The Parable About The Talents

[ByHisGrace]

Matthew 25:14-30

Can someone help me with this. My pastor just preached on this a few Sundays ago. He said that this was referring to Christians helping out at church and being active at church. Then he mentioned verse 30 and said this verse is usually referring to people who are sent to hell. So I am so confused....and concerned because though I attend church regularly I am not active. I'm not sure if I really want to plug in at that church so I haven't "jumped in".

So if you can please bring clarity to this, I know we're not saved by works but then again Jesus did say he vomits those out who are lukewarm towards Him....does not helping out at church qualify being lukewarm?

[LaMontre]

Matthew 25:14-30

Can someone help me with this. My pastor just preached on this a few Sundays ago. He said that this was referring to Christians helping out at church and being active at church. Then he mentioned verse 30 and said this verse is usually referring to people who are sent to hell. So I am so confused....and concerned because though I attend church regularly I am not active. I'm not sure if I really want to plug in at that church so I haven't "jumped in".

So if you can please bring clarity to this, I know we're not saved by works but then again Jesus did say he vomits those out who are lukewarm towards Him....does not helping out at church qualify being lukewarm?

This is the point:
Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Luke is far more specific:
Luk 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Ask yourself, who "hath not" and yet "seemeth to have" in the context of Jesus ministry? (The answer is unbelieving Israel)

The very fact that this is a parable, gives us an answer to it's meaning.

The answer is found long before Matthew 25:
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Now, read Matthew 12, and you will see that Jesus, just prior to this, had begun the process of removing the kingdom from the Levitical priesthood, and giving it to his disciples.

So the point of that passage is that them that have not the revelation Jesus is the Messiah, from them will be taken away thier inheritance as sons of Abraham.

As was prophesied:
Act 3:23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet<--Jesus), shall be destroyed from among the people. (Deut 18:19)

Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off (unbelieving Israelis), that I (a gentile) might be graffed in.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Rom 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

Always remember, that Jesus major focus during his first coming, was the lost sheep of Israel.

Hope this helps.:)

[ByHisGrace]

Ahhh....I see! Thank you so much!

[LaMontre]

Ahhh....I see! Thank you so much!

:hat

[Chris]

For a little more commentary here's a link to read. :)

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/selah/parables/the-parable-of-the-talents

Also, if you would like to read about the other parables, Jack has some more articles on some of the other parables. :)

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/search?Topics=Parables&Submit.x=11&Submit.y=17

[Buzzardhut]

The Watch Parables (http://www.buzzardhut.net/Watch/)

[ByHisGrace]

You guys are great! Thanks so much!!