The Parable of the Ten Talents

Introduction:

· “Waiting is the hardest part” – Tom Petty

WE’RE GOING TO LOOK AT WHY WE NEED TO BE PATIENT, WHY WE NEED TO BE STEWARDLY, AND FINALLY, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WAITING IS OVER.

I) Patience While We Wait for The King’s Return

A. Salvation has come…Today?

i. God’s kingdom in the present tense…and people are excited! (vs. 11c)

1. A supernatural transformation in Zach’s life: Salvation is here!

2. Momentum builds as the people ache for God’s kingdom (Ch. 19)

ii. Yet, impatience can move us to seek shortcuts to His kingdom

1. We want to establish God’s kingdom now, often via political means

2. EXAMPLE: extreme Christian nationalism institutionalize God’s kingdom

B. Yes…but the King will not return for a long period of time

i. A nobleman travels: Jesus corrects our impatient notions

1. Aware of this, Jesus tells of a story to temper expectations (vs. 11c)

2. The nobleman travels far à it’s gonna be awhile… (vs. 12)

3. Jesus: about to embark on a long journey to a distant land (19:28ff)

ii. Jesus wants us to be patient in the meantime

1. 2000 years later: discouraged or even disillusioned

2. Be patient: Human efforts to establish God’s kingdom come up short

3. Be at peace: know and trust that the king isn’t one millisecond late  

THAT LEADS US THEN TO THE NEXT QUESTION. WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE KING? WHAT SHAPE SHOULD OUR LIVES TAKE?

II) Stewardship While We Wait for the King’s Return

A. The King has entrusted us with a wealth of resources (vs. 13)

i. The generous King Pours out Resources

1. A mina is three month’s wages: A generous gift!

2. Narrow & Broad: Holy Spirit is God’s gift empowering us for His work… AND, time, talent, treasure

3. APPLICATION: What will we do with these gifts?

a. Wait, doing very little for the Lord (but not many of us)

b. Do many things, but with little “kingdom focus”

ii. Faithful servants use the kings resources to advance his purposes (vv.15-19)

1. The servants invest, risk, and ultimately, prosper the kings’ work

2. How do I know I’m stewarding my resources well?

a. Generosity, service to others

b. What’s the goal in using time, talent, & treasure? Self or kingdom?

3. EXAMPLE: Rebecca, Bolivia, and “it’s for the Lord.”

B. The King Warns us against wasting the wealth of his resources (vv. 20-26)

i. Failure to even risk using what the king has given invites judgment

1. The final servant in the story has played it safe

2. The reputation likely isn’t meant to be assigned to God, but more to move the story along (vv. 21-23)

ii. APPLICATION:

1. “Isn’t it better to play it safe?” – NO! Take Kingdom-Risks!

2. What wasn’t widely reported at Synod: Church planting!

3. APPLICATION: some are afraid of failure if they serve

NOW, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE KING FINALLY RETURNS?

III) The Verdict Upon the King’s Return

A. Those who steward the resources of the king will be rewarded accordingly

i. Faithful Stewardship leads to greater responsibility (VV. 17, 19)

1. God rewards us according to how we steward what we’ve been given

2. “What to do in heaven?” God will still have work for us!

ii. Faithful stewardship is rewarded – but the rewards aren’t earned.

1. Keep in mind: Rewards are not earned; they are still a gift

2. We are to use God’s gifts NOT to gain reward, but to serve the king well

B. Those who reject the authority of the king will be judged (VV. 14, 27)

i. An unhappy Ending:

1. Jesus’ allusion to history: Archelaus seeks affirmation but finds rebellion

2. Jesus will return mean accountability for those who reject his rule

ii. How does this story differ from the tryant Archelaus?

a. Jesus doesn’t merely give us gifts, but gives his life for us (vs. 11)

b. Jesus is a the master who secures his kingdom through his own death, and thus rules as a servant.

Transition:

Conclusion

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