14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ —Matthew 25:14-30
Intro: In the parable of the talents, Jesus gives us a powerful lesson about faithfulness and responsibility in Serving in the Kingdom of Heaven. God has entrusted each of us with time, abilities, resources, and relationships not to be neglected but to be used for His glory. The question before us is this: Are we faithfully investing in growing God’s Kingdom, or are we wasting what He has given us? Today, we will explore how Jesus calls us to acknowledge our assignment, advance with action, and avoid apathy as we live in anticipation of His return.
Big Idea: Jesus’ disciples are called to
Three ways to invest in growing The Kingdom of Heaven
1. Acknowledging Our Assignment (25:14-18)
- a. Christ entrusts us with spiritual and material gifts (v.14-15)
- b. A talent was a significant sum, about 20 years’ wages for a laborer. This illustrates the immense responsibility given.
God does not give
What has
- c. Faithful stewardship requires action, not just passive possession (v.16-17)
- d. Fear and inaction lead to wasted opportunities (v.18)
2. Advancing with Action (24:19-23)
- a. Jesus will return an evaluate how we have used what He has entrusted to us (v.19)
- b. Faithfulness brings commendation and greater responsibility. (v.20-21)
- c. God’s Reward is not based on quantity but faithfulness. (v.22-23)
You
- d. Faithfulness in small things prepares you for greater opportunities.
Seek
3. Avoiding Apathy (25:24-30)
Do I
- a. A wrong view of God leads to poor stewardship (v.24-25)
- b. Neglecting our gifts is seen as spiritual laziness. (v.26-27)
Doing
- c. God rewards those who invest wisely and removes from those who do not. (v.28-29)
- d. Those who refuse to serve God will experience divine judgment (v.30)
- e. “Until He comes” (1 Cor 11:26)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. —1 Corinthians 11:26
The
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
What does it mean to be a “good and faithful servant” in your daily life?
How does your view of God influence the way you serve Him?
What are some common distractions or excuses that keep people from investing in God’s Kingdom?
What is one thing your small group can invest in to further the Kingdom of Heaven?