Welcome back to Part four of our series -What Testimonies of Jesus are you carrying, which could contain the breakthrough for others?
Let’s recap from our last message,
We started by looking at what each servant had waiting when the master returned (the Parable of the Talents Matthew 25). We read Matthew 25:20,22,24 and 25 from the prospective of Us being the servant and the Master as Jesus !
Then we looked at what would be our response if we were the master receiving back what was given to each servant !
1. Would we think the one who gain the most, is the most successful ?
2. Would you have pity on the servant who buried the talent ? After all he had a compelling response to justify his actions. Also we all have experienced being afraid, we know what it feels like and how crippling it can be.
3. What would be our response to the one in between ? As he did gain 100%, But the total gain was only two Talents, not 5 Talents gained by the other.
I shared that, I believe these questions challenge, our understanding about the lines between four emotions:
1. mercy
2. compassion
3. pity
4. sympathy.
Then I continued that, I believe we are called to do what Jesus life was a witness of. To show compassion and mercy, reaching out and down through the Love of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit. Then I believe we will see, life’s transformed and healed emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Agreeing with where a person is or where they are at, is ok ! But both pity and sympathy require, lowering ourselves to their level, where we lose the position and power to help them up or out of the situation, they are in !
Then I ended with the following,
Showing Mercy and Compassion does not mean people will never face consequences for their actions. Sometimes these consequences can be small and short lived, other times they can be very costly and eternal. Which I believe is one of the overall themes, from this parable from Jesus. Which we will explore further today.
So what was the masters response when He returned to meet the three servants !
Both the two servants who did what they were meant to do with the Talents given to them .
The master said:
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ As seen in Matthew 5:21 and 23
So what about the other servant who was afraid and hid the talent in the ground.
Let see:
Matthew 25:26-30
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
So for this servant, he lost all !
So could we, also lose all ?
I do know the scripture say one day everyone, will give an account.
Romans 14:12
Therefore, each one must answer for himself and give a personal account of his own life before God.
As Christians we will not have to face judgement for sin, as Jesus paid for this in full, on the cross !
So what will we be judge on by Jesus, on that day for us, as believers ?
I believe we will be judged, on the same thing, the servants were, in this parable told by Jesus !
I believe Jesus will ask, the same question or questions. As the master said, when He returned in this story.
What return have you, received back on my investment or investments ?
I believe this very parable, is more real to us, than we may think !
That we are the servants and Jesus is the Master in our journey of life.
I believe Jesus is in fact, sharing amazing revelational, information to us, of your future, in this parable.
I believe He is sharing how, He will fairly determine and judge, the value of our eternal rewards in heaven.
That’s heavy stuff !
So here is my final questions for today !
1. What response would you expect from the Master Jesus ? When He returns. When He ask you, What have you done with all that I have given you ?
2. What response would you like to hear Him say ?
To you on that final day when you meet Him.
3. If there is a difference between your answers to both of these questions ! You still have time to change the outcome ! Why ? As He has not returned yet !
You may say how ? A good start is to start sharing, declaring and prophesying your testimonies of Jesus and what He has done ! There are two ways I believe we see gain on the investment Jesus has given us.
1. Giving Him thanks ! (we did this in our first part of this series)
2. Sharing and prophesying all He has done.
So here is your challenge this week !
1. Take all your testimonies you wrote down in part one of this series !
2. Now take one of these testimonies each day. Share and prophesy it over someone.
Remember with each testimony you share and prophesy, you are in effect through your word calling Heaven, to respond through Jesus name !
Father I thank You ! For You are worthy to be praised. I ask Lord, help your children. As they learn how to share and prophesy in confidence ! Declaring Your goodness, through the testimonies of Your Son Jesus ! Amen
For those your would like to place a seed at the alter or plant a seed finically to the Lord to 2024. Or maybe contribute towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry and release His word in a variety of ways from.
Below is a link so you can do this online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@ecounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre and Ministries