Acts 1:3-5 After Jesus’ suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. Jesus appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”    
 
WE move from a brief view of the gospels’ teachings on the Kingdom of God and Jesus’ prophecies of the end times. We now go to some of the epistles’ teachings pointing toward God’s Kingdom to come to earth. Acts begins with our resurrected Lord teaching his disciples and many more for 40 days before his ascension. Paul summarized this time well in 1 Corinthians 15:3 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
   It is critical to note the number of eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrected life. The Kingdom of God had come with life power. To this point the King has faithfully completed his mission and spent considerable time to teach the Twelve (Matthias will soon be chosen to replace Judas.) more about the Kingdom of God. They have seen the truth of what Jesus has said to them as his prophetic words became real life before them.
   Do you find it remarkable the Lord Jesus would still continue to teach after he is raised? How comforting to know the Lord continually reveals his truth to us. The apostles, soon to be Spirit anointed, would have had new eyes to see and ears to hear, wouldn’t they? Do you think they saw Jesus’ teachings through his resurrection? He was dead and now alive! Was their Kingdom view changing to become more real for their personal lives?
   The apostles were coming to the time in their lives they would fully cast aside their limited world view to replace it with eternal Kingdom vision. This is Jesus’ desire when he said, “But wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus declared they will be the first to receive the Spirit baptism John prophesied: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11)
   The King is about to anoint his faithful Twelve Apostles with the Holy Spirit. The apostles are to remain together until this baptism occurs. They will have God’s power to do God’s Kingdom will on earth as it is done in Heaven. The time has come to begin the church. And the Lord will do so in Jerusalem. From there the Spirit’s fire baptism will begin to transform the world’s hearts to know God. The Kingdom of God had come in Immanuel. It was about to become more global through the Spirit.  
 

Matthew 25:41-46 “Then the Son of Man will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
 
WE come now to the end of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. For a number of readings we have focused on about 10 minutes of conversation Jesus had with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, a very short distance east of Jerusalem. Jesus is the pastor teaching his leadership team to be awake to the devil’s war against the Kingdom. They are to be firm in Jesus’ eternal truth to stand against the troubles that will come into the church. Our Lord is an elder guiding his Bible study group to teach we must purposefully and courageously move the Gospel of God into the community. The Son of Man is the Ruler who declares, “Prepare the world for my return. It is I who will determine your eternal life.” Jesus is the pastor who leads his people toward the still waters of eternal salvation.
   In these last two lessons, we have seen Jesus’ call to discipleship with his great compassion for those in physical need. We know the Bible has many occasions to teach us of God’s tender care and mercy for those who struggle with many challenges. If we say we follow God, we must always be attentive to help those who are in prison, sick, hungry and bold. Be aware of what God has given you. Know Jesus wants you to share what you have with those who cannot have right now. There are many, many people who are victims of political, religious and racial bigotry. The church’s task is to enter into those hard places to ease the struggles, so people know God is real and he truly loves them through your serving hearts.
 
Jesus Teaches: A disciple has a tender heart. 

Matthew 25:31-40 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in Heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
 
JESUS gives his disciples a fascinating picture of his coming to save and to judge. One image Jesus says four times in Matthew is about the angels with him on that day. He surely will not come alone, but accompanied, as he was on his first coming, by heavenly host (Luke 2:13-14) displaying God’s glory come to his earth. Immanuel, God with us, has come as the baby Jesus in a manger. Next time he will come with the angels’ glory as King Jesus, sitting on the clouds of Heaven.
   Then Jesus spoke to the priority he places on our servant-hearted care for others. Consider the sovereign LORD God Almighty saying, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” All of God’s saving work since Eden has been and is being done to welcome you to Heaven one day. He has empowered the faithful followers to live in love of their neighbors: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the homeless, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, helping the prisoner. Loving the least is loving the King. Jesus is then glorified. His power and holiness are made evident to the world when we serve him in love.
 
Jesus Teaches: A faithful, loving heart serves the King.  

Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in Heavenly glory.”
 
