The Parable of the Talents
A. A FAMILIAR PARABLE TO ALL.
B. A SIMPLE LESSON:
1. The Diligent will be rewarded ( vs. 21, 23 ).
2. The negligent will be punished ( vs. 26, 30 ).
A. WE ARE NOT ALL ENDOWED ALIKE.
1. Equal in rights but not in ability.
2. Extra ability implies extra responsibility.
3. One thing all had in common. Each can fulfill his own responsibility.
B. WE CANNOT ALL PRODUCE ALIKE.
1. God doesn’t expect us to do more than we can ( 2 Cor. 8:12 ).
2. A brother’s greater or lesser ability doesn’t excuse us.
C. WE WILL NOT ALL BE REWARDED ALIKE.
1. Two of the men were rewarded alike ( vs. 21, 23 ).
2. The other put out no effort and received no reward.
A. vs. 21, 23; Luke 19:16-19.
B. OUR REWARD IS MORE THAN JUST A POSSESSION, BUT SOMETHING
WE CAN USE.
1. The faithful are rewarded by an increase in ability ( John 15:2; 2 Cor. 9:10-11 ).
2. The sky is the limit ( Phil. 2:13; 4:13 ).
3. It’s a good thing ( Matt. 9:36-38 ).
C. EVEN IN HEAVEN A PART OF OUR REWARD WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY
TO SERVE THE LORD ( Rev. 22:3 ).
A. GOD’S SEVEREST JUDGMENT ON THE UNFAITHFUL IS TAKING AWAY
HIS TRUST.
B. CONSIDER AGAIN vs. 24-30.
1. He only had one talent. Just because his part was small didn’t excuse him
( 1 Cor. 12:22; 2 Cor. 5;10 ).
2. Notice his attempts to excuse himself:
a. “Lo, thou hast thine own” – Didn’t do any damage or harm ( Matt. 12:30 ).
b. “I hid thy talent in the earth” – Confession is good, but repentance is
necessary ( 1 John 1:6-7; Luke 3:8 ).
c. “I was afraid” – Fear should have moved him to otherwise
( Heb. 10:31; Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 6:1-2 ).
Where is our faith? ( Phil. 4:13 ).
d. “I knew” – ( Heb. 3:1-3; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:1-2 ).
C. THE SERVANT LOST HIS TALENT. EVERY BLESSING COMES WITH THIS
LABEL – “USE ME OR LOSE ME!”
D. TRUE OF CONGREGATIONS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS.
A. THE LORD KNOWS OUR ABILITIES ( 2 Cor. 8:12 ).
B. THE LORD WILL NOT ACCEPT LESS THAN OUR BEST.
C. HOW WILL GOD RESPOND TO OUR EFFORTS ON JUDGMENT DAY?
1. vs. 30
or
2. vs. 21.