Playlist: Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants (topic)
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 3): Hidden Treasure
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA minister's duty is to make the truths of God clear, fresh, and living so that the church may grow. The faithful and wise servant is the one whom the master makes ruler over His household to give them food in due season, and he is blessed when the master finds him so doing (Matthew 24:45-46). This servant corresponds to the …
A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Sermon by David F. MaasThe parable appears in the conclusion of the Olivet prophecy in which Jesus commands vigilance and watchfulness in His servants. The householder would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into if he had known in what part of the night the thief was coming. Readiness is therefore required …
Focus
Sermon by John O. ReidIn Matthew 24:42-51 Jesus Christ states that the Lord will come in an hour when one thinks not. The design of the parable is to show that His disciples should act or be living as if they expected His return at any moment. Who then is that faithful servant doing what he is supposed to do? Applied to the ministry it should be a …
We Still Need a Sense of Urgency
Sermon by Kim MyersThe material does not address the Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants. It instead stresses continuous vigilance and urgency in prayer, Bible study, overcoming, and loving the brethren, warning that Christ returns suddenly like a thief when least expected. This urgency must not be lost through laxity or the assumption of …
The Peter Principle
Sermon by Mike FordThe parable of the faithful and evil servants in Luke 12 develops the Spiritual Peter Principle by portraying believers as stewards entrusted with gifts from God that must be managed faithfully in service to others. Christ instructs His followers to remain watchful and prepared, with loins girded and lamps burning, like servants …
Death, or Not A Hair of Your Head?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants (Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:41-48) is the fourth of seven pictures Jesus uses to stress the suddenness of His return and the need to be ready. Its narrower sense is preparedness for the second coming, with all members of the household of faith found serving God and one another. Its …
Stewardship
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLuke 12:35-48 places the faithful steward in an end-time context: Christ's return is the reason to watch, so the parable applies now. Asked whether it was for the disciples only or for everyone, Jesus answers not who should be ready but how. The faithful and wise steward gives the household its food in due season, a picture of …
Trumpets, Christ's Coming, and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants, found in Matthew 24:45-51, serves as foundational instruction for those living in the period just before the Feast of Trumpets' fulfillment—the return of Jesus Christ. This parable begins only eight verses after Jesus' statement about "the days of Noah," linking its …
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants, found in Matthew 24:45-51, serves as Christ's explanation of what genuine readiness for His return actually means, following the earlier pictures of the flood and the two men in the field. Being ready means loving, trusting, and waiting for the Father to send Jesus Christ at the …
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants opens a series of three parables that Jesus gave immediately after His command to "be ready" in Matthew 24:44, all connected to the end-time setting of the Olivet prophecy. This parable establishes the foundational theme for the entire sequence: an exhortation to be faithful and …
Lessons From Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)The Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants in Matthew 24:45-51 serves as a key early example in a broader pattern found throughout Scripture: God's judgment resulting in the division of His people into two distinct groups. In this parable, a master evaluates two servants—one faithful and wise, who is blessed and made …
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants, found in Matthew 24:45-51, serves as the scriptural foundation for understanding the urgent responsibility placed upon those in God's church as end-time events draw near. Jesus poses the question of who is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has made ruler over his …
Don't Be a Prudent Agnostic
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe parable of the faithful and evil servants, found in Matthew 24:45-51, emerges as a pivotal illustration of Christ's own understanding of human nature and the dangers of spiritual complacency as the end approaches. Jesus poses the question of who is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has made ruler over his …
Free Will or God's Sovereignty?
Sermon by David C. GrabbeIf God is sovereign and promises salvation to believers, why does it matter how believers live? How significant are our choices in the grand scheme of life?
Foundations
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidThe pillars of the Parthenon were fitted together in sections. It is impossible for these pillars to stand without a solid foundation.
Will You Be Accounted Worthy for the Kingdom?
Sermon by John O. ReidLike businessmen reviewing plans, making forecasts, and anticipating accountability, God expects us to define and follow through on spiritual objectives.
A Place of Safety? (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughObsessing about the Place of Safety is a sure way to disqualify oneself from it. God calls some faithful, zealous ones for martyrdom during the Tribulation.
What Does God Really Want? (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhat God really wants is for us to see things from His point of view, making the right choices, striving to build character, developing into His image.
The Mark of the Beast
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWill we trust God in the basic areas of life—food, clothing, and water—or compromise, accepting the mark of the beast to save our physical lives?
Trumpets Is a Day of Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are on the threshold of the greatest period of testing ever to come upon mankind. We need a sense of hope and faith to stay focused on our calling.
Unity (Part 1): God and HWA
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.
Preparing Your Heart
Sermon by John O. ReidBecause the heart represents what and who we are and how we conduct our lives, the condition of our spiritual heart is of the utmost importance to us.
Conviction and Moses
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur conviction reveals itself in living by faith. Moses is a stunning example of how a convicted Christian should live — with loyalty and faithfulness to God.
Sin (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough relatively neutral at its inception, human nature is subject to a deadly magnetic pull toward self-centeredness, deceit, and sin.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)All of the sufferings in the present had their origin in the Garden of Eden when our parents sinned, seemingly in secret. The effects of sins radiate outward.
Who Deserves Our Loyalties?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)When we are called, we are asked to count the cost and plan accordingly. We must totally give ourselves over to becoming fashioned into His image.
Loyalty and Submission (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLoyalty and submission to God (not always easy) empowers and guarantees ultimate success and leadership, actually freeing us from the fear of death.
Government (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOnly those who are governable will be allowed to govern with God. No government will work without each individual submitting in his area of responsibility.
Removing Bars of Contention Between Brethren
Sermon by David F. MaasIn a dangerous and troubled world in which everyone is being manipulated and conned into squaring off in hatred for one another, we must find common ground.
Elements of Judgment (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We need to learn to judge in a godly manner, putting merciful restraints on our tendency to condemn or jump to conclusions. One size does not fit all.
Elements of Judgment (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The last days of the Worldwide Church of God demonstrated a dearth of righteous judgment. God expects us to judge wisely within the parameters of His Law.
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe easiest part of God's work is preaching the gospel to the world. Much more demanding is the feeding of the flock, producing life-changing faith.