"Parable of the Talents"

July 16, 2023

FBC Baxley

am service

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Joyce Tillman services, SPARK, August Revival, Denise Tanner,

Welcome radio and online guests…

*It’s ok if you’re broken, unfaithful, lost, we are too and we are here seeking God’s will and way and plan.

We are all prodigals here…

Some rescued….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: Parable of the Talents

Scripture Passage: Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.

17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.

18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’

21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’

23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,

25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’

26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?

27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.

29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

PRAY

Three Points:

1. The Talents

2. The Stewards

3. The Unfaithful Servant

Introduction:

Last week we preached on “To Whom Do I belong?”

Unless we know who we belong to, our lives won’t honor Jesus or be fulfilling as He designed.

Today’s message is kind of the next step in our spiritual growth.

What we do with what He has given us as we live for who we belong to!!

Jesus said that the point of this parable was twofold.

First, while Jesus is away, the believer is to do something: work—work faithfully and diligently.

Second, while Jesus is away, the believer is to know something: his work will be greatly rewarded or severely judged.

Again, Christ was dealing with His return. He went “into a far country” (v.14), and “after a long time, the Lord” returned (v.19).

Christ was teaching a much needed lesson: we must be faithful and diligent, for if we are not, when He returns there will be severe judgment.

This passage offers us in-valuable insights into the principles of faithful stewardship and how we can maximize the resources entrusted to us by our Heavenly Father.

I. The Entrusted Talents: Recognizing Divine Gifts (Matthew 25:14-15)

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

A. The Magnitude of the Master's Trust:

The Master's Departure:

Before going on a journey, the master entrusted his possessions to his servants.

The Weight of Responsibility:

Talents—Gifts: the talent spoken of is a weight not a coin.

The value of a talent varied as to whether it was gold, silver, or copper.

Jesus is probably using money to describe what He is talking about because money is one of the most understood commodities anywhere on earth.

Jesus was teaching that His followers are to be faithful and diligent in whatever He gives them, whether a gift, ability, responsibility, or blessing.

The talents, representing significant wealth, were distributed according to the servants' abilities.

B. The Unique Capacities of Each Servant:

Diverse Talents:

(not all the same…gifts, abilities, responsibilities…etc.)

The master recognized the individual potential of each servant and distributed the talents accordingly.

Tailored Assignments: Each servant received a specific number of talents, reflecting their abilities and faithfulness.

C. The Implications for Our Lives:

God's Divine Trust:

Our Heavenly Father has entrusted us with various gifts, resources, and opportunities.

Personalized Assignments:

The distribution of talents highlights God's knowledge of our unique abilities and His intentional assignment of responsibilities.

Transition:

As we grasp the significance of the entrusted talents, let’s consider the crucial choices made by the servants.

II. The Faithful Stewards: Responsibility and Diligence (Matthew 25:16-23)

16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

A. The First and Second Servants: Faithfulness Rewarded

Wise Investment:

Both servants immediately put their talents to work, using them to generate a profit.

Diligent Responsibility:

The faithful stewards maximized their resources, resulting in increased talents.

The Master's Praise:

"Well done, good and faithful servant!" Their faithfulness led to an abundant reward and increased responsibility.

B. The Third Servant: Fear and Inaction

The Buried Talent:

Out of fear, the servant buried the talent, failing to utilize it for productive purposes.

The Consequences of Neglect:

The master's response revealed disappointment, and the talent was taken away.

The Lesson Learned:

Faithful stewardship requires courage and action, not fear-driven inaction.

-Transition:

Since we have looked at the differing responses of the servants, let’s turn our attention to the humbling consequences of unfaithful stewardship.

III. The Unfaithful Servant: Consequences of Mismanagement (Matthew 25:24-30)

“24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

A. The Servant's Excuses and the Master's Response:

Blaming the Master:

The servant accused the master of being harsh and reaping where he had not sown.

Accountability and Judgment:

The master condemned the servant's wickedness and condemned him as an unprofitable servant.

B. The Loss of Blessings and Opportunities:

Severe Consequences:

The servant's talent was taken away and given to the faithful servant, highlighting the principle that those who are faithful will be given more.

Outer Darkness and Regret:

The servant was cast into outer darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth, symbolizing eternal regret… death…hell!

C. The Lesson for Us (Our needed response):

Maximize Our Talents: We must actively use our resources for God's kingdom and the betterment of others.

Faithfulness Breeds Increase: God rewards faithfulness with greater blessings, responsibilities, and opportunities.

Urgency and Accountability:

The parable reminds us of the importance of being vigilant stewards, for one day, we will give an account to God.

Conclusion:

The parable of the talents teaches us valuable lessons about faithful stewardship.

We are called to recognize the unique gifts and resources God has entrusted to us, to be diligent and faithful in their use, and to be aware of the consequences of unfaithfulness.

So… Let’s commit ourselves to becoming faithful stewards, Let’s maximize the kingdom resources entrusted to us, and hearing those glorious words from our Heavenly Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

May God's grace empower us to fulfill our stewardship responsibilities to the utmost, bringing glory to His name and furthering His Kingdom. Amen.

PRAY

Invitation

“Are you born again?”

Is your name written in the Lambs Book of Life?

“Have you surrendered/repented to Jesus?