Let's pray. 00:45:10.679 --> 00:45:27.199 Lord Jesus, our risen king, our greatest desire, one of the things we long to hear is for when you to come back and we give an account for our lives to hear you say to us, 00:45:27.199 --> 00:45:31.359 well done, good and faithful Christ the King Church. 00:45:32.239 --> 00:45:32.939 Well done. 00:45:34.419 --> 00:45:35.799 Enter the joy of your master. 00:45:37.319 --> 00:45:38.939 God, would you stir our hearts? 00:45:40.199 --> 00:45:41.639 Would you sober our minds? 00:45:42.559 --> 00:45:48.739 And would you help us to risk what you've entrusted to us for the glory of your name? 00:45:50.119 --> 00:45:51.279 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:45:52.039 --> 00:45:52.339 Amen. 00:45:57.199 --> 00:45:58.199 Amen. 00:45:58.239 --> 00:45:58.779 Amen. 00:45:59.059 --> 00:45:59.139 Amen. 00:46:03.219 --> 00:46:03.319 Amen. 00:46:04.099 --> 00:46:05.039 Amen. 00:46:06.279 --> 00:46:06.480 Amen. 00:46:24.539 --> 00:46:25.960 Amen.