Sermon- Kingdom preparedness: Watch, Be Ready and Be Prepared
Scripture: Matthew 25:1-32 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids[a] who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ 13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver[b] to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. 19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ 21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! 22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ 24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ 26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
Introduction: This chapter continues and concludes our Savior's discourse, which began in the foregoing chapter, concerning his second coming and the end of the world. This was his farewell sermon of caution, designed to encourage and comfort to his disciples. Knowing what was ahead, Jesus speaks plainly to them. The application of this discourse, is not to worry about the time because that is beyond your control. Watch and be ready. This chapter we have three parables, the scope of which is the same. They are designed to quicken us all with the utmost care and diligence to get ready for Christ's second coming. The parable of the ten virgins, Mt 25:1-13 encourages us to use every effort to be ready to meet the bridegroom when he returns. Then in the parable of the three servants, Mt 25:14-30 who must be ready to give an account for their stewardship. And these last verses in the chapter is shows in a plainer description of the process of the last judgment, Mt 25:31-46 shows that we may then be ready to receive from His final judgment and may enter eternal life. I know these are weighty matters for our consideration. Why? because the end-times and everlasting life should be a concern for every one of us.
Most people are clear about the fate of all the workers of iniquity. They will receive their just reward. But what will become of those who do no harm? Honest, inoffensive, good sort of people? We have here a clear and full answer to this important question. Jesus teaches a kingdom lesson from familiar custom. The bridesmaids on the wedding night would be at the house where the bride was, with burning lamps or torches in their hands, to wait for the bride groom's coming. When he drew near, they went to meet him with their lamps, and to conduct him to the waiting bride.
1. Kingdom preparedness includes watchfulness, readiness and doing more than required. Matthew 25:8-11 “Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ 13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
Jesus encourages his followers to the duty of watchfulness, as in Mt 24:42; and repeats, in a slightly-altered form, the reason previously given: "For ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." The time of the end is hidden, and shall not be known until suddenly, he shall appear "in the clouds of heaven in power and great glory." It should be our one great concern to be sure that we shall be ready to meet him whenever he may come. All these virgins were clean, attentive and in place. They were good people, but some only did enough to get by. They carried nothing extra. The lesson shows us the importance of doing our best, give our best service and the door will open for us. The kingdom principles will work anywhere it is applied. If you want doors to open, work on yourself. You need your own supply of oil. The wise virgins were willing to do a little extra, carry a little more and they ready when the opportunity came. Opportunity does not seem to waste itself on unprepared people. Until I come again, allow your kingdom preparedness includes watchfulness, readiness and doing more than required. Those things you can control.
2. Kingdom preparedness includes accepting full responsibility for your gift and its fruitfulness. Matthew 25:14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
To be chosen to receive gifts from God is an honor but also a responsibility. Notice the servants were not responsible for being selected or the amount of money they received. In the kingdom we will encounter different level of gifting and different level of success. Those things are beyond your control. Secondly, notice the servants were not told exactly what to do. They were told to use their resources to increase the owner’s investment. They must use their connections, insight, wisdom and hard work to the best advantage. They must all given an account one day. They don’t know the tear, day or hour, but the master will return. Kingdom preparedness includes watchfulness, readiness and doing more than required, but also accepting full responsibility for your gift and its fruitfulness. Every man will reap what he sows. Whatever the harvest, look to the sower.
3. Kingdom preparedness includes living with Judgment in View. Matthew 25:24-32 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ 26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.’
One by one each person must give an account. The sad part of the story is that the one who knew the most, did less. The servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you was a serious man, who did waste time or resources. He would be expecting a harvest especially after give his servants resources and time. Yet instead of planting a crop, or invest the money, or even seeking advice, he did nothing. He failed to use his mind or his money. He hid it in the earth and did nothing knowing that judgment was coming. He was not rebellious, but only unprofitable, and that condemned him. How does this solemn truth bear upon us? Have you a trust from the Lord? Are you useful to him according to your ability?
We must live our lives with God’s judgment in view. The servants of God are not all endowed with equal gifts and talents. Yet we are bound to employ their talents in promoting his honor and glory by the proper use and improvement of them. By employing their talents in a proper manner, we can improve, increase, and strengthen them for more fruitfulness. We will all judged according to the use made of every opportunity. These sinners look on God as a hard master, and as unreasonable and tyrannical. They will be judged, not merely for doing wrong, but for neglecting to do right. The fool virgins were left out because of what they fail to do. The servant was cast out because of the sin of omission. If the servant who kept the talent entire without injuring it, and who returned it to his master as he received it, was nevertheless judged, condemned, and cast away, what must they expect who abuse their talents, destroy by drunkenness or drugs, pollute their body through lust and squander their property that might had been use to advance the kingdom and bless the world? Jesus said, be watchful, be ready, and be prepared. Accept the responsibility of your gift and its fruitfulness. Final Be ready for the Judgment that will be fair and impartial. Whatever is right you will receive.
