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December 14, 2025Who Is This God of Judgment? – pt 1
Topical Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville
Who Is This God of Judgment? Pt. 1
Parable of the Virgins & Talents
Matthew 25:1-30
Introduction: About 40% of those who call themselves believers today reject the idea of hell. About 80% of the under 30 generation rejects the biblical teaching of eternal punishment. Certainly, much of this disbelief when comes from a lack of knowledge of the whole Bible, and the rest from the simple reason, “I can’t believe a loving God would send anyone to hell.”
Matthew 24-25 is the fifth major discourse by Jesus recorded in Matthew. The entire discourse is about Judgment. It begins with judgment on the nation of Israel for the rebellion against the Lord and then transitions from judgment on Israel to judgment on the world.
We must remember that Jesus is speaking as King of his Kingdom. The transition begins with 25:1, Then the kingdom of heaven will be like…” From there Jesus blends together three parables: virgins, talents, and sheep and goats. The first two build on the householder parable in chapter 24. Each have an absent lord and each deal primarily with watchfulness and preparedness. The last, the sheep and goats, more graphically pictures final judgment. Each portray varying standards of judgment. The Householder parable considers the way the ruling servants care for the house. The Virgins picture preparedness. The Talents picture usefulness. The Sheep and Goats portray the way the Lord’s servants love and care for one another.
Parable of the Virgins
We begin with the understanding that as Jesus tells this parable he is echoing a story that fit the Jewish culture. Bridegrooms often gave a general time frame of when they would arrive to take the bride and her maidens on a procession through the streets finally arriving at the couple’s new home. The bridegroom might even make a game out of surprising his bride, not coming at an hour she would expect. A crier would go before him and announce his impending arrival giving the wedding party only a short time to trim their lamps and lead the wedding party through the streets. This reflects the manner in which we can expect Jesus’ return.
Weddings and honeymoons were also different in Jewish culture. Instead of going away for the honeymoon, they stayed at home feasting and celebrating for a week with their chosen friends. It was a great honor to be admitted to the celebration. We see all these principles in the story Jesus tells.
But the critical part of the parable is not just that half the virgins were different from the other half, but how much all ten virgins were alike.
All ten want to be a part of the wedding procession and join in the festivities of the wedding week.
All ten are depicted as virgins. There is no hint of immorality here.
They all had lamps. Even those called foolish had lamps with the intention of using the lamps in the procession.
Therefore, it is important that the parable is not about those who are of the world. This is not a parable of five Christians and five unbelievers. These are all believers and are all people who want to be with the bridegroom and the wedding feast. Therefore, the parable is about us; it is about Christians. After all, Jesus is speaking to his disciples. How many times do we see such a thing? Jesus repeatedly contrasts disciples. Some make it and some do not. The criteria always has to do with whether the Lord is their number one passion.
What may be puzzling is the question of why the five foolish didn’t bring oil with their lamps? Though we cannot name specific reasons, we do have an answer. Whatever it was that caused them not to bring extra oil had to do with a lack of giving the bridegroom and the procession a priority in their life. In other words, what were they doing instead of buying more oil?
Here is a critical lesson, we can sometimes pay so much attention to avoiding transgression that we are not paying attention to preparation. There doesn’t need to be overt sin in our lives to lose our souls. We cannot pat ourselves on the back because of our moral lifestyle while at the same time ignore that God has a eternal, heavenly purpose for us and he expects us to prepare for it and accomplish that purpose.
In other words, we may be Christians, but that is not the end of the story. We can be foolish Christians. What other meaning can you get from the story?
In fact, that is the very meaning of verse 13, Watch therefore. What does Jesus mean by “watch?” Looking out the window to be the first to see the bridegroom coming would not have helped the foolish virgins. They still wouldn’t have been prepared.
Here is the deal: They didn’t believe they had to prepare that much! In fact, they seem to have the idea that the bridegroom would still be merciful once the door was shut. There is a point in which it is too late! No wonder Jesus said, Strive to enter. No wonder Paul and Peter both urged the utmost diligence and carefulness lest we have come short. This is serious! And according the Jesus, many Christians do not take it seriously enough!
Parable of the Talents
Notice how quickly Jesus switches gears to the next parable: “For it will be like…” The reason is because he wants to add another principle to his lessons of watchfulness & preparation already given in two previous parables.
