Use It or Lose It

Faithfulness • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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Christ our master is looking for us to be faithful profitable servant. Faithfulness in few things yield big results and makes way for us to enter into the joy of the Lord.

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Text - Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14–30 KJV 1900

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Introduction

Parable of the Talents

Jesus always taught the people in parables. A parable uses familiar situations, persons, or events to illustrate an unfamiliar or unrecognized truth. The Word of God said, Ps 78:2 “2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:” Jesus spoke in parable to fulfil the prophecies of Isaiah. Matthew 13:14-15 “14 ...By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed...” Over one third of Jesus’ instruction was done via parables [David Seal, “Parable,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016)].

Parable Similarities to other Parable

10 virgins, 5 wise and 5 foolish. 5 watching and being prepared to meet the bride groom (Jesus) and 5 without the lamps trimmed and burning (unprepared for Christ’s coming).

Watch

Jesus gave us instructions to watch. HE is coming back and we don’t know when.

Matthew 25:13 “13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

I observed that the unprofitable (worthless, useless) servant knew his master but not in the best light. The Master used what was said out of the unprofitable servant's mouth as just judgement against him. I find it interesting that Christ is using money & business to represent the Kingdom of Heaven. What is Christ looking for from us with interest? I would imagine all that HE has given us; however, I think the talents represents something more specific. The profitable servants gained 100% interest. GOD is looking for 100% from us. HE said thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

The unprofitable servant switched his reasoning (excuse) from money (talents) to farming (harvesting) when referencing his master's character (i.e. hard). The unprofitable servant buried the money in the ground. The unprofitable servant actions was based on how he saw his master and his abilities. The Master said the unprofitable servant was wicked (evil) and slothful (lazy). Is laziness keeping us out of the Kingdom of Heaven. We don't want to put to work what GOD has given us for the Master's glory.

This text is speaking towards works. Faithful works (not just believing in the Master) provided the reward of entering into the "Joy of the LORD". What is the JOY of the Lord. The profitable servant's reward was more responsibilities (charge over more affairs). We try to avoid more responsibilities at time but it's a reward (reflection) of our abilities.

Comparison - Kingdom of Heaven

Jesus gave us a comparison to the Kingdom of Heaven

King James Version (Matthew 25:19)

After a long time

The text said after a long time (a far country). We have been hearing that Jesus is coming back for a long time now. The servant was given a long time to make good use of the Master’s money.

King James Version Matthew 25:14

far country

Why was the country far way vs a near country? What difference does the distance makes in the text?

Division of Talents

The master gave out talents based on the individual's ability

We don’t know the exact amount of money but it was weighed out in talents

King James Version Matthew 25:15

talents

The heaviest Biblical measure of weight, amounting to about 75 pounds.

King James Version Matthew 25:15

to every man according to his yseveral ability;

Talents (money) was handed out based on the servant’s ability. How well can you manage money will determine how much money (talent) GOD will give you.

King James Version Matthew 25:14

delivered unto them his goods

The goods (talents) belonged to the master.

Work While It’s Day - Use It or Lose It

The key word here is servant which submits to his/her master’s will.

If you don’t use your time for GOD you will lose your time with GOD

King James Version Matthew 25:14

servants

We are God’s servant. A servant serves at the pleasure of his/her master. I don’t think the word servant and slave are the same but the word master does introduce the context of slave.

King James Version Matthew 25:21

faithful over a few things, bI will make thee ruler over many things

King James Version Matthew 25:21

faithful over a few things, bI will make thee ruler over many things:

Why was faithfulness in a few things yielded reward in great things? Luke 16:10

luke 16:10 “10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”