Faithfulness Yields Fruitfulness

FAITHFULNESS YIELDS FRUITFULNESS (Outline)

November 18, 2007 -

END TIME 3 / SAINTS TRIUMPHANT -

Matthew 25:14-30

INTRO: Jesus uses another parable to teach us about the seriousness of his judgment on the Last Day. Last week the parable of the ten virgins taught us to be prepared by waiting and watching. Today’s parable reminds every believer to be prepared by being fruitful. Fruitfulness takes faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Thankfully faith is God’s free gift to us and then for us to use. Our Christian faith yields faithfulness, which then also yields fruitfulness. These blessings all begin with God’s free of faith to us. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other"(JOHN 15:16,17). Fruitfulness is tempered with love. Our theme:

FAITHFULNESS YIELDS FRUITFULNESS!

I. Always use God’s gifts.

II. Never abuse God’s gifts.

I. ALWAYS USE GOD’S GIFTS

A. Verse 14 the master leaves on a journey. He entrusts his property to his servants.

1. This master is Jesus. His journey will to be to the cross to death – and resurrection.

2. Forty days later Jesus’ journey will take him to heaven at his ascension.

B. The servants are given different gifts, each according to their ability, verse 15.

1. The servants with 5 talents and 2 talents waste no time, verses 16,17.

2. These two servants put the money to work. Both gain double what they were given.

C. The master returns to settle accounts, verse 19.

1. Verse 20 the servant with 5 talents happily returns with 5 more (verse 22 repeats 2 talents).

2. These two servants faithfully used the gifts. They rejoice and so does their master, vs. 21,23.

3. The “few things” (talents) were valuable things. One talent = 75 pounds of money!

a. Heaven is far, far greater than any money.

b. “Come and share…happiness!”

D. Jesus wants us to understand and appreciate that no amount of money can compare with the joys of eternal life. This teaching takes work for us to fully appreciate. Our society almost always considers everything with an assessment concerning cost. What will this disaster cost? What will the war cost? How much will high fuel prices cost our families? We get caught up in this mindset. We see sports superstars hold out for more and more money. We see them endanger their lives for more money, fame, and glory. Yet, the Lord always wants us to remember the joy that is ours by faith. "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand"(PSALM 16:11). This is God’s gift of faith to us and for our faithfulness to yield fruitfulness.

E. We notice that there were different gifts for different servants. It is still the same today. Even in society we note that everyone has different gifts for various occupations. The church is no different. Some can teach. Some can preach. Some can play piano and organ. Some can sing. All these gifts of all these believers are for a singular purpose. "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up"(EPHESIANS 4:11,12). God’s gifts build up the body of Christ.

F. There are different lists of different gifts in Scripture. Each one of us has at least one gift. Rest as-sured that you likely have even more than only one gift from God. In Romans we have what we might consider as foundational gifts of faith. "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer"(ROMANS 12:11,12). These are gifts from God for our faith and faithfulness. Even sick in bed or in a care center we can always pray. During those times we can especially pray for those who may have been too busy to pray. Value these gifts – zeal, fervor, serving, joy, patience, prayer. Faithfully using them will mean fruitful Christian lives.

FAITHFULNESS YIELDS FRUITFULNESS

I. Always use God’s gifts.

II. Never abuse God’s gifts.

II. NEVER ABUSE GOD’S GIFTS

A. There was a servant unlike the first two, verse 18. This servant abused the gift of his master.

1. The time came to settle accounts and he gives back the talent with his excuse, verse 24.

2. This servant judged his master to be hard and cruel harvesting where he did not sow.

B. The judgment of the master is swift and severe. Verse 26 labels this man as wicked and lazy.