Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-02-24

LESSON TEXT-Matt. o:l4-59.
GOLDEN TExT-Well done. good api
faithful servant; thou hast been faithful
over few things. will make thee ruler
over many things. Matt 1928.
REFERENCE MATERIAL = Matt. Is;
cl-46; Luke 1s:ll-27: Rom. l2:l-S: Pet. 4:l0
e PRIMARY ToPIc-Doing Our Best.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Duties and Rewards.
INTERMEDIATE AND, SENIOR TOPIC
Faithful Use OF Our Abilities
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT ToPN
The Use or Neglect of Our Resources.
This parable, like that of the tel
virgins. is associated with the Second
Coming of Christ. In both instances
the unpreparedness for His coming on
the part of the people is exhibited. In
that of the ten virgins their unreadi'
ness consisted in their failure OF in
ward life-absence of the Holy Ghost.
In this of the talents it consisted in
their failure to properly use the gifts
which had been intrusted to them. The
first was failure to watch; the second,
failure to work.
|. The Distribution of the Talents
(vv. IA, 15).
l. 1t was sovereign act. He called
His own servants and distributed to
them his own money. The Lord did
not consult us as to our gifts.
2. 1t was an intelligent act. "Accord.
Ing to his several ability" The God
VINO made us knnws our ability to use
gifts, therefore has made the distribu-
liOn upon that basis. The reason some
have greater gifts than others is due to
the fact that they possess the ability
to use them.
3. 1t was purposeful act. The tai
ents were given to be traded with.
They were not given to be used for
ones own gain and profit, but as stock
in trade for the enrichment and glory
of the Master.
II. The Employment Of the Talents
(vv. 1919.
l. All the servants recognized that
the talents were not their own-that
they were responsible to the Lord for
the use made of them. We are not re-
sponsIble for the creation of gifts, but
for the employment of such gifts as
have been given to us.
2. Two servants used their talents.
The five talented man put his to use
and gained FIVE more. The two tai
ented man put his to use and gained
two more. This shows that Gods gifts
can be increased. The exercise ofany
gift increases it, The faithful use of
what we have in the place we are will
prepare us for greater usefulness and
honor.
3. The one hid his talent. The fact
that one possesses but one talent
should not discourage him. but should
make him strive harder. God sees not
reward according to what we possess,
but according to our faithfulness. The
crime of the one talented man was not
that he had but one talent, but that
he hid the talent Which the Lord gave
him.
Nil. The Accounting for the Talents
wv. 19-30).
/. Its certainty. There is day
coming when all must give an ac.,
count of our stewardship.
.. The time. This will be at ehe
coming of the Lord. If we have done
we'll we shall then have praise. II we
have been unfaithful we shall then be
cast out from the presence of the
Lord. Watchfulness is not idleness.
8. THE judgments announced. ~ Re-
ward of the faithful. (a) Praise
well done" We all like to be praised.
How blessed will it be to hear from
the very lips of the Lord the word
"well done!" (b) Promoton-"Be
thou ruler over many things" Promo
ton is desirable to ALL Much of that
| to which we look forward in life is
the passing from lower to higher privi-
leges and positions. (c) Entrance
upon the joy of the Lord. The FIVE
talented man and the two-talented man
received the same praise and same
promotion. (2) Punishment of the
faIthless. The one-talented man lied
when brought to account. The talent
when dug up was not the same as when
1t was buried-it was not of the same
weight. Gifts unused are lost, The
natural eyes lose their power If we
live continually in darkness. This is
true spiritually. The one who ceases
to grow in knowledge and grace loses
the capacity to grow. (a) Reproach--
he was called slothful and wicked. To
be called lazy is reproach which
even the lazy man dislikes Obi
Stripped. The talent which was given
to him was taken from him. fcl Cast
out. He was condemned on his owr
ground. The very fact that he knew
the character of the Lord should have
been an incentive for him to have ex
erted himself. His condition was his
own fault. In the day Of accounts
there will be no excuse to be made.
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