Do You Believe?
Matthew 25:14–30
19 November 2017 – Redeemer
Jesus has gone away, for a long time. He has left you in charge of all His possessions. He’s coming back. Do you believe that?
Jesus said, “For [the Kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey.”
Do you believe that Jesus has gone away – that He ascended into heaven? In other words do you believe what the Scriptures teach about Jesus? Do you believe that God became man, that the Son of God wrapped Himself in human flesh? Do you believe He carried the weight of your sins to the cross and balanced the scales of God’s justice by pitting His blood against your sin? Do you believe that your sin and death are finished, done and dead by the death of Jesus of Nazareth? Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead, that the tomb is empty, that no body was ever found, that 500 witnesses saw Jesus alive, and that if there is anyone in the world you should listen to and believe, it is the guy who came to life again three days after He was most certainly dead? Do you believe He ascended into heaven? Do you believe in the forgiveness of your sins, in the resurrection of your body, in eternal life for you? If I was any good at writing short sermons I would simply have asked you, “Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the only Savior from sin and death, that He is your Savior?”
In the parable this “going away” man called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
Do you believe that He has left you in charge of all His possessions? Do you believe that everything you have is really the Lord’s? In this parable Jesus likely is speaking about the diversity of earthly gifts. We all have different gifts from our Lord. I have been given a loud voice. (You may have noticed.) I don’t get particularly nervous speaking in front of people. Those gifts help me to be a pastor. Perhaps you have been given a creative spirit, a mathematical mind, business sense, the ability to sew or play a musical instrument, a compassionate heart. Some of you have been entrusted with much – with a business, a talent, or a service that is in high demand and through which God has given you much wealth. Others of you have not received so much. Some of you drive a brand new SUV, others of you drive a 2008 Pontiac Vibe, and some of you drive something from last century. Some of you will be given 90 years of life. Others of you 70. Still others less.
Do you believe all that you have is the Lord’s? Your time, your family, your body, your money, your work, your country, your house, your hobbies. It’s all from Him to use until He returns. Do you believe that?
Two of the servants believed it. One did not. Which are you? We look at the last servant first.
He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’
The servant who received one talent really did not know his master, did not believe in his master. He hid his talent in the ground because of fear. Fear is misplaced faith. Fear is what happens when you trust your gifts more than God who gave them. Fear will cause you to hold on to life or possessions or people or position with everything you have.
Sometimes unbelief is seen in the claim of ownership over God’s gifts. I earned it. I built it. Like a two year old toddler we scream, “It’s mine.” Is that what you think about your body? Your time? Your possessions? Do you believe that the Lord will return one day “to settle accounts” with you, to see if you lived in faith with His gifts or in fear?
How different the lives of those who believe. Those first two servants did not hide their gifts, hold their gifts, hoard their gifts. They weren’t afraid to use what their master had given them. Immediately they put their gifts to use.
What does that mean for you? Well, it means don’t be afraid. Use your gifts with the Lord in mind. Does the Lord want you to care for your family? Absolutely. So buy some new clothes. Eat good food. Go on vacation if you can afford it. It’s OK. But don’t forget that the Lord is coming back. Give your family the gift that will never disappear. Read the Scriptures. Have devotions. Bring your children and grandchildren to church. Give them Jesus. Forgive their sins. Teach them to bring their burdens to God in prayer. Does the Lord want you to enjoy the life He has given you? Absolutely. Get an education. Look for a job that pays well. Pursue your passions, but remember – the Lord is coming back. Your work is from the Lord, so be honest and faithful. Your calling is to serve others, so be kind and generous. Be on guard against your passions, for not everything you desire is good for you. Always pray that the Lord’s will would trump your will. Is it OK to be rich? Sure it is. God gives some people 5 talents, some 2 talents, and some 1 talent. Every one of you in this congregation is richer than the majority of people in the world. Buy a newer car and help a salesman feed his family. Remodel your house and give the carpenter an income. Enjoy what your wealth can buy but live within your means. And remember – the Master is coming back. Examine your bank statement to see if you’re using His treasures for your luxuries or your needs. Are you serving your neighbor out of your abundance? Does your toy or hobby or recreation budget exceed your giving to the Lord? Did you spend more on your pleasures this weekend than you put in the offering plate? What does that say of your faith and your fears?
Repent and believe that the Lord who has gone away, gives you everything – above all He gave His life for your sins. One of the interesting lines in this parable happens when the master speaks to the good and faithful servants, “Well done …You have been faithful over a little.” That is how the Lord looks upon every earthly gift He has given you. To Him it is only “a little.” Your greatest earthly asset, the net worth of everything you have, is little compared to the heavenly riches which Jesus has given you. God the Father has forgiven you your all sins – how much is that worth? How much are you worth? To God the Father you are worth His Son’s life. How much is Christ’s death worth to you? The dividend is eternal life. The final payout will be the withdrawal of your body from the grave and its deposit into the company of the Saints, your loved ones who have died in the faith. You will enjoy a reunion with the likes of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, and Mary and Joseph in a resurrected body free of Alzheimer’s and arthritis.
Believe that Jesus has gone away. Believe that every little thing you have is His. Believe that He is coming back. Through that faith you are free to use what He has given you because you are confident there is much more to come for you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Bruce Timm
18 November 2017 anno Domini