{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Gospel According to Matthew - Week 36","description":"This teaching is from Matthew 24:36-25:30. We pick up today\u2019s class with Jesus and His teaching on His Second Coming.  In these opening passages of today\u2019s text we hear Jesus\u2019 encouragement to not let the day of his final appearing catch us unaware. We can\u2019t know the day or the hour of His return but, we CAN know Him!  We can\u2019t know the time of his return but we CAN know the importance of living by faith in Him.  So multiple times Jesus encourages us to KEEP WATCH and to BE AWAKE to His return. Next Jesus shares three parables all having to do with His return and us being ready - awake - when He comes. 1 - Owner and Thief - Jesus\u2019 coming is unexpected 2 - Wise and Wicked - Jesus\u2019 coming is sooner than expected 3 - Ten Virgins - Jesus\u2019 coming is later than expected. These three parables again speak to the fact that we just do not know when He will return so we need to be always be ready for His return! After these three parables about being ready for His return, Jesus tells a parable: \u201cBags of Gold (often called Talents of Gold) from Matthew 25:14-30. The story is of a Master entrusting His wealth to 3 of His servants. Each is given a different amount and then the Master goes on a journey. The servant that received 5 bags of gold puts his money to work and gains 5 more bags and the same thing for the servant given 2 bags of gold, he doubles his as well. But the man who received 1 bag dug a hole in the ground and hid the money.  Then after a long time the Master returned and settled the accounts with the 3 servants. Servants 1 and 2 each received these words from the Master, \u201cWell done, good and faithful servant.\u201d This is what we each want to hear from God - that we used what He gave us wisely.  The parable continues with the Master inviting them saying, \u201cCome! Share in your Master\u2019s happiness! (Eternal Life forever with Him). We are to live by faith - serving and honoring God. We are not saved because we serve and honor Him - rather we serve and honor Him because we are saved through Jesus. With the third servant who hid the gold - this servant said, \u201cI know you are a hard Master so I was afraid and hid your gold, but here\u2019s what you originally gave me.\u201d (This is not a true statement by this 3rd servant.  God\u2019s character is one of goodness, He is pure, holy, just, faithful, true and loving.)  This servant did not live by faith but was instead hard-hearted. The Master replies to him, \u201cYou wicked, lazy servant,\u201d and this servant\u2019s gold was given to the servant with 10 bags of gold and that 3rd servant was thrown into the darkness. Jesus is returning and there is judgement - either to eternity with Him or to eternity without Him. With Him forever is what we want - so be encouraged to serve Him with your eyes on Jesus, and eagerly anticipating His return! Visit our website here https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/matthew-discipling Watch the video from Youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOxHZDaamNk9DaM7h7LejJj7 Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. We invite you to join us for our Sunday service every Sunday at 9:30am CT (live or on demand) here: https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/sunday-service ","author_name":"Awake Us Now","author_url":"https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/","html":"