AM Scripture Reading: Matthew 25.14-30

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

Buried Talents – Wasted Lives

Matthew 25.14-30

Introduction:

1. A “talent” was a sum of money; a weighted measurement.

2. Our English word “talent,” meaning “an ability or aptitude,” came from Jesus’ usage of the Greek word talanton, as found in two of His parables (Matt. 18.24 & 25.15-28).

3. Here are four reasons why the man in this parable hid his talent…

I. HE VIEWED HIS MASTER AS UNFAIR!

1. Verse 24: “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered.”

2. We serve a Master who is always fair!

   1. He wants us to make an honest effort. (Luke 6.46)

   2. If we make the effort, He’ll do the rest! (Matt. 11.28-30)

II. HE WAS FILLED WITH FEAR!

1. Verse 25: “And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.”

2. The opposite of fear is faith.

   1. The figure of the human body. (Rom. 12.3-8; 1 Cor. 12 )

   2. “There is no fear in love…” (1 John 4.18).

III. HE WAS A LAZY SERVANT!

1. Verse 26: “But his lord answered and said, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.’”

   1. See Rom. 12.11 & Heb. 6.12

   2. The Bible condemns laziness. (Prov. 24.30-34)

2.  The problem is not opportunity; the problem is energy.

IV. HE WAS A PROCRASTINATOR!

1. Many of Jesus’ pictures of final judgment involve a delay:

   1. His judgment warnings. (Matt. 24.48; 25.5, 19)

   2. The classic response of Felix. (Acts 24.25)

2.  We have been sufficiently warned! (Mark 13.33; 1 Thess. 5.2; 2 Pet. 3.10; especially Matt. 25.30)

Conclusion: Will we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”?