The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Speaks to heart preparedness

God has made a way for our hearts to be transformed and renewed.
To be prepared and accountable, our hearts must echo the heart of God.

“Each servant has been forgiven an incalculable debt of sin that he could never repay…A person cannot harbor a grudge in his heart and at the same time be a true Christian.”
Ralph Earle, BBC

Analogy of a wedding, the bride and the bridegroom.
5 foolish, 5 wise.
In the context of a Jewish wedding of the time, the groom takes the bride from her house in a joyful procession to his home.

The wise have secured enough oil for the entire feast;
It could be up to 3 weeks.

For those unwise, their lamps are being quenched (going out). Spiritual metaphor. Christians whose spiritual lamp is dimming.

Go out seeking extra oil for their lamps.
Oil represents the Holy Spirit.

We must be vigilant.
We must be attentive to Spirit. Keep Spiritual life full.
We want our “light” always at the ready to be on full display.

“We must be prepared every moment for the imminent return of our Lord, ready to meet Him when He comes.”
Ralph Earle, BBC

-This parable seems to speak of the Kingdom in the “yet to come”.
But what about the Kingdom in terms of “here and present”?

3 servants: 5 talents, 2 talents, 1 talent.
5 and 2 doubled.

5 talents = faithful over “a little” - 100 years of labor

"Enter into the joy of their master and be over so much more"

James 2 speaks of Faith without Works is Dead.

Servant with 1 talent = buried the talent so that he could return it to the master.

A servant with 1 talent considers the master a hard man, and he is afraid. He didn’t know the character of the Master.

“Whereas the parable of the ten virgins emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s spiritual life up-to-date, fresh, and full, the parable of the talents shows the necessity for being faithful and vigorous in the service of the Kingdom. It takes both to be ready for the return of our Lord.”
Ralph Earle, BBC

How do we prepare?
How do we make ourselves ready to give an account?

1) Purposefully spend time with God.
Prayer, speaking, and listening
In His Word
2) Purposefully spend time with God’s people
Sharpening ourselves
Encouraging ourselves
Correcting ourselves
3) Spend time in His mission

Call to ministry: Didn’t make sense.
The majority will not be pastors, worship leaders, or academics.
But make no mistake, you do ministry.
In your homes.
In your jobs.
Amongst “strangers”.
When you are aware of it.
When you are not aware of it.