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Use It or Lose It!
Matthew 25:14-30
Introduction
Chinese proverb–“What you have and do not use, you
will soon lose”
–Jesus (Matthew 13:12; 25:29)
Illustrations–Empty houses and barns
–Garden spots
–Old cars
Physical Body and Mind
Deteriorates without exercise–Fixed brain capacity
–Einstein’s brain used more
–Average use: 10%
Physical Body and Mind
True in the spiritual realm also–Must get past milk (Hebrews 5:11-14)
–Digestion requires exercising
–Need for edification (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Knowledge of God’s Word
Why do some have knowledge?–“Rich getting richer and poor getting
poorer?”
–Why was it granted to some and not to others?
Knowledge of God’s Word
Must desire to do so (Matthew 13)–Spoke in parables (vv. 11, 12, 16, 17)
–Those who did not want to see would not see (vv. 13-15; 2 Timothy 3:6, 7)
–How badly do we want to learn? (2 Timothy 2:15)
–Use the knowledge we have? (Matthew 7:24-27)
Talents
What we have we must use–Things you used to be able to do?
–What we do not use, we lose
Parable of the pounds (Luke 19)–Each given a pound (v. 13)
–Different returns (vv. 20-27)
–Are we more valuable to the Lord?
Applications
Take care how we hear–Alert to opportunities (Luke 8:18)
–Keep the heart from hardening (1 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:12)
–Keep an interest in the Word (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7)
Applications
Use material blessings properly–Misuse is condemned
(Luke 12:13-21; James 5:1-6)
–Use them to God’s glory (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Applications
Exercise our abilities–Different (Romans 12:6-8)
–What about you? (Matthew 25:15)
–All are responsible (2 Corinthians 8:12; 1 Peter 4:11)
Applications
Use of our timeUse of our time–One chance for some thingsOne chance for some things
–Swiftness of time Swiftness of time (James 4:14; Ephesians 5:16)(James 4:14; Ephesians 5:16)
–Time for everything Time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
–Don’t sleep (Romans 13:11)Don’t sleep (Romans 13:11)
Applications
Use our opportunities–Cannot be retrieved
–Opportunity to be kind, encourage, etc.
–Opportunity to be saved now (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Conclusion
Use it or lose it!
How about this opportunity?