BEYOND WORDS: USE IT OR LOSE IT

2024-05-19 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, whocalled his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had receivedtwo gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, thereyou have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

1. God’s Call

Vss 14-15 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

• Jesus is giving a reference to the gifts given to each of us
• “each according to his own ability” is a clear statement to God’s recognition of what we are able accomplish
• Stuart Weber says, “No one is entrusted with more than he can handle, but neither is he entrusted with less than he can handle.”[1]

1. Our Faithfulness

Vs 16-18 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

• Jesus describes the actions of the three servants in very little detail, His only purpose here is to illustrate faithfulness and unfaithfulness
• Two servants put the “talents” to work according to their abilities, one did nothing
• Jesus makes no distinction between the first two servants, He clearly sees their faithfulness as equal in God’s eyes
• The third servant misunderstood the very nature of God

Vss 24-25 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.

• “Lord I knew you to be a hard man” indicates the servant saw the master as a harsh, unfair taskmaster

1. The Reward

Vss 28-29 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away

• The first two servants were rewarded equally, yet the last servant had even his one talent taken away
• This is a clear image of losing the joy of one’s own salvation because of our fear of our surroundings rather than our love and trust of God
• Warren Weirsbe says, “These three parables encourage us to love His appearing, look for His appearing, and labor faithfully until He comes. We should be watching, witnessing, and working. We may not be successful in the eyes of men, or even popular with others. But if we are faithful and profitable, we shall receive our reward.”[2]

Action Points:

1. Understand God’s call on your life

• This is rarely found on a “billboard”, it is usually found as a “needle”

1. Focus on the call NOW, not later

1 Cor. 4:2 – Moreover it is required of stewards that one be found faithful

1. Don’t stop until the RIGHT time comes

[1] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 420.

[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 92.