Music...
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Let's pray...
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"Father in heaven,
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we're nearing the
end of this Series
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and now we're going to study
some practical applications
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of the message of Matthew 24.
00:00:29.32\00:00:32.19
So, we ask for the
presence of Your Holy Spirit
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as we see what
we should be doing
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while we wait for
the Lord's coming.
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Thank You for the
promise of Your presence
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and we claim that promise.
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In the precious and most
holy name of Jesus, amen. "
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Pause...
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In Matthew chapter 24,
Jesus presented the signs
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that His coming is near
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and then He gave two analogies
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that would help us know
when it was even at the doors.
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Those two analogies are
in Matthew chapter 24...
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the parable of the fig tree
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and the second is the story
of the flood in Noah's day.
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Then, after this,
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at the very end of Matthew 24,
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we find the parable of the
faithful and unfaithful servant
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and then in Matthew chapter 25,
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we find three
additional parables.
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The parable of the 10 virgins...
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the parable of the talents
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and the parable of
the sheep and the goats.
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So, we are now going to
study the parable that we find
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at the end of Matthew 24
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and in future presentations,
we are going to take a look
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at the parables that
we find in chapter 25.
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So, at the end of chapter 24,
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we have the parable of faithful
and unfaithful servants.
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Matthew 25, we
have the 10 virgins...
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the talents and the
sheep and the goats.
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Now, in all of these
parables we find two groups.
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Those who are ready
for the coming of Jesus
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and those who will not
be ready for His coming.
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So, let's read the passage
where we find the description
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of faithful and
unfaithful servants.
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It's found in Matthew 24
verse 45 through verse 51.
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And I read, pay close
attention to the details.
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On screen...
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In this parable,
Jesus is addressing
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the leaders of the church.
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Now, in order to understand
the meaning of this parable,
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we need to take a look at
the symbols of the parable.
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So, we are now going to consider
the details of the parable.
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The Master in the
parable represents Jesus Christ.
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The household
represents the church.
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The members of the household
are the church members.
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The rulership that
is given to the stewards
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represents the
task of leadership.
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The faithful and wise servant
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represents the
faithful leaders in the church.
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The food that the
leader is supposed to give
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to the members of the church
represents the Word of God.
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Due season... giving
food in due season represents
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preaching present truth.
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The evil servant represents
the unfaithful leaders
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of the church.
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The fellow servants that
the unfaithful servant beats up
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and mistreats
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represent his
colleagues in ministry.
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The beating of
his fellow servants
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represents the
fact that this leader...
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this unfaithful leader
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considers himself better
than his fellow servants.
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The drunkards
represent worldlings
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who make no
profession of religion.
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And the wailing
and gnashing of teeth
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is what happens when
the unfaithful leaders
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realize that they are lost
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and they will not be
saved in Christ's kingdom.
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Now, both the
faithful and the wicked servant
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claimed to work for the master.
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We know this because
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the evil servant
served the master
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and the Master is a
symbol of Jesus Christ.
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We also know
that those individuals
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who were both
the faithful servant
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and the unfaithful servant
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were actually servants of Jesus
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because the unfaithful
servant is called a hypocrite.
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And in the gospel of Matthew
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every time that the
word "hypocrite" is used,
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it refers to individuals
who claim to serve the Lord.
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The word "hypocrite" is
never used of an unbeliever
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in the gospel of Matthew.
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It's always used
to speak of those
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who claim to serve Jesus Christ
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or claim to serve God.
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The word "hypocrite" in Greek
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means: an actor working
under an assumed character.
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That is to say
the wicked servant
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was pretending.
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He was putting up a facade.
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He was a
phony... in other words.
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He claimed to serve the master
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but he really did not.
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Just like the leaders in the
church claimed to serve Jesus,
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but many do not.
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In Matthew 15 and verse 7,
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Jesus referred to the
Jewish leaders as hypocrites
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because they
honored Him with their lips
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but their hearts
were far away from Him.
00:07:07.22\00:07:10.59
In fact, in Matthew chapter 23,
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the word
"hypocrite" is used seven times
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to describe the
Scribes and the Pharisees
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who claimed to
be servants of God.
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They were the ministers and
the theologians of that time...
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leaders of Israel.
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The whole point of this parable
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is that the close of
probation and the second coming
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will catch these
unfaithful leaders by surprise.
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Most people think that they can
prepare for the coming of Jesus
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until they see Him
coming in the clouds
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but that's not the case.
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We must prepare for
the close of probation.
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because if we're not ready
for the close of probation,
00:07:53.64\00:07:56.84
we will not be ready for
the second coming of Christ.
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So, this parable
applies to insiders...
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leaders of the church
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that claim to be
servants of Jesus.
00:08:05.81\00:08:10.02
Ellen White gave a
profound interpretation
00:08:10.09\00:08:13.89
of this particular parable
00:08:13.92\00:08:15.62
and I want to
read that statement...
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it's rather long but
it's very, very important
00:08:18.13\00:08:21.56
and it has very
many important details.
00:08:21.60\00:08:23.83
We find in the book 5
Testimonies pages 101 and 102,
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the following
interpretation of this parable.
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"That evil servant
who said in his heart,
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'My Lord delays His coming,'
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professed to be
waiting for Christ.
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He was a 'servant,'
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outwardly devoted
to the service of God
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while at heart he
had yielded to Satan.
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He does, like the scoffer,
openly deny the truth... "
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or rather, he does not like the
scoffer, openly deny the truth,
00:09:01.37\00:09:05.51
"but reveals in his life
the sentiment of the heart...
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that the Lord's
coming is delayed.
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Presumption renders him careless
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of eternal interests.
00:09:17.42\00:09:19.62
He accepts the world's maxims
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and conforms to its
customs and practices.
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Selfishness, worldly pride,
00:09:26.23\00:09:29.43
and ambitions predominate. "
00:09:29.46\00:09:33.23
On screen...
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the statement continues...
00:10:12.17\00:10:15.08
on screen...
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And then, Ellen
White referred to
00:11:02.82\00:11:06.43
our very own
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:11:06.46\00:11:09.16
with these words.
00:11:09.20\00:11:10.53
In the Review and
Herald, March 14, 1878,
00:11:10.57\00:11:14.80
on screen...
00:11:14.84\00:11:50.77
"In seeking the
things of this life,
00:11:50.81\00:11:53.64
they lose the
future, eternal life,
00:11:53.68\00:11:56.61
the far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory.
00:11:56.64\00:12:00.42
What can be said and done
00:12:00.45\00:12:02.82
to arouse this
class of church members
00:12:02.85\00:12:05.52
to feel their
accountability to God?
00:12:05.55\00:12:08.12
Must the mass of professed
Christian commandment-keepers
00:12:08.16\00:12:12.76
hear the fearful words... "
00:12:12.79\00:12:14.20
and now, she's going
to refer to the parable
00:12:14.23\00:12:17.77
that we're looking at at
the end of Matthew chapter 24
00:12:17.80\00:12:21.87
once again, "Must the mass
of professed commandment-keepers
00:12:21.90\00:12:26.51
hear the fearful words,
00:12:26.54\00:12:28.08
'Cast ye the
unprofitable servant
00:12:28.14\00:12:32.08
into outer darkness;
00:12:32.11\00:12:34.22
there shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. '"
00:12:34.25\00:12:39.12
The Apostle Peter
gave us the qualifications
00:12:39.15\00:12:43.96
for a good leader.
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We find in 1st Peter chapter
5 and verses 1 through 4...
00:12:45.86\00:12:50.07
speaking about the Elders
00:12:50.13\00:12:51.93
who are the leaders
of the local churches,
00:12:51.97\00:12:54.30
on screen...
00:12:54.34\00:13:38.28
So, this is a
very important parable
00:13:38.31\00:13:41.85
that is speaking about
the leaders of the church.
