Sermon: Preparing to Witness in Word and Deed
Pastor Jim discusses the Parable of Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and asks the question, “According to the parable of talents, what might a life of holiness and servanthood look like?”
Sermon Notes
A Call to Holiness – The Parable of Talents – Matthew 25:14-30
1) The Main Characters of a Godly lifestyle:
a) The servants, entrusted with talents. (Matthew 25:14)
b) The master, giver of talents. (Matthew 25:15)
c) The master gave according to abilities. (Matthew 25:15)
d) There was immediate response by the servants. (Matthew 25:16-18)
e) Risk was involved; there was a possibility to lose talents.
2) The Master Returns to Settle Accounts (Matthew 25:19):
a) Praises and rewards to the faithful servants who took the risk to grow the kingdom. (Matthew 25:20-23)
b) The servant who took no risk was condemned for trying to use fear as a justifiable excuse. (Matthew 25:24)
c) No excuses were allowed or accepted. (Matthew 25:24-27)
3) The Final Judgment:
a) Rewards or Punishment. (Matthew 25:29)
b) Those who were not willing or were unable to grow the kingdom were not let into the kingdom, and instead received eternal darkness, weeping, gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30)
Parable Questions
According to the Parable of Talents, what might a life of holiness and servitude look like?
- Would we be fearless?
- Would we be risk takers?
- Would we step out in faith?
- Would we be willing to look foolish in our faith to others?
- Would we use our gifts, graces, talents, and resources to grow God’s Kingdom?
- Would our lifestyle validate our belief in Christ?
- Would we bear fruit for the Kingdom?
- Would be bring the lost home to Jesus?
- Would we love all we meet?
- Will we hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”?