PARABLE OF THE TALENTSPARABLE OF THE TALENTSMatt. 25:14-30Matt. 25:14-30

ANALOGIES OF PARABLE

lord = Christ

Servants = Jesus’ disciples

Distribution of Talents = endowment of gifts, talents

Return of the lord = 2nd 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

MATTHEW 25:14-15

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.

MATTHEW 25:16-18

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.

MATTHEW 25:16-18

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.

MATTHEW 25:19-23

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"

Their lord was pleased

MATTHEW 25:24-28

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."

The One Makes Excuses

MATTHEW 25:24-28

v. 26 “wicked and lazy servant”

v. 27 “you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers”

Lord’s Response

MATTHEW 25:29-30

Eternal torment,eternal hell.

Note the punishment

I. APPLICATION

Be faithful in using opportunities - 1 Cor. 4:2

We are stewards - Matt. 25:14-15

- Quality, not Quantity

Day of reckoning – 2 Cor. 5:10

“Wicked and Lazy” – Matt. 25:25-26

Sin of Omission – James 4:17

II. DETERMINING OUR TALENTS

All do not have the same talents

Nature of talents may be different

Some talents are easier to determine

Through trial and error

Seek counsel from others

Will the lord say to you…

“Well done, good and faithful servant’’

Or

“You wicked and lazy servant”

Matt. 25:14-30Matt. 25:14-30

God has given us all some abilityGod has given us all some abilityto serve Him.to serve Him.

We Must Be ProductiveWe Must Be Productive