November 20, 2005
"What Are You Afraid Of?"
What Makes God Smile?—Part 8
Matthew 25:14-30
"With knowledge, comes responsibility."
1. My talent is on loan from God.
Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.
—Matthew 25:14 (TLB)
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.
—Romans 12:6 (NLT)
"Talent is not just money. Talent is a God-given ability."
2. I will give an account of my talents to God.
After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
—Matthew 25:19
"Life is preparation for eternity."
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
—1 Corinthians 3:8
3. I will be rewarded on the basis of faithfulness.
His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" The man with the two talents also came. "Master," he said, "you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more." His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
—Matthew 25:21-23
"Judgement is based on faithfulness, not on productivity. The results belong to God."
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
—1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NKJV)
4. What am I afraid of?
I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.
—Matthew 25:25
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
—Ephesians 2:10
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
—1 Peter 4:11
Lifework
When God does an audit on your life, what will it show was important to you? Will it show you were involved in selfish activities or service activities? Will it show that you used the gifts and talents God gave you or buried them? Make a commitment today. Don't delay! God gave you the gift, he will give you the strength, and you will share in His joy.
What Makes God Smile?—Week 8
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- What was your greatest talent while attending school? What talents have you discovered in your life after graduating from High School?
- One of the best ways to figure out what God wants you to do with your life, is to take an inventory of your abilities and assets. Share three things you are good at. Let your group add a few.
- acting
- administrating
- being sensitive
- caring
- cheering others on
- coaching
- cooking
- crusading for a cause
- getting others involved
- hanging out with kids
- helping behind the scenes
- helping start a business
- homemaking
- hosting
- leading
- listening
- making people laugh
- motivating
- organizing
- peacemaking
- playing an instrument
- playing ball
- problem solving
- promoting
Digging Deeper: Romans 12
- In this parable, who does the master represent? Who do the servants represent? What do the talents represent? What does the journey represent? What do the investments represent? What does the hole in the ground represent?
- Why were different servants given differing amounts? What does this parable teach about fairness? What was the basis of their reward?
- Was the Master too hard on the unproductive servant? Why or why not? Would you want to work for this master?
- What motivated the unproductive servant? What motivated the productive servants? What were the servants' rewards and punishment? How do you understand throwing the worthless servant outside into the darkness?
Applying It To My Life
- What motivates you to use your talents for God? What fears do you have in using your talents for God? How can your group help you?
- If the Master returned today, what would he say to you about the way you have used what He has given you?