Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 (NIV)

Jesus Christ is Lord. Philippians 2:11 (NIV)

The Second Coming of Jesus

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3 (NIV)

Plan as though Jesus is not returning for a hundred years and live as though Jesus is returning today.

A Tale of Talents

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming, for like a man travelling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. Matthew 25:13-14

1. A Departed King

The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. Matthew 25:14 (NLT)

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth… You know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16–18 (NIV)

2. Entrusted Stewards

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. Matthew 25:14 (NIV)

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)

Kingdom Stewardship

3. The Talents

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. Matthew 25:14–15 (NIV)

4. The Servants

The servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free.’ Exodus 21:5 (NIV)

The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. Matthew 25:16–17 (NIV)

5. The Judgment

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. Matthew 25:19 (NIV)

I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. Revelation 20:12 (NIV)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)

6. The Failure

Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ Matthew 25:24–25 (NIV)

So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ Matthew 25:24–25 (NIV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

7. The Relationship

But the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man… His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! Matthew 25:24, 26 (NIV)

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. A. W. Tozer

Nothing twists and deforms the soul more than a low or unworthy conception of God. A.W. Tozer

The people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]. Daniel 11:32 (AMP)

Sean Stanton — Sunday 16 June 2024​​ of