The Talents
The Parables of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Handout
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
In the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter." This is a stark reminder that we are called to be active in our faith, not passive. We are to be engaged in the work of the Kingdom, not spectators. We are to be fruitful, not barren.
This is what we classify as a judgment parable. These parable are made t alarm the listener and wake them up from the slumber.
Other judgment parables include the parable of the wicket tenants; the parable of the royal wedding and the guests who won’t come; the parable of the 10 virgins and their lamps; the parable of the sheep and the goats.
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
In Waiting
In Waiting
He gave the first servant five talents; the second, two; and the third, one.
He gave the first servant five talents; the second, two; and the third, one.
Thoughts of discrimination
Thoughts of discrimination
The phrase “Each according to his ability” indicates the distribution was according to what each could effectively manage
The phrase “Each according to his ability” indicates the distribution was according to what each could effectively manage
The word talent refers to an enormous sum of money. One silver talent was equal to six thousand denarii; a gold talent would have been worth thirty times that much. It has been estimated that one talent would be the wages of a day laborer for thirty years
The word talent refers to an enormous sum of money. One silver talent was equal to six thousand denarii; a gold talent would have been worth thirty times that much. It has been estimated that one talent would be the wages of a day laborer for thirty years
The first two servants invested and doubled their money.
The first two servants invested and doubled their money.
They were obviously confident of their master’s return and were willing to take risks to make a profit.
They were obviously confident of their master’s return and were willing to take risks to make a profit.
The servant who buried his talent in the ground apparently hoped to claim it if his master didn’t return.
The servant who buried his talent in the ground apparently hoped to claim it if his master didn’t return.
His return
His return
The first two give an account of what they had done with their talents, the master commends them, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
The first two give an account of what they had done with their talents, the master commends them, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
He promises them even greater responsibility in the future and invites them to celebrate with him
He promises them even greater responsibility in the future and invites them to celebrate with him
The third servant
The third servant
He brought his master the one talent he had received, claiming that he did this because he knew that his master was harsh and demanding.
He brought his master the one talent he had received, claiming that he did this because he knew that his master was harsh and demanding.
He had undoubtedly heard the positive commendation of the other two servants and expected the same
He had undoubtedly heard the positive commendation of the other two servants and expected the same
He said the servant was wicked and lazy—wicked because he hoped the talent would become his if his master didn’t return, and lazy because he wasn’t willing to put in the effort needed to make a profit on an investment.
He said the servant was wicked and lazy—wicked because he hoped the talent would become his if his master didn’t return, and lazy because he wasn’t willing to put in the effort needed to make a profit on an investment.
He lives in fear. This is his tragic flaw. He tells his master, “I was afraid.” And when you live in fear, you hunker down. You live small. You shrink. You never extend your actions. It’s about survival, you live in hiding. So when this man was entrusted with the talent, he absolutely withered inside. What if he goofs up? How will his master respond if he loses the money? So he buries his talent. It’s a tragedy. His fearful relationship paralyzes him. Out of fear, he hides his talent, just like Adam and Eve hid themselves in the garden.
Some believe the third servant was an unbeliever.
Some believe the third servant was an unbeliever.
The servants who truly believed in the return of the master did their best to faithfully serve their master
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Reflection
One commentator stated that the parable of the talents confirms a universal principle of growth. “Here we are face to face with a great and important truth—in life we can never stand still; if we are not going forward, we must go backward. We must see to it that every day we are advancing, know something new, do something a little better.” In what areas of your life does this parable motivate you to grow?
Read 2 Peter 1:5–11 “5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
a. Why does Peter say we should be growing in these Christlike virtues?
b. What spiritual disciplines do you practice to grow as a Christian?
c. What does it mean “to be ready” for the Lord’s return?
Why do you think the third servant buried his “talent” rather than invest it? What is the lesson for believers today?
Read Mark 4:24–25
24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
How does giving the third servant’s talent to the servant who had ten emphasize responsible stewardship?
What does the way “the master” (the Lord) treated the three servants reveal about the character of God?
Do you believe you are ready for the Lord’s return? Why or why not?
Memory Verse
Memory Verse
21 Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
