DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS
1. The Nobleman Journeying into a Far Country, vv. 11–14
What is the object of today’s lesson? What other parable is like this? In what points are they alike? In what points do they differ? What was Christ’s purpose in speaking this parable? Are men today ever so taken up with thinking about the coming of the kingdom that they forget the necessity of preparing for it? Why did they suppose the kingdom was immediately to appear? What is meant by the kingdom appearing? Were they right in thinking the kingdom was to appear? In what were they wrong? Who is represented by the certain nobleman of the parable? What is represented by the departure into a far country? (Mark 16:19, 20; Acts 1:9–11.) What was the purpose of Christ’s departure into heaven? Has He yet received the kingdom? (Matt. 28:18, R. V.; Eph. 1:19–23; 1 Peter 3:22.) What yet remains to be done? Why then does He not return? (Rev. 19:7; Ro. 11:25; Acts 3:21.)
Was there any allusion to current historic events in this parable of the pounds? What did the nobleman do before his departure? What is represented by these pounds? (Eph. 4:7, 8, 11, 12; 1 Peter 4:10, 11; Ro. 12:6–8; 1 Cor. 12:7–11.) Who are represented by the servants? Do they all represent regenerated men? Why is each servant represented as receiving the same amount to trade with? What is the modern money value of the pound of this parable? Why is the amount given represented as so little? What were the servants to do with the amount received? What is meant by that? How long were they to trade with it? What then is the proper business of the believer while our Lord delays His coming? And when He comes—what then? Who are represented by His citizens? (14; compare John 1:11; Acts 3:13–15.) What was the attitude of the Jews toward Jesus? Are they the only ones who have hated Him? (Acts 4:27, 28; John 15:18.) Why is it the world hates Jesus? (Ro. 8:7; John 15:23, 24; 7:7.) How, according to this parable, did His citizens show their hatred of Him? How do men show their hatred of Christ today?
2. The Nobleman’s Return and Reckoning with His Servants, vv. 15–28
What did the king do upon his return (v. 15)? What is represented by this summoning of His servants? (Ro. 14:10, 12; 2 Cor. 5:10.) What was the account the first gave of his stewardship? Did He say, “I have made ten pounds” (v. 16)? Will a true disciple ever talk of what he has done? What will he talk of? What was his king’s reply? Why did he get this commendation? How is it that one pound gains ten? What was the reward he got? Why ten cities? What is our dominion in the coming age proportioned to? What was the account the second gave (v. 18)? What did the Lord say to him (v. 19)? Did He say, “Well done,” etc.? Why not? What servant is represented by this? (Compare Matt. 25:22, 23.) How much did he get? Why five cities? Was it by a merely arbitrary decree of the Lord that the number of cities was proportionate to the amount gained? (In the next world we have just so much dominion as our faithfulness of service in this makes us capable of exercising. 1 Cor. 3:8; 12:5, 8; 2 Cor. 9:6; 2 John 8.) What was the report the third brought of his stewardship? Who is represented by this (v. 20)? What was his excuse for his neglect and laziness? What is represented by this as laying at the bottom of neglect of service toward Christ?
If then we want men to serve Christ faithfully, what must we strive to do? Upon whom did this slothful servant try to cast the blame of his neglect? Where do the sinner’s excuses always put the blame of this neglect? Did his excuse in any wise diminish his guilt? Does the sinner’s excuse ever in any wise diminish his guilt? What was the charge he lay at Christ’s door? Do men today ever lay such charges at His door? What was the Lord’s reply (vv. 22, 23)? Who is it a sinner’s excuses really condemn? How did this sinner’s excuse condemn himself? What did the Lord call this servant? In what did his wickedness consist? What is represented by the bank in this parable? What was the Lord’s decision in regard to the wicked servant (v. 24)? What is taught by this? How does this decision differ from that in Matthew 25:30? What is represented by the protest of those who stood by (v. 25)? How does the Lord justify His decision? What is the meaning of this? What became of the other servants? Why are these three given? What judgment was visited upon his enemies? Does this refer to the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus? What is the lesson taught? (2 Thess. 1:7–9.)
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS
1. Jesus
(1). His nature:
Human, 12; divine, 12, 15, 24–27.
(2). His character:
Cannot be deceived, 22; kindness toward faithful, 17, 24; severity toward unfaithful, 22, 27; strict justice toward all, 17, 18, 24.
(3). His treatment:
Hated by men, 14; honored by God, 15.
(4). His office:
A King, 12; His kingdom now hidden, 11–14; to be revealed, 15–29; His death, resurrection and ascension steps to the throne, 12; is now an absent King, 12; will be a coming King, 15; God’s chosen King, 12–27.
(5). His return:
Event certain, 12; time mistaken, 11; in power, 15–27.
The purpose:
To reckon with His servants, 15; reward His faithful servants, 16–19; judge His unfaithful servants, 24; confound and destroy His enemies, 27.
2. Service
(1). Its relation to Christ:
Power for service must be received from Christ, 13; account of service must be rendered to Christ, 15; faithful service will be rewarded by Christ, 17, 18; should engage the disciple until Christ comes, 13.
(2). Its reward:
At Christ’s coming, 15; according to faithfulness, 17, 18; abundant, 17; commendation, 17; power, 17, 18.
(3). Its character:
Humble, 16; faithful, 17.
(4). Its neglect:
Occasioned by wrong thoughts of Christ, 21; guilt is great, 22; punishment by eternal loss, 24; excuse, none, 22, 23.
3. Man
His proneness to error, 11; hatred of Christ, 14; distaste for service, 20–25; desire to justify himself, 21; inability to justify himself, 22; willingness to condemn Christ, 21; confusion in the presence of Christ, 22.
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R.A. Torrey (1856 - 1928)
An American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Called by D. L. Moody to head Bible institute in Chicago (now Moody Bible Institute). Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Worldwide evangelistic meetings with Charlie Alexander. Founded Montrose Bible Conference, PA. Wrote more than forty books.Torrey held his last evangelistic meeting in Florida in 1927, additional meetings being canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached throughout the world and written more than 40 books. Torrey-Gray Auditorium, the main auditorium at Moody, was named for Torrey and his successor, James M. Gray. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university's annual Bible conference.
Reuben Archer Torrey was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charlie Alexander. Called by D.L. Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute); Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles; pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles.
Besides his obvious gifts in all these areas, he was also a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, and an outstanding personal soul-winner. It is said that he daily read the Bible in four languages, having a good working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Some students of church history feel he did more to promote personal evangelism than any other one man since the days of the apostles. His prayer life has seldom been equaled in the annals of Christendom.
Reuben A. Torrey wrote some forty books and his practical writings on the Holy Spirit, prayer, salvation, soul-winning, and evangelism are still favorites of many Christians.