The Kingdom of God (7)
By Grace Eli
This study was first taught on December 11, 2012
Topic: The Kingdom of God (7): The Parable of the Talents
(use the audio to study)
Background
Last week, we studied the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, as being compared to the kingdom of God (Matthew 20:1-16). Some of the key lessons taken from the study of this parable are as follows:
(1) Over the Age, from the very beginning of time, God has been calling various workers into His Vineyard and this call shall continue until the end of time. Some of these workers in the Old Testament days were prophets, priests, levites, righteous men and women, who walked with God. Many of them earnestly desired and were yet to see the result or harvest of their labours in their lifetime here on earth. And yet, the bible says that of all men born of women, none is greater than John the Baptist (the fore runner of Jesus’ ministry on earth), and yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John! This seemed like a paradox considering patriarchs such as Abraham, Isaac, Enoch, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah and so on.
(2) How is it so that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John? The bible says that until the days of John the Baptist all the prophets prophesied, but John saw the Messiah (though not yet glorified). Therefore, all who enter the kingdom of God through believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God, and Saviour from their sins, are partakers of a much better covenant than they all.
(3) Of what relevance is the scenario in Nos. 1 and 2 above, to our study? We saw from the parable of the workers in the vineyard, that five sets of labourers were invited to work by the landowner: early morning set, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 11th hour labourers. The early morning set of workers had negotiated for a payment of one denarius for a day’s work, while all others went in to work at the mercy of whatever the landowner would deem fair and equitable to pay them for their labour. We saw that at the end of the day’s work, the landowner instructed his steward to pay the labourers starting from those who were employed at the 11th hour, up to the very first set who were engaged early in the morning. We noted that the early morning employees expected to have been paid more than one denarius because they had toiled longer in the vineyard, and had suffered the heat of the sun throughout the day, but alas! They received just the same wage of one denarius as the rest of the workers who were brought into the vineyard much after them! The landowner was displeased with them for their murmurings against him because he paid them the wage that they had agreed for a day’s work; and, out of the goodness of his heart, he had decided to pay even the same wage to the other four sets of labours. He asked those who grumbled if they had an evil eye and were angry because he was good? He told them that the money was his and it was lawful for him to use it as it pleased him. The story ended thus: “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”
(4) Therefore, we saw that even though God has been recruiting several labourers, or workmen into His Work through the ages, and has promised all who come to Him eternal life and a place in the kingdom of heaven with wonderful inheritance, yet, the choice of what each man will receive as a reward or inheritance is completely at His pleasure. And we know that He is good, and all His ways are just. Everyone will be compensated from the goodness of God’s heart of love and compassion for His own (it will not necessarily be a long service award like men give!). From righteous Abel to John the Baptist; from the very first New Testament saint, to the very last soul that shall enter into the kingdom of God, all will be justly rewarded. That is how the first can be the last, and the last first – only God is judge of all!
The problem of the early workers was that they saw their wage as a debt owed them as a result of their sweat, whereas, the others went by faith into the vineyard to work, trusting in the landowner to do them good. Though the New Testament saint may appear late in coming into the vineyard, yet, in doing so by faith in Jesus Christ Who has called him, he has an outstanding leverage of being justified by the blood of Jesus Christ and the grace of God, to receive wages that he does deserve! We saw examples from the ministry of Paul, Mary Magdalene, the thief at the right hand of Jesus at the cross, etc. We concluded that our service to God must be devoid of defilement such as, jealousies, envying, murmurings, comparisons, human wisdom, etc. Rather, we should serve God from a pure heart of love, reverence, and thankfulness, for bringing us into His kingdom and making us co-labourers in His vineyard with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 25:14-30
Our study tonight is about the Parable of the Talents, which the Lord Jesus Christ also likened to the Kingdom of God. We shall seek to understand the message the Lord was conveying to the people through this parable, as well examine the relevance of that information for the Church of God in our day. May the Holy Spirit help us as we study, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
John 3:27; Ephesians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 4:7a; 12:4-6; Exodus 31:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:11b; Romans 12:6a; Ephesians 4:7; 4:12a; 1 Corinthians 12:7; Romans 1:1, 5: 2 Corinthians 12:1-7, 12; 1 Corinthians 15:9-11; Romans 15:18-19a; Mark 7:15, 20-23; Proverbs 18:9; 24:30-34; Luke 16:10-12; Ephesians 5:14-17; Revelation 21:11-12.
Conclusion
Our study of The Parable of the Talents conveys a central message to the body of Christ, of an impending accountability to God by the believer, of the gifts, calling and grace of God upon his life, on the Last Day! As long as one is a believer in Jesus Christ, he or she is enlisted in the kingdom of God as a servant (worker, labourer, soldier, bond servant) of God. This implies that he or she has been saved, brought into the kingdom of God, to serve at the pleasure and profit of the King and His kingdom. Nothing short of this expectation will be acceptable. (2 Timothy 2:2-4). And as Jesus recounted in this parable, the servants were expected to multiply the ‘goods’ (spiritual gifts/talents/power and authority) that were assigned to them, so that on return, the owner could receive them back with interest or profit. It follows therefore, that all who will make it into the kingdom of heaven, are expected to employ their spiritual gifts and talents in the service of God here on earth, to make deposits (of souls/disciples) into the kingdom. Therefore, focus on your gift and employ it to the fullest! The servants who doubled their goods were: commended; called ‘good and faithful servants’; judged to be ‘good’ and ‘faithful’ over a few things; promoted to be rulers over many things; and, were granted access to enter into the joy of their lord! What a blessing!
This parable precisely reveals the reason why God has distributed His gifts severally to all His children according to the capacity He has put in them (there is not one Christian who does not have at least one gift!); it tells us what God expects us to achieve by possessing these gifts; it tells us that a Day is coming that God will take stock of what we had done with His gifts; and, those who brought profit into the kingdom of God and made disciples of many souls, will be handsomely rewarded; while the unprofitable servant (the lazy, slothful, waster, wicked, and lover of pleasure) shall be stripped and cast into outer darkness (Matthew 25:28-30). Therefore, let us not be slothful in the business of the kingdom; rather, let us be kingdom-minded, and work hard to please the One Who has graciously called, redeemed, equipped and empowered us to go into the world and make disciples in His Name.
Back to all Bible Study Outline List