Sermon Tone Analysis

Text - Matthew 25:14-30

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.

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

talents

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.”

Judgement

The master executed judgement upon the servants

Justification vs Just

The key thing here is that our own justification and our own reasoning is what the master will use against us in the Day of Judgement.

Reward

The master provided reward based on the servants faithfulness (works)

Closing

Can you be faithful with a few things

Can you be faithful when the funds are low

Can you be faithful when membership is low