1. Matt. 25:14-30

2. Prepared Productive Watching Working Matt. 25:1-13

3. lord=Christ Servants =Jesus’ disciples Distribution of Talents=endowment of gifts, talents Return of lord=2 nd coming of Christ The accounting required=the Judgment Profit reported=Improvement of gifts, talents Joy of the lord=Heaven Outer darkness=Hell Faithful servants=Faithful Christians Unfaithful Servants=Unfaithful Christians

4.  A man, about to travel to a far country, distributes his goods ("talents") among his servants  The word “talents” here is used to denote “a large sum”. We have retained in our language the word “talent” as referring to the abilities or gifts of men  Notice they all have talents.

5.  The two who had received most used their money in trade, and through honest gain, doubled it before their master returned  The one talent man did not “use” the talent given to him by his lord, he hid his talent and buried it in the ground.

6.  Keep in mind that all 3 of these men were servants. They were obligated to seek and improve their lord’s interest.  We as Christians are servants to Christ, we are obligated to use our talents and abilities to further Christ and His cause.

7. Their lord was pleased  He praises them for their work, v. 21 "Well done"  He commends them both as v. 21 "good and faithful servant"  He rewards them by promoting them: v. 23 "faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many..."  He invites them to share in his happiness: v. 24 "Enter into the joy of your lord"

8. The One Makes Excuses v. 24 "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown...” v. 25 "I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground."

9. Lord’s Response v. 26 “wicked and lazy servant” v. 27 “you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers”

10.  Note the punishment  Eternal torment, eternal hell.

11. 1. Be faithful in using opportunities - 1 Cor. 4:2 2. We are stewards - Matt. 25:14-15 - Quality, not Quantity 3. Day of reckoning – 2 Cor. 5:10 4. “Wicked and Lazy” – Matt. 25:25-26 5. Sin of Omission – Jas. 4:17

12. 1. All do not have the same talents 2. Nature of talents may be different 3. Some talents are easier to determine 4. Through trial and error 5. Seek counsel from others

13. Matt. 25:14-30 God has given us all some ability to serve Him. We Must Be Productive

14. Will the Lord say to you…. “Well done, good and faithful servant” Or “You wicked and lazy servant”

15. Confess Matt. 10:32-33 Confess Matt. 10:32-33 Repent Lk. 13:3 Repent Lk. 13:3 Believe Jn. 8:24 Believe Jn. 8:24 Baptism Acts 2:38 Baptism Acts 2:38 Faithful Rev. 2:10 Faithful Rev. 2:10