DO you need hope and assurance? Here is a good place to focus your heart.
   In the course of a few minutes of conversation on the Mount of Olives, directly across the Kidron Valley from the Temple Mount, Jesus has assured his disciples that some very, very difficult days with even complete destruction of the beautiful city and death to many Jews will come in a few years. He’s specifically warned them to be alert and ready for rumors of wars, wars, false teachers, the temple’s destruction and their own martyrdom. He’s also told three very pointed parables to clearly state he will hold his followers accountable to commit their hearts to him with a passionate, active faith. Jesus has constructed a mental picture for his disciples that will surely cause the weak-hearted to say, “Not me, Jesus.” Each disciple may be wondering, “What do I do?”
   That is when Jesus delivers this magnificent hope in the promise of his return. Here is the truth we need when the world seems in total disarray and Jesus seems so very, very far away.
   Keep your mind and your heart upward. Jesus is coming again! In a moment the Father determines, the Son of Man will come in glory to reveal his very visible and true reality to all humanity. We will know he is the Judge, Ruler and Savior of the world. His glory will cause every knee to bow down to Him. His glory will reform all minds to know, “The Kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)
   In view of this end time, what will you, Jesus’ disciple, now say to Jesus’ promise? I pray you say, “I’m yours, Jesus. You are my hope and joy. I will follow you into the shadowy valleys of death. I will trust your rod to teach me and your staff to strengthen me. I will receive your Spirit’s anointing to walk more closely with you. And I look forward to the pleasure of feasting with you forever.”
 
Jesus Teaches: Jesus will come in glory.

Matthew 25:28-30 “Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
 
“EVERYONE who has will be given more.” That’s the way it is in the Kingdom of God. Such a way may be seen by the selfish and self-centered to be a greedy way in itself. The rich get richer in God’s reward system. Is that fair to those who have less?
   The Kingdom of God is not about being fair. If God were fair with us, we’d all be in Hell. We deserve God’s wrath, but unfairly, Kingdom living begins with God’s love pouring forth his grace from a horrible cross to his glorious ascension. In love, Jesus committed his earthly life to our dead souls. Now he graciously calls us to follow him into his resurrection power. Abundantly he gives to us eternal life as we receive him. Justly, Jesus rewards us with condemnation if we deceive him. Yes, “reward” is a term that defines what is due to someone. Sadly, punishment is the reward of those who are as the lazy servant in this parable. The King will reward outright disobedience with separation from the Kingdom of God.
   Beware of and know evil grows evil. A bad thought can become a bad habit that becomes a bad stain on your heart. Bad habits keep one from God’s lovie and grace.
   How different it is to know the goodness of Jesus’ salvation! Be glad to know that good grows a good heart to develop a good way for your life. For the good servants in the parable, their ambition and wisdom rewarded them with the Master’s pleasure. If you start a God-centered habit, it becomes a God-expanding blessing for the world around you. Your heart, mind and soul will expand in the love God has given you. Loving God and loving your neighbors as yourself will become a viable, life-moving force.  
   The Kingdom of God is about abundance. Examine all parables and Kingdom descriptions. You will find God’s promises of exceeding blessings. Psalms 5:12 For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
   Stop and consider what it is to be surrounded with God’s favor – his blessings – his shield – his protection. How good he is to watch over you in all matters.
   This is an end-time view. How wonderful it will be one day to hear the Master reward you with, “Well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)
 
 

Matthew 25:26-27 His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.”
 