00:13:41.88\00:13:45.59
Once again, I want to underline
the meaning of the symbols.
00:13:45.62\00:13:50.56
The Master is Jesus...
00:13:50.59\00:13:52.83
the household is the church...
00:13:52.86\00:13:55.50
the household members are
the members of the church...
00:13:55.53\00:14:00.10
the act of rulership means the
task of leadership in the church
00:14:00.14\00:14:06.44
the faithful and wise servant
00:14:06.47\00:14:08.84
represents faithful
leaders in the church...
00:14:08.88\00:14:11.95
the food that the faithful
leaders are supposed to give
00:14:11.98\00:14:15.52
to the household
or to the members
00:14:15.58\00:14:17.45
is the Word of God...
00:14:17.49\00:14:18.85
the due season to give that food
00:14:18.89\00:14:22.32
represents
preaching present truth...
00:14:22.36\00:14:25.13
the evil servant
represents unfaithful servants
00:14:25.16\00:14:29.86
or leaders in the church...
00:14:29.90\00:14:31.37
the fellow servants that
the evil servant beats up
00:14:31.40\00:14:35.57
represents his
colleagues in leadership.
00:14:35.60\00:14:39.27
The beating of
his fellow servants
00:14:39.31\00:14:41.84
means that he considers himself
better than his fellow servants
00:14:41.91\00:14:45.58
and he mistreats them.
00:14:45.61\00:14:47.28
The drunkards that
the unfaithful servant
00:14:47.32\00:14:50.65
eventually goes to hang out with
00:14:50.69\00:14:52.55
represents worldlings
00:14:52.59\00:14:54.62
who make no
profession of religion
00:14:54.69\00:14:57.43
and the wailing
and gnashing of teeth
00:14:57.46\00:15:00.50
is the reaction of
the unfaithful leaders
00:15:00.53\00:15:03.40
when they realize
that probation has closed
00:15:03.43\00:15:06.23
and they are lost.
00:15:06.27\00:15:09.04
Now, let's go
to the next parable
00:15:09.07\00:15:12.24
that we find in
Matthew chapter 25...
00:15:12.27\00:15:15.11
actually it's not
the very next one...
00:15:15.14\00:15:17.91
the next one is the
parable of the ten virgins...
00:15:17.95\00:15:20.35
that will be our
last study together
00:15:20.38\00:15:22.32
but we're going to go now
to the parable of the talents.
00:15:22.35\00:15:25.75
It's found in Matthew
25 verses 14 through 30,
00:15:25.79\00:15:30.03
so, we're not going to go
in the order of Matthew 25,
00:15:30.09\00:15:32.83
we're not going to
deal with the ten virgins...
00:15:32.86\00:15:34.60
then the talents...
00:15:34.63\00:15:35.96
and then the sheep and goats...
00:15:36.00\00:15:37.53
we're going to deal
first of all with the talents
00:15:37.57\00:15:39.87
then with the sheep and goats
00:15:39.90\00:15:41.74
and the last study...
will be on the ten virgins.
00:15:41.77\00:15:44.87
Let's read the
parable in Matthew 25
00:15:44.94\00:15:47.91
and verses 14 through 30.
00:15:47.94\00:15:50.81
It's a long parable
00:15:50.85\00:15:52.18
but please pay
attention to the details.
00:15:52.21\00:15:55.82
"For the kingdom of
heaven is like a man
00:15:55.85\00:15:59.59
traveling to a far country,
00:15:59.62\00:16:02.66
who called his own servants... "
00:16:02.72\00:16:05.26
notice, his own servants
00:16:05.29\00:16:06.96
"and delivered
his goods to them.
00:16:07.00\00:16:10.13
And to the one he
gave five talents.
00:16:10.17\00:16:13.30
to another two,
00:16:13.34\00:16:15.20
and to another one,
00:16:15.24\00:16:16.87
to each according
to his own ability;
00:16:16.91\00:16:20.41
and immediately
he went on a journey.
00:16:20.44\00:16:23.08
Then he who had
received the five talents
00:16:23.11\00:16:27.28
went and traded with them,
00:16:27.32\00:16:28.65
and made another five talents.
00:16:28.68\00:16:30.72
And likewise he
who had received two
00:16:30.75\00:16:34.59
gained two more also.
00:16:34.62\00:16:37.03
On screen...
00:16:37.06\00:18:27.47
"So you ought to have deposited
my money with the bankers,
00:18:27.50\00:18:32.21
and at my coming,
00:18:32.24\00:18:33.88
I would have received
back my own with interest.
00:18:33.94\00:18:38.21
So take the talent from him,
00:18:38.25\00:18:40.68
and give it to him
who has ten talents.
00:18:40.72\00:18:44.09
For to everyone who has... "
00:18:44.12\00:18:46.52
that is the original
amount plus the interest...
00:18:46.55\00:18:49.29
"more will be given,
00:18:49.32\00:18:50.89
and he will have abundance;
00:18:50.93\00:18:53.09
but from him who
does not have... "
00:18:53.13\00:18:55.63
that is... the original
amount plus the interest,
00:18:55.66\00:18:58.27
"even what he has...
" that is the one talent
00:18:58.30\00:19:01.34
"will be taken away.
00:19:01.37\00:19:03.54
And cast the
unprofitable servant
00:19:03.57\00:19:05.81
into the outer darkness.
00:19:05.84\00:19:08.18
There will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. "
00:19:08.21\00:19:13.21
That's the parable.
00:19:13.25\00:19:14.68
So, let's see what the symbols
of the parable represent.
00:19:14.72\00:19:19.95
In the parable we have the Lord.
00:19:19.99\00:19:23.83
The Lord is none
other than Jesus Christ.
00:19:23.86\00:19:27.96
His servants are
those who profess to be
00:19:28.00\00:19:32.10
followers of Jesus Christ.
00:19:32.13\00:19:34.14
His goods are the
blessings that He has given
00:19:34.17\00:19:38.31
to those who
have embraced Jesus.
00:19:38.34\00:19:41.44
He has given talents... time...
00:19:41.48\00:19:44.58
money... influence...
00:19:44.61\00:19:46.72
mental abilities...
00:19:46.75\00:19:48.82
speech... health...
00:19:48.85\00:19:50.85
et cetera... to
minister to other people.
00:19:50.89\00:19:54.29
The far country is heaven.
00:19:54.32\00:19:58.03
The number of
talents that is given to each
00:19:58.06\00:20:01.60
is according to their ability
00:20:01.63\00:20:03.70
to use the talents
that they are receiving.
00:20:03.73\00:20:07.27
The accounting has
to do with the judgment.
00:20:07.34\00:20:10.84
In other words,
all will have to stand
00:20:10.87\00:20:12.64
before the
judgment seat of Christ
00:20:12.67\00:20:14.38
to give an account for
how we have used the blessings
00:20:14.41\00:20:17.78
that we have received.
00:20:17.81\00:20:19.21
The ruler over a few things...
00:20:19.25\00:20:22.05
"he who is faithful
over a few things... "
00:20:22.08\00:20:24.59
represents the
use of the talents
00:20:24.65\00:20:27.36
and gifts that we
receive in this life.
00:20:27.42\00:20:29.29
Faithful in greater things
00:20:29.32\00:20:31.73
or ruler in greater things
00:20:31.76\00:20:34.10
represent
greater responsibilities
00:20:34.13\00:20:36.90
that Jesus will
give us in the kingdom
00:20:36.93\00:20:39.63
because we have been
faithful in the small things.
00:20:39.67\00:20:42.90
The unfaithful steward
00:20:42.94\00:20:45.57
represents those
who talk the talk
00:20:45.61\00:20:48.28
but they don't walk the walk.
