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We Are Converted To Be Good Servants I. Study
Texts: Matt 24:45-51; 25:14-30; Luke 12:35-48; Luke 19:11-27 II. Theme: A
good servant knows his master and desires to please him. A bad servant does
not know his master, and desires to please himself. 1. Everyone knew about servants in Jesus time, because there were
many servants. a. Everyone knew about
good servants, such as Joseph, Gen 39. b. Everyone knew about
evil servants, such as Gehazi, 2 Kings 5:20-25. 2. Attributes of good servants a. A good servant works
when the master is away. b. A good servant has the
same goals as his master. c. A good servant
understands his masters will. 3. Attributes of bad servants a. A bad servant does
not desire to please the master. b. A bad servant does
not do his duty when the master is away. c. A bad servant
desires to please himself. d. A bad servant does
not understand his master. III. Questions
and application: Matthew 24:45-51 1. What
servant (slave) would a master put in charge of feeding his family [verse
45]? 2. Who
would be the "blessed" servant (slave) [verse 46]? 3. Why
would the master put this servant (slave) in charge of everything he owned
[verses 45-47]? 4. What
did the evil servant (slave) say in his heart [verse 48]? 5. How
did the evil servant (slave) act [verse 49]? 6. What
would be the result and consequences of this behavior [verses 50,51]? Matthew 25:14-30 1. What
did the master do and why did he do it [verse 14]? 2. What
determined the amount of money the master gave each servant (slave) [verse
15]? 3. What
did the servant (slave) who received the huge financial amount of five
talents immediately do [verse 16]? 4. What
did the servant (slave) who received the large financial amount of two
talents do [verse 17]? 5. What
did the servant (slave) who received the sizable financial amount of one
talent do [verse 18]? 6. When
the master returned he required a report (an accounting) of how the servants
(slaves) had managed his money. Remember: ability determined
what each man received. a. How did the master respond to the reports of the servants (slaves)
who received the five and two talent amounts [verses 21,23]? b. How did the servant (slave) who received the one talent amount
explain his motivation for his actions [verse 24,25]? c. What did the master call the servant (slave) who hid the money he received
[verse 26}? d. If that was what the servant (slave) believed about his master,
what should he have done with the money [verse 27]? 7. Thought
questions: a. Did the servant (slave) who received the one talent amount spend
the money drinking? b. Did he spend it on prostitutes? c. Did he steal it for himself? d. Did he spend it to create a better standard of living for his
family and extended family? e. Did he personally profit from the money in any way? f. Did the master sustain an actual loss of money? g. Why was this servant (slave) wicked and lazy? 8. In
verse 30 he is called a "worthless" servant (slave) and severely
punished. If his actions did not lose his master's money, if the master was 'none the
poorer' because of the servant's decision and action, why was he worthless? IV. Conclusion: Jesus was able to accomplish God's exact
purposes because he was a good servant. Consider your understandings from today's lessons. Then answer this
question: what are the basic requirements for a Christian to become the
servant that (1) God wants and (2) accomplishes
precisely what God wants done? Always remember the wicked servant did not
know his master. |