1. The Unprofitable Servant

2. The Unprofitable Servant
The parable of the Talents of Money
Matthew 25:14-30
The Man is the Lord
Servants are Christians
Money represents opportunity

3. The Unprofitable Servant
“Which type of servant am I?”
Profitable
Unprofitable

4. The Unprofitable Servant
Opportunities Given According To Ability
Abilities differ from person to person
Mt. 25:15
Kingdom needs different abilities, 1 Cor. 12:27
No need to envy another, 1 Cor. 12:17
Each has ability & opportunity, 1 Cor. 12:18

5. The Unprofitable Servant
Opportunities Given According To Ability
Different servants use their abilities differently
Mt. 25:16-18
Some to full extent: Paul
Some less: John Mark

6. The Unprofitable Servant
Opportunities Given According To Ability
Each servant will give an account
Mt. 25:19
The Lord will return, 1 Cor. 11:26
Account taken, 2 Cor. 5:10
Perfect judgment, Rom. 2:16

7. The Unprofitable Servant
Rewarded According To What We Do
Act on opportunity – rewarded
Mt. 25:20-23
Same reward, Rev. 22:12-14
No need to fear His return, Rev. 22:20
Opportunities not easy, Rev. 14:13
Compare “Lazy” servant
Feared God’s displeasure
Faced obstacles?

8. The Unprofitable Servant
Rewarded According To What We Do
Do not act on opportunity – condemned
Mt. 25:24-30
Buried opportunity; wasted ability, Jas. 2:14-17
Fear of men, failure, or labor, Rev. 21:8
Lazy, Rom. 12:11; Titus 2:14
Cast into outer darkness – weeping & gnashing,
Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10

9. The Unprofitable Servant
Rewarded According To What We Do
The unprofitable servant was wicked
Mt. 25:26
Not riotous, Lk. 15:13
Not dishonest, Rom. 12:17
Not lustful, 1 Cor. 10:6
Not a drunkard, 1 Cor. 6:9, 10
Sin of Omission, Jas. 4:17

10. The Unprofitable Servant
Are You An Unprofitable Servant?
What are your abilities?
Teach or preach
Discussion with another
Invite to services
Give a CD, tract, website
Write a card or make a phone call
Give money to the church or preacher
Buy materials: Bibles, books, journals

11. The Unprofitable Servant
Are You An Unprofitable Servant?
ONE TALENT?
Put it in the hands of someone
Who can & will do something with it
Mt. 25:27

12. The Unprofitable Servant
Are You An Unprofitable Servant?
Do you fear hearing…
“You wicked and lazy servant”?
Repent now, Acts 8:22
Seek forgiveness, Acts 8:22
Pray of opportunities, Col. 4:2, 3
Pray for strength, Col 4:4
Look for opportunities

13. The Unprofitable Servant
If the judgment were right now,
Would you hear…
“Enter into the joy of your Lord” Or
“You wicked and lazy servant”

14. The Unprofitable Servant
If you are not a Christian,
you will lose your soul
Obey the Lord, Mk. 16:16
Serve profitably