6 – Well Done Please

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd using stories. He did not say anything to them without telling a story. 35 So the words spoken by the prophet came true. He had said, “I will open my mouth and tell stories. I will speak about things that were hidden since the world was made.” Matthew 13:34-35 (NIRV)

Kingdom of Heaven = The ________ & __________ of ________ Jesus.

“Again, here is what the kingdom of heaven will be like… it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 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. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money… Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)

4 BLOCKADES TO RECEIVING GOD’S BLESSING:

• Not ______________ The ________ Jesus

‘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. Matthew 25:24 (NIV)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Matthew 16:13-14 (NIV)

• ________ of ______________

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

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (NIV)

• A __________ & ________________ Heart

His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant…” Matthew 25:26 (NIV)

Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Matthew 25:27 (NIV)

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” 16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? Hebrews 3:15-18 (NIV)

• A ________ & __________________ Attitude

But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Matthew 25:18 (NIV)

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4 (NIV)

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1 (NIV)

___________ toward right things can lead to _______ for wrong things.

I RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSING WHEN…

• I Claim ______________________ Not __________________.

Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more. Matthew 25:20b (NIV)

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV)

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had…And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. Acts 4:32, 33b-34a (NIV)

• I ________ & Don’t __________.

The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. Matthew 25:16 (NIV)

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)

• I Don’t ________________ God’s ______________.

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

1 Talent = _______ days wages = ____ years of work = > $ ____________

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6a (NIV)

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior”…The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:12, 14-15 (NIV)

• I Prepare For Jesus’ ____________ __________.

…the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:19, 21 (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)