19 October 2003 1

19 October 2003 1 Motivation For a Lifetime #4

Motivation for a Lifetime #4

1. Introduction:

Philippians 3:14-15 - “I press towards the mark for this prize........”

· Paul – the most motivated and productive apostle of the New Testament.

· “Reaching faith” = 1901 = to stretch oneself forward.

· “Press” = 1377 = to pursue, to follow hard after something very important.

· “Prize” = 1017 = prize or victors crown won by person in public games.

= reward offered by Christ to faithful servants.

· Paul endured great difficulties and kept his eye on reward. ( eg. Moses)

· Paul urges us believers to have same attitude.

2. God is a Rewarder:

John 15:16 - “Chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth mush fruit”.

· Every believer has been selected by God with the purpose of being productive.

· Every believer is the full time servant of God. (Romans 6:22)

· Every believer is called to extend the Kingdom of God – bring faith fruit!

· Every believer's work – labor will be evaluated with reward in mind.

· Revelation 22:12 “My reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be”.

· “Reward” = 3408 = misthos = wages, reward, to pay for services.

= Personal recognition & reward for what you did to serve Christ.

· 1 Corinthians 12:7 “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit”.

· Every believer receives the indwelling Holy Spirit.

· Every believer is expected to “profit” to bring increase, be productive.

· The indwelling life of the Holy Spirit makes this possible, but you must apply it yourself.

· How does God Evaluate?

1) How Productive? : (Luke 19) - Different diligence => different reward.

2) How gifted? : (Matthew 25) - More given => more expected.

3) How much opportunity? : (Matthew 20) - Less opportunity => same possible

reward .

God rewards justly not equally.

3. Parable of the Talents:

Matthew 25:14-30:

a) Background:

· Disciples have asked a question about the coming of the Lord. (24:3)

· Jesus response is some teaching together with 5 parables & warnings.

(i) Noah - violence in end times - coming of Lord unexpected => WATCH (ii) Thief - demonic activity ” “ - coming of thief unexpected => WATCH

(iii) Servants - wise & foolish servants - service will be judged => SERVE

(iv) Virgins - wise & foolish virgins - Lord will come suddenly => PREPARE

(v) Talents - faithful & unfaithful servant - Lord will call to account => SERVE

19 October 2003 2 Motivation of a Lifetime #4

b) “Master traveling to far country”:

· Jesus Christ is the owner of all things.

· Jesus has ascended into heaven.

· Servants are Christians – believers – followers of Christ.

- bought with His money.

c) “Delivered to them his goods” :

· Every servant receive from Christ.

· God gives more gifts to some than others, account to ability to manage.

· God expects every servant to be productive with what he has received.

· 1 Peter 4:10 “As every man has received the gift minister the same one to another on good

stewards of the grace of God.

d) The Servants Conduct:

· “Traded” = 2038 = to work, toil labor & be engaged with a difficult task.

= to apply effort & energy to task to produce results.

· “Traded” = (i) Initiative (ii) Risk taking (iii) Perseverance

· “Hid” = 2928 = To conceal by covering, to keep secret.

· Two servants traded and were productive – One did not, concealed.

· Two servants labored to extend the masters kingdom & influence.

· All servants were call to account for their service – How productive?

e) Two Servants Commended/Rewarded:

· Both traded and were productive – Both were diligent!

· “Diligent” = 2782 = to point sharply, be determined, stir self up.

= 4710 = to make speed, o make effort, to be passionate.

· Both were equally productive. 100 fold return => same diligence.

· Both received the same commendations:

(i) Work - “Well done” (ii) Character - “Good & Faithful” (yielded)

· Both received the same reward:

(i) Made ruler : Revelations 3:21 “Him that overcome – sit with me in my throne”

(ii) Enter the joy : Entered into experience & encounter with Christ.

f) One Servant Rebuked:

· The other servant had no heart to extend Kingdom of the Lord.

· Servant: (i) Excused himself - in own mind convinced excuse acceptable.

(ii) Hid his talent - not productive but believes he is OK.

(iii) Blame shifted - accuses the master op Adam.

(iv) Real motive - fear “selfcentredness”.

· Servants character rebuked:

(i) Wicked - 4190 = to have a hurtful or harmful influence (not evil character).

(ii) Slothful - 3635 = slow, reluctant, delay, procrastinate.

(iii) Unprofitable - 888 = without use, value, profit, unemployed.

· Consequences: Loss of opportunity, loss reward.

· Malachi 3:14-18 “God remembers what we do & keeps record so he can reward us.

19 October 2003 3 Motivation for a Lifetime #4

What must I do?:

(1) Apply self to know the Lord - What He is? Why?

· Word of God.

· Prayer

(2) Identify what the Lord has given you.

· Talents

· Passion

· Opportunity

(3) Expect Holy Spirit to direct and lead you daily.

· Keep free in Spirit

· Keep filled

(4) Apply self (work) to extend Kingdom of God.

· Home – family

· Church relationships

· Community

(5) Encourage self – God is a Rewarder.

· Nothing is overlooked by God

· Lord is a rewarder