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?