A FAITHFUL AND WISE SERVANT

Who is a Faithful and Wise Servant?
Matthew 24: 42 – 51

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


I. Titus 3: 1 ONE READY TO EVERY GOOD WORK. Paul writes Titus to remind them…
1. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
We need to remind each other. Preachers often remind the brethren to remember to be ready to every good work.






A. Acts 10: 37 – 38 Peter taught Cornelius that Jesus was our example.
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
B. Galatians 6: 10 Paul reminded the Christians in Galatia they were to do good.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Are we ready to do good? This is the beginning of a new year, why not start off right by being ready.

II. 1 Peter 3: 15 ONE READY TO GIVE AN ANSWER.
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
He does not say we must be ready to give an answer to everything in the Bible. Even I do not know every answer. He says be ready to give an answer to the “reason of the hope that is in you.” We have a hope or a faith in Jesus Christ and we should be ready and able to give an answer why we have this hope or faith in Him. Why do we believe Jesus Christ is our Saviour?
A. Colossians. 4: 5 – 6 Paul to the Christians in Colosse needed to know how to prepare their speech.
5 ¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
It takes study, prayer and seasoned speech to teach those out side the church. Christ has made all of these available to us.
B. 2 Timothy 2: 14 - 15 Paul tells Timothy how to do it. Remind them to study.
14 ¶ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
One of the weaknesses in the church today is a lack of study. We are motivated by the world to neglect Bible study. It takes time, effort and commitment. We are committed to much to the things of the world. In time past a father would read the Bible to his family every day. This could be the only book they had. Children were taught to ready by reading the Bible. Today in China they let Americans teach students to read English from the Bible. If we study more we will know more and understand our responsibility more to God. Some don’t want that so they do not study. Are you ready to commit to study God’s word ?
III. 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 ONE READY TO GIVE. Giving time, talents, good works.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Who are the rich in this world? We are. Christians are the richest because they have Jesus Christ and the Hope of Eternal life in Heaven. Whether you have a plug nickel or not you can have Jesus Christ. But if you have all the riches of the world and loose your soul your life is worthless. More people loose their trust in God with their high mindedness and their trust in their own earthly riches. They fail to be rich in good works, willing to give and communicate to others. I am afraid some would be saddened and most miserable if they had to give as the Jews were required. A tenth of everything, plus their sacrifices and then be ready to help someone in need on top of all that.
A. 2 Corinthians 8: 3 – 6 The Macedonian’s First gave themselves.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Paul writes to the Corinthian brethren that they may obtain the same grace as the Macedonian’s in giving themselves to the work of the gospel.
B. Acts 2: 44 – 45 The early church took care of their own.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
They helped one another, as we should do today. Not one or two helped, but all helped one another.
IV. Matthew 24: 48 – 51 Be Not The Evil Servant, Fallen from God’s Grace.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is possible for one to loose his soul by going back into the world of willful sin.
If we turn our back on God there is no more forgiveness.
A. Hebrews 10: 26 Willful sin separates us from God.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
When we willingly sin over and over again with out repentance we are lost.


B. 1 John 1: 5 – 7 Are you walking in the light of Jesus Christ?
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Are You a Wise and Faithful servant to God Today? If your not in Christ your not. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 Paul writes; 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
How do we get into Christ? We are Baptized into Christ.
Galatians 3: 27 Paul writes; 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Have you put on Christ in baptism? Why not?
If your not living faithful to God your not a wise and faithful servant of God.
Revelation 22: 10 “ be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” You can learn to do good, learn to give an answer, learn to give as God has blessed you, you can learn to be faithful. But Will you try? You can do nothing until you try. Do you need to come to Jesus? Will you come to Jesus now?