The TIME is SHORT!
“Living in Light of the LAST DAYS”
Matthew 25:14-30
“The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah…” Jesus (Mt. 24:37)
I. The Responsibilities of the MASTER (25:14-18)
The “Talents”
1 Talent = _____ years wages
FYI – All 3 men were blessed with a _______ amount of money and/or possessions! i.e. “talents”
A “talent” represents _________________ to use our God-given abilities. i.e. time…talents…treasures
“Each according to his own ability”
The Master intimately __________ His slaves and only entrusts each one with the responsibility He knows they can handle.
“It is not a man’s talent, which matters; what matters is how he uses it… Men are not equal in talent; but men can be equal in effort.” William Barclay
Don’t ___________ or ___________, just commit to serving God faithfully with all your ability.
Verses 16-18 reveal how much each of the 3 slaves used the “talents” that the Master had ____________ to them. i.e. 5… 2… 1
II. The Rewards from the MASTER (25:19-30)
Don’t miss the phrase “now after a ________ time…”
cf. Matt. 24:48; 25:5
“Well done, good and faithful slave…”
God desires to be so ___________ in His praise and reward to those who are faithful & obedient. The Parable of the Talents is really a lesson on why NOT to be a __________________ like the third slave!
The Knucklehead’s Excuse:
The word “hard” (v. 24) is found only ___ other times in the N.T. and literally means “strict, harsh, _________ or merciless.” cf. Jn. 6:60; Acts 26:14; Js. 3:4; Ju. 15
Bottomline: The third slave did not expect to be held _________________ for how he lived his life! (Lk. 19)
Practical Application:
- Your Submission (Luke 19:14, 27)
- Your Service (Matt. 25:21, 23) churchgrowth.org
Appointments with God
The TIME is SHORT!
Matthew 25:14-30
Monday, September 19th
Meditate upon the Lord’s Delay in Coming:
- Matt. 24:48; 25:5, 19; 2 Pet. 3:8-9
Why is Jesus taking “so long” in coming back? What should we be doing in the mean time? Pray for an open door to share your faith THIS WEEK!
Tuesday, September 20th
Meditate upon the Lord’s Desire to Bless Us:
- Matt. 25:15, 21, 23
Read up on a good study Bible about the amount that the “Talents” were? Can you imagine having that much money? Praise God for His abundant blessing!
Wednesday, September 21st
Meditate upon the Parable of the Minas:
- Luke 19:11-27
How is this parable similar to and different from the Parable of the Talents (Mt. 25). Don’t miss the phrase, “Do business with this until I come back.” Ask God how you can better serve Him until then.
Thursday, September 22nd
Meditate upon the Ways we Serve God:
- 1 Peter 4:10-11
What is the “special gift” you have received from God? Pray for God to clarify your gift & empower you to use it for His Glory. Check churchgrowth.org
Friday, September 23rd
Meditate upon the Ways we Serve God:
- Romans 12:3-8
Notice the gifts are given by “grace”—they are “grace gifts.” Think thru the different gifts and praise God for the gifts of those around you in the Body!
Saturday/Sunday, Sept. 24-25
Meditate upon the Ways we Serve God:
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31
This is the 3rd List of Spiritual Gifts in the N.T. How is it different and how is it the same as Rom. 12? Notice the “same God” and “one and the same Spirit.” Until Christ comes, how could you be even more effective in your use of His “talents?” Pray for His Spirit to give you strength to do it!
[audio:http://www.marshalltownefc.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/35-The-Time-is-Short-Mat.-25_14-30.mp3|titles=35 The Time is Short (Mat. 25_14-30)]35 The Time is Short (Mat. 25_14-30)
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