YOURS, MINE, or HIS  #3 - Stewardship of Treasures
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Grace Church By John Demo

YOURS, MINE, or HIS #3 - Stewardship of Treasures

Recognizing God's ownership and our stewardship in the areas of our Time, our Talents, and our Treasures.

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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
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Sunday, April 26th - Connie Berkimer, Haylee Scott
Monday, April 27th - Tracy Hickey
Thursday, April 30th - Ronni Crawford
Friday, May 1st - Gary & Tracy Nelson
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Today ends our 3 week series on the subject of Stewardship.
Our key verse has been 1 Corinthians 4:2.
Stewardship can be understood by three words:
- Responsibility
- Opportunity
- Accountability
1 Corinthians 4:2
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2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
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Today's topic is the Stewardship of Treasures.
There are many things that come to mind when we think of the word treasure, but to quote Captain Jack Sparrow, "Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate." In other words, the most valuable things in life are not limited to material wealth.

What are a few things that are treasures to you, and why?
James 1:17
James 1:17
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17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
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This morning our text is located in Matthew 25 and deals with treasures.
Here Jesus is speaking on the Kingdom of Heaven. This exists now through God's sovereign reign in believer's hearts and in the church, but will be a future event on earth at the time of Christ's return.
In this chapter, Jesus is emphasizing the personal responsibility and readiness of each believer until He returns. We are to be productive with whatever the Lord has entrusted to us - not neglectful, passive, or self-indulgent.
Matthew 25:14-30 teaches the Parable of Bags of Gold (Talents).
This illustrates that He will ascend to heaven and then return some day. While gone, His followers will be empowered, gifted, and commissioned to carry on His mission.
Matthew 25:14-18
Matthew 25:14-18
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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.
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Two of the three servants cared, invested, and reported.
As a result, they each heard from their Master...Matthew 25:21 & 23.
But one of the servants did nothing. He only focused on what was important to him. Instead, this servant heard...Matthew 25:26a, 27-28.
Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23, Matthew 25:26-28
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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!’
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!’
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.
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There are a number of lessons that we can draw for our lives from this story.

1. God has a plan for our life and gives us what we need, to accomplish it.
Matthew 25:14

Periodically we should ask ourselves two questions:
1. Why do I have what I have?
2. How can I use this to honor God and to help others?
Matthew 25:14
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14 For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.
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2. God's plan is individualized.
Matthew 25:15; Romans 2:11
Matthew 25:15
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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.
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Romans 2:11
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11 For God does not show favoritism.
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3. God looks at our faithfulness and effort; not just the size of the return.
Matthew 25:16-17
Matthew 25:16-17
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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.
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4. God will hold us accountable and is aware of our motives and efforts.
Matthew 25:19-23

The Master makes four statements:
Commmendation (well done)
Recognition (You have been)
Compensation (I will put you)
Invitation (come and share)
Matthew 25:19-23
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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!’
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5. God is displeased when we don't use His treasures according to His will.
Matthew 25:24-30
Matthew 25:24-30
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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.’
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Jesus told this story to get our attention!
As you look at your list of treasures, ask the question: Why did God entrust these to you?
How can you use these treasures to honor Him, help others, and to harmonize your life with His?
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