Sermon Tone Analysis

Parables of Watchfulness

We have been going through parables of watchfulness.

Parable of fig tree (Mt24:32-41)

Parable of servants (Mt24:44-51)

Parable of virgins (Mt25:1-13)

Parable of talents (Mt25:14-30)

What were they to be watchful for?

Why was it important?

This section of scripture that we are looking at today without a doubt is about judgment, where there are a few different views of this passage it does not change the fact

The parables preceding were about being watchful, some about the destruction of temple with maybe a mixture of the return of Christ being ready for the judgment o the world

The parables preceding were about being watchful, some about the destruction of temple with maybe a mixture of the return of Christ being ready for the judgment o the world.

This section following being told to be watchful shows judgment so it goes hand in hand with the previous section on being watchful.

This section is a warning of what is coming so you better be watchful and better be working.

This section also looks at what we should be doing while we are being watchful, or else

It seems this section, this passage may appear salvation by works, but that is not the truth.

Salvation by faith is the basis for acts of mercy.

Acts of mercy are from a place of faith and evidence of faith not a means of faith.

They are because of our salvation not for our salvation.

The Olivet discourse draws to the close (in Matthew) of Jesus teaching ministry, even to the Apostles now.

Having said all of this, Let us open our Bibles to Mt25:31-46

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

The Setting

In looking at this passage we need to be slow and deliberate so to keep things in context.

What is the setting (v.31)?

Who will be with Him (v.31)?

What is the reason for the coming (v.32)?

What will happen at His coming (v.32-33)?

The coming is nothing new, we have seen this previously (24:3, 27, 29-31)

The disciples wanted to know the time of His coming and a sign (24:3) and here in our passage the sign is the HE will come in His glory and the angels will be with Him.

Coming in heavenly glory, in all authority all nations will see Him, all nations will be gathered.

so this judgment and separation will be entire, no one left out.

(insert slide - sheep and goats)

Sheep and goats were often herded together and then separated when then were brought in and then the sheep would be put to the right and the goats to the left.

Sheep were thought more highly than goats.

- this is a simile showing the greater value of the Lord’s sheep over the goats (those of the world; not His sheep)

The right side was considered the side of honor and authority when it came to being in the presence of the king

After the separation of the sheep and goats it is no longer mentioned of them but of those on the right, or the righteous, and those on His left.

Kings words and the righteous response

What does the king say and to who (v.34)?

How are they blessed by the Father (v.34)?

We need to realize before the world was created it was predetermined God’s plan with foreknowledge on how He was going to bless the world and through whom the blessings would come.

(1Pt1:2; Act2:23)

and then there is

God’s plan was to save sinful man, to bless man, to make man’s joy full.

So Jesus is speaking to the righteous, the blessed of the Father, because of Him!

What is the proof of the blessings (vv.35-36)?

What are the things they met?

Hunger - they fed

Thirsty - fed thirst

Stranger - gave comfort

Naked - clothed

Sick or in prison - came

This really leads us to the response of the righteous and we will spend more time there.

What did the right do (vv.38-39)?

What did the Lord say (v.40)?

There is much that we can glean from (v.40)

As mentioned before this is one of the most straightforward parables, if you want to look at it as a parable, first comes the heart, then comes the judgment.

In the helps as Jesus is commending them (the righteous) we can learn application for us today.

It is in the simple things when we serve

It is uncalculating

Help when given is given to man is given to Jesus

Not in the big things that we do, but the little things, a meal, a drink, it is hospitality, and it is in visiting.

It is not looking at or calculating the reward we may get from it, or the sense of obligation to do it, but from the heart not calculating the cost but doing it out of your love for God.

Let’s go back and see the question again the righteous asked

Mt25:

Mt2

They did not even know they were doing it!

Remember this entire section from chpt24-25 has been about being watchful and being responsible.

The application is what are we doing while we are watching, while we are waiting, are we doing acts of faith, acts of love?

Two of the three slaves were doing business

5 virgins were prepared and watching

What will the Son of Man (v.31) find when He returns?

(see Lk18:8)

This leaves us those on the left.

Those on the left

What does Jesus call those on the left (v.41)?

What does Jesus say is waiting for them (v.41)?

Why is it waiting for them (vv.42-45)

What is the promise(s) (v.46)?

The King, who is bringing the judgment tells them.

depart vs. come as the righteous were told

into eternal fire vs. eternal life for the righteous

We cannot miss the fact why was the eternal fire prepared (v.41)?

It think it is pretty point blank, that if we do not have proof of our salvation in Christ by our works that we are following Satan and will have the judgment that was reserved for devil and his angels, not because that was God’s desire but was our choice not to follow Jesus.

Going away or entering into is a choice (v.46) so chose wisely.

Don’t be like the slave that buried his talent

the five virgins who had the door shut in their face.

It is not works that saves us but faith that produces works of love

In the light of the Olivet discourse we have looked at for the last few weeks, like they were warned to be watchful and ready, and many were not ,we need to be watchful and ready at all times for the return of Christ.

We cannot give our salvation to anyone else, they must accept it on their own

Our faithful life, our obedient life leads to the masters blessings that we get to share eternally in His joy in heaven.

What we do with what we have been given, what we have been entrusted with matters

So be obedient as we wait for the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings to come knowing this is a marathon not a sprint and we know the finish line we just cannot see it, so we must continue to train and continue to press on toward the prize.

Apply yourself with the spiritual gifts God has given you and serve the kingdom from your heart not from your perceived obligation

Know what we have waiting for us!