WEBVTT 00:00:02.479 --> 00:00:05.200 Thank you for joining us on the CCW podcast. 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:11.039 Make sure you connect with us on social media to stay up to date on ministries and events happening at CCW. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.960 We hope you're encouraged, inspired, and motivated by today's message. 00:00:15.119 --> 00:00:19.120 To find out how to connect with us, keep listening after the message ends. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:22.239 Good morning, CCW. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:24.480 All right. 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:25.600 We got one. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:27.199 Good morning, CCW. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:36.159 Look, we're gonna have to do better at saying good morning, and I don't know what it is, but the first four, the most expensive seats are open. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:39.840 So if any of y'all don't have a good view back there, come on up. 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:43.359 Why don't you turn your Bible to Matthew 25 this morning? 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:49.439 We're continuing the parables and got a few more weeks of that as we go through summer. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:52.799 And I want to say a word of congratulations. 00:00:52.960 --> 00:01:00.719 I know that they're not here today, but Ian and Brooke McDowell had their secondborn son, Camden. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:04.079 And so message them if you see them. 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:10.879 It's exciting that uh we are adding to the need for children's ministry around here rapidly. 00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:13.200 So we're excited about that. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:17.280 It's so good to see Miss Elizabeth here today. 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:23.680 I know that uh she is battling that cancer, and we've been praying and praying and praying with you. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:26.560 So so glad to see you today. 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:31.040 I do want to say a word of um prayer and ask you to pray. 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:41.439 I don't know if you saw this week um a tragedy in our community, but we need to be praying for the family of Dory Lawrence in the passing. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:46.239 And so lift that family up so tragic. 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:48.640 Um, but they need our prayers right now. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:50.480 So be lifting them. 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:52.480 Matthew chapter 25. 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:54.560 We are gonna jump in. 00:01:54.799 --> 00:02:00.560 And this week is one of the biggest weeks that CCW has all year long. 00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:12.319 So I got a number this morning that we had about 90 adults that are registered to volunteer and serve for Samarama Vacation Bible School. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:14.240 And so we are excited for those 90. 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:17.599 That's the greatest turnout we've ever had. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:18.719 Amen. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:22.560 And and pre-registered, there's 188. 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:32.560 We cut it off on that for children on pre-registration, but there's gonna be more that compiling in today that have not had the chance since last week to pre-register. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:40.000 So if things turn out the way they look, we already have the largest vacation Bible school we have ever had in church history. 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:44.479 So we are pumped about the opportunity to serve. 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:45.680 And we've talked last week. 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:49.680 I talked about the mission trips and the way that God has opened the door. 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:55.120 It's very timely as we look at the parable today of the talents. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:58.159 Uh I want you to turn Matthew 25. 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:03.759 I want to look as we start in verse 14 and 15, if you'll turn there with me. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:12.080 It says, For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:23.759 And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately then he went on a journey. 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:27.439 So everyone this morning has an ability. 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:31.919 The first point this morning is this ability comes from the Lord. 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:38.159 James 1 17 says, Every good and perfect gift comes from above, comes from the Father of lights. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:39.919 We all have an ability. 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:44.960 And everyone in this room today, I want you to understand this thought. 00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:49.120 Everyone in this room has been given a management position. 00:03:49.599 --> 00:03:51.280 We're all a manager. 00:03:51.680 --> 00:04:00.000 And according to 1 Corinthians 12, 11, our management gift, our talent has been apportioned by the Holy Spirit. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:09.599 The abilities themselves don't change, but the effect of them and the exercise of them as you practice them can obviously change. 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:12.240 I want you to think about it this way, as far as a manager. 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:19.680 So I'm a Christian, you're Christian today, many of you here, and so as a good Christian, I go to Chick-fil-A. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:20.399 Amen. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:21.519 Right? 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:24.240 Well, some of y'all aren't very good Christians. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:28.240 You know, that's got the gospel bird over at the Chick-fil-A. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:30.399 And so I thought about at Chick-fil-A. 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:33.680 Say you started out there in the line with your iPad, and they got that, man. 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:35.120 They have they work it. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.120 I'm telling you, they've worked all kinds of things. 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:37.759 I don't know. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:43.680 And you know, it's just chicken, but I'm going to Chick-fil-A because I know they're going to do all they can to get everybody in and out. 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:46.319 And so you might start your way up on the iPad outside. 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:48.240 Have you ever seen them in the rain booths? 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:51.120 Well, that's something you got to see them when it rains. 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:53.600 They put on an old-fashioned telephone booth. 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:55.040 That's crazy. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:05:02.480 Anyways, and so you're working out there, and maybe you work yourself to the inside and you work yourself to uh management of the front, the management of the back. 