The Talents || Mark Crosby

Vineyard Church Cardiff

Sunday 11th February, 2024 - West Site Speaker - Mark Crosby Mark takes us through the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30. Before leaving to go on a journey, the master in the story entrusts a portion of his wealth to each of his servants - the size in accordance with each of their abilities. Mark explains that the skills and abilities that the Lord has granted us are not gifts, but are given to us in trust, They are for us to nurture and develop for Him, to serve Him, His Church and those He wants to bless in our communities, In order to avoid the mistake that the third servant made in burying the portion entrusted to him, Mark expands on the following five strategies to ensure that we care responsibly for what the Lord has entrusted to us: 1. Don't Fear Failure 2. Your Attitude is Key 3. Don't Give Up 4. Press On In Your Faith 5. Be Empowered by the Holy Spirit Matthew 25:14-30 14) ‘Again, 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. 19) ‘After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20) The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five bags of gold. 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. Come and share your master’s happiness!” 22 ) ‘The man with two bags of gold also came. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two bags of gold: 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. Come and share your master’s happiness!” 24) ‘Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. “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. 25) So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” 26) ‘His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27) 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. 28) ‘“So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29) For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30) And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ------- Recorded at North Site - 11Feb2024