A man goes on a journey and before he leaves he entrusts his property to them. This property is given to them in the form of talents, that is a large sum of money. We have already noted from Matthew 18 that a talent is twenty years wages for a laboring man (6000 denarii, or half a lifetime of wages, according to R. T. France). Therefore, what has been entrusted is no small sum.
Notice also that the talents are committed to the servants according to their abilities. Therefore, the “talent” is not an ability; it is given according to one’s ability. To some with great ability, more is given. To others with lesser abilities, less is given.
It is actually a merciful and compassionate way that the master dealt with his servants. He does not expect the servant with lesser ability to handle five talents.
Further, he has made each servant equal. He has blessed each servant with his property. He has given each an opportunity to excel. In fact, the two talent man receives the same commendation and reward as did the five talent man.
But hear this well, each are given property of the master and therefore the master expects each servant to productively use what has been given to them.
There is something noteworthy about the five and two talent servants. It is given in verse 16: He went at once and traded with them…so also he who had two talents. Here is where we learn something about obedience and disobedience. Delaying to keep the Lord’s command is disobedience. Obedience is when we go at once, and that is just as true in our secular world and with our children.
There is one other detail we need to notice: “after a long time the master came and settled accounts with them.” Jesus is warning us that his return does not come shortly. It is after a “long time.” It is that long period of time that lulls us to sleep and causes us to not be prepared.
The Master Returns
Now comes the “accounting.” The master came to settle accounts with his servants.
Okay, we can’t miss this point: are you ready to settle accounts with the Lord?
You might ask, “What will that look like?” It is actually quite simple. Our Lord has committed his goods to us. He has given us his property. What does that property look like? It is everything you have, including your own life. None of it is yours; it is his, but committed to you. It is your time, your opportunities to share the Lord, your children, your house, your car, your money, your abilities. Those things aren’t yours, they are the Lord’s. Your house isn’t yours; it is the Lord’s. Are you using it for you or for him?
And by the way, did you notice verse 21, “…You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much”? Here is the reason for preparation! It is far more than “forgiveness” and “going to heaven.” There is no going to heaven without preparation.
The one talent man.
Please remember, one talent is not a small sum of money. He has been entrusted with a significant amount from the Lord. But even if we took it as “little” in comparison, there was an expectation that he would multiply it.
It is certainly interesting to see the way this man talks to the master. He has obviously seen what his fellow servants have done and realizes that he does not have anything additional to give to the master. So instead of simply being honest about his neglect, he berates the character of the master!
“I knew you to be a hard man…” What are you talking about! The master did not expect to receive where he had not sown! He gave you a talent. He sowed into your hands and you did nothing with it. This man is making excuses to get the blame off himself.
The master gives two replies to the man’s excuses:
“If that is what you thought of me, then you certainly should have done something more than just bury it!” In fact, at the very least you could have given it to the bankers so that there could have been an increase in what I gave you.
“You wicked and slothful servant.” The combination of the two words is instructive. Again, we do not see immorality here. This man is not some sinner of the world. This man is a servant of the master and has been entrusted with his goods. It is his slothfulness that makes him wicked. It is his lack of productivity for the Lord that makes him unacceptable.
But how is he slothful? You say, he buried the master’s talent; he didn’t do anything with it. Well, true, but that does not mean he did nothing. He went about living his life. He was still doing what he wanted to do. He was still working for himself and caring about himself and doing whatever it was that he wanted to do. His slothfulness was not in regard to his own things; it was in regard to what the Lord committed to him.
Therefore, we must be aware of something that happens all the time. God-given abilities, houses, possessions, and time are too often used nearly exclusively for what we want to do with them even to the point of multiplying what God has given us in amazing ways. But the talent is still buried; none of it has been multiplied for the Lord. Now, be honest, are you ready for the accounting?
Rewards and Punishments
“Cast the worthless servant into outer darkness.” We are again struck with the Lord’s message to his servants! There is more to being a Christian than just “being” a Christian. Look at what he has given you and decide if it is being used for what the Lord intended.
However, the reward is amazing:
As in other parables, Jesus again points out that how we prepare ourselves here will determine our heavenly citizenship. Our time here is not just a “see if we can be good” period of time. What the Lord has asked us to do in regard to his goods is the Lord’s way of preparing us for heavenly responsibilities as his bride.