WE’VE been looking at this “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30) as part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. Jesus was two to three days from the cross. He was urgent to help his disciples understand the cost and commitment of true discipleship. To summarize, Jesus’ lesson, a master leaves on a journey and entrusts three servants with large sums of money. Jesus said, “He entrusted his property to them.” (Matthew 5:14b) This is a remarkable act. The man gave to three servants property he had surely worked to obtain for many years. This is the story of a master entrusting his servants with great value. It is interesting there are no instructions for the servants. The master leaves, and the servants respond to their newfound responsibility. What would you do if this happened to you?
   The parable tells us two servants double the master’s sum. One servant buried his master’s money. He was afraid of his master’s wrath if he errored in using the money. But that servant did give back the full amount to the master upon his return. The master, however, was angry the servant was so afraid of him and failed to add even interest to the money. The parable helps us understand discipleship is diligently serving the eternal God with the spiritual gifts he has given to us. Jesus teaches that a faithless fear is a “wicked” and “lazy” attitude. Hiding, burying what the Master entrusts to us while he is away will incur the wrath of Jesus Christ, the Judge.
   In addition to the spiritual lessons, the parable has a very practical economic lesson. Jesus’ words encourage and support a proper banking system. Note how the master rebukes the servant for his failure to even put the money in a bank to earn interest. Yes, it is wise to make money with your money if it is done properly under God’s guidance.
    Let’s then focus on using money. What do you do with money the Master gives you each day? I know many of you struggle for essential funds for basic needs. But all of us receive some amount of money for our lives. Each amount is from God, isn’t it? What then, do you do with it?
   Are you “wicked” to “bury it” in some useless habit, needless luxury or harmful substances? Or do you invest God’s money for useful things – healthy food, a safe home, education, tithes and offerings? Kingdom living is about investing and using well all things the Lord has given to you. While he is away, Jesus has given us means to steward the earth. A good monetary system and economic wisdom allows us to make good use of his land, water, crops and education. Glorify God with a stable life that uses money wisely. 
 

Matthew 25:24-25 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’”
 
JESUS seems to be describing himself as a hard master, one who is over-demanding and unreasonable to expect his servants to diligently use their Kingdom gifts. Let’s look, though, at the “hard master” from your perspective.
   Our habit is to easily excuse a persistent, faithful following of Jesus with such words as, “It’s too hard, Jesus. You are too demanding to require that I turn from my life I’m enjoying to follow you into places I do not want to go. I don’t understand how you can tell me to do something I’ve not done before. What if I fail? What if I don’t like it? I need some time to think about what you are commanding me to do. You require too much of me, Lord Jesus. Your “right and wrong” teachings are too difficult to understand and seem impossible to do. Can’t you allow us to live an easier faith that is less demanding?”
   Our natural tendency is to have little, if any, desire to deny ourselves. We work too hared to achieve, don’t we? To match our reluctant hearts, churches seem to make membership convenient without commitment. Certainly it’s unreasonable that God requires us to obey his difficult, self-denying, cross-bearing and soul-stretching life! After all, he loves us, doesn’t he?  
   Yes, we are too often as the servant who hid his talents in the ground. We hide our salvation under a cover and excuse our disobedience, “It’s okay. Jesus loves me, and he understands I’m not qualified to do these hard Kingdom works.” We are fearful the Master, who paid it all, will find us unwilling to pay him at all.
   But the truth is, Jesus requires you to stand before him one day. He will call you to give an account of your life. You will need to tell him why you thought your own comfort was worth more than the cross. You will have to declare to the Lord why you buried his teachings, so you could be lord of your life while he was not.
   Jesus is not a hard Master. He is a hard-working, sacrificing Servant. He is the Son of God, who so loved the world he came to die. By grace through faith, he has saved us, so we sinners might have life and have it to the full.
   Perhaps it is our hearts that are hard.
 

Matthew 25:19-23 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master replied, ‘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!’ 22 The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master replied, ‘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!’”
 
We often ask, “Can we trust God?” as life’s circumstances seem to counter his Word. Perhaps, though, the question is, “Can God trust us?” In our prior lesson we considered what it would be if each Christian “doubled” the Kingdom of God by leading one person to discover Jesus. As we have the “talent” of faith in Christ, we must use this precious gift to further the Christ’s cause on earth. Jesus is our Master.  He has entrusted us with the gospel. The Lord must find us trustworthy to obey his commands.
   Jesus further emphasized the reward of your active trust in his gifts. “Well done!” from the Master is the greatest affirmation we can hope to receive. We know how high our hearts jump and how wide our smiles expand when someone we love and respect tells us, “Well done, my good wife, my good husband, my good child.” We love to be praised and honored in such a way!
   How joyful then, it will be for our God, who is love, to praise us? Yes, what happiness to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” echoing in your ears from Heaven’s throne through all eternity.
   This affirmation is in high contrast to Jesus’ judgment on the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Seven times there he told those who have been entrusted to expand the Kingdom, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” These men assigned to use their gifts of knowledge had corrupted God’s truth. Their lives buried God’s treasure with self-appointed power. They not only failed to multiply the Kingdom, they had subtracted the value of God’s Word and kept people from the truth: “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!” (Matthew 23:15)  
   It is difficult to imagine how terrifying these words would be if the Living Word spoke them to us. The Pharisees and teachers responded with hatred for the Master. That hatred was evident as Jesus spoke to guide them back to the true Kingdom. Some say Jesus spoke these words with a grievous heart, mercifully speaking to awaken these lost sheep to the true Shepherd.
   Acts records that some of the teachers and Pharisees – the apostle Paul for one – repented to become faithful Kingdom servants. Others remained rebellious to the Master. God’s justice would be swift and sure to redeem the repentant and condemn the faithless.   
 

