Sermon Central
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Lesson 4: When I Don’t Take Responsibility
Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 12, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: What happens with failure and how to come back from a failure.
A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 25:14-30
1. I was tired/weak – unable.
2. I was not ready – unprepared.
3. I didn’t give it the time – uncommitted.
4. I didn’t have the skills – unfit.
5. I didn’t get help – unable to work with others.
6. I didn’t follow directions – untaught.
7. I didn’t have the tools – unequipped.
8. Another made me fail – unacceptable.
9. It was not my job – unresponsible.
10. I just didn’t want to – unwilling.
Why did the one-talent person fail? _________________________
B. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF FAILURE
1. Thou shalt not goof off.
2. Thou shalt not procrastinate.
3. Thou shalt get the tools you need.
4. Thou shalt read and follow the directions.
5. Thou shalt listen and obey your boss.
6. Thou shalt be physically ready when you begin a job.
7. Thou shalt get help when you need an extra hand.
8. Thou shalt focus your thinking on the job you have to do.
9. Thou shalt not pass the buck.
10. Thou shalt not blame failure on someone else.
C. QUESTION 1: WHAT HAPPENED? MATT. 25:14-30
1. Each was trusted with a different level of responsibility.
He was given according to his ability. “To each one according to his several ability” (25:15).
2. “He was trusted according to his ability” (Living Bible)
a. First servant $5,000.
b. Second servant $2,000.
c. Third servant $1,000 (Matt. 25:14-15).
3. Needed a “track record” of dependability to be trusted. “The master left them in charge” (25:15, ELT).
4. Each knew their responsibility. “I knew that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown” (25:24).
5. Each gave a time limit to do the job. “After a long time, the Lord of those servants cometh” (25:19).
6. Each had to be evaluated by their works. “Cometh and reckoneth with them” (25:19).
7. Each was given an opportunity to explain their actions. “Lord, thou delivereth unto me five talents, behold . . . five more” (25:20).
8. To do nothing was unacceptable. “Thou ought to have put my money to the exchangers” (25:27).
9. All had the same master, so each should have had the: (a) same motivation, (b) same instruction, (c) each was given something to work with, (d) each had to give an account.
D. QUESTION 2: WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM FAILURE?
1. I must do my best at all times, in all responsibilities.
2. Be ready for responsibilities, you don’t know when they will come.
3. Everyone is trusted with something, be ready to perform.
4. Excuses for failure are never enough. “I knew you were a hard man . . . I was afraid . . . I hid” (25:24-25, ELT).
5. Most things in life come down to money. “He that received one talent dug a hole to bury his master’s money” (25:18, ELT).
6. Untrustworthy with money is a character issue. “You lazy servant” (25:26, ELT).
7. What we hide is God’s. “Hid his lord’s money” (25:18).
8. People tend to hide their failures. “Hid his lord’s money” (25:18). What was he afraid of?
E. WHAT CAN I LEARN ABOUT GOD?
1. God knows how much pressure I can take. “Each man according to his several ability” (25:15).
2. God expects me to do my best with my responsibility.
3. God will not judge me with someone else’s expectations.
4. I won’t get my reward at the end of the day, but when the master returns (25:14).
5. God does not cover up or let our failures slide.
6. I’ll be happy when I’m faithful. “Enter thou into the joy of the Lord” (25:21, 23).
7. Eventually, I must give an account of my actions. “Reckoned with them” (25:19).
8. Faithfulness in a small job leads to a promotion and greater responsibility. “The one with two talents said, ‘I have gained two other talents beside’” (25:22). I will make thee ruler over many things.”
9. Some are commended, “Good and faithful servant” (25:21). Good is your moral character; faithful is your work commitment.
10. Knowing God is not enough, “I know that” (25:24).
F. QUESTION 4: WHAT WILL I DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME?
1. Just because I know God won’t be enough, “I knew thee” (25:25).
2. God’s call accompanies God’s commission to a job. “Called his own servants” (25:14).
3. God will judge me according to what He knows I can do.
4. I am not responsible for jobs that are too big for me.
5. Faithfulness leads to promotion.
6. Happiness is found as a reward for duty. “Enter thou into the joy of the Lord” (25:21).
7. If I don’t use what God gives me, He will take it away, i.e., “use it or lose it.”
