Matthew 101
Lesson 7 of 8
Chapter 25-28

Matthew 25 – The Last Two Parables

1. What is the kingdom of heaven compared to in this parable? What is so interesting about that? Matt 25:1-2
2. What important information is revealed on verse 5 and what does it mean to us?
3. What important lesson was Jesus trying to teach them and how does it apply to us? Matt 25:6-12
4. What is the kingdom of heaven compared to in verse 14? What does this man do?
5. How are talents distributed? How does it apply to us? Matt 25:15
6. What difference do you notice among the servants?
7. How can we increase our talents?
8. What principle can we learn from Matt 25:29
9. What is the bottom line of our faith? At the judgment, what will Jesus say to the saved and the lost? Matt 25:34-46

Matthew 26 – Trials Before The Cross

10.How can we relate to Jesus at Gethsemane? What do you learn about Jesus through His prayer? Matt 26:36-39
11.What is the contrast between Peter’s behavior in Matthew 25:51 and Matthew 25:74-75

Matthew 27 – The Cross

12.Why do you think Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matt 27:46
13.What time did Jesus die? 27:45
14.What other major event happened at the time of Jesus’ death and what is its significance? Matt 27: 51-54

Matthew 28 – The Reason for Our Hope – The Resurrection

15.To whom did Jesus appear first after his resurrection and why this is so important? Matt 28:1,9-10
16.What great mission did Jesus entrust us with? Matt 28:17-20
17.What did Jesus promise us in case we feel discouraged? Matt 28:20

My takeaway is:
I. ____________________________________________________________________
My decision is:
II. ____________________________________________________________________



Further Study

The Ten Virgins: “In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ’s second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ’s near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him,” many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit.
Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan.
The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit’s working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man’s heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class represented by the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form. “They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” Ezekiel 33:31. The apostle Paul points out that this will be the special characteristic of those who live just before Christ’s second coming. He says, “In the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves; ... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5.”[1]

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” These words would not be misunderstood, but priests and rulers interpreted them to suit their own understanding. With bitter contempt and scorn, they said, “This man calleth for Elias.” Jesus said, “I thirst.” These words, which should have awakened compassion in every heart, were held up to ridicule by the priests, in whose hearts humanity was eclipsed by satanic malignity. One of the hardened Roman soldiers, touched with pity as he looked at the parched lips, took a stalk of hyssop, and dipping it in a vessel of vinegar, lifted it to the Saviour’s lips. But from the mockers came the words, “Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.”
This scene was transacted in the sight of heaven and earth. Angels beheld the pitiless scorn and contempt shown to Jesus by those who should have acknowledged him as the Messiah. To this length they were led when unrestrained by the Lord of heaven. So it is with all religious zealots who separate from heavenly influences.”[2]

The Resurrection: “When Jesus was laid in the grave, Satan triumphed. He dared to hope that the Saviour would not take up His life again. He claimed the Lord’s body, and set his guard about the tomb, seeking to hold Christ a prisoner. He was bitterly angry when his angels fled at the approach of the heavenly messenger. When he saw Christ come forth in triumph, he knew that his kingdom would have an end, and that he must finally die.
The priests, in putting Christ to death, had made themselves the tools of Satan. Now they were entirely in his power. They were entangled in a snare from which they saw no escape but in continuing their warfare against Christ. When they heard the report of His resurrection, they feared the wrath of the people. They felt that their own lives were in danger. The only hope for them was to prove Christ an impostor by denying that He had risen. They bribed the soldiers, and secured Pilate’s silence. They spread their lying reports far and near. But there were witnesses whom they could not silence. Many had heard of the soldiers’ testimony to Christ’s resurrection. And certain of the dead who came forth with Christ appeared to many, and declared that He had risen. Reports were brought to the priests of persons who had seen these risen ones, and heard their testimony. The priests and rulers were in continual dread, lest in walking the streets, or within the privacy of their own homes, they should come face to face with Christ. They felt that there was no safety for them. Bolts and bars were but poor protection against the Son of God. By day and by night that awful scene in the judgment hall, when they had cried, “His blood be on us, and on our children,” was before them. .[3]"

Further study on Matthew[4]




Cross Connection: Watch great discussions on the Gospel of Matthew at
http://crossconnection.hopetv.org/watch?season=1





[1] Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, 408-411.
[2] Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, December 28th, 1897.
[3] Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, 782-785.
[4] N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone: Chapter 16-28, vol. Two (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press).