Serve Till He Comes

Introduction

Good morning,

One thing that is hard for me, I don’t know about you, is waiting. It always said to never ask the Lord for patience because He doesn’t just give you patience, He gives you opportunities to be patient.

Some of you may have the super power of waiting patiently, others wait anxiously, but others wait faithfully.

Our ability to wait largely depends on what we are waiting for.

If we are sitting in a waiting room we tend to scroll our phone, if we are waiting in the line at the drive thru and its taking a long time we are probably judging the workers or wondering why the person in front of us has decided to order the whole menu.

But, if someone we care about says, “I’ll be back son, can you take care of this for me while I’m gone?” Waiting immediately becomes a responsibility, a responsibility to the one we care about. We have had to ask this a lot lately, for friends to watch Larry while we have been gone, making arrangements and we are so grateful for our friends and family who help us.

That responsibility, that is what Jesus is addressing as we look at the Parable of the Bags of Gold or Talents today.

The Master leaves

Servants receive responsibilities

Time passes

The Master returns

Every servant gives an account of what they have done with what the Master left them with

This is not a prosperity message and is not just about money. This isn’t Jesus saying, “Here is how to build your business or become “successful.”” This is a kingdom parable about how we, as servants of Christ, are supposed to live until He comes again.

Context

As we always do, we have to understand the context of this passage:

This parable is found in two of the 4 gospels. Both Matthew and Luke.

We can put them together to better understand the full context.

In Matthew, this parable comes in Matthew 25. Jesus is teaching His disciples about His return. Matthew 24 and 25 are part of what we often call the Olivet Discourse. Jesus is talking about readiness, judgment, watchfulness, and faithfulness.

Right before the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Virgins. That parable teaches us to be ready. But the Parable of the Talents teaches us that readiness is not passive. We do not get ready for Jesus by sitting still and doing nothing. We get ready by faithfully using what He has placed in our hands.

Right after this parable, Jesus speaks about the final judgment, when the Son of Man comes in His glory and separates the sheep from the goats. So Matthew 25 keeps pressing the same truth from different angles: Christ will return, and His return should shape the way we live right now.

That is important.

Jesus is preparing His followers for the time between His first coming and His second coming.

He would go to Jerusalem. He would be rejected. He would die on the cross. He would rise from the grave. He would ascend to the Father. And one day, He will return as King.

So the question is not, “When will He come?” The question is, “What are we doing until He comes?”

Big Idea: Serve till He comes.

Scripture

Matthew 25:14–30 NIV

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 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. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 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.’ “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!’ “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.’ “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!’ “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. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “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? 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. “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 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. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Transition

The first thing Jesus shows us is that the master does not leave his servants with nothing. He leaves, but before he leaves, he places something valuable in their hands. That brings us to the first truth of this passage.

1. The King Entrusts His Servants

Matthew 25:14–15 NIV

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 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.

The word entrusted matters here

The servants did not own the property

They did not create it

They did not own it

What they recieved belongs to the Master.

The Master places something valuable in their hands.

One receives five bags of gold (or talents), another two, another one.

Matthew tells us they recieved according to their ability.

A talent is not a small amount, this is a large sum of money. This is why we also see the reference to bags of gold. No amount given, but knowing the immense value.

The Master knows His servants, He knows their capacity, and he gave intentionally, and personally to each one.

He gives them something to steward and he leaves.

When thinking of the use of the word talent also given for this parable we must not confuse this with natural ability only.

Illustration

Imagine a friend leaving for a trip and hands you their keys, they ask you to feed their dog, water their plants, bring in the mail and keep an eye on things.

The keys you have been given now bring responsibility.

It’s not your house

But while they are away you have been trusted to take care of their belongings.

Meaning

Everything we have is entrusted by God and meant to be used for Him.

Life, time, abilities, money, home, relationships, church, witness, ALL of it.

We are not owners living for ourselves, we are stewards living for the King.

While each servant is given different amounts, comparison has no place in faithful service.

The five bag servant isn't called to be the two bagged, etc.

God doesn’t ask what we do with other peoples assignments, He asks what we o with hat He gives us

Application

What has God placed in your hands?

Leadership, encouragement, hospitality, fix things, listener.

Do not focus on what you don't have, don't compare yourself to others

Do not say

If I had their gifts I would serve

If I had more time I would be obedient

If I were more confident I would speak up

If my life were better I would be faithful

Start here

Lord, what have you put in my hands?

