Task-Oriented – Pt 3
Matthew 25:14-23 (NLT)
14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
HOW TO ARRANGE YOUR LIFE AROUND YOUR UNIQUE ASSIGNMENT:
1. Trade your time wisely.
– Some of the most life-changing conversations and miracles by Jesus were interruptions to His day.
2. Be fruitful and multiply.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (NIV)
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
– Sometimes, you’re planting. Sometimes, you’re watering what another has planted. God makes it grow.
3. Stay faithful as if you are unsupervised.
Matthew 24:45-51 (NLT)
45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Reflection:
What is one way you can trade your time more wisely to align with your God-given assignment?
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Your assignment is to be fruitful where you are and faithful with what you have.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Pastor Matt mentioned that time is currency. How can we avoid wasting time on things that don’t align with our God-given assignment?
▶ “Some of the most life-changing conversations and miracles by Jesus were interruptions to His day.” Share a situation where you have seen God work through an interruption in your life.
▶ Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9. What are some ways you can seek out unmet needs in your personal life or community and respond by using the talents God has given you?
▶Read Matthew 24:45-50. How might complacency in seemingly insignificant areas of your life lead to greater issues of carelessness in your faith walk?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
Share an area of your life where you feel you’ve been complacent or self-indulgent. What steps can you take to live with greater urgency in that area, anticipating the Lord’s return?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray that we would be faithful with what we have and fruitful with where God has placed us. Ask Him to help us use our time wisely to serve others well and bring glory to His Kingdom.