Untitled Sermon (17)

In the late eighteenth century, Baptist pastors in north-central England were grappling with an understanding that had paralyzed the churches in their association — the notion that some additional, Pentecost-like (Acts 2) outpouring of the Holy Spirit would be necessary before the nations could come to Christ. Until God moved in a clearly supernatural way, some argued, churches had neither the duty to act nor any hope of success.

At a gathering of Northamptonshire pastors in June of 1791, fellow pastors Andrew Fuller and John Sutcliff preached powerful messages addressing the “procrastinating spirit” of the day and the fervent evangelistic zeal that ought to attend the good news of the gospel.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Carey was asked to address in print the question for which they already knew the Scriptures’ answer: “whether or not it was possible for, as well as the duty of, the Christian to preach the gospel among the unreached nations.”His pamphlet, An Enquiry, was published later that year.

Several months after the publication of An Enquiry, the pastors of the Northamptonshire association met to discuss Carey’s answer. On May 31, 1791, Carey began the gathering by preaching on 

Isaiah 54:2–3 HCSB

“Enlarge the site of your tent, and let your tent curtains be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your ropes, and drive your pegs deep. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will dispossess nations and inhabit the desolate cities.

Isaiah foresaw that the Messiah’s victory would forever incapacitate the enemies of God. No longer could the bewitching of foreign gods prevent the nations from receiving God as king. God’s people would “spread abroad to the right and the left . . . possess the nations . . . and people the desolate cities” (Isaiah 54:2–3).

This future vision, Carey knew, was realized in the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus.

Expect and Attempt

The crescendo of his message was captured by those who heard it in six unforgettable words: “Expect great things, attempt great things.”

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/expect-great-things-attempt-great-things

Receiving the Responsibility

The word ‘talent’ as used in this parable could mean a variety of items. First, a talent was technically a measure of weight, not of money. So a talent in this context could mean ‘a weighty amount of resources.’ Or, some suggest that a talent is equavelant of 600 or 6,000 denarius - which was the value of one day’s labor. - which when multiplied out is an amount of money too big to comprehend.

For the purpose of this parable we can take the talent to refer to all that God has given us in Jesus.

The differing amounts is not about receiving more or less of God’s grace, mercy, power and presence. the differing amounts signify the size of the assignment.

Not every church is planted in a community that might sustain 3-5,000 attenders every weekend. Some churches are planted in sparsely populated areas of the country. Other churches are grown in settings between the massive urban sprawl of NYC and the remote location of Remote, OR.

For each who received talents the assignment is the same:

In vs 16-17 we read the phrase ‘put them to work’ (HCSB).

From among those serving this particular master, he chose three who showed some promise, some ability.

A Time of Accountability

Each of these individuals knew at some point in time the master would return and ask about his resources.

Many of Jesus’ parables underline in a variety of ways the fact that there is coming a time when God will judge His world. He will ask for an accounting of all of life.

“Share your Master’s joy”

As the first two servants report on their results we see something very interesting.

It would not be unusual for the owner of large estate to leave trusted servants ‘in charge’ during his absence.

The invitation the master offers the first two servants (vs 21, 23) is unusual:

Matthew 25:21 HCSB

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’

Matthew 25:23 HCSB

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!

That’s more than a simple ‘Thanks.’

This parable is found in the midst of several parables focusing on the coming of God’s kingdom in it’s fullness.

So, the master’s expression of ‘thanks’ is an invitation to fully embrace the joy of living in the fullness of God’s Kingdom.

What about the ‘one talent?’

The parable features three people. One received five ‘talents,’ one received two ‘talents,’ and one received one ‘talent.’

Upon his return the master held all three accountable. The first two heard the master say,

Matthew 25:21 HCSB

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’

The last one to report:

Matthew 25:24–25 HCSB

“Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’

For reasons not made clear, the person who had recieved the one talent understood his master differently than the others.

He saw the master as ungenerous, one who could turn any situation into an advantage, one who cannot bear to lose out.

So, this person had taken what the master had given and buried it, hid the talent in a place that nothing could happen with it or to it.

Matthew 25:26–28 HCSB

“But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest. “ ‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents.

Reflect and Respond

The primary issue in this parable is not that one receives more than another.

Rather, the question Jesus meant to leave with is hearers is not why did one receive more than another. It is, on the other hand, the question:

What am I doing with all God has given me?

The first two accepted their assignment. Diligently they used their ‘talents’ and doubled the return.

The last one dug a hole and refused to ‘put it to work.’

Can we take a moment and look at the parable from a broader perspective.

From the beginning it is the presence of God that distinguishes His people.

God revealed Himself in His law, in His provision, in His guidance through a wilderness, in miraculous interventions, and so on.

Jesus, the Son of God, the Promised One, the Messiah comes to His own people and their response:

REJECTION.

With all the resources God’s people had been given, it is as though they dug a hole, buried the treasure, and expected God to bless their inaction.

Choices

We have received a ‘talent.’ This building, the property on which it sits are the legacy of people - most of whom you will never meet this side of heaven - who poured their lives out to create a people in Winston who would boldly carry the good news of the Kingdom of God to this part of Douglas County Oregon.

It is up to us to invest the resources we’ve been assigned to further the message of the Kingdom of God, the good news that Jesus saves, that God’s love for each person within the reach of this place can find new life, a Spirit-filled life, focused on following Jesus from now through eternity.

Let me ask you today to:

Ignite or Re-ignite a Passion for Following Jesus

God has gifted us with the status of His Son - His righteousness is ours. ‘The point of the parable is not to ‘work harder,’ or try harder.’

The point of the parable is to use your body, mind, soul, heart to fully engage all you are in God’s Kingdom: which centers in the person of Jesus Christ.

Ask God to light the fire that once burned that you might know Him…

Repent as needed

Keep short accounts with God. All have sinned, and all can be forgiven through what Jesus has done for us. One discernable mark of a passionate Jesus follower is a growing sensitivity to sin and a willingness to confess

Get hungry for the Word of God

The author of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us

Hebrews 4:12 HCSB

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

Love your neighbor as yourself

Do you have neighbors who aren’t Jesus followers? Who do you suppose has shared Jesus with them? When was the last time you genuinely listened - not waiting for a pause to pounce with the gospel - but to listen in order to hear how God may already be at work in their lives?

Pray for those in your circle of life who don’t know Jesus - Pray for them by name…ask God to open doors for you to share Jesus with them…

www.blesseveryhome.com