00:20:48.31\00:20:50.35
The joy of the Lord
00:20:50.38\00:20:52.35
means sharing the joy of Jesus
00:20:52.38\00:20:55.38
as we see the
salvation of souls.
00:20:55.42\00:20:58.55
And the "casting
into outer darkness"
00:20:58.59\00:21:01.66
represents the final
reward of the unfaithful.
00:21:01.69\00:21:06.66
Now, let's take a look at
the details of this magnificent
00:21:06.70\00:21:12.53
parable that Jesus told.
00:21:12.57\00:21:15.17
The parable of the talents
00:21:15.20\00:21:17.74
applies to those who claim
to be followers of Jesus Christ.
00:21:17.77\00:21:22.41
We know this for three reasons.
00:21:22.44\00:21:24.85
First, because Jesus spoke this
parable to His own disciples.
00:21:24.88\00:21:30.69
Secondly, the parable
tells us several times
00:21:30.72\00:21:36.29
that the servants were
the Master's own servants.
00:21:36.32\00:21:41.46
In the third place,
00:21:41.50\00:21:43.83
as we noticed in the previous
parable that we studied,
00:21:43.87\00:21:47.64
the expression
"weeping and gnashing of teeth"
00:21:47.67\00:21:51.31
is used only in
the gospel of Matthew
00:21:51.34\00:21:55.11
to refer to those who
claim to be followers of God.
00:21:55.14\00:22:00.25
So, for these three reasons,
00:22:00.32\00:22:02.78
we know that
this parable applies
00:22:02.82\00:22:04.65
to those who claim to be
followers of Jesus Christ.
00:22:04.69\00:22:08.72
The servants of the parable
all enter the service of Christ.
00:22:08.76\00:22:13.83
The word "own... own servants"
00:22:13.90\00:22:17.47
is emphatic in
the Greek language.
00:22:17.50\00:22:21.00
In other words, Jesus
could have said simply:
00:22:21.07\00:22:24.57
he called his servants
00:22:24.61\00:22:26.47
but the parable says...
he called his own servants.
00:22:26.51\00:22:31.45
Ellen White wrote in
Christ's Object Lessons page 326
00:22:31.48\00:22:36.38
"It is those who profess to
have accepted Christ's service
00:22:36.42\00:22:41.72
who in the
parable are represented
00:22:41.76\00:22:45.09
as His own servants. "
00:22:45.13\00:22:47.36
You notice that
after these blessings
00:22:47.40\00:22:50.93
are given to the servants,
00:22:50.97\00:22:52.33
after the talents are given
to the servants by the master,
00:22:52.37\00:22:55.50
the master leaves
to go to a far country.
00:22:55.57\00:22:58.57
The master departs.
00:22:58.61\00:22:59.94
That means the ascension
of Jesus Christ to heaven.
00:22:59.97\00:23:04.81
When Jesus went to heaven,
00:23:04.85\00:23:07.25
He gave His
followers talents and gifts
00:23:07.28\00:23:10.69
to carry on His work
00:23:10.75\00:23:12.55
and reach out to others
00:23:12.59\00:23:14.36
so that they could be saved.
00:23:14.39\00:23:16.32
The goods that the
Lord gave His servants
00:23:16.36\00:23:19.66
belong to the Lord.
00:23:19.69\00:23:21.60
They do not
belong to the servants.
00:23:21.63\00:23:24.30
They are lent to the servants...
00:23:24.33\00:23:26.03
they do not belong to them.
00:23:26.10\00:23:28.10
They are not the
property of the servants.
00:23:28.17\00:23:31.91
Now, what do the
talents represent?
00:23:31.94\00:23:35.94
I want to read from
Christ's Object Lessons page 327
00:23:35.98\00:23:39.95
where we find an
explanation of what the talents
00:23:39.98\00:23:43.89
that the master gave his
servants before he left are.
00:23:43.92\00:23:48.02
"The talents that
Christ entrusts to His church
00:23:48.06\00:23:52.79
represent especially
the gifts and blessings
00:23:52.83\00:23:57.57
imparted by the Holy Spirit. "
00:23:57.60\00:24:00.70
So, notice, the talents that
Christ entrusts to His church
00:24:00.74\00:24:04.74
represent especially
the gifts and blessings
00:24:04.77\00:24:08.28
imparted by the Holy Spirit. "
00:24:08.31\00:24:10.71
The Apostle Paul
explained what these gifts are.
00:24:10.75\00:24:14.88
In Ephesians
chapter 4 and verse 8,
00:24:14.92\00:24:18.55
Paul speaks about
the ascension of Christ
00:24:18.59\00:24:21.02
and what He gave His followers
when He ascended to heaven.
00:24:21.06\00:24:25.36
It says in Ephesians
chapter 4 and verse 8,
00:24:25.39\00:24:28.30
"When He... " that is Jesus...
00:24:28.33\00:24:30.37
"ascended on high,
00:24:30.43\00:24:32.00
He led captivity captive... "
00:24:32.03\00:24:34.70
that is talking about those
who resurrected with Christ...
00:24:34.74\00:24:38.14
He took them to
heaven as the firstfruits...
00:24:38.17\00:24:40.64
so, it says, "He
led captivity captive,
00:24:40.68\00:24:43.21
and gave gifts to men. "
00:24:43.24\00:24:45.68
What are those gifts?
00:24:45.71\00:24:48.08
Well, Paul... in
1st Corinthians 12
00:24:48.12\00:24:50.95
verses 8 through 11
and verses 27 and 28,
00:24:50.99\00:24:54.62
Ephesians 4:11 to 13...
00:24:54.66\00:24:57.19
Romans 12 verses 6 through 8
00:24:57.23\00:25:00.13
gives a list of
the gifts or talents
00:25:00.16\00:25:02.66
that Jesus gave His followers
when he went to heaven.
00:25:02.70\00:25:05.60
Those are: apostles,
prophets, evangelists,
00:25:05.63\00:25:09.34
pastors... teachers...
00:25:09.37\00:25:10.94
word of wisdom...
word of knowledge...
00:25:10.97\00:25:12.87
faith... gifts of healings...
00:25:12.91\00:25:14.68
working of miracles...
00:25:14.71\00:25:16.14
discerning the spirits...
00:25:16.18\00:25:17.55
different kinds of tongues...
interpretation of tongues...
00:25:17.61\00:25:20.55
healings...
helps... administrations...
00:25:20.58\00:25:23.39
ministry... exhortation...
00:25:23.42\00:25:25.32
liberality... leadership...
00:25:25.35\00:25:27.02
and mercy.
00:25:27.06\00:25:28.72
Jesus did not give
these talents or gifts
00:25:28.76\00:25:32.96
for self-improvement.
00:25:32.99\00:25:35.76
The gifts that He
gave are functional...
00:25:35.80\00:25:39.07
they have a purpose.
00:25:39.10\00:25:40.44
The purpose is
that these gifts...
00:25:40.47\00:25:42.97
these blessings... these talents
00:25:43.00\00:25:46.11
are to be used
for reaching souls
00:25:46.14\00:25:49.18
to bring them to the
feet of Jesus Christ.
00:25:49.21\00:25:52.35
All gifts have the function
of reaching others for Jesus.
00:25:52.38\00:25:57.99
In Christ's
Object Lessons, page 328,
00:25:58.05\00:26:02.12
we find that the talents
have even a broader meaning.
00:26:02.16\00:26:06.76
Ellen White wrote,
00:26:06.80\00:26:08.56
on screen...
00:26:08.60\00:26:41.33
Now notice this...
00:26:41.36\00:26:43.30
"These gifts He returns
to us purified and ennobled,
00:26:43.37\00:26:49.70
to be used for His glory
in blessing our fellow men. "
00:26:49.74\00:26:56.01
Our talents...
time... strength... money...
