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Parables of Jesus (Deer Creek) 2023 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 6 viewsAim: To look at the parables of pounds and talents for current day application
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Parable of Talents and Parable of Pounds - Lesson 17 (Mt25:14-30 and LK19:11-26) 2/28/24
Comparable parables (Intro)
These two parables we are going to link together for the purpose of this study as Womack did in his book (Living the Parables). There are some differences, I will point out some things, differences, similarities too, but then try to focus on the application and the living part when we get there.
These are long reads, so we better get to it
Read Mt25:14-30 then Read Lk19:11-26
Ask if any general thoughts or questions come from the passage?
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.
Then Lk19:11-26
Background:
Background:
While there are many differences in these parables, the likeness is “use what you have been given.” We will develop that more in a few minutes
Setting
Luke: Near Jerusalem (Lk19:11); shortly after being in Jericho and having a divine appointment with Zaccheus.
Luke: Also there is a pending question about the appearing of the kingdom of God
Luke: Also this transpires just before the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Lk19:28)
Luke: uses pounds or minas; will equal distribution to all (Lk19:13)
Luke: Delivered to a mixed group of people (Lk19:7)
Luke: uses a nobleman; leaving to receive a kingdom (Lk19:12)
Luke: The lazy servant was to have what he had taken away.
Matthew: Happens in Jerusalem, as it is believed several days after the triumphal entry (ref: Mt24:1-3).
Matthew uses talents (Mt25:15); and talents not evenly distributed.
Matthew: delivered to small group of people (Mt24:1)
Matthew uses a “man” some versions say house holder; leaving for a time. (Mt25:14)
Matthew: The lazy servant was to be thrown out into darkness.
Explaining the text
Explaining the text
Parables are stories, but taken from things that would mean something. These can be true parables, teaching from real life situations at the time.
Definitions:
Talent (Greek=Talanta) means a measure of weight varying in size from about 58-80lbs and also a unit of coinage. It was believed that at the time one talent could be worth a thousand dollars, so it was a considerable amount of money.
Pound/Minda, (Greek=mnas) was a small coin which the value was to be believed about $20.00.
Banker (trapezites) also known as the money changer is used in both, there were no banks as we know them at the time, so the money changer is what is meant.
Servants: (Greek=doulos) you may be familiar with the word, mostoften it was meant at that time a slave, a bond-servant, and indebted servant.
Difference too, want to point out
Matthew the entire worth (possessions) was left in the care of the servants (Mt15:14)
Luke it seems to be a portion of the possessions (Lk19:13).
(Transition): now we get to the things I would like to focus on today what we can pull from these two different, but similar parables that could be real life situations then.
Purpose and Application
Purpose and Application
First: God expects no more of us than we can do
God knows our limits, God sets limits
God expects us to step out and stretch our limits in accordance or His will and our given faith.
In the parables it was not asked to do more than with what they were entrusted with, given.
In the parable it says “according to ability.” God gives us abilities, talents and calls for us to use them
Second: Each one receives something.
God gives abilities, to each of us.
Different gifts, talents as the Spirit distributes (see 1Cor12).
Womack points out that we as a people need to remember that, so not to be jealous of each others abilities, but to embrace and use the ones that God has entrusted to you.
Third: Success and failure are judged on the basis of how we use what God gives us.
Not judged by what I think or you think but by what God gives and says.
We do need to know there is no success when you do nothing with what you are given, only failure due to lack of faith, trust, obedience. We don’t want that judgment
Finally: There will be a final reckoning on the way we have used what God has given to us.
Die once then face judgment (Heb9:27; Mt25:31-46; and Act17:30-31) so don’t be ignorant about it.
When Christ appears again it will be to bring judgment with no mention of salvation (Heb9:27-28)
Learning to live the parables
Learning to live the parables
Try, try, try, it is better, wiser to fail than not to make an effort.
The one with one made no effort and was rebuked for it. Don’t be this guy!
Follow direction, each were told what to do, the One did nothing and what he did have was taken from him.
One must have the courage to “launch out,” if you expect to succeed (Womack)
You cannot get anywhere from sitting and doing nothing, you need to get up and get moving.
A plan is great, a plan put into actions is what is needed, even if the plan fails you go and you learn.
James speaks faith without works, and that works are a demonstration of our faith, so a lack of action can be a lack of faith, trust and for sure obedience (remember they were given direction on what to do).
Faith, trust, we must put it in Him if we are to accomplish His will.
turn to and lets read 2Tim1:12 - - - what have you entrusted to Him?
12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Use it or lose it.
Any skill that is not practiced is a skill that is lost.
Leave your car in the winter and not start the engine, use the engine, suddenly your car will fail you and fail to start because you did not use it.
Don’t let your ability, your talent get rusty, use it or lose it, Jesus even said taken from you.
This can go for the word too, get it, use it, or lose it, consider (Heb5:14, turn and read that)
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Question: what are you taking away from this today?
(Prayer)