1. Study by: Gregory Rajala

2. Outline  The Context - Mt 24 Jesus’ Mt. Of Olives End Times Briefing  Three Parables – Mt 25 Jesus Refocuses The Conversation  Summary  Application – How Should We Conduct Our Lives

3. The Private Mt. Of Olives Briefing  Mt 24:1-4, 36 1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” – the briefing – 36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

4. Main Point Of The Briefing  Mt 24:44-46 44 “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?” 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him so doing when he returns.  Mk 13:37 “What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch!”

5. Jesus Refocuses The Conversation  Ten Virgins All Were Pure Wise – Prepared For A Long Wait Opportunity For Preparation Ended The Wise Were Ready, Mt 25:13 “keep watch”  Talents - Weight Measures Of Something Valuable Everyone entrusted with at least one talent Opportunity for investing talent ended Foolish man not prepared, didn’t invest his talent  Judgment People separated into two groups – righteous and unrighteous Righteous rewarded based upon acts of charity Charity because they were righteous

6. Summary: Matthew 25 1. Refocused for the long haul Mt 24:42-51 2. Master’s return is imminent v.13 3. Master is coming back to settle accounts v. 24 4. Master will judge v. 10, 30, 46 5. Everyone entrusted with a valuable treasure v. 15 6. Everyone expected to invest their one treasure v. 26 7. Believing affects behavior v. 40 8. Behavior not mercenary v. 37 – 39

7. Application  Everyone has a treasure: The capacity to believe, trust Ro 12:3 “…according to the measure of faith God has given you.” Ro 1:20 “…men are without excuse.” Acts 17:24-26 “God…not far from each one of us”  Believe: (Ro 10:9) God raised Christ from the dead Confess Jesus is Lord  The opportunity to believe has an expiration date  Believing should impact how you conduct your life  Charity is close to God’s heart  Charity towards all people - pre-brethren  Trust Christ, Just As Christ Trusted The Father