Epistle for November 6, 2009
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation November 6, 2009
The Motive Makes The Difference
(Matthew 25:1-46)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus told the parable of the five wise virgins and the five
foolish virgins, vv. 1-13.
2. Jesus told the parable of the master who gave five talents,
two talents, and one talent to three of his servants; later the
Lord returned to demand an accounting, vv. 14-30.
3. Jesus taught that the Son of man will judge the nations like a
shepherd who divides the sheep from the goats, vv. 31-46.
4. All three of these teachings emphasize the necessity of faithful
service to the Lord, while alertly watching for His return.
II. Meditation: on verse 40
"The King will answer and say unto them, "Assuredly, I say unto you,
inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of My brethren you did it to
Me," Matthew 25:40.
III. Revelation: on spiritual maturity and the changing motivations of service
1. Our initial service for the Lord often includes an "ego" motive . . .
it makes us feel good.
2. Spiritual growth produces a better motive: we serve that Lord
out of our love for needy and hurting people, I Corinthians 13:1-3.
3. The third step toward maturity produces an even more worthy motive:
service to others in order to bring glory and honor to the Lord God,
I Corinthians 10:31.
4. The highest motive is realizing that our loving service to others is,
literally, our service to Jesus Christ, Himself, v. 40.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Carefully guard my heart so that the motivation of my service for the Lord
grows out of true humility, rather than ego.
2. "Love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all
my mind . . . and love my neighbor as myself," Matthew 22:37, 39.
3. Faithfully labor for the Lord only to honor and glorify His holy name, not
for my own honor and glory.
4. See the face of the Lord Jesus Christ in every hurting and needy person to
whom I attempt to minister.
Judas Iscariot, the Betrayer
(Matthew 26:1-75)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. The Jewish religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus, vv. 1-15.
2. A woman anointed Jesus' head in the home of Simon the leper in
Bethany, vv. 6-13.
3. Judas agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, vv. 14-16.
4. Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples and instituted the
Lord's Supper, vv. 17-30.
5. Jesus predicted Simon Peter's denial, vv. 31-35.
6. Jesus prayed in Gethsemane; He was betrayed and arrested, vv. 36-56.
7. Jesus was tried and mistreated by the Sanhedrin, vv. 57-68.
8. Peter denied Jesus and wept bitterly, vv. 69-75.
II. Meditation: on the disciple named Judas
1. His name means "Praise Jehovah" and "Man of Kerioth," a Judean
town near Hebron.
2. He was the only disciple from Judea; all others of the Twelve were
from the northern district of Galilee.
3. He was treasurer of the group, John 13:29.
4. He criticized Mary's "wasteful" gift of anointing Jesus, John 12:3-5.
5. He was a thief, John 12:6.
6. He was demon-possessed: Luke 22:3; John 6:70-71; 13:2.
7. He was present at the Last Supper, and he was identified by Jesus as
the betrayer, Matthew 26:21-25; John 13:21-30.
8. For thirty pieces of silver, Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, as had been
prophesied; see Luke 22:47-48; and Matthew 27:9.
9. He "repented himself" and returned the blood money, Matthew 27:3.
10. He committed suicide, Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18.
III. Revelation: on the flawed character of Judas
1. Judas was a "loner" . . . among the Twelve, but not of them.
2. He had the wrong priority: valuing the material above the spiritual.
3. His lack of integrity opened him up to Satanic influences.
4. He was sorry (but not with Godly repentance), and he killed himself.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be an integral part of a Christian group, drawing spiritual strength from
my association with fellow believers.
2. Seek first God's kingdom (spiritual rule), not material or physical things.
3. By personal integrity, allow Satan no opening to influence or use my life.
4. Truly repent daily of my sins, allowing Jesus to forgive, cleanse, renew,
and fill my life to radiate His presence.
"Truth is the property of no individual but it the treasure of all men."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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