The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) Introduction: Study of the Parables of Jesus – Today we will look at the parable of the talents. Read Text: Matthew 25:14-30 Prayer: Intro. 2: Big picture, chapter 24 and 25 are one continuous thought concerning the last days, the second coming, the end of the world and eternal judgment. Practical Application, each parable also teaches a standalone practical lesson, and that application will be the main thrust of our message today. First, we notice… 1. The Relationship to the Master Mat 25:14 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. - Called to Serve You and I as Christians are called to the service of our Saviour. When we read the epistles, we find that Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and John and others all introduced themselves as servants of Jesus Christ. In Romans 12:1 we find that all believers are called to give themselves to sacrificial service… 1. Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. The reason for this obligation to a life of service to the Savior is found in… 1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Every Christian is to be engaged in the work of the Lord. Every Christian is to be busy doing for the cause of Christ. But what is it that we are called to do? How are we to apply ourselves to the work of the Lord? Let’s look in verse 15 at… 2. The Responsibility of the Servants Mat 25:15 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. First, I notice that the responsibilities given to these servants were… - Intentionally Different There are different responsibilities given to different people. Here in this parable the difference is illustrated by the amount each servant received. 2. Which we may tend to define as being more or less important, but as we will see when we get to the reckoning each servant was held to the same standard concerning performance, meaning that the responsibilities were equally important to the Master. When it comes to serving in the work of the Lord, we tend to classify ministries as more or less important, but if you are doing what God has enabled you to do, your service is just as important as any other. If we return to the text we find that the responsibilities are intentionally different because they are specifically designed… - Specifically Designed Mat 25:15 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. Our Creator knows the unique make up of every individual. He knows our strengths, He knows where we will be most effective, and He carefully directs each of us to that ministry. Some are communicators, some are blessed in music, some tend to benevolence, others are skilled in craftsmanship. Some connect well with new acquaintances, other connect well with children, some have an eye for detail, while others have an eye for safety. 3. We could go on and on but the point is that each area of service is specifically designed for a person who is specifically designed for the task and each one is equally important in the eyes of God. After they received their instruction we see… 3. The Response to their Obligation Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. In the first two examples we see… - Diligent Application But in the third we see a… - Disinterested Attitude For every obligation there will one day be a reckoning. In verse 19 we see… 4. The Reckoning of their Behavior Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. The first two responded to the inquiry with… - Confidence / eagerness Mat 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying>>> 4. Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. Mat 25:22 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. But the third responded with… - Complaining / excuses Mat 25:24 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: Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. Complaints about the Master Excuses for his own lack of effort Lastly this morning we see… 5. The Reward for their Faithfulness - Abundant Joy Mat 25:21 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. - Eternal Judgment Mat 25:23 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.