That is where true stewardship begins

The King entrusts His servants

Take a personal inventory, write it down, list what He has given you, ask how you can use that to serve Him.

Transition

So the first question is, “What has God placed in my hands?” But the parable doesn’t stop there. Jesus is not only showing us that the master gives responsibility. He is showing us what faithful servants do with that responsibility.

It is one thing to receive what the master gives. It is another thing to use it for the master’s purpose.

That leads us to our send truth today

2. The King Expects Faithful Stewardship

Matthew 25:16–17 NIV

The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.

I want you to notice something about the first 2 servants

They don’t delay, they act.

They don’t complain about what they have been given, or wait for the “perfect time”

They receive what the master gives and they put it to work.

The 5 bag servant gains 5 more, the 2 gains 2

The results are not identical, but the faithfulness is the same.

This is why both of these servants hear those sweet words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”

The Master doesn't look at the 2 bag servant and ask why He didn’t produce 5.

He doesn’t say that their work mattered less because the result was smaller.

He gives the same praise

That’s our encouragement today

Faithfulness is not about fame, applause or visible results

It is about obedience to the Master and what He has given us

Illustration

Not using your gifts may keep you safe and comfortable, but it leaves you unfruitful.

You may be afraid to share, thinking it may be awkward, but that doesn’t point anyone to Christ, that puts our comfort over His command

The first two servants got this, What the Master gives is meant to be invested.

Meaning

Faithful servants do not simply preserve that they have, they use it for the Master’s purpose.

This is why the third servant is so sobering for us.

He doesn't waste what he is given on wild living, he doesn't gamble it away, he doesn't give it to another master.

He buries it.

He may have thought he was being careful, but instead he is corrected by the Master. Why?

He confused safety with obedience

Caution can be wise, but when we are ruled by fear caution can disguise itself in a pretty coat.

The first 2 were faithful because they acted in trust, the third hid because he did not trust the Master’s heart.

That’s the deeper issue here

Faithful stewardship flows from trust. Trust in what He has given, and trust that we are to use it.

Application

Where is God calling you to take your next faithful step?

Nothing dramatic, impressive or for attention

Just faithful

It’s nominating committee season:

Maybe its stepping into a ministry instead of assuming someone else will do it.

We have a lot going on and great things happening but we need you to step up.

Maybe it’s inviting that neighbor to church, or inviting me over to meet them.

Maybe its taking time to sit with your family and pray with them.

Maybe it’s giving in a way that actually requires trust not comfort.

Maybe its calling someone you haven't seen here in a few weeks.

Maybe it’s forgiving someone you have been holding bitterness against

Maybe that person is you.

The Master sees every single one of these steps, big and small.

He sees the Sunday School teacher studying when no one sees.

Those who stay back to make sure the building is locked up and the lights are off.

The ones who are praying in silent hurt

Those of you who reach out to others.

Do not discount the power of “small faithfulness”

The Master called the first two faithful over “a little” even though the amounts were large. He does this because compared to the joy of the kingdom, everything we manage now is so small.

Life is brief, the kingdom is forever.

The King expects faithful stewardship

Transition

The first two servants remind us what faithfulness looks like. They receive, they act, and return with fruit. But Jesus wants us to feel the weight of the ending this morning.

The Master does come back

The opportunity does not last forever

When He returns, the issue is deeper than numbers on a ledger. The return of the Master reveals what was really in the hearts of His servants. This leads to our final truth this morning.

3. The King Will Examine Every Heart

Matthew 25:19 NIV

“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.

The master returns

The waiting is over and the servants stand before Him.

Each of their accounts are opened.

For the first 2, this is a joyful moment

Matthew 25:20–23 “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.’ “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!’ “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.’ “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!’”

But the third:

Matthew 25:24–26 ““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. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “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?”

He doesn't love the Master, He doesn't trust the Master, He doesn't take responsibility, He actually blames the Master for his failure.

He is called a “wicked, lazy servant.” His inactivity revealed his heart.

Illustration

Imagine hiring someone to repair your leaky roof

You give them everything they need, supplies, instructions, access. But you come home and the roof is still leaking.

They tell you, “Good news, I didn't lose the shingles, I kept the nails in the box and put the ladder safely in the garage. Everything you gave me is all right here.”

You would likely respond, “But the roof isn't fixed, I didn't give you those things so you could store them. I gave them so the work would be done.

