Thanks for Using Me
Each week in the series, we'll direct our attention toward God and be encouraged to express our gratitude and appreciation to Him in four specific areas.
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Saturday, November 11th - Marilyn Coblentz, Colton Kauffman
Monday, November 13th - Dawn Conklin
Tuesday, November 14th - Ali Mater
Thursday, November 16th - Donald Kerby
Friday, November 17th - Taylor Ann Carpenter
Monday, November 13th - Dawn Conklin
Tuesday, November 14th - Ali Mater
Thursday, November 16th - Donald Kerby
Friday, November 17th - Taylor Ann Carpenter
Cards
This month our series is, "Thanks for the _________"
Each week we will direct our attention toward God and be encouraged to express our gratitude and appreciation to Him in four specific areas.
Last week we looked at the first area, which was "Thanks for Loving Me."
Each week we will direct our attention toward God and be encouraged to express our gratitude and appreciation to Him in four specific areas.
Last week we looked at the first area, which was "Thanks for Loving Me."
Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30
(all Scripture today is from the Easy-to-Read version of the Bible)
The intent of the story is quite simple: The Master (Jesus) has left earth for Heaven and has entrusted much to you and I to use for His glory and according to HIs purposes. It conveys a lesson of accountability.
Looking specifically at verse 23, it's as though the Master says "thank you" to those who have been loyal, obedient, and faithful. And to top it off, He rewards them.
(all Scripture today is from the Easy-to-Read version of the Bible)
The intent of the story is quite simple: The Master (Jesus) has left earth for Heaven and has entrusted much to you and I to use for His glory and according to HIs purposes. It conveys a lesson of accountability.
Looking specifically at verse 23, it's as though the Master says "thank you" to those who have been loyal, obedient, and faithful. And to top it off, He rewards them.
Matthew 25:14-30
BSB
14 For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.
15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.
16 The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more.
17 Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more.
18 But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them.
20 The servant who had received the five talents came and presented five more. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
21 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. Enter into the joy of your master!’
22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.’
23 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. Enter into the joy of your master!’
24 Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’
26 ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.
27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest.
28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.
29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
30 And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.
16 The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more.
17 Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more.
18 But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them.
20 The servant who had received the five talents came and presented five more. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
21 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. Enter into the joy of your master!’
22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.’
23 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. Enter into the joy of your master!’
24 Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’
26 ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.
27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest.
28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.
29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
30 And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
BSB
Thanks for Using Me is the theme for today.
Over and over the Scriptures communicate the fact that God desires to use us to bring Him honor and to help people.
In 2 Timothy 2:21 we see the Apostle Paul writing to his young protege, Timothy.
Everyone can be used by God!
Over and over the Scriptures communicate the fact that God desires to use us to bring Him honor and to help people.
In 2 Timothy 2:21 we see the Apostle Paul writing to his young protege, Timothy.
Everyone can be used by God!
2 Timothy 2:21
BSB
21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.
BSB
The Bible's pages contain numerous stories of people who, in spite of their inadequacies, feelings, and life circumstances were used to minister for the Lord. The Bible refers to us as clay jars and God is the perfect potter.
So many characters in the Bible were less than perfect but God still had a plan to use them...and He did.
So many characters in the Bible were less than perfect but God still had a plan to use them...and He did.
Paul expressed his gratitude to the Lord during his lifetime for the chance he had to serve.
1 Timothy 1:12
In your church and community...show kindness, shine Godliness, serve with a ministry mindset, and share the Story (God's and yours).
1 Timothy 1:12
In your church and community...show kindness, shine Godliness, serve with a ministry mindset, and share the Story (God's and yours).
1 Timothy 1:12
BSB
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.
BSB
Here is a simple truth, you can't thank God for using you, unless He is!
It's the plan of the Lord and He has the power to do so. But our heart and priorities must change.
John 15:16
Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 3:20
It's the plan of the Lord and He has the power to do so. But our heart and priorities must change.
John 15:16
Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 3:20
John 15:16
BSB
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
BSB
Ephesians 2:10
BSB
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
BSB
Ephesians 3:20
BSB
20 Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,
BSB
Once we align our will and lifestyle with God, we can take these six steps:
1. Lift your EYES.
1. Lift your EYES.
2. Open your HEART.
3. Get out of your CHAIR.
4. Take a step in God's DIRECTION.
5. Make a commitment that MATTERS.
6. Find a Timothy and REPEAT.