Matthew 25:14-18 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.”
 
THE word “talents” refers to a weight of money, usually measured in gold or silver. The master left with three servants about $5000, $2000 and $1000. The master’s command, “Take good care of things.” is a wealthy man saying to his servants, “I’m leaving you with considerable sums from my property. You are my trusted servants, and I command you to use my property in the same way I would use it until I return.”
   Jesus is the Master. He was about to leave his disciples with the most precious of all treasures – his saving death, resurrection and ascension. And with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9b) We cannot truly know the immeasurable cost of his broken body and shed blood to redeem our souls.
   With this and similar parables, the Master commanded his disciples to hold his property – his salvation – in high value. Our great purpose is to be confident of the gospel and use it wisely to multiply his saving treasure. We must know the Great Commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19a) is a growth command. Jesus’ disciples must be diligent to respond daily into Jesus’ urgent teaching. As they wisely managed his treasure, the Kingdom would grow until he comes again. History tells us the disciples obeyed. They learned and lived Jesus’ gospel to prepare the world for his return.
   Are you as the first two servants or the third? The first two doubled their master’s money. The third used his master’s talents to fill a hole. We could say that the third servant was being safe with his responsibility, and we would be correct. He put it in a place to protect all he had been given until his master returned. What could be wrong with that? Perhaps the servant was being a wise saver from his point-of-view.
   But his self-view is the problem. The Bible plainly teaches each of us has been given certain gifts – also called talents – to be Kingdom currency to grow Jesus’ treasure. But sadly, too many of us put our talents in a spiritual hole. We don’t want to risk using them because someone might criticize us or even ignore us. We may find using our gifts is too much work and too much risk for our own comfort.
          The truth is, of course, Jesus doesn’t call us to comfort. He commands us to use his treasure, so the Kingdom will increase. What would happen if each one of us “doubled our talents” by  helping to bring one person to faith in Christ? 

Matthew 25:1-13 “At that time the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 13 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” 
 
JESUS continues the Olivet Discourse with this “Keep watch!” parable.
   Weddings are joyful occasions, aren’t they? I think of how especially young women love to go to weddings and celebrate with the bridegroom and the bride. They plan, anticipate and join in the bride’s and groom’s joy.
   As we learn from the wedding in Cana (John 2), weddings in Judea during Jesus’ ministry were several days long. The wedding party would gather for meals and music to await the bridegroom. They didn’t know when he would come. But they had to wait as long as necessary for the groom if they wanted to be present during the marriage celebration. As in the parable, if they stepped out, they risked missing the bridegroom.
   Perhaps this is one of Jesus’ most heart-wrenching reminders of Judgment Day. Friends and relatives of the bride and bridegroom come to the wedding, anticipating the joyous union. People know and love each other.
   But something is missing within some hearts. Some people we love do not know Jesus. They are not ready for the bridegroom to come and consummate the wedding of the Lamb and of his bride: Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. This is the fullness of the Kingdom of God on earth. Those with the empty vessels of faithless hearts and empty minds will find it impossible to be filled with the Savior’s oil of joy: Hebrews 1:9 “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Tragically, they will be locked from eternal celebration because they are not prepared for the Bridegroom.
          When the Kingdom comes, it is the time God’s will is fully done on earth. We must be purposeful to pray for the Holy Spirit to help us experience Christ’s righteous oil and prepare our friends and loved ones for the Bridegroom’s unexpected arrival.