Matthew 25:14-30

The problem with expectations is not that they are low or high but sometimes as you know, it doesn’t matter what our expectations are they not always met wether low or high. The problem with our expectations are that they are “our” expectations.

We are finding in these parables and the teachings of Jesus that “our” expectations have to be yielded to him our Master.

So we are going to dive into this one in Matt 25 but I want to give you some context of where we are in Matthew… cause this helps..

Jesus starts his ministry and has all the credentials of the Messiah that has been prophesied.. Line of David, from Bethlehem, Begin Ministry in Galilee… He preached and taught many people on a mountainside, in a boat on the sea, in the temple… he healed many people and performed all types of miracles…. Many people love Jesus, a few were confused and not sure about him, and many despised him.. especially the Religious know it alls. In the middle of Matthew we see persecution of the disciples… Jesus predicts his death… He rides in the city on a donkey… He warns and teaches the Religious leaders.. getting angry at what the temple had turned into… and sets in motion what happens two days after Jesus tells this parable of the Talents to his disciples… where he is arrested and lead to be crucified.

So Jesus has retreated to the Mount of Olives which has a beautiful view of the temple and the city and the disciples come to him and Jesus explains the talks of the end times and gives this teaching on not knowing the Day or the Hour like Noah who built the boat when there had been no rain….

The Parable of the Talents
For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Matthew 25:14-15

We find that a Master has entrusted his servants with talents before he goes on a long journey. To one he gives 5 talents, to one he gives 2 talents, and one he gives 1 talent.

A talent is actually a measurement… it measure different things.. but a talent is said to equal about 6,000 denari (din air i), which = 20yrs wages

Here is where we find that… two servants bring back double what he gave them.. but one came back with the same amount that was given to him…

1. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO IMITATE OUR MASTER

His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:23

I mean there are no instructions that have come from the Master.

Here are a few questions you can gather from this story to ponder….
1Do you know the Masters expectations?
2Do you imitate the Master? Our who do you imitate?
1'Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ' Ephesians 5:1-2
2If you say you abide in Christ, you must walk as he walked. 1 John 2:6

2. WE ARE EXPECTED TO MULTIPLY

We glorify God by investing what we have for the good of the world as defined by God. — "Why because God so loved the world"

How does you Dorothy Sayers a great example of how… "The church’s approach to a carpenter is confined to exhorting him to not be drunk and disorderly and to come to church on Sundays. But the church should be telling him is this… The very first demand that his religion makes upon him is to make good tables. The way in which he goes about his work is making the world a better place."

We should value making a good table.

If God’s purpose for your job is to serve the community and love your neighbor, then do your job the best it could be done.

Tim Keller said, "The idea of work is bringing order out of chaos”. A musician makes sound and bring order. A Gardner takes the chaos of dirt and seed and water and brings order, what does a hairdressers takes the chaos of your hair and brings order to your knappy head.

We are multiplying good products, good deeds, and good relationships.

3. SOMEBODY GET SHOVEL

Somebody get a shovel! This is not good. Nobody deserves to be thrown into this…. And if somebody does it should be me.. sadly none of us can escape this.

I was reading this book by the Navy Seal called “Make Your Bed”. It was the smallest book on the NYT best seller… Small victories…
2nd Point - was find someone to paddle with you.

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:24-30

We must learn to breathe in and out -We must do it in our sleep, each breath.
BREATH In - reading the word, being fed by teachers in connect group, coming to church, breaking bread with fellow believers
BREATH Out - serve, give back, love people well, make good tables, sharing with people how Jesus changed your life and your families life

Lastly, this there will come a day when you held accountable for what you have been given. Will you be ready? If not, lets grab a shovel and dig up that up.

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