WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT

Proclamation:

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master's happiness!'" Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle Matthew recorded these words of Jesus, The Christ, as He was describing to His disciples what heaven would be like.  After giving an example likening the kingdom of heaven to the ten virgins, Jesus gave a second example likening the kingdom of heaven to the three servants, who were given a different number of talents by their master based upon their different abilities.  Afterwards, the three servants had to give and account of their stewardship.  This verse is the judgment received by the second servant, which is a repeat of the judgment of the first servant. (Matthew 25:21)  Being faithful and doing a good job with what we are given will please The Lord, and He will reward those who are faithful over the little that they were given.  

Application:
Today, we must be aware of the fact that there will come a day when each of us must give an account to The Lord for all that we thought, said, and did; and for all that we did with that which had been entrusted to us. (Matthew 12:36, Luke 16:2, and Romans 14:12)  As believers, we are saved and our sins have been forgiven.  We will be judged on our kingdom building efforts.  (Revelation 11:18 and Revelation 20:12-13)  We will be judged on our works, on what we did to give glory to The Lord.  Anything that we did which did not give Him glory will be consumed by the fire which we must pass through. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)  For our good works, we shall receive a reward.  Some of us will receive one or more crowns. (2 Timothy 4:8 and 1 Peter 5:4) first and foremost we want to hear The Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant ... enter into the joy of The Lord."