The acronym WWJD was quite popular a few years ago.  The idea behind it was, asking “What would Jesus do?” helps us know how to guide our life.  This is a true premise only if we also ask HDJDI, which stands for “How did Jesus do it?” And the answer to that needs to be the same answer for how we do good works: BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

We have been walking through the parables Jesus taught.  And this week, we’ll wrap up with two parables which point to the same thing. They are found in Matthew 25, verses 1-46. The first parable is the parable of the talents (or minas), and the second is the parable of the sheep and the goats. In both, there is a sense of polarization between those who follow Jesus in word and deed, and those who don’t. In the first parable, the fruit of following Jesus is illustrated in sort of a generic sense, with the idea that faithful followers of Jesus are good stewards with whatever Jesus entrusts to them. In the second parable, Jesus gets a little more specific specifying that true followers are the ones who show compassion and act mercifully in practical ways to those in need.

And the stakes are high; those who have a living faith in Jesus, will spend eternity with Him. Those who do not, will be eternally separated from Jesus.

Thus, the memory verse for this week from Ephesians 2, verse 10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Jesus calls His followers to live out their identities as Children of God, by becoming infused with God’s love to the point that it flows out and puts God’s good nature (His Law) on display for the edification of others and most importantly, for God’s glory.

Memory Verse: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  Ephesians 2:10

Handout/Activity: Talents and gifts (special supplies needed: glow in-the dark paint)

Narrative: 

One day, Jesus told parables to His followers, to help them see the difference between good deeds done in our own strength, vs good deeds that are powered by His Holy Spirit.

He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.  He divided up his money among several servants, then went away on His trip.

Two of the servants who were entrusted with His money used that money to make profits for the master.  But the servant who received only a small amount to look over, dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servants who invested the master’s money showed how it produced a profit for him.  And the master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servants. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

“The master replied, you wicked and lazy servant, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who made lots of profit with my money.”

Jesus used this teaching to show us that HE is like the master who goes away, and expects his servants (those who are true followers of Him) to use what He has given in fruitful and productive ways.  Then he went on to teach about what it will look like when HE returns, and the people of earth will have to give an account.

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.  All the nations[e] will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.  For whenever I was in need, you were there to help with good deeds.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we help you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, you cannot remain in My Presence. For whenever I was in need, you chose not help me with good deeds.  ’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

Jesus taught these parables so that His followers would understand that faith which is ALIVE by His Spirit is an active faith that is expressed as good deeds.  So good, that only Jesus can get the credit!!