00:26:56.04\00:27:02.25
influence... speech
and all other endowments
00:27:02.28\00:27:08.42
are of no avail
00:27:08.46\00:27:09.79
unless they are sanctified by
the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
00:27:09.82\00:27:14.40
A worldly person may
have abilities and gifts
00:27:14.43\00:27:20.44
and use them for
their own self-interest
00:27:20.50\00:27:24.04
and for their own glory.
00:27:24.07\00:27:25.47
However, when the
receiver of these gifts
00:27:25.54\00:27:28.68
surrenders them to Jesus,
00:27:28.71\00:27:31.31
they now become a
blessing to others.
00:27:31.35\00:27:35.28
A singer may
have a beautiful voice
00:27:35.32\00:27:39.15
that impresses people and
brings about great applause
00:27:39.19\00:27:43.09
but a singer might
use this gift of song
00:27:43.12\00:27:48.50
for his own self-glorification
or for financial gain.
00:27:48.53\00:27:53.70
However, when that person
surrenders this gift to Jesus,
00:27:53.74\00:27:58.87
then the Holy
Spirit sanctifies the gift
00:27:58.91\00:28:02.38
and it's used for
the salvation of souls.
00:28:02.41\00:28:05.95
This is what Ellen
White meant when she said,
00:28:05.98\00:28:09.45
"In becoming His disciples,
00:28:09.48\00:28:10.92
we surrender ourselves to Him
with all that we already have"
00:28:10.95\00:28:15.02
and then she continues,
"These gifts... He returns to us
00:28:15.09\00:28:19.69
purified... so we
give them to Him...
00:28:19.73\00:28:22.50
He returns them to
us... purified and ennobled
00:28:22.53\00:28:26.03
to be used for His glory
in blessing our fellowmen. "
00:28:26.07\00:28:31.71
Now, you notice in the parable
00:28:31.74\00:28:34.24
that the Lord gives the talents
00:28:34.28\00:28:36.85
according to
the person's ability
00:28:36.88\00:28:39.41
to use those gifts and talents.
00:28:39.45\00:28:41.92
If God gave a person a gift
00:28:41.98\00:28:46.72
that that person is
not qualified to use,
00:28:46.76\00:28:50.13
it would go to waste.
00:28:50.16\00:28:51.96
It would be unfair
for God to expect more
00:28:51.99\00:28:56.03
where He gave less.
00:28:56.06\00:28:57.67
Not everyone has the
same degree of ability.
00:28:57.70\00:29:01.17
Some people have
less talents than others
00:29:01.20\00:29:04.64
due partially to inherited
and cultivated tendencies.
00:29:04.67\00:29:10.88
It would not be wise
to put a Porsche engine
00:29:10.91\00:29:15.28
in a Volkswagen Beetle.
00:29:15.32\00:29:17.09
However, you would
expect a Volkswagen
00:29:17.12\00:29:19.89
to function as a Volkswagen
00:29:19.92\00:29:21.36
and a Porsche to
function as a Porsche.
00:29:21.39\00:29:25.03
It's interesting in an
unusual twist in this parable.
00:29:25.06\00:29:29.90
the person who
received the least talent
00:29:29.93\00:29:33.94
was the one who was unfaithful
00:29:33.97\00:29:36.94
not the one who received
the greatest number of talents.
00:29:36.97\00:29:40.44
You know, sometimes we think
00:29:40.48\00:29:42.61
that the rich are
in the greatest danger
00:29:42.64\00:29:45.81
of not using the
gifts that God gave them
00:29:45.85\00:29:48.98
for blessing others.
00:29:49.02\00:29:50.35
But, many times,
people say, "Well, you know,
00:29:50.39\00:29:54.66
I don't have much talent,
00:29:54.69\00:29:56.36
I don't know how to talk...
00:29:56.39\00:29:57.96
you know, I don't know
how to minister to others... "
00:29:57.99\00:30:01.40
and they give excuses
00:30:01.43\00:30:03.16
and they don't use the
gift that God has given them
00:30:03.20\00:30:06.80
the one gift
that they can multiply
00:30:06.84\00:30:09.54
for His glory.
00:30:09.57\00:30:11.04
In this parable,
Jesus sought to teach
00:30:11.07\00:30:14.31
that faithfulness in
small things in this life
00:30:14.34\00:30:18.45
prepares us for
greater responsibilities
00:30:18.48\00:30:21.48
and a greater
service in the life to come.
00:30:21.52\00:30:24.45
In Luke chapter 16 verse
10, Jesus expressed it this way,
00:30:24.52\00:30:28.82
"He that is faithful
in that which is least
00:30:28.86\00:30:32.16
is faithful also in much:
00:30:32.19\00:30:34.80
and he that is
unjust in the least
00:30:34.83\00:30:38.07
is unjust also in much. "
00:30:38.10\00:30:41.50
In Christ's Object Lessons,
page 329, Ellen White wrote,
00:30:41.54\00:30:46.31
on screen.
00:30:46.34\00:31:07.30
So, we either
use it or we lose it.
00:31:07.33\00:31:11.97
God expects more from
those who have received more.
00:31:12.00\00:31:16.04
He expects less from
those who have received less.
00:31:16.07\00:31:19.97
God will expect more
from Seventh-day Adventists
00:31:20.01\00:31:23.85
than He expects from those
00:31:23.88\00:31:25.61
who have not
received all of the light
00:31:25.65\00:31:27.82
because the amount of
blessings and talents and gifts
00:31:27.85\00:31:32.75
that God gives us
00:31:32.79\00:31:34.12
will determine whether...
and the use of those...
00:31:34.16\00:31:37.56
will determine whether
we were faithful or not.
00:31:37.59\00:31:41.23
Now, you notice that the servant
who received the one talent
00:31:41.26\00:31:46.33
actually looked at God as
a taskmaster or a dictator
00:31:46.37\00:31:52.67
who was taking
advantage of His subjects.
00:31:52.71\00:31:56.04
The servant's
assessment might have been true
00:31:56.08\00:31:59.31
if, you know, the resources
were his in the first place.
00:31:59.35\00:32:05.79
But the resources were not his.
00:32:05.82\00:32:08.46
The resources were his master's.
00:32:08.49\00:32:11.06
The master sowed by giving
his servant the one talent
00:32:11.09\00:32:16.50
and, therefore, he
expected to reap what he sowed.
00:32:16.53\00:32:21.90
He had every right to
demand a return on what was his.
00:32:21.94\00:32:27.51
You know, the unfaithful
servant was prevaricating
00:32:27.58\00:32:32.15
when he complained
that the Lord wanted to reap
00:32:32.18\00:32:36.75
where he had not sown.
00:32:36.79\00:32:38.42
The fact is that the owner
actually was the one who sowed
00:32:38.45\00:32:43.06
because he gave his resources
to the man who had one talent
00:32:43.09\00:32:47.96
and he had a right to expect
a return on the master's money.
00:32:48.00\00:32:52.80
So, the master said to him,
00:32:52.83\00:32:54.50
"You should have
returned my money with interest.
00:32:54.57\00:32:58.57
Now, you'll notice
that there was a long delay
00:32:58.61\00:33:02.58
between the Lord's departure
00:33:02.61\00:33:04.31
and reckoning day.
00:33:04.35\00:33:06.11
That represents the period
between the ascension of Christ
00:33:06.15\00:33:10.39
and the Investigative Judgment.
00:33:10.42\00:33:13.25
What are we supposed to
be doing in that interim
00:33:13.32\00:33:17.63
between when Jesus left
and when He comes again?
00:33:17.66\00:33:21.93
In Christ's
Object Lessons, page 325
00:33:21.96\00:33:25.67
we find these words.
00:33:25.70\00:33:28.70
"The time is to be spent,
00:33:28.74\00:33:30.77
not in idle
waiting, but... " what?