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:07.680 Say you worked yourself all the way to the point of being a manager for Chick-fil-A. 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:14.639 I mean, it is your pleasure every day, and you get a big office, you'd be in charge of a lot of things, right? 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:31.279 It would be at your charge to make sure that the cooks are cooking, that the stoves are running, that the refrigerators are doing what they're supposed to do, freezers, you'd be in charge of cashiers and a drive-thru and tables, and you'd probably have a good salary. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:37.519 But none of those things that I mentioned would belong to you. 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:38.959 Are you with me? 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:40.560 You are a manager. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:47.439 And in life, this principle that we're going to look at, either you're going to be an owner or you're going to be a manager. 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:58.560 But I'm here to tell you this morning that there is only one owner of all things, and he is placed within your care a life to manage, not to own. 00:05:58.720 --> 00:05:59.600 Let me pray. 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:14.319 Father, we love you, and we thank you for the opportunity we have today to be here to serve and God to be managers, to be stewards of something that you've given to us for a time and a season. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:20.800 And God, I pray that you would open our hearts and eyes, ears to what you have to say through your word. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:24.639 And Lord, let us not leave here the same as we came. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:25.920 In Jesus' name. 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:26.879 Amen. 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:34.399 So there in verse 14, the letter A underneath of your point one is this the Lord gives of his own principle. 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:36.560 Verse 14, I want you to see it again. 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:43.600 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:47.360 He delivered his goods under his own principle. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:50.160 Now, what even is a talent, Pastor? 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:51.360 Let's talk about this. 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:55.279 A talent in the pat in the parable is not a skill, okay? 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:58.560 It's not an uh just a skill that you can do. 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:01.199 It's not because you can sing or you can woodwork. 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:02.399 It's not a skill. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:10.800 One talent is equal to six thousand denarius, and a denarius is one day's wage. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:17.279 So it would take an ordinary worker 20 years to earn one talent. 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:17.920 Okay? 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:23.759 And today's terminology I heard someone else talking about, it's about a million and a half dollars. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:24.319 Okay? 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:26.959 So can we recognize this? 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:32.480 If anyone gave you 20 years of wages, that would be a lot of weight. 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:33.360 Am I right? 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:36.959 That would be a lot for you to look at and to try to understand. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:43.600 And so we need to know this that the talent comes from the one who has the ability to give it. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.680 The talent comes from the owner. 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:51.279 And I need us to understand that our talents, we're going to talk throughout the message, are wrapped up in three things. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:58.480 Your talent is your time, your talent, your abilities, and your treasure. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:01.519 That is a talent as we look at this parable. 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:03.600 And so it's all of those things wrapped up. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:08.240 But our talent comes from the owner of all things. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:13.680 Psalms 89, 14 says this about the owner out of his own principle. 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:18.240 Justice and righteousness are the foundation of God's throne. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:23.279 See, what he apportions to us comes from his own principle. 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:25.279 And he is just. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:28.480 A bedrock of God's character is his justice. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:44.399 You see, you and I are flawed, and we can never truly understand justice because we will always, if there comes a case where it's me versus someone else, we will always see justice skewed as I need mercy when I've done wrong. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:47.919 And when someone does me wrong, they need justice. 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:49.120 Am I right? 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:56.879 You've never stood before a judge or done something wrong and thought, I do not deserve mercy. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:00.240 Just give me justice, lay it down on me. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:02.720 Right? 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:06.000 And so we are skewed looking at justice. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:09.039 I've been wronged, and justice was the order for the day. 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:10.720 I'm telling you, they deserve it. 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:13.600 The perpetrator must be punished. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:18.879 And conversely, when I have done wrong, it was just a slip-up. 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:21.200 It really wasn't who I am. 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:23.200 It was just a mistake. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:25.840 And so mercy is what I need. 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:31.919 But we need to understand the Lord gives of his own principle based on his being just. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:39.600 Another name for our Lord is Jehovah Sidkino. 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:44.320 Jehovah Sidkino, and that means the Lord our righteousness. 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:50.639 Part of his character and ability, part of who he is, is that justice. 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:56.080 Isaiah 33, 22 says, the Lord is our judge, lawgiver, and our king. 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:59.440 Genesis 18, 25 says he is the judge of all the earth. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:09.919 So I just I'm laying this groundwork so you understand that when God gives a talent, and for you me time, talent, and treasure, when he gives something to us, it's based on his character. