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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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,

10. 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???

11. 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)

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. WHAT are you dong with your talents?