The Value of One
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14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Two observations that lead to important application.
1. The servant’s responsibility.
1. The servant’s responsibility.
(1) A. The parabolic servants were entrusted with valuable treasure.
(1) A. The parabolic servants were entrusted with valuable treasure.
Explanation
Parabolic = part of the parable.
Slaves = what the servant really were.
“Delivered to them” OR “Entrusted”: He put them to work while He was gone.
He put his treasure in their care.
He did not give them his stuff.
He put it in their care with the natural understanding of accountability.
The master entrusted His servants with a specific amount according to their ability.
He gave 5 talents.
He gave 2 talents.
He gave 1 talent.
Each according to his own ability.
The master entrusted them with a GREAT TREASURE!
A talent was the largest unit of currency at the time.
A day’s wages was 1 denarii.
A talent was 6,000 denarii
6,0000 day’s wages or 16 years of labor
So… have you ever felt like the third servant got jipped?
We kind of make excuses for him - it was only ONE talent.
The ONE talent he was entrusted with was an incredible treasure!
(1) B. Jesus has entrusted (your name) with valuable treasure.
(1) B. Jesus has entrusted (your name) with valuable treasure.
Jesus has entrusted each of us according to our own ability.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
Jesus has given us a valuable treasure.
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
He has entrusted us all with this GREAT TREASURE.
Then Jesus literally does to us what the master did to his servants.
Jesus’ last recorded words. (Like a dying wish.)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
We see these as separate events but rather they are simultaneous.
I’m leaving for while. Here’s my treasure now get to work.
We must assume there is accountability.
2. The servant’s response.
2. The servant’s response.
(2) A. The parabolic servants had two responses.
(2) A. The parabolic servants had two responses.
Two of them were obedient
They knew what was expected.
Their response was to be good stewards of what the master had given them.
it didn’t matter it they had 5 or 2 talents.
The doubled the master’s money.
I believe that is important for our lesson.
One was disobedient.
He did not steward well what was given to him.
He squandered and opportunity.
The entire time the master was gone was opportunity to invest the money.
So then we know the master’s response when he returned.
The two were blessed.
The third made one last ditch effort at excuses.
You are a master who is difficult to serve.
You are unable to please and expect the what is impossible.
Therefore - for fear of making it worse - I did nothing.
The lazy servant sees the master as ruthless and cruel.
We can feel that way about God.
(2) B. Jesus’ servant, (your name) needs ONE response.
(2) B. Jesus’ servant, (your name) needs ONE response.
Our response should be action: investing what Jesus has left us with.
Our response should be action: investing what Jesus has left us with.
Invest what has been entrusted to us!!
Take the great treasure and give it to others.
Out master is coming back from His trip and He is going to be expecting a return.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Paul makes it clear that PEOPLE are our rejoicing.
We MUST invest in people.
We MUST make disciples.
The great question is HOW MANY??
How much was given to you?
5,3, or 1 talent?
What is Jesus going to expect us to give to Him?
Important application: Everyone should have ONE.
Important application: Everyone should have ONE.
Everyone should have ONE person that they present to God.
Why ONE?
Why ONE?
I want to give you two reasons.
1. ONE helps us accomplish our Master’s plan.
1. ONE helps us accomplish our Master’s plan.
Jesus may expect more out of some than others.
The Bible is pretty clear that as a Pastor God expects more from me.
There are others that God expects more of as well.
Instead of trying to figure out how much God expects of you, go with what you know!
What we learn from this parable is that the master expects AT LEAST ONE from each of us.
2. ONE helps us focus.
2. ONE helps us focus.
The Great commission can be overwhelming.
There are so many people who need Jesus.
Starfish story.
We feel like we don’t know where to start.
For me this serves as a reminder.
An accountability.
Scripture teaches we should be have or be pursuing 3 ONES!
A singular focus on the great commission.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
What is the starting point for making disciples?
Go - do - get involved.
Baptizing them/
Baptism comes right after salvation.
We need to evangelize.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Win ONE.
Win ONE.
Maybe more but at least ONE.
Remember the master expects at least ONE.
Start looking.
Start praying.
Be intentional.
Do things simply for the sake of redemptive relationships.
Get involved in your community.
10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Leading them to Christ does not finish our job. This does not complete the great commission.
Teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.
Lead ONE.
Lead ONE.
Lead them or teach them.
Who is to be doing this?
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
What is the duration of this teaching?
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
until they observe all things I have commanded.
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
We call it: “Life on life for life.”
We call it: “Life on life for life.”
by deductive reasoning as well as 2 timothy 2 we understand that we should have someone teaching us!
Paul: “the things you have heard from me…teach”
Follow ONE.
Follow ONE.