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:18.720 And he says in this parable that he gave to them according as he saw fit, as according to their abilities, as he saw fit. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:22.879 So it comes from his principle, letter be, the Lord gives of his own perception. 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:28.559 It was his perception, hear me, that we are all able to manage. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:31.120 None able to own. 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:32.639 Hear me on that today. 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:34.879 We are all able to manage. 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:43.360 You see, and when we think about management, we're accustomed to judging everything by size. 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:44.639 Right? 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:54.960 We look at everything, and I need you to understand today, when they saw someone get five, someone got two, someone got one, it immediately became a competition of size. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.440 And I need you to know that's faulty perception. 00:10:57.679 --> 00:10:58.960 Let me give you an example. 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:01.279 There are mega churches today. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:08.799 And there are many churches today, and there are medium churches today, and people judge churches by their size. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:12.080 And I want to tell you, by the way, I I love churches. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:16.399 I love a many, I love a medium, I love a mega, I love churches. 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.360 And you know why? 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:20.000 Because Jesus Christ is the head of the church. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:29.440 And so he allows pastors and bishops to oversee and under-shepherd churches, whatever the size. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.960 Size is a measure. 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:34.000 Don't get me wrong, size is a measure of something. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:37.919 I won't deny that, but it does not mean success. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:39.840 It is a measure of something. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:51.440 So if CCW is not growing, if we're not changing, if we're not drawing closer to God, then all we have here is a big social club on Sundays. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:55.039 And last I checked, the YMCA was open on Sunday. 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.399 Are you with me? 00:11:57.039 --> 00:12:04.320 If there's not God work happening in here, then we can create a big, fat, giant social club and fill the walls up. 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:08.799 We can do everything, put on all the bells and whistles and try to draw people for that. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.519 But that's not success. 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:18.639 So God, out of his perception, perceives that a man would be good to manage five, two, or one. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:25.600 And one man is not better or worse because of the talent that he receives. 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:27.279 One, two, or five. 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:28.960 We are stewards. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:29.519 Listen to me. 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:32.240 Everybody here, we are stewards of an amount. 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:35.120 The amount is based on God's perception. 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:41.279 It's gonna free somebody to hear today that God doesn't need you to take over the world with your business. 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.080 He doesn't. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:51.919 He doesn't need you to be the next biggest thing that there is for there to be success. 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:59.679 You don't have to capture all the sales awards, trophies with your name for construction or this and that. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:07.679 We are called to a place for a season with an amount based on God's perception. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:16.960 I'm sure that guy number one was looking over there at guy number five, and I'm sure he was like, Well, shoot, that ain't right. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:19.200 Why'd he give five? 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:21.039 What about me? 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.879 What makes me just a one? 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:26.000 And everybody knows I'm better than old two. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.200 What about two? 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.039 I should definitely have more than two. 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:31.200 You know this is how it goes. 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:42.639 I grew up with a hardworking mechanic father, and I watch people fix things, church, and I go, Lord, why can't I fix things? 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:45.919 And he said, Rick, because you break things. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:54.639 I have jealously looked at my dad, men, and thought, God, that is manly. 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:56.399 What about me? 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:02.720 I've looked at people's wealth and been jealous. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:04.720 I've looked at people. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:08.159 I'm confessing, some people here need to think about this today. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:11.360 Y'all remember the 90s, the great philosopher Ske Lo? 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:14.000 He said, I wish I was a little bit taller. 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.600 I wish I was a baller. 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:20.080 I got a girl who looks good, and I call her. 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:27.120 But I've looked at pastors, and man, some of them like, man, that pastor can sing. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:30.879 He'll be in the middle of his sermon, and I'm like, that ain't right. 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:33.759 I can't sing mid-sermon. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.799 That ain't fair, God. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:38.399 I've listened to pastors and thought, why can't I say it like that? 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:43.120 Pastor Danny, our previous pastor, I mean, he had a natural passion. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:46.080 I'm like, God, why can't I sell ice to an Eskimo? 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.919 I mean, he could sell anything. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:51.360 He'd be talking about the last, you know, food item he ate. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:54.480 And you're like, well, I want some, I want a Jack's biscuit. 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:57.519 That sounds like the greatest thing that anybody's ever had. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:04.879 I've listened to John Piper and thought, how come I'm not eloquent like that? 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:06.799 And then I'll stand before a mirror. 