Message Notes

THE ENTRUSTING OF RESPONSIBILITIES BY THE LORD TO HIS SERVANTS

1. The context of the master and slave   (Matthew 25:15)

a. The master had entrusted to his own slaves his possessions

b. This was according to their own abilities

c. They were to trade with it

d. The master expects the slaves to be accountable

2. The master will return after a long journey   (Matthew 25:19)

a. He expects his employee to be faithful

b. He will want to settle accounts when he returns

THE DEGREE OF EFFORT PUT IN BY THE SERVANTS

1. Much effort by the faithful servants   (Matthew 25:16)

a. The first servant having received the talents, traded and gained five more.

b. The second servant also did the same thing and gained two more.

c. The faithful servant will always seek to respond well to the master

2. Zero effort by the lazy servant   (Matthew 25:18)

a. The third servant having received one talent went away and hid the money.

b He was lazy and did not do anything at all.

c. There was no sense of accountability.

THE LORD’S EVALUATION BETWEEN THE GOOD AND THE WICKED SERVANTS

1. There are expectations and consequences when the master returned

a. The master expected his servants to be accountable

b. They were to be responsible for what they have been entrusted with

2. The commendation given to the faithful   (Matthew 25:20-23)

a. To the faithful and fruitful

i. The one with five talents had gained five more

ii. The one with two talents had gained two more

b. Both received the same commendation – Well done, good and faithful servant

c. The reward

i. Both were set over many things

ii. They were to enter into the joy of the master

2. The rebuke given to the lazy and unfaithful servant   (Matthew 25:26-28, 30)

a. To the lazy servant

i. The lazy servant was giving excuses that the master was a hard man

ii. He just hid the money

b. He called the servant wicked and lazy

i. This was in contrast to being good and faithful

ii. He took things for granted

c. The judgment of the wicked and lazy servant

i. Casting the unprofitable servant into outer darkness

ii. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth

THE ENSUING OUTCOMES FOR THE GOOD AND THE WICKED SERVANTS

“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.”   Matthew 25:29

1. To the good and faithful servant

a. More would be given to him

b. He will have abundance

c. He will be specially rewarded and honoured

2. To the wicked and lazy servant

a. Even what he has would be taken away.

b. He would be totally cast out.

PERSONAL ENDEAVOURS WITH REGARDS TO THE LORD’S COMING

1. To be ready for the Lord’s return

2. To not end up like the wicked, lazy, unfaithful and unfruitful servant

3. To be faithful and fruitful servants of the Lord

a. To be responsible and diligent for the Lord

b. To be accountable to the Lord

4. To seek to be commended by the Lord

“Well done, good and faithful servant”