00:33:30.81\00:33:36.24
"but in diligent working. "
00:33:36.28\00:33:39.21
That is...
developing the gifts and talents
00:33:39.25\00:33:41.65
that we have received.
00:33:41.68\00:33:43.18
In the parable of the pounds
00:33:43.22\00:33:44.95
which is very
similar to this parable,
00:33:45.02\00:33:48.09
in Luke chapter 19 verse 13,
00:33:48.12\00:33:50.99
Jesus told His servants,
"Occupy until I come. "
00:33:51.03\00:33:56.06
That word "occupy" appears
only once in the New Testament.
00:33:56.16\00:34:00.50
It's the word "pragmateuomai"
00:34:00.54\00:34:03.44
and basically, it means,
according to the lexicons...
00:34:03.51\00:34:06.88
concerned with actual practice
00:34:06.91\00:34:10.58
not with theory or speculation.
00:34:10.61\00:34:14.18
The settling of
accounts in the parable
00:34:14.22\00:34:17.45
is the pre-Advent
Investigative Judgment.
00:34:17.49\00:34:20.79
When our names
appear in the judgment,
00:34:20.82\00:34:24.09
we must render
account for how we have used
00:34:24.13\00:34:27.76
the talents... the
gifts and the blessings
00:34:27.80\00:34:31.43
that we have received.
00:34:31.47\00:34:33.20
The Apostle Paul wrote
00:34:33.23\00:34:34.87
in 2nd Corinthians
chapter 5 and verse 10,
00:34:34.90\00:34:37.54
on screen...
00:34:37.57\00:34:51.52
In Luke chapter 12 and verse 48,
00:34:51.55\00:34:54.49
Jesus also said
the following words,
00:34:54.52\00:34:57.63
on screen...
00:34:57.66\00:35:11.51
In the judgment, for example,
00:35:11.54\00:35:14.41
Jesus will not expect
as much from Martin Luther
00:35:14.44\00:35:18.08
as He does from a
Seventh-day Adventist.
00:35:18.11\00:35:21.98
Luther never kept the Sabbath.
00:35:22.02\00:35:24.82
He did not
practice health reform,
00:35:24.85\00:35:27.09
he believed that
the dead aren't dead...
00:35:27.16\00:35:29.72
but he used and
multiplied all of the resources
00:35:29.76\00:35:33.40
that God gave him to the utmost.
00:35:33.43\00:35:35.50
God does not hold us accountable
for what we don't know.
00:35:35.53\00:35:39.10
He holds us
accountable for what we know
00:35:39.13\00:35:41.74
and whether we use
what we know for His glory.
00:35:41.80\00:35:45.27
Luther wrote...
preached... taught...
00:35:45.31\00:35:48.41
debated with all
knowledge and zeal and energy
00:35:48.44\00:35:52.75
that God gave him.
00:35:52.78\00:35:54.12
In other words, he
used his talents to the max.
00:35:54.15\00:35:57.39
Why did the Lord give the
talent of... the one talent
00:35:57.42\00:36:03.26
of the individual who buried it
to the one who had ten talents?
00:36:03.29\00:36:08.16
Why did he do that?
00:36:08.20\00:36:09.96
Well, because
we invest our money
00:36:10.00\00:36:13.10
where it pays the
greatest dividends.
00:36:13.13\00:36:16.17
Let me ask you this,
00:36:16.20\00:36:17.81
if you owned a corporation
00:36:17.84\00:36:20.88
where a worker
multiplied your assets
00:36:20.91\00:36:25.41
twice as much as another,
00:36:25.45\00:36:27.58
would you invest
your money with the one
00:36:27.62\00:36:30.55
that makes twice as much
with what he has been given?
00:36:30.59\00:36:33.52
Of course.
00:36:33.56\00:36:34.96
The one who had five
multiplied it to ten.
00:36:34.99\00:36:38.06
The one who had two
multiplied it to four
00:36:38.09\00:36:41.06
but you know the
difference between ten and four
00:36:41.13\00:36:44.40
is a big difference
00:36:44.43\00:36:45.77
and so, we find that
the Lord gave the talent
00:36:45.80\00:36:49.84
to the one who made the most
00:36:49.90\00:36:51.74
with what he had been given.
00:36:51.77\00:36:53.54
The expression "To everyone
who has... more will be given"
00:36:53.58\00:36:58.75
means that whoever has
the original amount of money
00:36:58.78\00:37:02.22
plus the interest
will receive more.
00:37:02.25\00:37:05.39
Simply having what
the owner gave originally
00:37:05.42\00:37:08.49
does not
guarantee receiving more.
00:37:08.52\00:37:11.76
The man who had one talent
00:37:11.79\00:37:14.10
returned the same
amount to the owner.
00:37:14.13\00:37:17.03
Therefore, he
did not receive more.
00:37:17.07\00:37:19.90
The one who did not have is
the one who did not multiply
00:37:19.93\00:37:24.57
what the Lord gave him.
00:37:24.61\00:37:26.88
Now, what is the
meaning of the expression:
00:37:26.91\00:37:29.78
Enter into the joy of your Lord.
00:37:29.84\00:37:32.55
Isaiah 53 describes
the suffering servant
00:37:32.58\00:37:36.99
who bore the sins of the world.
00:37:37.05\00:37:39.65
that is Jesus Christ.
00:37:39.69\00:37:41.42
After His grueling
experience, the text tells us
00:37:41.46\00:37:46.13
that the suffering servant would
see the travail of his soul
00:37:46.16\00:37:51.23
and he would be satisfied.
00:37:51.27\00:37:53.07
Let's read those verses,
Isaiah 53 and verses 10 and 11.
00:37:53.13\00:37:58.87
"Yet it pleased the
LORD to bruise Him... "
00:37:58.94\00:38:02.31
that is... the
Father bruised Christ
00:38:02.34\00:38:05.45
because He was
bearing the sins of the world.
00:38:05.48\00:38:08.15
"Yet it pleased
the LORD to bruise Him;
00:38:08.18\00:38:10.49
He hath put Him to grief:
00:38:10.52\00:38:13.05
when thou shalt make His
soul an offering for sin,
00:38:13.09\00:38:17.66
He shall see His seed,
00:38:17.69\00:38:20.70
He shall prolong His days,
00:38:20.76\00:38:23.70
and the pleasure of the
LORD shall prosper in His hand.
00:38:23.77\00:38:27.60
He shall see of the
travail of His soul,
00:38:27.64\00:38:31.97
and be satisfied:
00:38:32.01\00:38:33.98
by His knowledge shall my
righteous servant justify many;
00:38:34.01\00:38:38.25
for He shall bear
their iniquities. "
00:38:38.28\00:38:41.25
So, notice, He
shall see His seed...
00:38:41.28\00:38:44.25
and then, verse 11 says,
00:38:44.29\00:38:45.92
"He shall see the
travail of His soul,
00:38:45.95\00:38:48.76
and shall be satisfied. "
00:38:48.79\00:38:50.29
What does that mean?
00:38:50.33\00:38:52.09
Ellen White explained
00:38:52.13\00:38:53.86
in Review and
Herald, May 29, 1900...
00:38:53.90\00:38:56.70
in a beautiful way.
00:38:56.73\00:38:58.07
On screen...
00:38:58.10\00:39:38.37
I like the way in
which this expression:
00:39:38.41\00:39:41.74
Enter into the
joy of your Lord...
00:39:41.78\00:39:43.18
is given in the NIV and
the New Century Version.
00:39:43.21\00:39:47.95
In the NIV it says,
00:39:47.98\00:39:50.09
"Come and share your
master's happiness... "
00:39:50.12\00:39:54.02
and in the New
Century Version it says,
00:39:54.06\00:39:56.83
"Come and share
my joy with me... "
00:39:56.86\00:39:59.59
and what is the joy?