The third servant still had the bag, the talent, but he did not fulfill the assignment.

The issue isn't that he failed to impress, but he refused to trust.

Meaning

What we do with what God gives reveals what we believe about who He is.

The third servant had a distorted view of the Master. He called him hard, saw him as unfair, used fear as an excuse.

We see this a lot today.

The wrong view of God always leads to the wrong way of living.

If you think He is cruel, you will hide from Him

If you think He is absent, you will ignore Him.

If you think He is stingy, you will hold everything tightly

If you think He is impossible to please, you will never attempt to.

But, when we see God as He truly is-holy, gracious, just, patient, generous, and worthy-obedience becomes our response.

This parable is not teaching salvation by works.

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

But, saving faith is never fruitless faith.

Works do not save us, but they do reveal us.

The first two did not work to become servants, they worked because they were servants.

The third’s lack of faithfulness exposed a deeper problem. He has the master’s property in his hands but he did not have His interests in his heart.

Application

This calls us to true examination

Do I belong to the King?

The third servant was near the Master. He received from the Master. He spoke to the Master, but he did not truly serve Him.

This is a sobering reality

A person can sit in church every Sunday and still resist Christ. A person can know the Bible and refuse His Lordship. They can know of Him and never surrender to Him.

SO we must ask:

Is there evidence in my life

Do I repent when I sin

Does my obedience flow from my faith

Do I love Christ

Am I concerned about HIS mission

For those who believe, this is a call to live to hear the right “well done.”

Do not live for applause, image, comfort or comparison

Live for the day when He returns

One day, excuses will not matter, Comparisons will not matter, The opinions of others will not matter

Only faithfulness to Christ will matter

So live today in light of that day

Transition

Now, at this point, it would be easy to hear this parable and think the message is simply, “Do more. Try harder. Be better.”

But that is not the gospel.

Jesus is not calling us to earn our place in the kingdom. He is showing us what life looks like for those who belong to the King. And before we ever serve Him faithfully, we need to remember how faithfully He has served us.

It all points to Christ

Christ Connection

Now, we need to be careful.

If all we hear in this parable as nothing more than, “Try harder,” we have missed the gospel.

Jesus is not only the Master who will return. He is also the Savior who first came to rescue sinners.

Before He calls us to faithful service, He accomplishes our salvation.

Jesus went to Jerusalem, not first to sit on a throne of gold, but to be nailed to a wooden cross.

He was the truly faithful servant.

Where Adam failed, Christ obeyed.

Where Israel failed, Christ fulfilled.

Where we have wasted opportunities, Christ perfectly did the Father’s will.

Where we have buried obedience, Christ was faithful unto death.

Where we have feared man, Christ obeyed the Father.

Where we have misused what God entrusted, Christ gave Himself completely.

He died for sinners.

He rose from the grave.

He ascended to the Father.

And He will return as King.

So the gospel is not:

“Serve well enough and maybe God will accept you.”

The gospel is:

“Christ has died and risen to save sinners, and those who belong to Him now live as servants of the King.”

Grace does not make us lazy. Grace makes us alive.

Grace does not bury obedience. Grace produces fruit.

Grace does not say, “Waste your life because you are forgiven.” Grace says, “You are forgiven; now offer your life to the One who gave His life for you.”

Transition

So we do not leave this passage today crushed by guilt, and we do not leave it puffed up with pride.

We leave it looking to Christ.

He is the faithful Savior who died for sinners. He is the risen King who gives His servants work to do. And He is the returning Lord before whom every life will one day be opened.

So the call of this parable is clear.

Conclusion

The King is coming back.

The Master has gone away for a time, but He has not abandoned His servants.

He has given us His Word, His Spirit, His gospel, one another, and a mission.

And one day, He will return.

The question will not be, “Did you have as much as someone else?”

The question will be, “Were you faithful with what I entrusted to you?”

Do not bury what He gave you.

Use your gift. Speak the gospel. Serve the church. Love your neighbor. Disciple your children. Encourage the weary. Give generously. Pray faithfully. Take the next step of obedience.

Not to earn salvation.

Because Christ has saved you.

Not to make a name for yourself.

Because His name is worthy.

Not because the church needs busy people.

Because the King deserves faithful servants.

Let us be a church that serves with humility, courage, and joy.

Let us live for the words every servant of Christ should long to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Big Idea: Serve till He comes.