“Service That Equals Victory”
Malachi 2:2 Matthew 25:14-30
-Last week we looked at the disobedient side of the choices in life and the result of our halfhearted worship and non-chalante attitude toward the things of God.
-Please note; these are not God’s desire for your life! He desires to give you the blessing and treasure that equal posture that eclipses, prosperity that is endless, and a pace that is eternal.
-I chose to title this message using the word victory instead of blessing. We get lost at times seeking the “blessings” of God then find that we make them idols.
-It is not another blessing this morning that we seek, but I hope through this message you will find victory in your life.
-Victory over using these blessings of God for our own pleasure instead of His
-Victory over a life spent in unfaithfulness to God. Please realize this is no life at all.
-There is something told to us by Jesus’ words in Matt 25:14-30.
I. Posture that eclipses
A. Unfaithfulness causes a strained relationship with the Master.
1. If we were to ask for a show of hands just about every one of us would admit to, at some time in our life, having a strained relationship with God.
2. For many it is now, for others you may have no relationship at all with Him, and yet for a few you might be able to say I am where I need to be with Him.
3. You will notice right off if you have a red letter edition of the word that these are Jesus’ words. Remember every word He said is relevant.
4. Look at the response of the one foolish servant. (vs24)
5. Immediately he began to make excuses.
6. Immediately he began to place blame.
7. Immediately he gave reason for his negligence to the work of his Master.
8. I have to wonder how many of us are loaded with excuses as to why we are not faithful to the work of our Master.
9. Some of you may have been called to vocational ministry and continue to be unfaithful with that calling, some have been called to witness and share your testimony and have been unfaithful, and yet some have been called to serve whether in church or missions and unfaithfulness reigns in your calling.
10. Therefore the strain fills your relationship with Christ and excuses and negligence flood your intensions.
11. We are too busy, it’s too hard, no way I can do it, I am afraid I will fail. The longer He tarries coming to get us the longer our list of excuses read.
12. There is no justification for our negligence when it comes to being faithful to our God.
B. Faithfulness creates boldness before our Master.
1. There was anticipation on the half of the servant to show the Master what he had done with the talents given to him.
2. They came to Him with boldness.
3. They allowed their faith to be the access that they had before Him.
4. Paul had this faith as we read in Ephesians 3:8-12 (NKJV)
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. (Read with excitement)
5. 1 John 4:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
19 We love Him because He first loved us.
6. These two servants could come before their Master because they had been faithful in the duty that He had given them.
7. Out of these two you can see God’s desire for us to be faithful and why.
8. We want our children to be blessed not disciplined by us.
II. Prosperity that is endless
A. The things of God are eternal. Daniel 4:3 (NKJV)
3 How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.
1. When we enter by our faithfulness to Him, into His kingdom, not only will we be blessed for it, but we will enter into His joy and kingdom that never end.
2. How near sighted we are to focus on the blessing that this world has to offer.
3. How great the blessings that will flow when we enter into His rest and joy in the kingdom that is endless.
4. When we see, promised in scripture, the promises that await us when faithfulness rules in our life, why would we not strive to attain it?
5. Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
6.
III. Pace that is eternal
A. These servants knew how blessed they were.
1. They gave because they had been given.
2. If we are not willing to give, begs the question if we have been given.
3. In response to Jesus’ sacrifice, we see the love demonstrated and the care given, in response is a desire for eternity, beginning now, to serve Him.