00:39:59.63\00:40:01.00
The joy is seeing all
of the saved in the kingdom
00:40:01.03\00:40:05.37
because talents have
been used to reach them
00:40:05.40\00:40:08.70
for Jesus Christ.
00:40:08.74\00:40:10.44
After describing the
heroes of faith in Hebrews 11,
00:40:10.47\00:40:14.98
the Apostle Paul described
00:40:15.01\00:40:17.31
the joy that the
Father set before Jesus
00:40:17.35\00:40:20.62
when Jesus came to
suffer and die for our sins.
00:40:20.65\00:40:24.09
Hebrews chapter 12
verses 1 through 3 reads,
00:40:24.12\00:40:27.52
"Therefore we also,
00:40:27.56\00:40:29.32
since we are surrounded by
so great a cloud of witnesses,
00:40:29.36\00:40:34.00
let us lay aside every weight,
00:40:34.03\00:40:36.36
and the sin which
so easily ensnares us,
00:40:36.40\00:40:40.70
and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us,
00:40:40.74\00:40:45.37
looking unto Jesus,
00:40:45.41\00:40:47.71
the author and
finisher of our faith... "
00:40:47.74\00:40:50.95
and now notice...
00:40:51.01\00:40:52.71
"who for the joy
that was set before Him
00:40:52.75\00:40:55.38
endured the cross,
00:40:55.42\00:40:57.62
despising the shame,
00:40:57.65\00:40:59.75
and has sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. "
00:40:59.79\00:41:03.36
The Father set before Jesus
00:41:03.39\00:41:05.63
something that would
bring joy to His heart...
00:41:05.69\00:41:08.96
the joy that was
set before Him...
00:41:09.00\00:41:11.47
He endured the
cross because of that joy.
00:41:11.53\00:41:14.30
What was that joy
that was set before Jesus?
00:41:14.34\00:41:17.61
We find this comment
in the devotional book:
00:41:17.64\00:41:20.88
That I May Know Him... page 368.
00:41:20.91\00:41:24.21
On screen...
00:41:24.25\00:41:51.71
So entering into
the joy of the Lord
00:41:51.74\00:41:54.41
is to share His joy as we see
00:41:54.44\00:41:57.61
how the kingdom is filled
00:41:57.65\00:42:00.72
with those who have
been saved by Jesus.
00:42:00.75\00:42:03.55
Do you know that even the Father
is going to sing on that day?
00:42:03.59\00:42:06.86
Notice Zephaniah
chapter 3 and verse 17,
00:42:06.89\00:42:10.93
it says there,
00:42:10.96\00:42:12.46
on screen...
00:42:12.49\00:42:28.44
Imagine hearing the
voice of God singing
00:42:28.48\00:42:31.25
because of all of the redeemed
that are in the kingdom.
00:42:31.28\00:42:34.72
That is going to be some day!
00:42:34.75\00:42:37.42
Ellen White commented in
Desire of Ages, page 523,
00:42:37.45\00:42:42.16
On screen...
00:42:42.19\00:43:26.84
So Folks, when we use
our gifts and our talents
00:43:26.87\00:43:30.71
and the blessings
that God has given us
00:43:30.74\00:43:33.17
to bless others to
reach them for Jesus,
00:43:33.21\00:43:36.21
we are entering
into the joy of Jesus
00:43:36.24\00:43:39.25
and when we get to the kingdom,
00:43:39.28\00:43:41.08
we will express
that fullness of joy
00:43:41.12\00:43:43.75
as Jesus looks at the travail
of His soul and is satisfied,
00:43:43.79\00:43:47.39
we will share that
ecstatic experience with Jesus.
00:43:47.42\00:43:51.83
We cannot expect to
reign with Jesus, however,
00:43:51.86\00:43:56.23
in the coming kingdom
00:43:56.26\00:43:57.60
unless we have been faithful
in the use of His blessings
00:43:57.63\00:44:02.67
and gifts and
talents on this earth.
00:44:02.70\00:44:05.31
If we had been unfaithful here,
we would be unfaithful there.
00:44:05.34\00:44:11.28
You know, Daniel
and his three friends
00:44:11.31\00:44:13.72
are an
illustration of the principle
00:44:13.75\00:44:16.08
that Jesus wanted to
teach in this parable.
00:44:16.12\00:44:18.85
The Hebrew worthies were
faithful in the matter of diet.
00:44:18.89\00:44:23.29
They decided that they
would only eat and drink
00:44:23.32\00:44:26.09
what was allowed by Scripture.
00:44:26.13\00:44:27.80
Therefore, Nebuchadnezzar
placed them over much greater
00:44:27.83\00:44:33.27
responsibilities in the kingdom.
00:44:33.30\00:44:35.27
You see, when we're
faithful in the small things,
00:44:35.30\00:44:38.44
God knows that He can
trust us to be faithful
00:44:38.47\00:44:41.58
in the heavier responsibilities.
00:44:41.61\00:44:44.61
Now, let's talk about the
wailing and gnashing of teeth.
00:44:44.65\00:44:49.78
The judgment against
the unfaithful servant
00:44:49.82\00:44:53.56
who buried his talent
was very, very drastic.
00:44:53.59\00:44:57.29
According to
Matthew 25 and verse 30,
00:44:57.33\00:45:01.10
his masters threw
him into outer darkness
00:45:01.13\00:45:04.87
where there will be
wailing and gnashing of teeth.
00:45:04.90\00:45:09.17
The text does not say: eternal
wailing and gnashing of teeth
00:45:09.20\00:45:13.74
because some
people take this to mean
00:45:13.78\00:45:15.61
that those who are represented
by the man who buried his talent
00:45:15.64\00:45:19.61
are going to...
they'll wail and weep
00:45:19.65\00:45:22.85
throughout the
ceaseless ages of eternity.
00:45:22.88\00:45:25.29
No, there will be weeping
00:45:25.32\00:45:26.79
when the
unfaithful servants realize
00:45:26.82\00:45:29.36
that they have not been faithful
00:45:29.39\00:45:31.86
in reaching souls with the
gifts that God has given them,
00:45:31.89\00:45:35.43
but it will not be eternal
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
00:45:35.46\00:45:38.97
Jesus always
used this expression,
00:45:39.00\00:45:42.14
"Weeping and gnashing of teeth"
00:45:42.17\00:45:45.24
to refer to the
unfaithful Jewish nation
00:45:45.27\00:45:49.34
that received multiple
blessings and gifts from God
00:45:49.38\00:45:53.95
but used them for themselves
00:45:53.98\00:45:56.75
instead of using
them to bless others.
00:45:56.79\00:46:00.16
Let me give you an example
00:46:00.19\00:46:02.49
of another place
where the expression:
00:46:02.52\00:46:04.69
"Weeping and
gnashing of teeth" is used.
00:46:04.73\00:46:07.63
It's used in Matthew
chapter 8 in the story
00:46:07.66\00:46:10.53
of the Roman Centurion.
00:46:10.57\00:46:13.27
Of course, the
Centurion was not a Jew...
00:46:13.30\00:46:16.77
he was a Roman.
00:46:16.81\00:46:18.14
After Jesus healed
the Centurion's servant,
00:46:18.17\00:46:23.08
Jesus gave an
ironic twist to this story.
00:46:23.11\00:46:28.32
You see, the Jews
thought that those pagan Romans
00:46:28.35\00:46:33.72
were going to end up
00:46:33.76\00:46:35.09
where there was
weeping and gnashing of teeth,
00:46:35.12\00:46:37.39
whereas, those
who were faithful Jews
00:46:37.43\00:46:40.23
they would end
up in the kingdom...
00:46:40.26\00:46:42.96
in the bosom of Abraham.
