Rev. David Holwick Z
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
July 10, 1988
Matthew 24:45-51
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I. Unexpectedness of Second Coming.
A. Day unknown.
B. Time unexpected.
C. How should we be living?
II. Good Servant.
A. Given responsibility.
B. Fulfills it until his master returns.
1) No indication he knows time any more than other servant.
2) Unaware, but prepared.
C. Given further reward.
1) Reward same as responsibility he had before?
2) No, promotion is from temporary to permanent stewardship,
on same level as master.
III. Evil Servant.
A. Given same responsibility.
B. Does not fulfill it.
1) "Master will be away a long time."
2) Beats fellow-servants.
3) Carouses with drunks.
C. Unexpected return of Master.
D. Condemned.
1) Cut to pieces.
2) Assigned with hypocrites.
3) Eternal torment.
IV. Parable of Two Servants.
A. Both appear to be believers.
B. Both have responsibility given by God.
C. Both have responsibility over others.
1) Not referring just to Christian leaders
V. Duty of Christians:
A. Not results so much as faithfulness.
B. Faithfulness involves:
1) Doing what the Master expects.
2) Treating fellow-Christians (and all people) properly.
3) Living responsibly, in moderation.
C. Faithfulness will be rewarded.
VI. Failure in Duty:
A. Think there is plenty of time.
Old fable of 3 apprentice demons.
They tell Satan of their plans to trip up the world.
1. "There is no God."
- Won't work. They know there is a God.
2. "There is no Hell."
- Won't work either. They know evil must be
punished.
3. "There is no hurry."
- You go. You'll ruin them by the thousands.
B. Live for today alone -
1 Cor 15:32 - "Eat, drink and be merry, for
tomorrow we die."
C. Live as if others don't matter.
1) Family abuse.
a) Even preachers (Massachusetts)
2) Violence in general.
D. Living for pleasure:
1) Eat, drink with drunks.
2) Gluttony, sensuality of many Christians.
a) McMickey's.
VII. Can salvation be lost?
A. Both called servants.
B. Wicked servant cast into hell - explicit language.
1) Verses in New Testament that say salvation can't be lost.
a) John 17:12
2) But salvation can be faked.
a) Not all servants are genuine.
b) Many only think they are.
VIII. Distinguishing mark - evidence of lifestyle.
In July 1986 Mickey Davis announced his conversion to Jesus Christ.
Mickey lived in St. Albans, WVa, a suburb of Charleston.
He also owned the "Fantasy Bar" in St. Albans.
The "Fantasy Bar" is a strip tease joint.
He had been so corrupt he had been Larry Flynt's running mate
for President of the United States.
Larry Flynt - editor of "Hustler" magazine.
But Mickey became a Christian exactly two years ago.
He painted the word "Jesus" over "Fantasy Girls" on his
nightclub sign and turned it into a church.
He held revivals in it.
If you are ever in St. Albans, you might be tempted to drop into
his church some Sunday.
Don't.
Mickey backslid.
He now calls it The Pink Pussycat.
The sign advertises "Total nude revue and exotic entertainment."
It claims to give the most sleaze for your dollar.
Why did Mickey fall so far so fast?
His explanation is that the area churches failed to support him
with cold, hard cash.
Mr. Davis says 'God failed' him.
But he does not reject the value of religion.
He compares his salvation experience with his other experiences
with drugs, rock'n'roll music, and sex.
What about going to Heaven?
He says, "I'm going to be as nice as I can be.
That's got to be good enough." #174
Mickey Davis had become interested in Christianity through his
study of prophecy.
It's a curiosity that many of you share.
But unless his life changes again, I doubt you'll see Mickey in
heaven.
He has chosen another destination.
As the Bible says in 2 Peter 2:22,
"A dog returns to its vomit."
Not all who claim to be followers of Jesus really are.
Which kind are you?
IX. Your lifestyle makes a difference:
A. Rev 22:11 - division according to lifestyles now going on.
B. Rev 22:15 - division will be eternal,
determines accommodations.
Examples given: magic arts, sex, murder, idolatry, falsehood.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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