Introduction:

A. The Context of the Parable of the Talents:

1. The previous chapter (Matthew 24) discussed the destruction of the Temple (Matthew 24:4-34), and the Second Coming of Christ (Matthew 24:35-51).
2. This parable follows the parable of the Ten Virgins in which preparation for the Lord’s Second Coming was stressed (Matthew 25:1-13).
3. Following this parable we stay with the Second Coming of Christ in a description of what to expect (Matthew 25:31-46).
4. The parable of the talents differs slightly in meaning from the Ten Virgins:

a. The Parable of the Talents teaches not only preparation, but also working for the Lord.
b. The Parable of the Talents points out that we each have a different measure of work to carry out.

5. The audience is made up only of the disciples (Matthew 24:3).

B. The text for the Parable of the Talents is Matthew 25:14-30.

1. We will divide our lesson into three parts:

a. The Man Who Traveled Into a Far Country and Left His Goods.
b. The Five, Two, and One Talent Men.
c. Lessons We Can Learn Today From That Parable.

2. We must realize that Christ used a parable in which currency is used to illustrate that He has left us valuable abilities to carry out His work.  One talent was a large amount of money (gold - $5,760,000 or silver $384,000).  

A. It is Christ who has left this world and will return for us (Matthew 25:19). 

1. John 14:1-3 
2. Hebrews 9:24-28
3. I Thessalonians 4:13-18

B. Christ gave work to all of His servants (Mark 13:34). 

A. Each was given an amount to work with based upon their abilities (Matthew 25:15).
B. The Five Talent Man:

1. Was given the most (in gold would have been – $28,800,000).
2. Shows this man had great abilities and His Lord trusted him.  The more we have given the more that is expected of us (Luke 12:47-48).
3. He doubled the amount (Matthew 25:16).
4. The Lord rewarded him because he followed the instructions given and worked (Matthew 25:20-21).

C. The Two Talent Man:

1. Was given the second most (in gold would have been $11,520,000).
2. We see the Lord expected less and burdened Him less than the five talent man.
3. He too doubled his amount (Matthew 25:17).
4. The Lord rewarded him because he followed the instructions given and worked (Matthew 25:22-23).

D. The One Talent Man:

1. Given the least amount (in gold would have been - $5,760,000).
2. We see that the Lord expected least of this man.
3. He hid the talent given to him as do many brethren today (Matthew 25:18).
4. The Lord punished him for his disobedience (Matthew 25:24-30).

a. Notice how the Lord spent more emphasis on the judgment of the unfaithful one than that of the reward of the faithful.
b. Brethren need to realize that pew warming is the same as hiding a talent in the dirt!

A. Just hearing what to do does not constitute getting it done (James 1:21-25).

1. Works are required for us to gain our reward (James 2:17-26).
2. We must be always abounding [remaining] in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).

B. On the first day of the week we take up a collection to carry out the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 16:1-3).

1. We are stewards of the Lord’s funds collected.
2. We must not burry those funds, they do the Lord no good if He comes today.  He does not need our bank account, He needs fruit from it!

C. We will be rewarded for our works or punished for our lack of works:

1. Matthew 16:27 
2. II Corinthians 5:10 
3. Galatians 6:7-9
4. The reward or punishment will be eternal (Matthew 25:46).

D. We are called to be servants (I Corinthians 7:21-24).

A. Christ deserves our best, not our leftovers in our…

1. Love (John 14:15).
2. Time (Acts 5:42 and Acts 17:10-11).
3. Money (II Corinthians 9:6-7).

B. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.”

2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.