Wednesday Bible Study Fellowship, November 5, 2008
Settling Accounts
Matthew 25:14-30
Introduction: Last week we learned that as many as 50% of those who claim to be Christians may not be. We also discovered that as many as 100% may be asleep when He returns! The parable of the 10 virgins gives us a picture of those who seemingly are Christians by their outward appearance. Today’s parable of the talents speaks about a person’s faithfulness in service.
I. The Parable
A. A wealthy individual is going on a journey. Of course, this represents the Lord Jesus. He has left the earth but He will return.
B. Notice that these are “his servants”. They have the appearance at least of being “his servants”.
1. John 6:60-67 “…many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (66).
2. Luke 6:13-16 Judas is referred to as both “His disciple” and an apostle.
C. Notice that He entrusted “His property” to them.
1. Five talents gained five more.
2. Two talents gained two more.
3. One talent was buried, kept safe but gained nothing.
D. “After a long time” the master returns to settle accounts.
1. Those who “gained” are rewarded.
2. The one who “gained” nothing is cast into outer darkness.
II. The Application
A. During the church age as well as during the tribulation, believers are expected to be advancing the kingdom. The believers in Thessalonica believed the Lord would return quickly. As a result, they stopped working. Paul said this was wrong (II Thess.3:10-13).
B. Each of us has been entrusted with “His property”.
1. We have His church.
2. We have His word.
3. We have His gospel.
4. We have His earth.
5. We have His children.
6. We have His spirit.
7. We have His Giftedness. (I Cor.12:4-11)
C. Each person has been entrusted “…according to his ability” (15)
D. Each person will have to “settle accounts” with God (19). When those accounts are settled, God will say one of two things:
1. “Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (21, 23)
a. Their character: good, faithful
b. Their conduct: in charge, come and share
2. “Take the talent from him…and throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (28-30).
a. This isn’t the Judgment Seat of Christ because the person here is cast into outer darkness.
b. At the Judgment Seat of Christ a believer’s works may be burned up but “…he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire” (I Cor.3:15).
c. This is the professor of faith without the possession of faith, who will hear “…depart from Me…” (Matt.7:23)
d. Listen to how this individual refers to the Lord Jesus – the Savior – the One who died at Calvary:
1. You are a hard man (24)
2. You are an unjust man (24)
3. You are a man to be feared (25)
3. The Master’s reply is that if this were the case, at the very least, you should have gained interest on the one talent at the bank (27).
E. This judgment probably occurs during the 75 day transitional period mentioned in Daniel 12:2. Israel has been regathered Matt. 24:31) and now Israel is being judged (Ez.20:30-39; Matt.25:1-30).
1. The antichrist and the false prophet have been cast into the lake of fire (Rev.19:20-21).
2. The Abomination of Desolation has been removed (Dan.12:11).
3. Satan has been bound (Rev.20:1-3).
F. True Christians, whether in the church age or the tribulation, should be, as Paul, looking the return of Christ (II Tim. 4:6-8, Titus 2:11-14). According to scripture “…kingdom rewards are given in proportion to earthly faithfulness” (MacArthur, 104).
1. “Just as the angels serve God in ranks, so will redeemed men and women, and the degree of their heavenly service will have been determined by the devotedness of their earthly service” (MacArthur, 104).
2. Luke 19:12-19