What are you doing with your talents? Matthew 25:14-30

The Account – Matt. 25:14-30 A man prepares to go on a journey While gone, 2 servants double their talents The one talent servant, buries it

The Account – Matt. 25:14-30 The lord returns and settles accounts The 5 & 2 talent servants present their work and are rewarded The one talent servant gives his talent to his master

The Account – Matt. 25:14-30 The one talent servant is rebuked and condemned, cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Lessons and Applications This is about the kingdom of God Each of us has “talents” - abilities These are abilities received from the Lord and He expects us to use them wisely

Lessons and Applications Talents used to their fullest We are supposed to be busy and give our best – Colossians 3:23 1 Corinthians 15:58 James 1:25 Ecclesiastes 9:10

Lessons and Applications Talents hidden/wasted Did he have a misconception of his lord? Described him as hard and shrewd He was demanding, but also ready to reward the faithful How many today see the Lord as unreasonable? 1 John 5:3, Matthew 11:28-30

Lessons and Applications Talents hidden/wasted He was afraid. How often does fear keep us from doing what we ought to do? Rejection, failure, consequences

Lessons and Applications Talents hidden/wasted He failed to see what he could do was needed and expected. Even though he had less ability than the others, that was no excuse to do nothing! We are all important and needed 1 Corinthians 12:14-18, 22-24

Lessons and Applications Talents hidden/wasted He failed to see what he could do was needed and expected. Thought: What if we only use SOME of our talents? Will God accept this???

Lessons and Applications Talents hidden/wasted Realize that the sin of omission is just as serious as sins of commission. James 4:17, Luke 12:47 God sees this as wicked and lazy cf. Matthew 13:41-42 (same fate)

Lessons and Applications How do we determine our talents Realize not everyone has the same talents – Romans 12:3-8 Some are easy to determine – natural abilities - Ability to teach, lead worship, wealth, encourage others, those who manual talents, etc.

Lessons and Applications How do we determine our talents Some abilities are developed – “hidden talents” – leaders, preaching, wealth, skills, etc. Colossians 3:23, 1 Peter 4:11 Ask others – often others can see what our abilities are – cf. Proverbs 15:22, 12:15

Lessons and Applications How do we determine our talents MOST of us have more talents than we realize or utilize Are we willing to try? Accept your limitations! Not everyone can do everything

Lessons and Applications There will be a day of reckoning! One day, our Lord will return and call our lives into account – 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27

Lessons and Applications There will be a day of reckoning! We will be judged by what we have and have not done – Matt. 25:31-46, Revelation 20:12 The lord was gone a long time - some mock our Lord’s delay – 2 Peter 3:3-4, 9-10

Lessons and Applications There will be a day of reckoning! Our reward will be just – 1 Peter 1:17, Romans 2:5-11 – He judges without partiality God will not accept excuses! Cf. Genesis 3:9-13 Luke 13:24-27 Don’t risk eternity thinking you can justify your failures

WHAT are you dong with your talents?