Faithful - Use it or Lose it (Matthew 25:14-30)
Gearl Spicer, November 15, 2020
Part of the Bridge The Gap - Grateful In All series, preached at a Sunday Online service
Matthew 25:14–30 (Listen)
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 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.’ 21 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.’ 22 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.’ 23 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.’ 24 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, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 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? 27 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. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 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. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
(ESV)
Sermon Notes
BRIDGE THE GAP - GRATEFUL IN ALL
Faithful - Use it or Lose it
Matthew 25:14-30
11/15/20
*Do you utilize the gifts God has given you?
*Are you grateful for how He has equipped you?
*The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust thee to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. II Timothy 2:2
*So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” John 12:35-36
Gratitude - A profound awareness of His presence and His blessings-
*To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. vs. 15
*And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours. vs. 25
BIG LESSON-NEVER MISUNDERSTAND GOD’S PLAN-HE ENTRUSTS, EQUIPS AND EMPOWERS
KEY VERSE - 25:21
I. We are responsible for what is entrusted to us - vs.14-15
*God knows our abilities and equips us to succeed-
II. We are gifted by God to accomplish His purpose - vs. 16-18
*Our ability to act with our gifts determines our impact-
III. We are accountable to God for every aspect of our lives - vs. 19-27
*If we are grateful to God we will act in obedience-
3 key insights: 1. We can make a difference
2. We can experience a joy that is amazing
3. We must not fail by surrendering to fear
IV. We must live in gratitude to God and serve authentically-vs. 28-30
*A wasted moment led to devastating consequences-
Are you faithful? Will you use your gifts?