00:46:43.00\00:46:44.47
But lo and behold,
when this story concludes,
00:46:44.50\00:46:48.20
Jesus says, "No,
no, no, no, no...
00:46:48.24\00:46:50.91
the unfaithful who
did not use their gifts
00:46:50.94\00:46:54.08
to bless humanity...
00:46:54.11\00:46:56.31
they end up where there's
weeping and gnashing of teeth
00:46:56.34\00:46:59.38
and the Centurion
ends up in the kingdom. "
00:46:59.41\00:47:02.55
You say, "How is that?"
00:47:02.58\00:47:04.19
Well, Jesus... if
you read there the story
00:47:04.22\00:47:08.39
in Matthew chapter 8
00:47:08.42\00:47:09.76
after He healed the
Centurion's servant,
00:47:09.79\00:47:13.90
Jesus said, "Many will
come from the north and the east
00:47:13.96\00:47:18.33
and they will sit at the table
with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
00:47:18.37\00:47:22.94
but the sons of the kingdom will
be cast into outer darkness.
00:47:22.97\00:47:27.51
There is weeping and
the gnashing of teeth. "
00:47:27.54\00:47:30.38
So, who is it that is cast out
00:47:30.41\00:47:33.15
to where there is weeping
and the gnashing of teeth?
00:47:33.18\00:47:35.75
It is not the Centurion...
00:47:35.78\00:47:37.82
the Centurion will sit
with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
00:47:37.85\00:47:42.32
in the kingdom
00:47:42.36\00:47:43.69
whereas the sons
of the kingdom...
00:47:43.73\00:47:45.63
those who
profess to serve Jesus,
00:47:45.69\00:47:47.66
but use their gifts and their
talents and their blessings
00:47:47.73\00:47:50.83
only for their
own self-glorification
00:47:50.87\00:47:54.80
and not for the
their fellow human beings,
00:47:54.84\00:47:56.94
will end up where there is
weeping and gnashing of teeth
00:47:56.97\00:48:00.88
in outer darkness.
00:48:00.91\00:48:02.71
Now, I don't know whether
you've noticed this or not...
00:48:02.74\00:48:07.48
it is true that we are
saved by grace through faith.
00:48:07.52\00:48:11.75
There's no doubt
whatsoever that we are not saved
00:48:11.82\00:48:16.02
by our good works
00:48:16.06\00:48:17.39
and yet these parables tell us
00:48:17.43\00:48:20.50
that our behavior has something
to do with our eternal destiny.
00:48:20.53\00:48:26.60
If we are unfaithful servants,
00:48:26.63\00:48:29.24
even though we might
claim to serve Jesus,
00:48:29.27\00:48:31.67
we will end up
on the wrong side.
00:48:31.71\00:48:34.34
If we are five foolish virgins
00:48:34.38\00:48:36.95
that claim to be
followers of Jesus,
00:48:36.98\00:48:40.38
they're still lighting the
way to the wedding chamber,
00:48:40.42\00:48:43.85
they claim to be
disciples and yet they're not...
00:48:43.89\00:48:48.22
they're not
letting their lamps shine
00:48:48.26\00:48:51.63
because the light
of the lamps goes out
00:48:51.66\00:48:54.26
because they don't
have an abundance of the oil
00:48:54.30\00:48:57.37
which
represents the Holy Spirit.
00:48:57.40\00:48:58.90
They end up
outside the wedding chamber
00:48:58.93\00:49:02.14
and they knock and
Jesus says from inside,
00:49:02.20\00:49:05.37
"I don't know you. "
00:49:05.41\00:49:06.78
In the parable of the
talents, you have the same idea
00:49:06.81\00:49:10.58
as well as in the parable
of the sheep and the goats.
00:49:10.61\00:49:15.82
Those who are called
"goats" in Matthew chapter 25...
00:49:15.85\00:49:21.02
they did not use
their gifts and talents
00:49:21.06\00:49:23.63
to bless those who
have received less blessings
00:49:23.66\00:49:27.66
and so, you'll notice
that we are saved by grace
00:49:27.70\00:49:31.67
through faith
00:49:31.70\00:49:33.03
but it is a faith that works
00:49:33.07\00:49:36.00
because a faith
that does not work
00:49:36.04\00:49:38.77
is not real faith.
00:49:38.81\00:49:40.38
It's a facade.
00:49:40.41\00:49:41.88
A faith that works
is a genuine faith.
00:49:41.91\00:49:45.51
These parables are not
teaching that we will be saved
00:49:45.55\00:49:51.12
because we are
multiplying our talents...
00:49:51.15\00:49:54.02
because we are giving
our food to the needy...
00:49:54.06\00:49:57.03
because we are
letting our lamps shine
00:49:57.06\00:49:59.39
and because we
are faithful servants.
00:49:59.43\00:50:02.10
We are not saved
by all those things,
00:50:02.13\00:50:04.80
but when we are saved...
00:50:04.83\00:50:06.80
when we have accepted Jesus
Christ as our Savior and Lord,
00:50:06.84\00:50:10.54
These things will flow naturally
00:50:10.57\00:50:13.74
and if they don't,
00:50:13.78\00:50:15.11
it's because we don't have
a relationship with Christ.
00:50:15.14\00:50:18.41
We have not been justified
00:50:18.45\00:50:20.25
unless Jesus is able
to sanctify us as well.
00:50:20.28\00:50:24.52
You know, you have the
same lesson being taught
00:50:24.55\00:50:28.76
in James chapter 2
where James tells us
00:50:28.79\00:50:32.19
that faith without works is dead
00:50:32.23\00:50:35.63
and a dead faith
will never save us.
00:50:35.66\00:50:39.03
A work-less faith
is a counterfeit faith.
00:50:39.07\00:50:43.41
A dead faith cannot bear fruit.
00:50:43.44\00:50:47.44
So, does the way
that we use our talents
00:50:47.48\00:50:52.41
determine our eternal destiny?
00:50:52.45\00:50:54.32
In a certain sense... yes.
00:50:54.35\00:50:56.12
Does neglecting to
bless those who are in need
00:50:56.15\00:51:00.36
determine our eternal destiny?
00:51:00.39\00:51:02.32
Yes.
00:51:02.36\00:51:03.69
Does our tendency to not
have the Holy Spirit in our life
00:51:03.73\00:51:09.43
so we can light the
way to the wedding chamber
00:51:09.46\00:51:12.53
determine our eternal destiny?
00:51:12.57\00:51:14.57
Does our faithfulness
as servants of Jesus
00:51:14.60\00:51:18.57
determine our eternal destiny?
00:51:18.61\00:51:20.81
Yes... but as a
result of salvation
00:51:20.88\00:51:24.71
not as a cause of salvation.
00:51:24.78\00:51:26.72
We need to make sure we don't
put the cart before the horse.
00:51:26.78\00:51:30.92
The horse is
salvation by grace through faith
00:51:30.95\00:51:34.76
but when the horse moves,
00:51:34.79\00:51:37.16
the cart follows.
00:51:37.19\00:51:39.73
So, when you have
faith... works follow.
00:51:39.76\00:51:43.40
So, the parables are
teaching us that our behavior
00:51:43.47\00:51:46.97
does determine
our eternal destiny
00:51:47.00\00:51:50.11
because it reveals if we are
truly linked with Jesus Christ
00:51:50.14\00:51:54.48
as our Savior and as our Lord.
00:51:54.51\00:51:57.25
I want to bring this to
an end by reading a statement
00:51:57.28\00:52:03.08
that we find in
Review and Herald,
00:52:03.12\00:52:04.75
March 14, 1878
00:52:04.79\00:52:09.42
and I think I read a
portion of this previously
00:52:09.46\00:52:14.13
in this very lecture.
00:52:14.16\00:52:15.76
Ellen White is writing about
Seventh-day Adventist Churches
00:52:15.83\00:52:21.60
in her day.
