Parable of the Talents 2025

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Service Intro:

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Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Kids Time

Oliver, Charlotte, and Elliot.

Hey kids!

Do you have a special talent? Ability?

Have a great day!

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Sermon

Well Done or Thrown Out? Don't Bury It!

I used to think I would never amount to anything in life. I had no talents that would ever matter to anyone, or make a difference. But then God called me and put me to work for Him in ways I never expected, and He can do the same for you.

Leader at work

Pastoring a church

Streaming and making an impact

Serving a wife

Looking back, maybe I questioned my value until I realized God’s hand and calling to each of us to invest out talents, just as He teaches in Matthew 25 as we will highlight today.

1. Introduction: Why This Matters

Context of a Digital Church

Many in our community are homebound or opt for a virtual gathering.

We might feel limited—but Jesus’ call to use our talents applies to everyone.

Defining “Talents”

Not just money; includes skills, time, resources, creativity, etc.

God has given each believer something to contribute.

Key Scripture: Matthew 25:14–30 (Parable of the Talents)

Do you ever feel like your limitations—health issues, lack of resources, or being stuck at home—disqualify you from making a difference?

2. Overview of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)

The Master’s Distribution

A master entrusts servants with “talents” (large sums of money in biblical times).

Each servant receives a different amount, “according to his ability.”

After a long time the Master returns.

His return - be ready, and you will be judged on

Faithful vs. Unfaithful Servants

Two servants invest and multiply what they’ve been given.

One servant buries his talent, returning it unused.

Lesson on Stewardship

The parable highlights expectation of active investment of what God entrusts.

The reward is “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The warning is, “worthless, and thrown in to outer darkness." because of inactivity.

We are to be at work until our Master returns.

3. God’s Perspective on Our Gifts

Different Gifts, Same Expectation

According to their ability

God does not require identical results from everyone—He requires faithfulness.

Romans 12:4–6 (we have different gifts, all vital in the Body of Christ).

No Limitation Surprises God

Our physical, logistical, or emotional limitations do not disqualify us from fruitful service.

1 Corinthians 12:22–25 (even the “weaker” parts are indispensable).

4. Overcoming the “I’m Not Enough” Mindset

Comparison Trap

Burying our talent often comes from comparing ourselves to others.

2 Corinthians 10:12 warns against measuring ourselves by one another.

Fear or Doubt

The third servant feared failure or punishment.

Analysis paralysis.

You may not yet even know what your talent is.

If that’s you let me share this encouragement...

Try Something

I’ve tried many things. (Photo, business, guitar)

In some cases I found my talent even when I wasn’t looking for them.

They showed up when needed. (problem solving at work, technology equipping me for what I do today)

But the main thing is trying...intentionally

Trying to do something with what talent we know we have

Trying something just to see if we have a talent in it. 

obedient experimentation —“Start somewhere, and let God guide you in discovering your talents.”

5. Practical Ways to Use Our Talents Digitally or from Home

“20 things a homebound person can do” as examples.

Prayer Ministry

Consistent intercession, prayer hotlines, or online prayer groups.

Encouragement & Communication

Writing notes, social media encouragement, text messages, phone calls.

Creative Expression

Arts, crafts, music recordings to uplift others, digital devotionals, blogs.

Technical Assistance

Help with online church admin, proofreading, editing, social media support.

Leading or Hosting Virtual Gatherings

Home-based Bible studies via Zoom, small group chats, e-mentoring.

6. Addressing the Heart: Faithfulness Over Results

God’s Approval

The master praised the servants who tried and multiplied; He condemned the one who did nothing.

Success is less about outcome and more about obedient faithfulness.

2. Being intentional. 

Think about the one that buried his talent.

Was he intentional in how that talent was going to return?

No, not even for interest. He buried and forgot it. 

Have you buried your talent? Have you forgotten it?

There is a talent that everyone of us has that we are each responsible for, and we’ll get to that shortly.

3. Fear of Failure

What if he had lost the investment altogether?

I often tell my employees it is better to try and fail, make the wrong decision, than to do nothing.

No decision is the wrong decision.

At least you learn something.

4. Joy in Service

Serving from where you are can still yield spiritual fruit.

One fruit we all desire is Joy.

Galatians 6:9 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

We discover deeper joy when we invest ourselves in God’s work.

There is joy in fulfilling our purpose and serving others.

7. Encouragement & Examples

Biblical Models

Paul’s imprisonment: wrote letters that became part of Scripture.

The Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts were written as letters to a specific person.

