Rapture Ready. Be Ready, Be Faithful, Be Fruitful - Matthew 25:14-46 Series

2025.10.07 Sermon Notes. RAPTURE READY. Be Ready, Be Faithful, Be Fruitful

Matthew 25:14-46

William Akehurst, HSWC

Scriptures: Matthew 25:14-46, 1 Corinthians 4:2, Colossians 3:23-24, James 2:17, Galatians 6:10, 1 John 3:18

BIG IDEA: Believers are called to be ready for Christ’s return, faithful with what He entrusts, and fruitful in love and service.

Recap:

Last week, we began in Matthew 25 with the Parable of the 10 Virgins. Matthew 25:1-13. And our takeaway was:

We are to be spiritually prepared now, for Christ’s return will be sudden. Readiness is essential and personal, it cannot be borrowed or transferred, and each believer must be ready for the Return of Christ.

Jesus ended with the warning: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Today we continue in Matthew 25:14-46

II. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS – BE FAITHFUL (Matthew 25:14–30)

Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents (Luke 19:11–27)

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

THE STORY

• A master entrusts his servants with his wealth according to their abilities: five, two, and one talent.

• The first two servants invest and double their talents; the third buries his out of fear.

• When the master returns, he rewards the faithful servants with praise and greater responsibility. The unfaithful servant is rebuked and cast out.

THE MEANING

• The Master: Jesus, who entrusts resources and responsibilities to believers.

• Talents: Gifts, opportunities, abilities, and influence God gives each of us.

• Faithful Servants: Believers who wisely use God’s gifts for His glory.

• Unfaithful Servant: Those who neglect or hide what God has given out of fear or laziness.

• Weeping and gnashing of teeth is more than just a picture of sorrow; it is the cry of a heart filled with regret for missing God’s gift of grace.

The tears represent sorrow that cannot be undone, and the gnashing of teeth reveals the frustration of realizing too late what could have been.

POINT: This is why we must be ready now, keeping our hearts close to Christ, so that our joy will be found in His presence and not in regret apart from Him.

THE LESSONS

• God expects fruitfulness, not excuses. What matters is not how much we’ve been given, but whether we’ve been faithful with it.