Welcome to DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, AMSTERDAM Sunday 17 June 2018

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS – Matthew 25:14-30 The Lord is raising faithful stewards in His church!

KEY THOUGHT Talents are divine investments in our lives intended by God to be used profitably for His purpose and glory. We will all account to God for how we have used our talents. Faithfulness will bring commendation and reward while unfaithfulness will attract condemnation and punishment.

FACTS ABOUT THE RELEASE OF PRECIOUS TALENTS What are the facts? They belong to the master – vs. 14,18,27 He gives it at His wills (5, 2, 1) – vs. 15; Eph. 4:8; James 1:5 There is a time for accountability – vs. 19 The profit is for the master – vs. 20 Faithfulness is rewarded – vs. 21 Possibility for getting more or less - vs. 29 Unprofitable servants are punished -vs. 30 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. - Matthew 25:15

FAITHFULNESS AND REWARD FOR PROFITABLE SERVANTS Profitable servants bear fruits: They traded faithfully – Matt 25:20, 22 Results was different according to their ability – vs. 20, 22 Proportion was the same Reward was exactly the same – vs. 21, 23 What do we learn? No carnal comparison – II Cor. 10:12 Much given, much expected – Lk. 12:48 Be Faithful – I Cor. 4:2 Reward outweighs the service – vs. 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 - Matthew 25:21

FOOLISHNESS AND RETRIBUTION FOR UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS Traits of the unprofitable servant: Excuses and accusations against the master – vs. 24 He did not steal or lose the talent, but did not make profit – vs. 25 He buried/hid the talent – vs. 25 He was fearful and lazy – vs. 25-26 He made no attempt – vs. 27 His punishment: He lost the little he had – vs. 28 He was cast into eternal darkness and suffering – vs 30; Matt. 3:10 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth -Matthew 25:30

TIME TO PRAY!