Let’s Throw Our Shovels Away

Many today want to bury their talents

Maud church of ChristSunday Evening, Sept. 28, 2014By: Jim Bradshaw

Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus is coming soon

Rev. 22:20 ESV He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

In God We Trust

Is this statement still true?

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Read Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-15 NKJV "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.

Matthew 25:16-18 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.

Matthew 25:19-20 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.'

Matthew 25:21 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.'

Matthew 25:22 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.'

Matthew 25:23 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.’

Matthew 25:24-25 "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.‘

Matthew 25:26-27 "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.

Matthew 25:28-29 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.

Matthew 25:30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Entrusted with the Lord’s Property1.The Master represents Christ, verse 31, “When

the Son of Man comes in His glory…”.2.Servants are the disciples of Christ.3.Again we are talking about Christians.4.The other country is heaven.

John 14:1-3 NKJV "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

How much is a Talent worth?Some charts say as little as $1,000.00

However, I like to figure a different way.1 days wage of laborer = 1 denarius (Matt. 20:1-16)Today the average yearly wage in U.S. is $44,321.67 (2012)

1 talent = 240 aurei1 aureus = 25 denarius (or 25 days of labor)1 talent = 240 x 25 = 6,000 denarius

1 talent = 6000 days of labor , or 16.4 years1 talent = 6000/365 x 44,321.67 = $725,575.40

Entrusted with the Lord’s Property1.God has truly blessed all of us here on earth.Mark 10:29-30 NKJV So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, (30) who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.

Talent on Loan From God1.We are to be good stewards

of all that God has given us.2.Stewards were the managers

or overseers of the house of a master.

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Matthew 25:15 NKJV 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.

Giving from what we have

2 Corinthians 8:12 NKJV (12) For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

We Reap What We Sow1.Both the 5 talent and the 2 talent man double

their totals.2.God expects us to sow in order to reap

bountifully.Galatians 6:7-9 NKJV Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (9) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

To Grow or Hide

A Christian is to grow in order to be pleasing to God.

We are Given Talent to Grow

Eph 2:19-22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We are Given Talent to Grow

2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; (18) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

We are judged based upon what we do

It does not matter how we compare to others.

The 5 Talent Servant would have had more talents than the 2 talent servant even after he doubled his talents.

James 3:16 NKJV for where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

Matthew 24:46 NKJV Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Matthew 25:28-29 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.

Matthew 25:30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

To Hide is a Bad Choice

Romans 11:22 NKJV Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

I say no!!! Let’s throw our shovels away and double our talents!!!

Do we dig a hole and bury our talents to keep what we have?

Evaluating our Talents

How many talents did you have last year?

1 Talent2 Talents

5 Talents

How many talents next year?

When Jesus returns what will He say to you?

Ephesians 1:3 NKJV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

Hear (Romans 10:17)

Believe (Mark 16:16)

Confess (Matthew 10:32-33)

Repent (Luke 13:3,5)

Be Baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16)

Step

s to

1 John 1:9 NKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Are you Ready?