1. Use It or Lose It! Matthew 25:14-30

2. Introduction Chinese proverb – –“What you have and do not use, you will soon lose” – –Jesus (Matthew 13:12; 25:29) Illustrations – –Empty houses and barns – –Garden spots – –Old cars

3. Physical Body and Mind Deteriorates without exercise ––F––Fixed brain capacity ––E––Einstein’s brain used more ––A––Average use: 10%

4. True in the spiritual realm also – –Must get past milk (Hebrews 5:11-14) – –Digestion requires exercising – –Need for edification (Ephesians 4:11-16)

5. Knowledge of God’s Word Why do some have knowledge? – –“Rich getting richer and poor getting poorer?” – –Why was it granted to some and not to others?

6. Knowledge of God’s Word Must desire to do so (Matthew 13) – –Spoke in parables (vv. 11, 12, 16, 17) – –Those who did not want to see would not see (vv. 13-15; 2 Timothy 3:6, 7) – –How badly do we want to learn? (2 Timothy 2:15) – –Use the knowledge we have? (Matthew 7:24-27)

7. Talents What we have we must use – –Things you used to be able to do? – –What we do not use, we lose Parable of the pounds (Luke 19) – –Each given a pound (v. 13) – –Different returns (vv. 20-27) – –Are we more valuable to the Lord?

8. Applications Take care how we hear – –Alert to opportunities (Luke 8:18) – –Keep the heart from hardening (1 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:12) – –Keep an interest in the Word (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7)

9. Applications Use material blessings properly – –Misuse is condemned (Luke 12:13-21; James 5:1-6) – –Use them to God’s glory (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

10. Applications Exercise our abilities – –Different (Romans 12:6-8) – –What about you? (Matthew 25:15) – –All are responsible (2 Corinthians 8:12; 1 Peter 4:11)

11. Applications Use of our time –One chance for some things –Swiftness of time (James 4:14; Ephesians 5:16) –Time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) –Don’t sleep (Romans 13:11)

12. Applications Use our opportunities ––C––Cannot be retrieved ––O––Opportunity to be kind, encourage, etc. ––O––Opportunity to be saved now (2 Corinthians 6:2)

13. Conclusion Use it or lose it! How about this opportunity?