Then there are those wonderful words, “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” That is what the Lord’s plan has always been. That is why he created a beautiful Garden in which he shared a relationship with Adam and Eve. The Lord wants us to experience his joy. There is no joy anywhere else. Only the Lord provides joy and only with the Lord can we find joy. Every other place is outer darkness!
Final Lesson: We need to balance our appreciation for the mercy of the Lord with our obligation to responsibility to the Lord.
Berry Kercheville
The post Who Is This God of Judgment? – pt 1 appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ.
33 min
December 11, 2025 2 Kings 18, 19 & 20:11
Bible Classes / Speaker:Berry Kercheville
The post 2 Kings 18, 19 & 20:11 appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ.
45 min
December 08, 2025Our Awareness of the Devil
Topical Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville
Increasing Our Awareness of the Devil
Introduction: There is an interesting phenomenon that goes on in our world, and often among us. It is the question of why there are evil people, or even more amazing, how can the most evil of people command so much power to the point of ruling nations. Sometimes we act as if this phenomenon is new to our present culture. But we have always read about it both in the Bible and in secular history. Possibly more befuddling are those who side with evil people, rationalize their actions, and make excuses for them: “they grew up in poverty, they had a wicked father, or were never taught morals.” While any and all of those may be contributing factors, Ezekiel 18 actually describes all those same circumstances, but God still reminds Israel that, “the soul who sins will die.” No excuses. Everyone will stand before the judgment seat of God and answer for what they have done, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Well, what is the answer to evil? Most Christians would easily say that it is because of the devil. Yes, that would be correct. But are we aware of the extent of his influence and his power by which evil reigns in the world? What about the extent of his influence even in our own lives. We enjoy living with the knowledge of God’s presence with us. But are we also aware of Satan’s presence? Let’s consider.
Satan as Jesus Saw Him
One of the studies I had never done was to simply examine what Jesus said about Satan. We read over these statements easily and see the overall message, but do not stop and think about the implications of Satan’s character, purposes, and methodology. Amazingly, Jesus refers to Satan over 30 times in the four Gospels. That alone should wake us up to his message.
First, we should note that Satan was not always Satan. He was a created being like all the heavenly hosts. Colossians 1:16, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
The names by which Jesus referred to the devil tell us about him: Satan, the Devil, Beelzebub.
Satan:
The word means, adversary. This is the OT name for the devil (other than being called the “serpent” in the Garden). This name is used of him 47 times throughout the Bible.
He was blessed with great intelligence and tremendous power. With that intelligence and power, he became self-absorbed. Those who follow Satan are referred to as his offspring. Therefore, we see his character by what he produces in humans who follow him. Thus, he became God’s adversary.
The Devil (diabolos): slanderer, accuser
Zechariah 3:1, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.”
Revelation 12:10, “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”
The above verses reveal to us the Devil’s desire to defeat God’s purpose for us. It is the reason the devil desired for us to sin. Sin ruins God’s plan & Satan did not believe God could remedy man’s sin. God cannot be true to himself and his justice by accepting us once we have sinned.
There are three times in scripture that we hear the voice of Satan, and he slanders in all three occasions. In Genesis, he slanders God to man. In Job, he slanders man to God. And in Matthew, he slanders the God-Man to his face.
Beelzebub: from Baal-zebub: “Baal”– the master, “zebub”– of the flies; dung-god. Thus, the god of rottenness.
From here we will divide Jesus’ teachings about him in three sections: (1) Satan’s interjection into God’s purposes, (2) Satan’s direct involvement into our lives, and (3) the need to be aware of a dangerous devil.
Satan’s Direct Involvement in Our Lives
John 8:43-45 “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.”
Jesus’ words reveal that Satan is in the business of affecting our “will,” that is, our desires. The greatest reason anyone does not give full loyalty to God is very simple: I don’t want to! We grieve and shake our heads when we see those in or out of the church who simply will not give up this world. We think to ourselves, “Maybe they just don’t know enough. Maybe if I explained it better. Maybe if…, maybe if.”
No, that is not the answer. Jesus gave the answer as he watched the multitudes walk away after his parables on the kingdom.