00:52:21.64\00:52:23.04
Sometimes, I wonder
if she was alive today,
00:52:23.07\00:52:25.77
what she would write about
00:52:25.81\00:52:27.18
our Seventh-day
Adventist Church today.
00:52:27.24\00:52:30.35
Because we have
fallen into lethargy...
00:52:30.38\00:52:33.45
we have fallen
into complacency...
00:52:33.48\00:52:35.98
very few actually dedicate
their talents and their gifts
00:52:36.05\00:52:40.56
to reach out to a
hurting humanity...
00:52:40.59\00:52:43.32
to bless them...
00:52:43.36\00:52:44.69
to bring them to
the feet of Jesus
00:52:44.73\00:52:46.19
so that they can be
saved in the kingdom.
00:52:46.23\00:52:48.30
Ellen White wrote,
00:52:48.33\00:52:50.17
"Look into our churches.
00:52:50.20\00:52:54.40
There are only a few
real workers in them.
00:52:54.44\00:52:59.74
The majority are
irresponsible men and women.
00:52:59.77\00:53:05.08
They feel no burden for souls. "
00:53:05.11\00:53:09.98
You know it's been said
00:53:10.02\00:53:12.99
that 20 percent of
the people in church
00:53:13.02\00:53:15.16
do 80 percent of the work
00:53:15.19\00:53:16.52
and I believe that that's true
00:53:16.56\00:53:19.93
except the 20
percent must be less...
00:53:19.96\00:53:23.77
not 20 percent but
some churches... 10 percent
00:53:23.80\00:53:26.94
or even less than that.
00:53:26.97\00:53:28.30
She continues,
00:53:28.34\00:53:30.31
"They manifest no hungering
and thirsting for righteousness.
00:53:30.34\00:53:37.21
They never lift
when the work goes hard.
00:53:37.25\00:53:42.15
These are the ones
who have but one talent,
00:53:42.18\00:53:45.82
and hide that one in a napkin,
00:53:45.85\00:53:49.42
and bury it in the world;
00:53:49.46\00:53:51.39
that is, they use all
the influence they have
00:53:51.43\00:53:55.56
in their temporal matters.
00:53:55.60\00:53:58.70
In seeking the
things of this life,
00:53:58.73\00:54:03.61
they lose the
future, eternal life,
00:54:03.64\00:54:05.37
the far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory.
00:54:05.41\00:54:09.24
What can be said and
done to arouse this class
00:54:09.28\00:54:13.15
of church members
00:54:13.18\00:54:14.52
to feel their
accountability to God?
00:54:14.55\00:54:17.19
Must the mass of professed
Christian commandment-keepers
00:54:17.32\00:54:21.89
hear the fearful words,
00:54:21.92\00:54:23.99
'Cast ye the unprofitable
servant into outer darkness;
00:54:24.03\00:54:30.77
there shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. '"
00:54:30.80\00:54:34.34
This is a solemn
statement, Folks.
00:54:34.40\00:54:37.11
So, basically in
these parables that we find
00:54:37.14\00:54:41.04
after Jesus presents the
signs of the second coming
00:54:41.08\00:54:45.18
and the story of the flood
00:54:45.21\00:54:47.42
and the story of the fig tree
00:54:47.45\00:54:49.58
showing when His
coming was going to be near.
00:54:49.62\00:54:52.92
Jesus tells these parables
00:54:52.95\00:54:55.26
and He tells us
that our eternal destiny
00:54:55.32\00:54:58.96
does have something
to do with our behavior
00:54:58.99\00:55:02.56
with the use of the
blessings that God has given us.
00:55:02.60\00:55:07.27
So, Folks, what do we need to do
in this time of human history?
00:55:07.30\00:55:14.34
Particularly in this time
when the world is in turmoil.
00:55:14.38\00:55:18.21
People are
looking for explanations
00:55:18.25\00:55:20.82
to what is
happening in the world.
00:55:20.85\00:55:23.32
Society is in an upheaval.
00:55:23.39\00:55:26.59
Natural disasters...
so-called "natural disasters"
00:55:26.62\00:55:30.59
are occurring everywhere.
00:55:30.63\00:55:32.33
The beginning of
sorrows is right before us.
00:55:32.36\00:55:36.30
I think I've said that it's the
00:55:36.36\00:55:38.63
beginning of the beginning of
sorrows that is right before us.
00:55:38.67\00:55:41.70
People's hearts are
failing them for fear
00:55:41.77\00:55:44.97
as they see the things
that are occurring in the world
00:55:45.04\00:55:48.48
and the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:55:48.51\00:55:50.78
has the message
that can bring peace
00:55:50.81\00:55:53.05
and tranquility to their lives
00:55:53.08\00:55:55.18
because we know
exactly what is happening.
00:55:55.22\00:55:58.19
It's been predicted.
00:55:58.25\00:55:59.59
We know where things are leading
00:55:59.62\00:56:02.16
and we know what we need to do
00:56:02.19\00:56:04.79
in order to reach people
00:56:04.83\00:56:06.33
so that they
can experience peace
00:56:06.36\00:56:08.50
in this time of turmoil...
00:56:08.53\00:56:10.30
real lasting peace
not temporary peace
00:56:10.33\00:56:13.80
and so, as
Seventh-day Adventists,
00:56:13.84\00:56:17.24
we have to do what Jesus told
us that we're supposed to do.
00:56:17.27\00:56:22.21
We're supposed to
watch such as never before...
00:56:22.24\00:56:26.61
be awake... be alert.
00:56:26.65\00:56:28.52
We're supposed to
pray without ceasing
00:56:28.55\00:56:31.49
and without giving up.
00:56:31.55\00:56:33.09
We are supposed to occupy
in using our gifts and talents
00:56:33.12\00:56:38.16
to reach those
who are in dire need
00:56:38.19\00:56:40.60
so that we can
experience the joy of our Lord.
00:56:40.63\00:56:44.27
We need to be ready
for the coming of Jesus.
00:56:44.30\00:56:47.90
We need to be doing
what Jesus told us to do
00:56:47.94\00:56:51.51
at the end of Matthew 24
00:56:51.57\00:56:53.94
and the three parables
that we find in chapter 25.
00:56:53.98\00:56:58.91
I trust that all of us who
are watching this Presentation
00:56:58.98\00:57:05.65
will come to the Lord in prayer
00:57:05.69\00:57:08.62
and ask Him what our duty is
00:57:08.66\00:57:11.53
in this time of turmoil in
Society in the United States
00:57:11.56\00:57:16.56
as well as in the world
00:57:16.60\00:57:18.50
that the Lord through His
Spirit will impress our hearts
00:57:18.53\00:57:22.50
to wake up...
to become active...
00:57:22.54\00:57:25.24
to go out... to
share the love of Jesus...
00:57:25.27\00:57:28.44
to share His
message for this time
00:57:28.48\00:57:30.81
so that multiple souls
can come into the kingdom
00:57:30.85\00:57:34.98
and be saved
00:57:35.02\00:57:36.35
and when we arrive in heaven,
00:57:36.38\00:57:38.32
as we're there with Jesus...
00:57:38.35\00:57:40.86
we'll be able to hear the words,
00:57:40.89\00:57:43.29
"Well done thou good
and faithful servant... "
00:57:43.32\00:57:46.29
and that we
might be able to share
00:57:46.33\00:57:48.76
in the joy of our Lord
00:57:48.80\00:57:51.37
in seeing multitudes of people
00:57:51.40\00:57:54.40
saved in the kingdom of heaven.
00:57:54.44\00:57:57.41
What a joy that will be.
00:57:57.44\00:57:59.41
It is my prayer that
this will be our experience
00:57:59.44\00:58:03.31
as we wait for Jesus to come.
00:58:03.35\00:58:05.41