September 15, 2013
Turn to Isaiah 53:11a. This is the solemn hour we have been talking about. God will see the fruit of the Lord’s work and will be satisfied. As terrible as that hour was, the end will be glorious and the world will see the results.
Hymn 362 - Two little eyes to look to God
Prayer
Matthew 25:14-30
In today’s parable, a man was going on a trip. He gave each of his servants some money to take care of while he was away. To one servant he gave five talents; to another he gave two talents; and the last, one talent. The servant that was given five talents used it in business and was able to make five more talents. The servant with two talents did that same and made two more talents, but the servant with one talent buried it in the ground.
As I have said before, parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings. In our parable, the man going on the trip is a picture of Jesus. Just like the man in our story gave talents, Jesus has given each of us another type of talent. The word talent can be used in two ways: either currency (as we have here), or abilities or skills. When a person does something well, we say he has an ability to do it. What are some abilities that are useful to the Lord? We can read the Bible to others, pray for others, encourage others through singing, and many other things. It is important to note, though, that with each ability there is a responsibility. Our man expected his servants to use the money to make more money and the man that was given five talents did just that. He showed his availability in doing what his master wanted and he was rewarded. Jesus has given us abilities and we need to use them for His glory. He is coming back; how have we used them for the Lord? Count Zinzendorf’s life was changed when he saw a painting with the words, I gave my life for thee; what hast thou done for me?” When we see the Lord, will you have anything to show? Will you hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”?
Acts 2:14-36
Last week a question was raised about the believers in Acts 19 that received the Holy Spirit. What we must realize is that the time of Acts was a transition period for the church, and things happened then that will not happen today. Apollos, at the end of Acts 18, was mighty in the Scriptures, but only knew the baptism of John. It’s the same with the believers in Acts 19. Vv.1-2. These disciples weren’t questioning whether there was a Holy Ghost, but rather whether He had been sent down to indwell believers. V3. Baptism is always unto something. Here, they were baptized unto the Lord Jesus. Baptism changes the ground that you’re on. These men were still on Jewish ground. They believed, just as the Old Testament saints did, but this baptism brought them into the Body of Christ. Paul—since he was one of the apostles, which we don’t have anymore—was able to lay his hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
As we said, this was a transition period for the Church. At this point salvation was coming, you might say, in stages. First it was given to the Jews, then to the Samaritans, and finally to the Gentiles. Not all these groups were there on the day of Pentecost, but were later brought in to that baptism.
Last week we also looked back at some of the feasts that God gave the Jews, and it might be of benefit to look forward to the ones yet to be fulfilled. One of the feasts given was Pentecost, and we could ask ourselves: will there be another, Jewish, Pentecost? Ezekiel 45:17-25 mentions the feasts of God in the Millennial Kingdom. These people are celebrating the Passover! Why don’t we celebrate it today? Because we have the Lord’s supper. The passover was celebrated up until the cross; then Jesus brought in the Lord’s Supper, which we will celebrate until He comes; then after we are taken up and the Tribulation is over, those in the kingdom will again celebrate the Passover. They won’t celebrate it in anticipation of the cross, but in remembrance of it. They will have the law at this point, but it won’t be the basis of their relationship with God.
Ezekiel 45:25. The last three feasts to be fulfilled—the feast of trumpets, the feast of booths, and the day of atonement—all took place in the seventh month. There won’t be another Pentecost, for it’s not mentioned here at all. The Jews will not celebrate it in the Millennial Kingdom. The only people baptized into one body are the Christians in the day of grace. There will not be another Body of Christ or House of God. This gives more meaning to the phrase “the day of Pentecost had fully come”. It doesn’t say that about Passover or any other feast. The Jews will have their earthly portion of those feasts, but we will have a heavenly portion of those and are the only ones to truly have the day of Pentecost.
It’s important to look both back into history and forward to coming events to see the place in God’s story that we have as the Church. And here in Acts is where it all started.
Hymn 75 – I gave my life for thee
Prayer