IDEA: Men and women will be condemned on the basis of their words and works. TEXT: "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents beside them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 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. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth' " (Matthew 25:14-30).

PURPOSE: To help listeners understand that God does not accept weak explanations in place of service to Him.

There are two interesting rules of story-telling that sometimes go together.

One is the "rule of three." How does it work? Examples: the three bears, the three little pigs, the parable of the Good Samaritan, jokes.

Another rule of story-telling is the "rule of final stress." How does that work?

Here is a parable that Jesus told that includes both of these rules: the rule of three and the rule of final stress. What does that tell us about the meaning of the parable?

I. Do you think that whether or not these three men were productive was a matter of choice or of circumstances?

The first two slaves "immediately" went to work investing the money that was given to them (25:16,17).

The third slave dug a hole and buried his master’s money.

II. Do you think it is common for people to blame God for the results of their own disobedience?

The third man in the parable blames his lack of productivity on his master.

"Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground" (Matthew 25:24-25).

How did he come to that conclusion?

Why is the attitude and action of the first two servants important in seeing this excuse for what it is?

How does the third man’s actions in burying the treasure show that he is making up an excuse and not giving a sound reason for what he did?

Illustration: What would happen if you are a broker who is given a great deal of money by a client and you fail to invest it because you "fear" him?

III. When men and women refuse to do what God has called them to do, they are condemned.

By the example of others who do trust and obey God.

By the inconsistency between their words and their actions.

We fear God and don’t obey Him.

We say we believe that God is a God of love, but we despise His love