Understand - Pt. 4 - Graced People Series

Understand

Pt. 4 – Graced People

I. Introduction

Understanding is essential. How many of you constantly ask your kids "do you understand me?" We recognize that without understanding you can get yourself in a mess quickly. Without understanding you make decisions, choices, and take steps that could haunt you. So, we have been stating very clearly what we must understand as a body. In other words, we have been talking about what drives us and guides us.

We have been looking to Jesus for our understanding. There is no doubt that Jesus spoke very clearly. However, to make sure no one misunderstood His words He would then emphasize His words with His actions. We have listened and watched as Jesus dealt with our MISSION . . . Found People . . . Find People. That should drive us! Then we discovered that Jesus addresses our MODE! We must understand that Found People . . . Find People as Saved People . . . Serve People. Service should be as natural as breathing for saved people. Then last week Jesus spoke to our MINDSET. We must embrace the fact that Converted People Change. Sounds like Encounter. . . Equip. . . Engage to me! We have all said amen to these understandings. However, now Jesus goes into an area that causes Christian people to get nervous. We don't mind shouting a preacher down when he deals with winning folks, serving folks, or even growth. However, here is where we separate the men from the boys. Jesus deals with our MEANS. In fact, as we move forward today you even see that this is where a disciple of Jesus stumbled.

So join me if you will in:

II. Text

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ 29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

III. Understanding

Jesus once again, through the use of a parable, reveals an essential understanding. . . "Graced People . . . should be Generous!"

See some of you are already getting nervous cause we moved off talking about this abstract somewhere in here soul to the tangible! However, we must understand that Jesus isn't satisfied with just owning our soul if it has no bearing on everything else about us. In fact, what I would declare to you today is that how much of the tangible He has ownership over really reveals how much of our soul He owns!