MATTHEW 24:42-51
E. The Believer's Duty, lord hath made ruler over his believer)
24:42-51 (Mk.13:35- household, to give them meat a. His responsibility:
37; Lk.21:36) in due season? To oversee & feed
46 Blessed is that servant, b. His accountability: Is
whom his lord when he com- faithful
eth shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, c. His reward: Made a
That he shall make him ruler ruler
1 The believer’s duty: Watch 42 Watch therefore: for ye over all his goods.
a. The Lord does return know not what hour your 48 But and if that evil ser- 4 Parable 3: An evil servant
b. Exact time unknown Lord doth come. vant shall say in his heart, a. His attitude: Plenty of
2 Parable 1: The owner of 43 But know this, that if the My lord delayeth his coming; time
the house (a professing goodman of the house had 49 And shall begin to smite b. His behavior: Acts un-
believer) known in what watch the his fellowservants, and to eat justly & worldly
a. He had a house to thief would come, he would and drink with the drunken; c. His judgment: He is
look after have watched, and would not 50 The lord of that servant doomed
b. He lived without have suffered his house to be shall come in a day when he 1) The Lord catches
watchfulness broken up. looketh not for him, and in an him unexpectedly
c. He suffered disaster 44 Therefore be ye also hour that he is not aware of,
d. The point: Readiness ready: for in such an hour as 51 And shall cut him asun- 2) The Lord condemns
is essential, for Christ ye think not the Son of man der, and appoint him his por- him to death—with
comes unexpectedly cometh. tion with the hypocrites: the hypocrites
3 Parable 2: A faithful & 45 Who then is a faithful there shall be weeping and
wise servant (a genuine and wise servant, whom his gnashing of teeth.


FUTURE EVENTS: CHRIST’S RETURN TO EARTH


E. The Believer's Duty, 24:42-51

(24:42-51) Introduction: it is most important to remember that this was Christ’s last week on earth. This was His last chance
to teach the disciples. All that He said was of critical importance and, out of necessity, must be clear and pointed. He had led
the disciples to ask two intriguing questions: “When shall the temple [or Jerusalem] be destroyed? and what shall be the sign
of thy coming and of the end of the world?” (v.3). (See note—Mt.24:1-25:46.)
Christ had just answered the disciples’ questions. Now He came to the all important point of application. Since He would
be returning to earth and God wanted the hour to be kept secret, what was the believer to do? How was the believer to live?
What was the believer’s duty? Christ answered these questions in one forceful word: “Watch!” Then He shared three pa-
rables to explain what He meant by the strong exhortation, “Watch.”
1. The believer’s duty: watch (v.42).
2. Parable 1: the owner of the house (a professing believer) (v.43-44).
3. Parable 2: a faithful and wise servant (a genuine believer) (v.45-47).
4. Parable 3: an evil servant (v.48-51).

1
(24:42) Watch (gregoreo): to keep awake; to stay alert; to be watchful and sleepless; to be vigilent. It also includes the
idea of being motivated, of keeping one’s attention (mind) upon a thing. Watching also has the idea of being alert at the
right time. It is at night that a person really needs to stay awake to watch for the thief (cp. 1 Th.5:4-9).
The Lord said, “Watch.” What does it mean for a believer to watch? (Mt. 26:41; Mk.13:33, 34, 36; 14:38; cp.
1 Cor.16:13; 1 Th.5:6; 2 Tim.4:5; 1 Pt.4:7).
1. The believer watches and stays ready for the Lord’s return. He does not know the exact hour of the Lord’s return;
therefore, he is to watch and stay ready at all times (v.42-44). He should be so ready that his eyes are open and watching for
the signs of Christ’s return.
2. The believer watches his ministry and his duty to God. He sees to it that he serves faithfully and wisely (v.45).
3. The believer watches his attitude and behavior (v.48-49). He stays his mind upon the Lord’s return and walks so-
berly and godly among others.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imagina-
tions, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into cap-
tivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor.10:3-5).
“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit.2:12-13).

4. The believer watches by being ready to die and to meet the Lord through death (Heb.9:27). Christ does not mention
this point, but its truth is ever so clear to the maturing believer.

2
(24:43-44) Jesus Christ, Return: the first parable Christ shared concerned the owner of a house. He represents the pro-
28
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53