Matthew 25 Study & Breakdown/ Peace With The Psalms/ Message about Obedience to The Lord!!!

WELCOME BACK TO JPCE SPIRITUAL TALK BIBLE STUDIES TODAY IS MATTHEW 25- CLOSE WITH PEACE WITH THE PSALMS/ AND MY CLOSING MESSAGE OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD!!!

WE MUST BE PREPARED

MATTHEW 25:1-13

25:1-13: PARABLE THAT ILLUSTRATES THE NEED FOR BEING SPIRITUALLY PREPARED WHILE THE BRIDEGROOM IS DELAYED IN HIS RETURN, (v. 5): The Lord's Kingdom is often referred to and portrayed as a marriage- (see, Matthew 22:1-4 and see Notes): a marriage that is only between Christ and His Church, followers of Him, and at the end of the age the Marriage will be consummated when the Bridegroom returns to escort His Bride-The Church-True Believers-followers of Yeshua-He will escort us to His eternal wedding banquet: This Parable is also about the virtue of charity and almsgiving, OIL and MERCY have the same root or meaning in Greek: THE WISE VIRGINS are those who indeed practice charity and mercy in this life, while the FOOLISH are those who squander away God's gifts on themselves: ALL THE VIRGINS SLUMBERED AND SLEPT INDICATES DEATH: In this world virtuous will die alongside the wicked: THE CRY AT MIDNIGHT INDICATES THE 2ND COMING, when the wicked will arise with the righteous for judgement: The interpretation giving by early saints on this topic to share their oil- is not to be seen as a lack of generosity: Rather showing us that (1) the impossibility of entering heaven without one's own faith and virtue, and (2) the impossibility of changing one's state of virtue after death- see (Luke 16:26- notes): Lastly, the themes of this parable as well as the one right before it- (Matthew 24:45-51) are basically woven together in the liturgical hymns of Holy Week, particularly in the troparion hymn for Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday which begins "Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching..."

25:1-13: This passage is read on days commemorating holy nuns- fun fact!!!

WE MUST BE GOOD STEWARDS

MATTHEW 25:14-30

25:14-30: THIS PARABLE IS TEACHING: Us how to use the gifts given to us by God: ONE TALENT was a great sum of money, and here it's representing the goodness the Lord has bestowed on each of us: The amount each of us receives is based on our own personal abilities- (Romans 12:4-7): The Lord does not show partiality in the ultimate reward, for all are invited to share the same JOY (vv. 21, 23): THE WICKED AND LAZY SERVANT- (v. 26)- could not evade responsibility for ignoring their talent, for idleness is as much as a rejection to God as outright wickedness in itself: BUYING THE TALENT IN THE GROUND, (v. 18)- is an illustration of one's God given gifts for early pursuits: THE BANKERS- (v. 27) Represents other faithful people to whom the man could have turned to help him use his talents wisely: Since help was immediately available to him the Church, the man than has no excuse!!!

THE JUDGEMENT OF WORKS

MATTHEW 25:31-46

25:31-46: HERE IS THE MAJESTIC CLIMAX OF THE DISCOURSE: which is not just a parable but a prophecy of the universal judgment that will at some point in time occur: The CROSS is now dear to Him, Yeshua is raising the hearer to sight the glory of the Son of Man on His Judgement seat and the entire world before Him: THE STANDARD OF JUDGEMENT is an uncalculated mercy toward others: works produced by faith are showing us that saving faith always produces righteous works: What we do does indeed reflect our true inner state: THE LEAST- (v. 40) is referring to all the poor as well as the needy: The needs are showing and describing in this parable include both physical as well as spiritual needs: So, THE HUNGRY OR THIRSTY, (v. 44) are only those who need food and drink, but also for those who hunger and thirst for the Gospel and Hope that it brings!!!

25:32: CHRIST USES SHEEP: Here He is using sheep to illustrate the righteous, because they follow His voice and are also gentle and productive: GOATS here are indicating the unrighteous, for they do not follow the shepherd and they walk along cliffs, which representing a life of sin and living close to the edge!!!

25:34: INHERIT: is a term that is used in regards to sons and daughters rather than strangers or servants- the righteous become children of God by adoption- (Galatians 4:4-7):

25:40: TO SEE CHRIST- In everyone is the fulfillment of the great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself- (Matthew 22:39):

25:41: THAT THE FIRE WAS PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL: Shows that the Lord God did not create hell for man; rather, it seems many choose this torment by their own coldness that have plagued their hearts!!!

25:31-46: This passage is read on the second Sunday before Great Lent, called Meat Fare Sunday, or Sunday of the Last Judgement:

PEACE WITH THE PSALMS/ A PRACTICE FOR EVERY DAY: PSALM 96

MESSAGE ABOUT OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD

PHILIPPIANS 4:5-9:

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

- Staying obedient to the Lord give us the strength to conquer the daily pressures of life: We must keep faith knowing the Lord is at hand, and is present with us in spirit, we must refuse to be worried and anxious for nothing- we need prayer, thanksgiving to God for everything in our lives!!! We need to meditate on which is virtuous and we must imitate the Yeshua as well as the godly in all we do, obedience to the Lord is what creates fear of the Lord which in return is the beginning of Wisdom!!!

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JEHOVAH SHALOM!!!