INTRODUCTION

1. Words of Instruction concerning the 2nd Coming

a) These had to be given

b) They were given in the form of:

i) Prophecy

ii) Warning

2. Words of Inspiration were also given

a) To live for the Lord

b) To serve Him

c) To be watchful

d) To be faithful

 

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

14 “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.

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 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.

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, there you 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.’ Matthew 25:14-30

1. Features of the Parable

a) The master/ lord

b) The servants

c) The talent

i) This word refers to a huge sum of money

ii) This money was entrusted to the servants

2. The Entrusting of the goods of the Master

a) Distribution of the Talents

i) 5 talents were given to one

ii) 2 talents were given to another

iii) 1 talent was given to a third

b) The talents were given

i) According to the ability of each servant

ii) It is not favouritism or bias

3. The work of the servants

a) The servant who had 5 talents

He made another 5 talents

b) The servant who had 2 talents

He made another 2 talents

c) The servant who had 1 talent

i) He dug a hole in the ground

ii) He buried the master’s money

iii) How did he survive all the years the Master was away?

4. The Return of the Master

a) All were to give an account of his work

b) The servant who had 5 talents reported that he had gained 5 talents

c) The servant wo had 2 talents reported that he had gained 2 talents

d) The servant who had 1 talent had gained nothing

 

COMMENDATION OF THE FAITHFUL SERVANTS

1. Commendation of the 2 faithful servants

a) To the servant who had 5 talents

i) ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ Matthew 25:20

ii) 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 25:21

b) To the servant who had 2 talents

i) ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ Matthew 25:22

ii) 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 25:23

2. The same words of commendation were given by the master

a) Well done

b) Good and faithful servant

c) You were faithful over a few things

d) I will make you ruler over many things

e) Enter into the joy of your lord Matthew 25:23

 

REBUKE OF THE UNFAITHFUL SERVANT

1. The Excuse of the servant

24 ‘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 25:24-25

a) I knew you to be a hard man

b) And I was afraid

c) I went and hid your talent in the ground

d) There you have what is yours

2. The rebuke of the Master

26 ‘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.

a) Exposed:

i) Wickedness

ii) Laziness

iii) Inexcusable

b) The talent taken back

c) Given to the one who had 10 talents

 

CONCLUSION

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.’ Matthew 25:29-30

1. The blessing goes to the one who has been good and faithful

2. The rebuke would be given to the unprofitable servant

3. Our Challenge is clear:

a) Let us be good and faithful

b) Let us labour for the Lord fruitfully