STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

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11/5/2006 ~ Parable of the Talents


It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils.
~ Exodus 25:39

What is the essence of man and his abilities?
The talent of man rises beyond infinite value.
It reaches to that which is unquantifiable.

"... what will be the sign of Your coming, ..." ~ Matthew 24:3

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, ..."
~ Matthew 25:14

God goes away calling us back.

"... And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one,
to each according to his own ability; ..." ~ Matthew 25:14-18

 Talent ≠ Abilities 

57–80 lbs of silver = $1,000

Hebrew = 3,000 shekels
1 shekel = 4 day’s wages
12,000 days ≈ 40 years
   
Roman = 6,000 denarii
1 denarii = 1 day’s wages (skilled labor)
6,000 days = 19 years
Slave wages = 38 or more years labor

The master gave lifetimes of wage$.

Talent = Responsibility with Gifted Abilities.

What do we expect from those responsible?
What about the responsibility given to us?
Would it just be easier to ignore what we have been called to do?

                                 ┌─> Given more.
... Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things,
... ~ Matthew 25:19-21

                                 ┌─> Given more.
... Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things,
... ~ Matthew 25:22-23

... said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, ... ~ Matthew 25:24-30
        └─> He gave nothing back from what was given.

1st Servant
 Applied himself
 Rewarded
 Winner
2nd Servant
 Applied himself
 Rewarded
 Winner
3rd Servant
 Did nothing
 Punished
 Loser

... once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light ... ~ Ephesians 5:8-16

"... For we are also His offspring." ~ Acts 17:24-28

Give back to the Lord what is the Lord’s.

                                                ┌─> Give of yourself.
...you have from God, and you are not your own? ... ~ 1st Corinthians 6:19-20
            └─> ... bought at a price.

We are slaves of the master.
~ Thankfulness is key to sanity.

... by this time you ought to be teachers, ... ~ Hebrews 5:12-14

We have been entrusted with God’s knowledge.
We are asked to teach what we know as active participants.

... God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 10:13

God does not expect more than what we can handle but
→ He does expect a return for the word He has delivered.
We each have responsibilities for those around us and ourselves.

What is expected:
1. Men/Husbands/Fathers
2. Women/Wives/Mothers
3. Elders/Deacons
4. Teachers/Preachers/Students
5. Civic/Personal/Family/Work

"... Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" ~ Luke 2:49
Obviously, Jesus’ parents took the responsibility of teaching seriously. <─┘                    

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
~ Luke 10:29

One can not justify oneself by doing nothing or making excuses.

... "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" ~ Luke 18:18

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. ...
~ 2nd Corinthians 13:5-8

~ Put yourself to the test.
What can you do with your gift, for great gain for God?
Truth resides above all human folly.

But to each one of us grace was given according to
the measure of Christ's gift. ~ Ephesians 4:7

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, ... ~ 1st Timothy 4:14-16

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ~ 1st Peter 4:10

A forgiven man would not forgive. <─┐                                
... So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart,
does not forgive his brother his trespasses." ~ Matthew 18:21-35


┌─────< Gift of Life >─────┐
│                                        │
Responsibility                          Forgiveness  
          with Talents                                   │ 10,000        
 5,2,1  │                                         │  Talents 
                      Talents  │                                         │ A debt He did not owe. 
│               Judment               │
└─────>  ──┼─   <─────┘


Christ laid His life down for each one of us.
Jesus carries our debt (sin) which can never be repaid.
Through His Mercy and Grace we find redemption.
We are asked to imitate Him.
He is willing to forgive us.

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. ~ 1st Corinthians 11:1

God has given us much and if we return His investment,
in truth with gain, great will be our reward.

~ To achieve the rewards of Jesus ~
We cannot hide what God has asked us to do.
He tells us what to do in the New Testament.

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father,
younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, ... ~ 1st Timothy 5:1-2

We need to encourage and love one another in spirit and truth.
→ Jesus paid a debt He did not owe.
He gave us a responsibility to succeed.

Will Jesus find a return on His investment?
~ Stop burying your talent.

... For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own
soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ... ~ Matthew 16:24-28

What will be the judgment of your soul?
Teach your children, relatives, and neighbors.
Jesus died for our sin and paid the price for our salvation.
~ Where will you be when He comes in to your view?

... great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone
about the weight of a talent. ... ~ Revelation 16:21

The plague of death is the weightiest of all;
~ would you trade eternal life for a dead metal
→ or utilize your worth for the benefit of all?

It could be as simple as if you hold anger over sorrow.
Truth over deceptions.
Love over hate.
God over all.
Where is your talent?

I would like to thank my brother in Christ, Scott Hamilton.


 

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