Matthew 25 Preparing Now for Eternity

PREPARING NOW FOR ETERNITY

Text: Matthew 24:42-25:30

I. THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS (Matthew 25:1-13)

He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near. It is he who, whether it be far or near, awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love” (Augustine) (quoted in Clouse et al. The New Millennium Manual, p.177)

A. None of the ten virgins knew the day or the hour when the bridegroom would appear. Five therefore made preparations and the five foolish ones did not.

B. The delay of the bridegroom stands for the delay of Jesus’ return. The ten virgins fall asleep, which emphasizes that none of us (neither wise nor foolish) know the day nor the hour of Jesus’ return (Matthew 25:5,13).

“When Christ returns, he will not ask if one had the date right but “What have you been doing?” (Garland 246)

C. The reason the wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish virgins is because oil represents good works and righteous living. Earlier in Matthew Jesus compared good works to a lamp when He said, “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

1. Preparation for the return of Jesus is something we must do for ourselves and we cannot do it for others (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

2. Our good works are not transferable to others.

Does a maiden forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number (Jeremiah 2:32)

D. Faith without works is just as damnable as murder, adultery, idolatry, etc. For practical ways you can get oil for your lamp read Matthew 5-7 and the book of James.

Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Matthew 25:11-12
“Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’

II. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS (Matthew 25:14-30)

Did you know?

The English word “talent” comes from the Greek talanton. The meaning of the English word “talent” comes from the parable of the talents! In English “talent” is an aptitude or ability that can be developed over time with hard work. Originally the English word “talent” referred to God-given or God-entrusted ability (all of us have God-given abilities/talents that are to be utilized for His glory). Sadly, the English word “talent” has lost its biblical foundation and we hear more about “natural talent;” as if talents came from the impersonal force of nature instead of from a personal God Who holds us accountable.

A. Burying the talent in this parable is like hiding a lamp under a basket (Matt.5:15). Burying one’s talent is foolish, wicked, lazy and damnable (Matthew 25:26-30).

B. “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed” (Matthew 25:24) can be good news:

1. No labor done for the kingdom (in accordance with God’s Word) will be done in vain.

2. Jesus never gives us busy work. All the work He calls us to is eternal!

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & MEDITATION

Take what you have learned this morning and turn it into a prayer. Pray that God would help you to live presently based on the fact of your future accountability.

In Matthew 24-25 Jesus commands us to be “watchful.” Being watchful means we live presently in light of our future accountability before God. What are some practical ways we can be watchful?

If Christianity were a class that you were taking and today was the end of the semester, do you think that Jesus (the teacher) would give you a passing or a failing grade? If you were to be put on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Retell the parable of the ten virgins in your own words.

Retell the parable of the talents in your own words.

Was it wrong that the ten virgins fell asleep? What was Jesus’ point when He said, “while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep”?

Why didn’t the five wise virgins share their oil when the foolish asked for some?

What are some practical ways we can get oil for our lamps now before it is too late?

What is a talent? How did the English word come from this parable?

Why is it good news that our Lord reaps where He did not sow and gathers where no seed was scattered?

Late, late, so late! and dark the night and chill!

Late, late, so late! but we can enter still.

Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now.

No light had we: for that we do repent;

And learning this, the bridegroom will relent.

Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now.

No light: so late! and dark and chill the night!

O, let us in, that we may find the light!

Too late, too late: ye cannot enter now.

Have we not heard the bridgegroom is so sweet?

O, let us in, tho' late, to kiss his feet!

No, no, too late! ye cannot enter now."[1]

[1] Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) from "Guinevere" and based on the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.