Matthew 25:14-30 - There will be a delay and where's your talent?

The logo above represents an investigation that is going a little deeper tonight in the fellowship hall of the church.  We, as an small independent church, are exploring options that would help us with spiritual oversight and financial sustainability.  This is just one of the avenues we have been praying about.  As we think about the possibility of coming under the "umbrella" of another, we have to discern that this organization is also in total submission to the word of God.  From what I know of the EFCA, I believe they are and I am thankful for the opportunity to hear from a representative of the district about their Bible based mission, purpose and vision.  Pray with us and for us that we would see if this is the direction in which we should pursue for God's glory.

We are nearing the end of the Olivet Discourse and Jesus has been generally answering the "when" and "what" questions of His disciples but also specifically answering the "how" question that He raised.  Keeping myself tied closely to Jesus' words in this passage and not wandering off to others has been a little difficult but I think it has kept me truly focused on Jesus' highlighted points.  

The end will not come until the good news of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed to all the nations.  All will see His 2nd coming.  No one knows the day or the hour, only the Father.  Our "now" response beyond being ready is to be acted upon.  We are not to be deceived.  We are not to be like jello and debilitated by the news of wars and rumors of wars.  We are to endure to the end with God's words supreme over man's words.  This passage adds that there will be a delay to Jesus' 2nd coming and His return will be that of a just judge.  The next passage will speak of this even more.

Some highlights for me studying this passage were these.  The master's focus was not on the amount given to each servant but on the obedience to use what was given to him.  This puts the 5 guy and the 2 guy in the same group.  Another highlight was that their obedience was using what the master gave them in interaction with others.  This highlighted what the 1 guy did not do.  He went the way of the world and buried what the master had given him to use.  He had no interaction with others not even the bankers as the master later suggests.  Again, Jesus gives us 2 groups.  The 5 guy and the 2 guy are in one group of obedience and seeing their master as a gracious man and the 1 guy is in another group of following the ways of the world and seeing his master as a hard man.

One group is told to enter and the other group is told to be cast away.  We see heaven and hell again from Jesus.  Only 2 groups and only 2 destinations are presented and this will come up again in the next passage.  These are some of Jesus' last words to His disciples prior to hanging on a cross.  What will you do with what the Master has given you?  What perception do you have of Him?  Your perception of Him will either guide you in obedience that comes out of an "awe" of Him or it will choose the alternate route to follow the ways of the world because you are "scared" of Him.  Jesus is sounding very much like a Billy Graham crusade or think many of the evangelistic services I sat through as a kid.  

Quite the passage for a Mother's Day but I know this was my mom's main concern for her children.  We would all grow up knowing how to work and be productive in society but he concern was that we would all follow the Master and use our resources, even our lives, for His glory.  

Adam