The Life of Jesus (31) Teachings Concerning Judgment The Lord’s Return (2) Matthew 25:14-46

In Matthew 24-25:14 We continue our study of Judgment as Jesus taught it during His final week of teaching leading to His death.

Matthew Background 24:1-2 – Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple 24:3, “When will these things be?” “What will be the signs of Your coming and of the end of the age.”

Matthew 24 – The Message 24:4-35 – the coming destruction of Jerusalem Answering the 1 st question! 24:36-25:46 – “But of that day and hour no one knows…” Answering the 2 nd question!

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” 25:14-30 – Three servants given talents to manage “according to their ability”. The master goes on a journey to a far country (long time)

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” The 5 & 2 talent servants double their resources The one talent man buries his talent in the ground (i.e. he did NOTHING!)

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” The master returns to settle accounts The 5 & 2 talent servants present their efforts and are rewarded accordingly ( 25:21, 23 )

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” The 1 talent servant Returns the talent to the master Speaks of his harsh conduct ( 25:24-25 ) He makes excuses

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” Why the accusation? If descriptive of God, is it true? Certainly NOT!

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” God does NOT take what does not belong to Him What belongs to Him? Everything! ( 1 Cor. 10:26, 28; Psa. 24:1, Ex. 19:5 ) His critics make harsh accusations against Him

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” “You have what is Yours” Is this a true statement? What about his abilities and time, as a steward? Was he capable of managing 1 talent?

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” One talent man’s response: Rather than take responsibility, he made excuses! He accused others! How many blame God because they don’t want to take responsibility?

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” “You wicked and lazy servant” (25:26-28) Why did master reply this way? Plausible: He answers “a fool according to his folly”

Matt. 25:14-30 – “Talents” “You wicked and lazy servant” (25:26-28) Why wicked? Did the servant act honorably? Did he steal (Eph. 4:28) Did he slander?

Matt. 25:14-30 – Lessons: We don’t know when the master will return! When He returns we will give an account for our conduct We have abilities (Rom. 12:3-8, 1 Pet. 4:7-11, cf. 1 Cor. 12:11, 18)

Matt. 25:14-30 – Lessons: God detests laziness! When He returns we will give an account for our conduct We have abilities (2 Thess. 3:10-12, Heb. 6:11, 1 Thess. 4:11, Prov. 6:6-11, 10:4, 18:9, 20:13, etc.)

Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment Jesus now describes the judgment directly Son of Man – Jesus (Matt. 9:6, 12:8, 12:40, 26:2) He will come in glory – Phil. 2:5-7, John 17:1-5, 2 Thess. 1:9-10

Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment With his angels – 2 Thess. 1:7, Matt. 13:41, 49 He will sit in judgment on His throne! Rom. 2:16, 1 Cor. 4:5, 1 Tim. 4:1

Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment A day of separation – All nations (souls) gathered before Him! Separated THEN John 5:28-29, Rev. 20:12,…

Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment The sheep on the right – Inherit the kingdom… How? They did good to His brethren

Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment The goats on the right – “Depart from Me…” Rev. 20:10, 15, 21:8 Why? They did NOT do good to His brethren

Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment The goats on the right – NOTE: It was not the “horrible” sins cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Rev. 21:8, Gal. 5:19-21, … Sin is sin! They did not recall their failure

Matt. 25:31-46 – Judgment The goats on the right – Their fate – “everlasting destruction”

Matt. 25:31-46 – Lessons While our salvation is not based upon works – a godly life WILL be filled with good works Titus 2:14, Eph. 2:10, cf. Jas. 2:14-18, 24 Do we care about the needy as we ought to? Gal. 6:10

Matt. 25:31-46 – Lessons There are only two directions of judgment “everlasting” & “eternal” are same word When we stand before God we will be sentenced one way or the other!

We WILL stand before God! Are you ready?