Contemporary Testimonies

Stories of individuals impacting thousands through digital ministry from their living rooms.

Sherry, Allison

Discord or Facebook groups

Doordash and Uber rides

Closed countries

Douglas Talks

8. Conclusion & Call to Action

Reflection

Ask: “What has God placed in my hands—skills, time, influence, resources—that I can invest?”

Identify one talent you’ve been “burying” or neglecting.

Commitment

Encourage them to step out in faith, trusting God to multiply their contribution.

Provide a practical next step "Serve with Innovate” Run an Alpha series.

“20 things a homebound person can do”

Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit for courage to invest talents, creativity to serve well, and faithfulness to keep going.

Closing Song

9. Closing Summary/Encouragement

Don’t bury what God has given you; be faithful where you are.

Key Takeaways

God calls each of us—even if we’re homebound—to steward our talents for His kingdom.

We don’t need to compare ourselves to others; our job is simply to invest what we have.

Faithfulness is the goal, and digital or homebound contexts offer unique opportunities to bless others.

Which do you want from Jesus, to hear Him say “well done good and faithful servant,” or “You wicked and slothful servant! Cast him out into outer darkness!?”

Which will you choose? Will you invest what God has given you, or will you bury it in the ground?

Let me encourage you one last time, identify one talent you’ve been ignoring or hiding, and commit it the Lord for His purposes.

Don’t bury what God has given you; be faithful where you are.

Post Service

Talents - a talent was a weight of measurement. Usually silver. Each talent was equal to 75 pounds.

One man receive 5 talents. The other 2, and the other 1.

5x75 = 375 lbs of silver.

2x75 = 150

1 talent was roughly equal to what a typical worker would make over a sixteen-year period.

Time - it’s an investment.

1. Reflecting on God’s Investment in Us

Key Scripture: Matthew 25:14–30 (Parable of the Talents)

Discussion Prompt: Which part of this parable challenges you the most—the different amounts given, the master’s praise for the first two servants, or the fear of the third servant?

Dig Deeper: How does it change your perspective to see your skills, time, and even your circumstances as an “investment” from God?

Additional Scripture:

James 1:17 — Every good gift is from above.

2. Understanding Our Unique Gifts

Key Scripture: Romans 12:4–8

Discussion Prompt: Paul talks about different gifts (prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy). Which of these (or others) do you feel resonate with you?

Dig Deeper: Think about how each gift can be used in a homebound or digital context. For instance, how might someone with the gift of encouragement serve online?

Additional Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:12–27 — Many parts, one body.

3. Faithfulness Over Outcomes

Key Scripture: Luke 16:10 (“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…”)

Discussion Prompt: Have you ever felt discouraged because your contributions seemed “small”? How does Jesus’ emphasis on faithfulness shift your view?

Dig Deeper: Why do you think God values faithfulness more than “big” results?

Additional Scripture:

Galatians 6:9 — Encouragement to not grow weary in doing good.

4. Overcoming Fear and Excuses

Key Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7 (“God gave us a spirit not of fear…”)

Discussion Prompt: The third servant buried his talent out of fear. What fears keep believers from using their gifts—fear of failure, judgment, inadequacy?

Dig Deeper: Name a current fear that might be holding you back. How does trusting God’s character help counter that fear?

Additional Scripture:

Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ…”

5. Serving from “Limitations”

Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:22–25

Discussion Prompt: Paul says the weaker or “less honorable” parts of the body are indispensable. How could this apply to those who feel limited (homebound, chronic illness, etc.)?

Dig Deeper: Where have you seen God use someone’s perceived limitation to bless others?

Additional Scripture:

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 — God’s power made perfect in weakness.

6. Practical Brainstorming: “Talents” in Action

Key Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10–11

Discussion Prompt: Peter tells us to use whatever gift we have to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace. List specific ways you or someone you know could do this from home or digitally (e.g., prayer calls, online devotionals, phone encouragement).

Dig Deeper: What’s one small first step you can take this week to invest a talent you’ve been “burying”?

Additional Scripture:

Ephesians 4:11–16 — Building up the body of Christ together.

7. Prayer & Reflection

Group Prayer:

Thank God for the unique gifts in the group.

Ask for wisdom and courage to use these gifts, regardless of circumstances.

Pray for freedom from fear, comparison, or doubt.

Personal Reflection:

What one action will you commit to this week that applies the principle of faithful stewardship (e.g., writing notes of encouragement, setting a daily prayer time for others)?

Don’t bury what God has given you; be faithful where you are.