Pastors Notes -for (Are you ready for Jesus return?)

Are You Prepared for Jesus Return?

If You knew that Jesus would be coming back this week would he be pleased with how you have been using the time he gave you on this earth? I think that is a question that every believer ought to ask themselves. Not that we earn our salvation through good works but the work, the ministry and how we live our lives is an indicator of the position of our hearts. Jesus tells several parables in response to his disciples asking when he will come back.

One of these is known as the parable of the talents. a talent was a measure of money. some commentators say about 20 years wages. And Jesus compares himself to a master who has gone away for a time entrusting his servants with his money.

Matthew 25:14–30 (NLT)
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.
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.’
1. Everything We Have Has Been Given by God
– Our time, talents, resources, and opportunities are all from Him.

if all we have is from the Lord than the next question is what are we doing while he is away?

These servants weren’t just watching their masters house while he was away, feeding the dog, watering the plants. No they were to take his money and invest it. Now although money is used as an illustration this isn’t about money we have already covered that the past 2 weeks. this is about how we are living. what we are doing with our abilities, what we are doing with our time.

a lot of you are gifted, with spiritual gifts, natural talents or abilties. Gifts are for giving. no one buys a present, wraps it puts a bow on it , gets a card and a lei and the gives it to themselves. God gave you gifts to bless others with.

2. Each of Us Is Given Different Capacities
– God gives different gifts and responsibilities to each person.-
– The key is not comparison, but faithfulness with what you have.

We tend to compare ourselves with others and wonder why we aren’t as knowledgeable or as athletic or as skilled as they are. And what makes it worse is when other people say “why aren’t you more like so and so?”

for example some people can do one on one discipleship but they aren’t able to lead a group of 5 or 10 in a study.  Others can prepare and lead a bible study and are able to get other people engaged. but put them in front of the congregation and their like a fish out of water. Why? because the Lord gives out gifts in various capacities.

I remember being discouraged as a young pastor because we started out with 16 people and at one time were close to 130 men women and children. and it was bad enough that i was caught up comparing myself and asking what I’m doing wrong but when I’d hear. “Hey why aren’t you guys like the church down the street.” it would make it worse. but feelings are not facts so i looked at the facts. which surprised me.

• the reality is that  out of 360,000 churches in America 70% of or 252,000 have 100 or less attenders.
• half that’s at least 50 million adults attend churches ranging from 30 to 300 members. The other half attend larger churches.
• only 1/2 a percent that’s 5 million attend a mega church 2000+.

from then on no matter what the critics said I knew as long as i was using what God have given me and was faithful that’s all he wanted. Doing my fathers will is what drives me.

and that’s what should drive you as well. don’t let the critics have sway over you. Don’t be discouraged or compare yourselves with others just be a joyful obedient servant.

God Wants Us to Be Faithful with What We’ve Been Given
– Faithfulness is measured by our obedience and stewardship, not by results alone.
– Are you using your gifts for His Kingdom?

Consider the prophet Isaiah who was told to preach to Israel for 40 years. and that no one was going to listen to him. think about how that must have felt. but he did it. preaching the Word of the Lord whether they listened or not.  the point is he did not measure his faithfulness by peoples reactions but by doing what Gold told him to do.

And we are to be the same. If you are  faithful in giving of your time and abilities to further the kingdom of God that is all he asks.

• what do you know how to do?
• What are your spiritual gifts?
• is there a way you can use them?
• there are so many ways that you can be part of furthering the kingdom of God and reaching people with the gospel.
• can you pray?  we often dismiss prayer as an assumed thing that every christian does but prayer is really important as a ministry. some people have lists of people and situations that they pray for,

God Rewards Those Who Bear Fruit in Life
– He desires multiplication, not stagnation.
– Fruitfulness is a sign of spiritual growth and trustworthiness.

• This is a lesson that the Lord repeats throughout scripture that if we are faithful with the little we are entrusted with more responsibility.
• this and other scriptures neem to indicate we as believers will have responsibilities in His kingdom when Jesus returns.
• What that will look like we aren’t told. but one reward we do see is the joy of the master. when we are faithful it makes God happy. that itself is a great reward.

Don’t Bury Your Life in the World
– Don’t hide your calling in comfort, distraction, or fear.
– Jesus is returning—live with urgency and purpose.

This servant who had only one bag of silver and buried it is called a wicked and lazy servant. why?

a. He revealed he didn’t really know God.

• Many people claim to follow God or even be a Christian but they don’t understand what he is really like. they are described as nominal Christian’s
• they are happy to hold to a doctrine as long as it doesn’t interfere with their life choices.

b. He buried what he was entrusted with in the ground. – here the earth would represent the world. Jesus eludes to this later in the chapter .

• Matthew 16:24–26 (NLT)
  24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

c. He lost the opportunity he had been given to trust in God and serve him.

• the warning Jesus gives in in keeping with the theme of the other parables in this chapter such as those who waited for the bridegroom but fell asleep and were shut out of the wedding feast as they realized their error too late.
• the message is clear that we who are entrusted with this great gift of salvation ought to use our lives in a such a way that Furthers the kingdom of God.
• Let us pray and ask God this week Lord am I living in way the lifts up your name? Am I investing my time the way I should? Am I living in fear of sharing you with others or am I bold about my faith?