20. THE TALENTS
Read Matthew 25:14-30
These "TALENTS" (GOLD) were a large sum of money. Each man was entrused to a certain amount of money, and he was expected to invest it, while his boss went away. What they used - their TALENTS - determined their future.
Today, thest TALENTS are a representation of our GIFTS. The first two servants did something with their money, but the third servant just "buried" his. The could have used it for GOOD WORKS, growing in their FAITH, but the third servant wasted his TIME and ENERGY.
This man feared his Master, rather than accepting His GRACE and KINDNESS. The Religious Leaders had these chances too, but unlike the disciples they wasted their time with Jesus. They had the opportunity to accept his HIM, but they did'nt!
USE IT, OR LOSE IT
We too have been given GIFTS from God. He is generous and kind! We have the skills, the energy, the time and the opportunity to be FAITHFUL with what He has given us. We can be "afraid" like the third servant and "hide our talents", or we can work hard and STEP OUT IN FAITH and USE OUR GIFTS!
"The master said: "Well done, my GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. You have been FAITHFUL HANDLING THIS SMALL AMOUNT, so now I will give you MORE RESPONSIBILITIES. Let's celebrate together!" Matthew 25:23 (NLT)
"Lord, help us to be FAITHFUL WITH OUR TALENTS , in praying with our friends, and persevering and being KINDHEARTED AND REACHING OUT TO OTHERS - everyone we meet." Nicky Gumbel
"I feel sorry for the man who was too frightened to use HIS TALENT. Sometimes we fear FAILING, and looking like a FOOL. But God made us a way to GIVE US PURPOSE, so that we can FULFIL HIS WILL." Pippa Gumbel
21. SHEEP & GOATS
Read Matthew 25:31-46
"When the Son of Man comes in His glory and the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will seperate the people one from another, as a SHEPHERD SEPERATES THE SHEEP FROM THE GOATS. He will put the SHEEP ON HIS RIIGHT and the GOATS ON HIS LEFT." Matthew 25:31-33 (NIV)
Jesus was taking about HIS COMING on JUDGEMENT DAY. The SHEEP were representing the RIGHTEOUS and they were being blessed, for they had been "feeding the hungry" and caring for all the strangers and sick. They don't remember doing these things for Jesus, but they did do them for his children and followers.
"Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.....For I was hungry, and YOU FED ME. I was thirsty, and YOU GAVE ME A DRINK. I was a stranger, and YOU INVITED ME INTO YOUR HOME. I was naked, and YOU GAVE ME CLOTHING. I was sick, and YOU CARED FOR ME. I was in prison, and YOU VISITED ME." Matthew 25:40, 35&36 (NLT)
Those who didn''t do these things "missed opportunites", and these were the "unrighteous", representing GOATS. They did not remember not doing this, but they did not accept Jesus as their Saviour or follow Him in obedience.
"This Parable concludes with the RIGHTEOUS BEING REWARDED WITH ETERNAL LIFE, while the unrighteous were condemned with EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT. " PeoplesChurch
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION" - 2015, Tyndale House Publishing
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION" - 2011, Biblica
GUMBEL, Nicky & Pippa, "Bible In One Year" - "Use It or Lose It", 2009/2025, Alpha International/You Version
PEOLES CHURCH, "Stories of the Kingdom: Parables of Jesus", 2025, You Version
"The Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25", 2021, Col Johnston (Singer), A Gospel in Song Collection
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