What's That In Your Hand?
Parables • Sermon • Submitted
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· 21 viewsWe must use what we have for God's glory even if it seems like little to us.
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Talents
Talents
One my fav parables
lets read it.
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
Let’s pick this apart.
Fill in the symbols
Easy part first.
Who is the wealthy Man that goes away?
Who is the wealthy Man that goes away?
Jesus
The servants that invest the wealth?
us
It is true.
God is the owner of all
wealth
blessings
I like Luke’s version:
He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.
Why did the nobleman leave?
Why did the nobleman leave?
To receive a kingdom!
What is this in reference to?
Jesus leaving
Jesus 2nd Coming
Jesus receiving kingdom for us
Going back to Matt.
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
That seems a little unfair.
Why?
Why do some people get more than others?
Why do some people get more than others?
To answer this,
we need to first ask:
“What do the talents represent?”
“What do the talents represent?”
What???
Spiritual wealth
Spiritual opportunity
Spiritual knowledge
Spiritual fruit
Spiritual gift
Now, is it true
that some got more
in this life?
Most certainly.
In this sense
life is not fair.
Many have been given
better opportunities
spiritually speaking.
But there is a catch!
But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
We have not all
been given the same
opportunities.
But God is good.
he will only judge
based on our situation.
New question:
How much wealth did he give?
How much wealth did he give?
A talent = 20 years wages
for minimum wage.
That is a significant sum.
Today’s Money
At $10 per hour
Yearly = $20,000
Time 20 years
$400,000
Times 5 = $2 Million
This is not pocket change!
these are real investors!
this is big money!
That being said,
Have we been given much or little?
Have we been given much or little?
Our Spiritual Opportunities.
Extremely wealthy
Christian
Adventist
Many Bibles
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3ABN
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Information!!!
Let’s see what
happens next in the parable:
How did the investors
do with their money?
He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Some did great!
Doubled investment!
Good Job!
Some squandered.
If somebody gave you $400k, saying, “invest it” wouldn’t you be thoughtful, how you invest it?
If somebody gave you $400k, saying, “invest it” wouldn’t you be thoughtful, how you invest it?
Wouldn’t You?
Ahhh...
but he has!
You just said,
we are greatly privileged
more than most.
You have been given
the 400k.
Now the question:
What are you doing with it???
Let’s ask this question:
How do you invest the spiritual currency that we have been given?
How do you invest the spiritual currency that we have been given?
How can we
multiple spiritual blessings
God has given?
Simple,
give them to others.
Share the spiritual
opportunity
knowledge
love
we have been given!
This is not
rocket science.
It is easier
than the stock market.
Yet,
with that kind of funds
it must be done
very thoughtfully.
Jesus said,
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
What he means,
some will not
appreciate this wealth.
But don’t give up.
Some will.
Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
What does this moment represent?
Clearly
2nd Coming.
Jesus is coming back.
Giving Judgment
Based on Opportunity.
We will be held accountable
what we did with
our resources.
Continuing:
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.’ 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.’ 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.’ 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.’
According to the story
many who had
great opportunity
used it
invested well!
Often those with
the most light
make good use.
But it isn’t true of all.
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, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 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? 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.
According to this passage
He didn’t steal it
He gave it back.
But he didn’t multiply it.
He didn’t invest.
He didn’t make good use
of what he was given.
What does this represent spiritually?
What does this represent spiritually?
To explain this,
lets break it down.
Let’s ask another question.
What is the symbolic meaning
of successfully investing
the talent that was given?
Simple,
we already explained.
It means,
giving the
opportunities
knowledge
blessings
love
that we have
to others.
Now, then,
what does it mean
if he didn’t multiply it
but didn’t lose it?
What does it mean
if we haven’t invested
but we haven’t lost it?
It means we
selfishly kept all
opportunities
knowledge
blessings
love
to ourselves.
It means,
we didn’t share it.
It means,
we invested only
in ourselves!
Now,
considering the money
is not lost
maybe the Master
won’t be too
disappointed.
Let’s See:
So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 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. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
On the contrary,
the master is very displeased.
It is as if
he stole it!
Why?
Because in a sense,
he did steal it!
How can I say that?
All the others
doubled their money.
The master expected
a return on investment.
He could have at least
got some interest!!!
And yet,
this man of privilege
and opportunity.
squandered away
the chance to
make double.
Yes,
in a sense
He stole.
And so,
we are in danger
of doing the same.
We confessed,
we are the ones
who have been given
spiritual talents.
• By not sharing the light
• we have been given
• we are stealing from
• those who should have received.
Now I ask you:
What are you going to do with the talents that have been given you?
What are you going to do with the talents that have been given you?
People tell me,
“I can’t do that...”
People say,
“That is not my spiritual gift...”
Some say,
“I have few spiritual gifts...”
Others say,
“I’m not good at sharing my faith...”
May I suggest a reason why???
Because you are not using what you have!!!
And be careful my friends,
because soon
we will have to give an account.
And when we don’t
use what we have been given
it will be taken away
and given to others.
Everyone here
has a sphere of influence.
Each has
different people
in their life.
God put them there
so you can share
what was given to you.
I charge you today:
Be a good steward!
Be a good steward!
There was a man
named Moses.
A man of great opportunities.
Raised in the truth
taught the scriptures.
Raised in the place
taught science.
Given country life
taught nature.
He was a man
of many talents.
God called him to
a special task.
What do you think
his answer was?
Excuses Then
Excuses Then
Who am I. I can’t go.
I will go with you.
Diversion: “what if they ask me what your name is.
(woman at the well)
I AM will be with you.
The Israelites won’t believe.
Here are some signs.
I can’t talk well.
Aaron will talk for you.
Please send someone else.
God gets angry.
Excuses Today
Excuses Today
God has heard
all of those excuses today.
Who am I. I can’t go.
I’m not good at ministry.
I can’t do that.
That is not my spiritual gift.
If you are short on talents
start using what you have!!!
Diversion: “what if they ask me what your name is.
People will ask me questions that I don’t have the answer to.
And???
So???
If you want to learn to be ready to give the right answer you must be put in the right circumstance to learn it.
The Israelites won’t believe.
Other Christians think this is not my spiritual gift.
Keep working for God. And God will show everyone what he can do with a person that is “unqualified.”
I can’t talk well.
Ever heard that one?
Constantly!
God promises to give you the words or to help you find others that will show you how to speak for him.
Please send someone else.
God’s response is the same today.
Anger!
God already invested in you.
Pass it on.
or you will be
Passed over.
One thing I like
that God says to Moses
in the conversation.
The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.”
God is saying,
the same to us.
What is that in your hand?
Use what you got.
Start with what you have been given.
If you want more,
use what you have.
Seylah - mouth full, asking for more.
If you don’t
use what you have
you won’t be given more.
It was when Moses stood before God, conscious of his inefficiency, that he was in the very condition in which the Lord could best reveal to him His saving grace....
Every one whom the Lord calls should be distrustful of self, and have full trust in God.
— {RH February 12, 1895, par. 9-10}
Even if you think
you don’t have enough
that is a good thing.
It makes you trust God more!
Conclusion
Conclusion
You are gifted immensely.
You are the 5 Talent guy.
You must invest.
There are consequences if you don’t.
The way you invest,
win others for Christ.
No excuses
do what you can, with what you have.
Appeal
Appeal
What is in your hand?
Use it for God today.
Not tomorrow.
Not next week.