OceanSide church of Christ

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PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

Matthew 25:14-30

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The story of the man who gained entrance into heaven and requested to see the book of his works.  Another book also existed in heaven.  It was a book of the man’s potential.  It was double the size of the book of his works.

 

B.    God has made man and blessed him with many talents.

1.     He wants man to use these talents to produce much for His glory.

2.     The Parable of the Talents teaches this lesson.  We might subtitle the parable as:  “The Parable of Potential:  Realized versus Hidden.”

 

C.   We will examine this parable in tonight’s lesson.  We hope that each one of us will be encouraged to BE ALL WE CAN BE.

 

I.           THE DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS (Matt. 25:14-15)

 

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants and delivered to them his goods.  And unto the one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

 

A.   The Assets

1.     The assets mentioned belong to the lord of the servants.

2.     Verse 14 refers to them as “his goods.”

3.     All that one has really belongs to the Lord.  Man owns nothing he has acquired.

a.     James 1:17

 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

b.    If all would learn this lesson, we would not be lifted up with pride.

1)     All I have comes from God.

2)     Paul was right (Acts 17:28)

 

For in him we live, and move, and have our being.

 

B.    The Allocation

1.     The lord called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods.

2.     Man is the steward of the Lord’s goods.

a.     The main requirement of a steward is faithfulness.

b.    I Corinthians 4:2

 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3.     Facts revealed about the allocation.

a.     Every man receives something:  “to every man.”

b.    Some receive more than others:  five, two, and one.

c.    Distribution is based upon each man’s ability, “…according to his several ability.”

1)     God knows every man.

2)     His knows exactly what each person can handle.

4.     This diversity of talents is what makes a vibrant body of Christ (I Cor. 12:20-25).

 

But now are they many members, yet but one body.  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:  nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary…that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

 

C.   The Ascension

1.     The text states that the lord “straightway took his journey.”

2.     The Lord Jesus Christ has taken a journey into the heavenly realm (Acts 1:9).

 

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

 

3.     He has promised to return, but until He does, men have been given talents that the Lord expects to be used in a profitable manner.

 

II.         THE DEEDS OF THE ATTENDANTS (Matt. 25:16-18)

 

A.   The five talent man APPLIED his talents and the result was that he DOUBLED what was given (Matt. 25:16).

 

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

 

1.     This man felt the weight of the responsibility given to him.

2.     He immediately went to work.

3.     He exemplified Ecclesiastes 9:10.

 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.

 

4.     He acquired a wonderful result, the doubling of his talents.

5.     What motivated him?  Duty?  Love?  A combination of both?  Whatever it was it caused him to be profitable to his master.

 

B.    The two talent man ACTED and he DOUBLED his talents (Matt. 25:17).

 

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

 

1.     He wasn’t disgruntled and discouraged because he only had two talents.

2.     No, he was self-motivated.

3.     His efforts made him a four-talent man.

4.     His labors coincide with Colossians 3:23.

 

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

 

C.   The one talent man showed APATHY and DIGGED in the earth (Matt. 25:18).

 

But he that received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

 

1.     This verse opens with the word “but.”

a.     This man’s actions were different from the others.

1)     They toiled to produce.  He toiled to protect.

2)     Others risked; he played it safe.

2.     Some might hail him as being concerned.  Others might laud him as being cautious.  Still others might applaud him as being conservative. 

 

D.   Application:  Each child of God needs to ask himself:  “Which of these servants represents me?”

1.     Preachers need to ask the question.  Many seem content with their one talent.

2.     NOTE:  Satisfaction and contentment do not indicate a job well-done.  They do not mean that one is “trading” his/her talents.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Talents have been distributed to every Christian

 

B.    We can either use these talents, or, we can hide our talents in the earth.

 

C.   Again, which one of these servants are you?