SF012 - MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN ETERNITY (Matthew 25 14-30)

Matthew 25:14‑30

INTRODUCTION

What part does faithful service to God play in salvation and in our preparation for the Lord’s coming?

James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

This parable deals with what it means to be a success in life...

Success measured in finances

Success measured by your career

Success measured by your athletic achievements

What makes you a success in the eyes of God?

Set in the context of the Second Coming...

Ten virgins = “Be Watching”

Talents = “Be Working”

The five virgins who had oil for their lamps represent believers who possess saving grace; the two faithful servants who invested their talents represent believers who exhibit the serving life.

Together the two parables depict the balance of believers’ looking forward to His coming with anticipation while living in preparedness for His coming through faithful service.

What type of person becomes a success in the Kingdom...

1A. The Nature and Number of Talents

1B. The nature of talents

One talent = 20 years wages. (~$300k)

Today they refer to God given opportunities of service.

Both the opportunities and the ability to use them come from God.

2B. The number of talents

The amount of talents given was based on the servant’s ability to use them (25:15b)

Our God given opportunities for service are based on our ability to use them.

God provides opportunities based on His knowledge of our abilities.

"God does not attempt to put a lake in a bucket. The man with larger capacity for knowledge has larger privilege of service, heavier responsibility to be faithful, with richer reward if he wins." G.H. Lang

The issue is not "How much" but "How faithful"

2A. The Use and Abuse of the Talents

1B. The proper use of the talents includes…

Being satisfied with what you have. (25:15)

Being prompt in our obedience to the Lord (25:16)

John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Placing a priority on serving God (25:16, 17)

Striving for excellence in every task (25:21)

Good (agathos); excellent, wonderful

Being faithful to complete every detail (25:21)

Being motivated by your love for Christ (25:21)

"We never lose, what we use."

2B. The potential abuse of the talents

Insisting on being in total control (25:18)

Ø He was afraid to take a risk.

Blaming your lack of service on someone else (25:24)

Ø Judged his master unfairly not based on evidence.

Ø Wanted to blame the master for his failure

Allowing fear of failure to control you (25:25)

Ø Fear will paralyze you.

Ø Fear will doom you.

3A. The Return and Reward of the Talents

1B. The Lord’s promised return (25:19)

His return is certain

John 14:3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

His return will be sudden

1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

2B. The servant’s performance rewarded

The rewards for faithfulness (25:21‑23)

Ø The Lord’s praise - well done

Ø The Lord’s promotion - I will make you ruler over many things

Begin as servant end as rulers - Joseph

Ø The Lord’s pleasure – Enter into the joy of your Lord

The rewards for laziness (25:24‑30)

Ø The Lord’s description (25:26, 27)

Ø The Lord’s demotion (25:28, 29)

Ø The Lord’s discipline (25:30)

Allows them to see what their faithlessness in soul winning has caused.

Isaiah 66:24 "And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."

Application

Ten Truths

Commit your all to Christ.

Be satisfied with God's assignment for you.

Be prompt in your obedience to God.

Be faithful to the Lord.

Do God's work first.

Do your personal best.

Be courageous take "risks" for God.

Take personal responsibility for your actions.

Do all you do in light of the coming judgment.

Remember that God will only require of you what He knows you can do.

Matthew 25:14-30

1A. The ___________________ and Number of Talents

1B. The _______________________ of talents

One talent = 20 years wages.

Today they refer to God given opportunities of service.

2B. The ____________________________ of talents

The amount of talents given was based on the servant’s ability to use them (25:15b)

Our God given opportunities for service are based on our ability to use them.

2A. The __________________ and Abuse of the Talents

1B. The proper _____________ of the talents includes…

Being satisfied with what you have. (25:15)

Being prompt in our obedience to the Lord (25:16; John 14:15)

Placing a ________________ on serving God (25:16, 17)

Striving for excellence in every task (25:21)

Being _______________ to complete every detail (25:21)

Being motivated by your love for Christ (25:21)

2B. The potential ____________________ of the talents

Insisting on being in ________________ control (25:18)

Blaming your lack of service on someone else (25:24)

Allowing ____________ of failure to control you (25:25)

3A. The Return and _________________ of the Talents

1B. The Lord’s promised __________________ (25:19)

His return is certain (John 14:3)

His return will be sudden (1 Thessalonians 5:2)