Sunday, June 25, 2000   

As we study this parable, keep these things in mind:

1. The Nobleman is Jesus.

2. The far country is heaven.

3. The servants are those who have professed faith in Christ.

4. The citizens are enemies of Christ.

5. The pound represents money, goods and earthly possessions.

This parable sets forth the responsibility of the local church and the individual believer; we are to occupy until he comes.

I. VERSE 11, THE DISCIPLES MISTAKE

     A. The reason for the parable being presented is found in this verse. The disciples mistakenly thought that since Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. The literal kingdom should immediately appear.

     B. They were mistaken!

II. VERSE 12, THE DISTINGUISHED NOBLEMAN

     A. The distinguished nobleman of this verse is the Lord Jesus Christ.

           1. He was a man:

                 a. He was born as a babe. Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

                 b. He took His place as a workman. He was a carpenter. Mark 6:3, “is not this the carpenter....”

                 c. He hungered— Matthew 4:2.

                 d. He thirsted— John 4:6.

                 e. He was troubled and sorrowful— John 12:27; Matthew 26:37-38.

                 f. He wept— John 11:35. “Jesus wept.”

                 g. He was tempted— Hebrews 4:15. “Tempted in all points like as we are.

                 h. He cried out in agony of soul— Matthew 27:46 “... My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

                 i. He died—John 19:33 “ when they came to Jesus he was dead already....”

                 j. He was a real human being. He was a man yet He was God. Christ the God-man. He must be the perfect man, the perfect sacrifice for sin.

           2. He was noble:

                 a. The Greek word for “noble” is eugenes from which we get the Anglicized word eugenic. This word noble means wellborn, of noble race.

                             1) In Matthew, He is presented as, “The Son of Abraham” as well as “the Son of David.” This qualifies Him as Israel’s king.

                       2) In Luke, the ancestry of the Son of man is traced to Adam. He is the second Adam redeeming the first Adam’s sin.

                 b. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is God the eternal Father—Luke 1:35; John 5:17-18.

                       c. Since God was His father and since a son partakes of the nature of the Father, then He is God the Son.

                 d. God the Father declares Jesus to be God the Son. Hebrews 1:8, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever…"

     B. Christ was the perfect Son of God, the God man who came to this earth, lived a sinlessly perfect life, and is the only hope of sinners.

III. VERSE 14, (12 to 14) THE DETESTATION OF THE CITIZENS

     A. Remember that the citizens here represent the enemies of Christ. As you can see by reading this verse, they were against Him and His message.

      B. The citizens did not want Christ to be their Lord.

          1. In John 1:11, the Bible says: “He came unto his own and his own received him not.”

          2. In John 19:14-18, the Jews repudiated Him as their king, claiming Caesar to be their only king.

           3. He was mocked, spit on, and cursed.

     C. As a nation, the Jews reject Him, and will do so during His absence— during the age of grace. Romans 11:25 “...blindness in part is happened to Israel....” Romans 11:28, “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching election, they are beloved for the father’s sake.”

IV. VERSE 13, (14 to 13) THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE POUNDS

     A. The servants represent Gospel preaching churches and individual believers.

     B. The pounds represent the working capital of the church, money etc.

          1. First and foremost, the church has the Gospel committed to it. The church is to use every means within reason to get the Gospel out.

               a. We are to trade in the Gospel. We are to proclaim the tidings of the cross and the wondrous resurrection.

               b. After the resurrection, our Lord called His disciples to Him and committed the preaching of the Gospel to the church and commanded her to go forth and preach it throughout the world (Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

     C. “Occupy till I come” means to be about the Father’s business.

          1. To seek first the kingdom of God, to use talents with intelligence.

          2. To use your money for the spreading of the Gospel till Jesus comes again.

V. VERSE l2b, THE DISTINGUISHED NOBLEMAN AND THE FAR COUNTRY

      A. “A certain nobleman went into a far country....”

      B. The far country is a symbol of heaven.

           1. Our Lord Jesus has gone into heaven.

           2. Acts 1:11. “Ye men of Galilee why stand ye...”

     C. The nobleman went into the far country with the intention to return.

          1. Christ did not go into heaven to stay; He said He would return.

          2. He promised His disciples He would return. John 14:3, “...I will come again, and receive you unto myself....”

     D. One verse in every twenty in the New Testament says He will return. The last word our Lord Jesus Christ speaks in the Bible says He is coming again. Revelations 22:20, “. . .surely I come quickly.” And John says, “Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus.”

VI. VERSES 15-26, (12 to 15-26) THE DISTINGUISHED NOBLEMAN RETURNS

     A. Verse 15, Christ will return and call the saints to Him. He will come in the clouds, and we shall be caught up to stand before the judgment seat (II Corinthians 5:10).

          1. We will have to give an account on the money He has given us. That’s what it says!

          2. We are to lay up treasures in heaven by being good stewards on earth.

     B. Verses 16-19, the servants who have increased their pounds by trading are rewarded with rulership in the coming millennial kingdom. (Revelations 1:5-6; 20:6)

           1. Use what you have for the sake of the Gospel.

          2. When you give to God’s work and work in God’s work, you are laying up treasures in heaven and are preparing for the millennium.

     C. Verses 20-26, The servant who concealed his pound in a napkin, sweat cloth received no reward. His pound was taken. He suffered loss.

          1. There are Christians who will be saved, but will suffer loss (I Corinthians 3:15).

          2. If you do not use what God has given you for Him, you are going to lose out.

                a. Use your money and muscle for Him.

               b. Use your spiritual gifts for Him (Romans 12:4-8). Use or Lose.

      VII. VERSE 27, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENEMIES

     A. The lost, those who are enemies will be given up to eternal death.

     B. What an awful sound: “Depart from me ye that work iniquity.”

CONCLUSION: The faithful servants were rewarded; the enemies destroyed.