1. Hebrews 12:1-2 The joy set before Him! Shared with His companions! Psalm 45:6-7; Heb. 1:8-9

2. Hebrews 1:8-9 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

3. Hosea 2:16, 19-20 “And it shall be, in that day,” Says the Lord, “That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’... “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.

4. Isaiah 62:4 You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah ("My delight is in her"), and your land Beulah ("married"); For the Lord delights in you, And your land shall be married.

5. Isaiah 62:5 5 For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you.

6. Matt. 22:1-7 Israel's rejection and judgment.

7. Matt. 22:8-10 "good and bad" The call to co-heirship disregards character or attainment. ______________________________ Any saved person is eligible, but...

8. We must be properly "dressed" Rev. 19:8; 3:2-4; 16:15

9. Matt. 22:11-12 "outer darkness" = "the darkness outside" i.e. outside the celebration

10. Matt. 22:11-12 Hell is literal. This is not.

11. Matt. 22:11-12 "outer darkness" 3 Xs All in Matthew. All believers. All involve reward. 8:12; 25:30

12. Matt. 22:11-12 "outer darkness" Symbolic. = "exclusion from celebration"

13. The "darkness outside" vs. The joy inside

14. "weeping" = crying; sadness. "gnashing of teeth" = disappointment; regret.

15. "weeping and gnashing of teeth" = Mt. 8:12; 24:51; 25:30 All believers! "sons of the kingdom"- Mt. 8:12 with 13:38

16. "bind" The servant is not allowed to be active for the Lord in co-heirship. Luke 19:24-26

17. Matt. 25:14-30 Parable of the talents

18. Matt. 25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

19. Matt. 25:26-27 But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

20. Matt. 25:26-27 He is a "servant". He knew his Master's character. v. 28 Promotion = more responsibility. Demotion = less responsibility.

21. Matt. 25:28-29 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

22. Matt. 25:30 "And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Exclusion from joy.

23. Matt. 25:14-30 This is a parable. No literal money, whether ten, four, or one. But it does teach an important lesson!

24. Matt. 25:14-30 Commendation, promotion, access to joy or... outside the celebration?

25. 2 Cor. 5:10 "whether good or bad" 1 Cor. 9:24-27 A life "saved" or a life "lost"?

26. Mt. 10:41-42 Some rewards are never lost. Heb. 6:10 God never forgets whatever is truly done for Him.

27. Co-heirship The highest privilege. Faithfulness to the end. 2 Tim. 2:12 Rev. 2:26-27

28. At the end, what do you want to hear?

29. Well Done!