The Faithful Servant

Matthew 25:14–29 NKJV

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

Each of us have been given a talent and they are meant to be used for the Kingdom

Ephesians 4:7 NKJV

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Eschatological

Not the portion but the proportion

Romans 12:3 NKJV

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Characteristics of A Faithful Servant

I. Obedience

Just need to obey. (Obedience)

not mentioned but there was a command given

taking risks but not quite, willingness to be used according to the giftedness the Lord has given

CHRC - old building

II. Knowing the God we serve

did not know his master

Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

people who do not understand the grace of God

instead of being a channel of blessing to others, he became an impediment

The Master’s response:

Matthew 25:26–29 NKJV

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

III. Looking forward to the Master

excitement to please the master

Matthew 25:20 NKJV

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’

excitement about the outcome

Love His appearing

Look for His Appearing

Labor faithfully until He comes

The first words we want to hear when the Lord welcomes us is “Well done, good and faithful servant..”

they were entrusted more - rulers in the coming Kingdom (faithful over a few, I’ll make you ruler over many)

Enter into the joy of the Lord