INTRODUCTION

1. Master of Parables

a) The Lord Jesus was a Master Parable Teller

b) He used Parables to teach:

i) The Multitudes

ii) The Disciples

2. Deep meaning

a) They are embedded in the Parables

b) They are challenging lessons that must be applied

 

PARABLE OF THE TWO SERVANTS

45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’

49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,

50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,

51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:45-51

 

THE FIRST SERVANT

1. The first servant described

a) He is faithful

b) He is wise

2. The assignment given to the servant

a) He is made “ruler” over the household of the master

b) He functions as the chief steward of the house

c) He is tasked to look after the other servants in the household

d) He may be made “ruler” but he is actually “a servant” of the Master

3. The Master

a) He is going away

b) He has entrusted his household to his chief steward

c) He will return to his household one day

4. On his return he finds:

a) His chief steward “faithful and wise”

b) He has shown great responsibility

c) He will be rewarded

d) He will be made “ruler over all his goods”

THE SECOND SERVANT

1. He too is made “ruler”

2. This is safely assumed because of the nature of the Parable

a) The two servants are being compared and contrasted

b) Both would be given similar responsibilities

3. The Second Servant’s heart is described

a) He knows that his Master is away

b) His return had been “delayed”

c) He is not described as “faithful” or “wise”

4. The activities of the Second Servant

a) He abuses his fellow-servants

b) He spends his time drinking with drunkards

5. The Return of the Master

a) He comes unexpectedly

b) He returns suddenly

c) He was not ready for his Master’s return

6. The Punishment of the Second Servant

a) He will be chastised (“cut in two”)

b) He will be dismissed

c) He had proven to be a hypocrite

i) He had failed miserably in his duties

ii) He is unfaithful

iii) He is wasteful

iv) He will regret with “tears and gnashing of teeth”

 

CONCLUSION

1. Two rulers of Israel compared and contrasted

a) Saul

b) David

2. Saul’s life and work summarised

22 So Samuel said:

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23

3. David’s life and work summarised

1 Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse;

Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel:

2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me:

‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. 2 Samuel 23:1-3