Parable of the Talents

Good morning, great to see you this morning. I really appreciate John and Bobby for sharing and leading our services this past week while we visited family and took a few days off to have some down time.

It is nice to have a break and to rest....

This morning we are returning to our study in Matthew chapter 25. The last time we were together we looked at the first of Jesus teaching points, the parable of the 10 virgins.

In the parable of the 10 virgins, the message Jesus brought to the fire front of the passage the was call to be ready, to be prepared.

The invitations have come, be ready for you do not know when the bridegroom will come to gather His bride and take her home to the wedding feast.

Be ready the Bridegroom is coming.... Today we begin a new topic The second section of Matthew chapter 25 is the parable of the talents. The over all meaning is something we will discuss, but there is a call to be faithful. Faithfulness is key to walking with and following the Lord Jesus.

So if you have your Bibles today, lets find

Matthew 25:14–30 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

So let me share with you three thoughts as we walk through this passage today.

So lets begin with this truth.....

So let me share with you three thoughts as we walk through this passage today.

2. He has set us to Work

This is the first truth we see in this passage, Jesus tells them about a master, and he was setting out on a long journey, most likely a journey that would benefit the whole.

talents according to our ability

3. He set out on a journey (ascenion to heaven)

But as he sets out to go… He seeks to set His servants to work so that they might be productive in His absence.

4. He will return to take an account of his wishes

Now understand, the work has to go on, things do not grind to a halt simply because the Master is on a business trip. right?

Now understand Jesus is teaching them a parable, and a parable is a earthly story with a heavenly meaning....

Jesus is literally trying to prepare them for his departure that was soon approaching… Jesus entered this world for one purpose, to die for the sins of the world, to be the perfect atoning sacrifice for sin...

Jesus told us plainly that He would be going away… one of the last times Jesus speaks of this is at the last supper… shares it with us...

John 14:1–3 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Jesus is telling them.... I am leaving you soon… But it is ok… this is why I have come,

Later that same night Jesus tells his disciples , I am departing, and it is for your best.... But I will not leave you alone...

John 16:7 ESV

7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus was doing his best to prepare them.... He will be departing from them....

Now on the spiritual side of this parable we know that Jesus is getting ready to depart from them, He is preparing them for the cross… it is on the cross where Jesus will die for the sins of the whole world… Past, Present and Future.... The death of Christ, literally His departure will save the the world from their sin...

The Master made his departure....

Now we understand, Jesus is speaking of himself as He tells them.... I am going away.

But before doing so, The master set his servants to work....

Now there is something we must hear, something we must understand.... The Master always sets the servants to work.... The Master of the house set his servants to work and gave them instruction according to their ability.

The Master never intends for his servants to be idle, he never intends for the servants to do their own thing… He has set them to work.... The master has set us to work as well.

Now lets move one......

If you look at our text today, verses 14-18

Matthew 25:14–18 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

Now there is a lot of truth here in this passage for us to recognize ..... So listen and lets try to apply this to our lives...

A. God gave to each servant work to do, but in accordance with their ability.

Simply put - the master did not instruct his servants to do work they could not do well.. He knew their ability and was faithful to use each as such....

Verse 15 tells us plainly he gave one more than the rest… one less than the rest..... The Master knew what each servant was capable of, and set each to work in that way.

Now something inside us might want to cry, that is not fair… but that is a wrong assessment of the passage, the Bible tells us that the Master gave each according to his ability.

There is a fairness here.... God only expects you to work according to your ability, and if your brother has a great amount of talent, ability… God does not expect you to live up to their talent…

Each servant is only expected to work according to their ability. He set them to work.

Now I want you to see the main truth of this parable… Jesus is the master who went away… He set his servants to work.... The servants are the disciples…

But please understand we are His servants, His disciples as well. And He has set us to work according to our ability as well..

B. He has given us all we need to work....

Jesus taught that the master gave each servant talents, a certain amount according to their ability.

Now a talent referred to a large sum of money, to one he gave 5 talents, another 2 and finally one talent to the last servant.

Now what does this teach me....

He has equipped you my friends, and given to each of you different talents that can be used for the increase of God’s kingdom.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesisans 2:10

Do you see this… you are created for good works.... God doesn’t want you to sit by and barely use what he has entrusted to you. No! He expects you to use what He has given you.

What talent has God entrusted to you for His glory?

Giving, hospitality, evangelism, administration, teaching, wisdom and the list goes on and one=.... what gift has God given to you?

God has giving you the ability to do, to serve, to help and He expects you to use it my frieneds

But here is a question for you to answer today… Are you using your talents for His good?

Now just one last thought as we wind this message down my friends....

If there is one thing my friends that we must be ready for is this truth; Jesus is coming again.

That is the truth that Jesus conveyed in this parable, the master went away, but he returned as well, the only thing that was not known was the timing of his return.

The servants were expected to be faithful and work, each day keeping up with all he had entrusted to them, and when He returned, to give a faithful account of his talents.

So lets look back to our text....

Matthew 25:19–26 ESV

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?

Matthew 25:19–30 ESV

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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The master returned and settled accounts with them.... friends we do not always talk about this truth. we talk about life after death, we talk about the joy of heaven, about being in His presence…etc.

But we do not talk about the truth that the master will settle account with us..

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

He will settle accounts with.... in the parable the Master came and received not only what He has given them, but he was pleased to see the increase.. they used their gifts wisely and he blessed them… saying as in verse 23

Matthew 25:23 ESV

23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Bu then there was one, one who did not use the talent wisely… he didn’t loose it but he didn’t use it ether...

In fact, the one servant doesn’t even do the least that he could have done, and the master is angry....

My friends God has set work before you, work for his glory and for the blessings of the kingdom of God. And he expects you to do well with what He has entrusted to you...

What talent has God given you and how are you using it....

So let me ask you… what talents have you received? and more importantly what have you done with them.

Are you a faithful servant… if not, what would you tell Jesus today?

Now just to clear up any confusion; you know that the parable has a clear meaning… Jesus is the master, His followers, disciples are the servant who have been set to work....

Matthew 25 ESV

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Parable of the Talents

Introduction

1. The Master Went Away

2. The Master Set the Servants to Work......

3. The Master will Return and Settle Accounts