“To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom…because seeing they do not see and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:11, 13). Is there something wrong with their sight or their ears? No, they don’t want to see or hear or understand, and that has happened because they allowed Satan to dazzle them with the offer to Eve: “you can be your own god.”
Therefore, when you feel that inner desire to follow your own god, follow your own ways and desires, remember, that is what Satan is doing to you. He is actively working on your mind. Those thoughts make no sense! And the only reason they seem to make sense is because Satan is getting you to ignore reality. Will Satan be your god, or will the Lord?
You will notice another revelation Jesus made in this text. It is the definitive description of Satan’s character. We are given the reason why Jesus called him “the evil one.” His evil is beyond the ability of most people to fully grasp. He is a murderer and a liar. His method is to lie and deceive in order to destroy and murder human beings, and those who follow him are willing to aid him in the cause. Therefore Jesus said, “Because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me.”
Can you imagine this scene? Jesus just called people offspring of the devil. These are the same people who in verse 31 were called “believers.”
Therefore, when you have those thoughts and think that maybe there is something wrong with you because surely none of these other Christians or people I know feel this way, consider the following texts:
Luke 22:3 “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.”
John 13:27 “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Matthew 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
We must get Paul’s warning clearly in our minds. We often think, “Oh this wouldn’t happen in one of our churches!” You think not? Paul warned about it in Romans. It was happening at Corinth, it happened in Ephesus (Acts 20:29-32), it happened to the churches to whom James wrote, to the churches Peter wrote in 2 Peter, to the churches John wrote in his three epistles, to the churches Jude wrote, and to many of the churches to whom Jesus wrote in Revelation.
Heightening Awareness of the Dangerous Devil
Satan is the “Prince (ruler) of this World”
John 12:31-32 “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
John 14:30 “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me so that the world may know that I love the Father.”
John 16:8, 11 “And when he [Holy Spirit] comes he will convict the world…concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Ephesians 2:1-2 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.”
Compare these verses to what the devil said to Jesus, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours” (Luke 4:6-7). The evidence is that Satan was given the realm of this world to rule along with many other divine spiritual rulers (Psalm 82). But when the creation of man actually took place and God promised his new creation that they would “have dominion over God’s creation” (Gen. 1:28; Psalm 8; Hebrews 2:5), that is when Satan rebelled. Jesus said he was a murderer and liar from the beginning.
Why is this important? We are too lazy in our awareness of Satan’s work in our personal lives, in our families, and in effects our culture has on us. Satan’s fiery darts, we might say missiles and bombs, are constantly being shot at us. We become so accustomed to these attacks that that we mentally relax and allow ourselves to forget that the devil is a roaring lion going about the earth seeking whom he may devour. We forget that we are his priority, as a church and as individuals. We are in a war and we must be vigilant and sober-minded.
Here is a final illustration of how Satan uses simple things to cause our fall:
Remember when Peter, James, and John were taken by Jesus to watch for him while he prayed, and instead they fell asleep three times? Jesus said this: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” What was the result? Peter did something he swore he would never do, deny the Lord. And all the apostles scattered.
1 Corinthians 7:5 “Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” Paul refers to a common selfishness that takes place in marriages. The result is clear: you open a door for Satan to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Conclusion: We could multiply many more passages than the ones used in this lesson. When all is said, God is asking us what are we going to do with our thoughts and our ways?
Isaiah 55:6-9 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts…For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
But the point should be clear—we are all vulnerable. If you knew there were lions roaming lose in your neighborhood, how vigilant would you be? How much more when Satan tries to live in your house? Eternity depends on it!
Berry Kercheville
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46 min
December 07, 2025 The Problem of Being Right
Topical Sermons / Speaker:Ken Craig
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38 min
December 04, 2025 2 Kings 17, 18:1-8
Bible Classes / Speaker:Berry Kercheville
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45 min
November 30, 2025 1 John 3:19-4:6
Bible Classes / Speaker:Jared Partain
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40 min
November 30, 2025 Carrying Jesus’ Death
Topical Sermons / Speaker:Scott Kercheville
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43 min
November 24, 2025 How to Understand a Prophetic Event
New Testament Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville
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48 min
November 23, 2025 Seek first the Kingdom of God
New Testament Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville
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36 min
November 23, 2025 1 John 3:11 – 3:18
Bible Classes / Speaker:Jared Partain
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42 min