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:11.440 Lord, whithersoever is not gonna work, Rick. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:14.320 I thought, why am I not like that? 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:16.720 God said this to me in my heart. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.639 You don't have their gifts. 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:21.440 Their gifts are tailor-made for them. 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:24.720 But Rick, they don't have your gifts either. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:28.080 And they can't do what you can do either. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:32.639 And so, somebody today, you need to know that God wants you. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.799 The you that you are. 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:40.559 You don't have to look at a magazine anymore, scroll Facebook and Insta anymore. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.600 That ain't right. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:43.039 That ain't you. 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:46.320 Don't compare yourself to your former teenage self either. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:48.080 Oh, that ain't fair. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:50.639 I ain't what I used to be either, Lord. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:52.720 Well, you're not gonna be. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.320 Okay? 00:15:55.039 --> 00:16:05.519 Whether it's one, two, or five, you have a gift that makes a difference on planet earth today, in the circle that God's placed you in. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:10.399 And it's important that you use your gifts and that you make others better. 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:13.039 Don't waste time on what you're not. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.960 Hear me, church. 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:23.200 God planned in Psalms 1039, it says He crafted, He handcrafted you with a plan and a book before you were in your mother's womb. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.799 He had a plan for your life. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:28.960 And yet we go look in the mirror, we go look at things, and we go, I don't like this. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:32.960 And you're looking at your creator and you're betraying him. 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:35.360 You are good. 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.759 Look at your neighbor and say, You are good. 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:42.000 Look at the second choice and say, You're you're good too. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.679 You're good too. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.039 You're alright. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:47.279 You're not bad. 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:50.480 Second thing this morning. 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.679 Look at verse 19. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:54.639 Accountability comes from the Lord. 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.679 Verse 19. 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:00.879 Let me tell you what happens. 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:02.960 We got the 15, and I'll read 16 through 9. 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:07.200 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them and made another five. 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:10.480 And likewise he who had received the two gained two more. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:15.440 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground and hid his Lord's money. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:17.599 After a long, hear this verse here. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:24.400 After a long time, the Lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:28.799 Point two this morning is this accountability comes from the Lord. 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:34.720 The disciples kept asking, the reason for this prayer, the disciples kept asking, when will you build the kingdom of heaven? 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:36.160 When are you going to build your kingdom? 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:41.359 And Jesus was answering them, not with a when, but with a what. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:44.960 He's answering them with, This is what you need to do. 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:50.160 I'm not answering the when because no man knows the time or the hour, but here is the what. 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:55.039 And he says to them, A man went away on a long journey, and one day he returned. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:58.079 Are you seeing the parallel on this picture? 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:00.400 The man on the journey is Jesus Christ. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:07.039 Jesus Christ died, was buried, he arose, ascended, and he's been on a long journey. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:09.599 And one day he's gonna return. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:14.720 And he left us not with a when, but a what. 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:20.319 He gave you five, he gave you two, he gave you three, he gave you one, but he gave you a what. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:25.039 He left us with a what, and that what is the form of a weighted measure. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:30.240 Our talent, time, talent, and treasure, he gave to every person. 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:33.599 All talent stewardship falls under that. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:46.240 And here's the overarching point of our talent, time, and treasure is that as the kingdom of heaven one day comes back, the great commission was given to us so that we would go into all the earth and give them the gospel. 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:56.240 So whatever your time, talent, treasure is wrapped up, if it's plumber, if it's a president of something, if it's vice president of a company, if it's construction, all of it is wrapped up in the Great Commission. 00:18:56.400 --> 00:19:02.400 And he said, Go with the three T's of talent, however, you can. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:04.319 That's what you're to do. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:09.039 Are you a good manager of what you've been given? 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:14.559 You've been given management to impact the kingdom of heaven right where you are. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:21.279 So if you've been gifted with the ability to build a house, you're gonna have people around you in that workplace. 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:23.599 If you're a doctor, you've been gifted. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:31.599 If whatever it is that you do, there's people in your circle, and you've been given this time, talent, and treasure to invest in. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:34.160 Are you being a good manager? 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:40.240 Because Revelation 20 says this that a day of accountability is coming. 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.240 Accountability is coming. 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:46.240 After a time, it says the Lord came and settled the accounts. 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:54.240 Romans 14, 12 says that in each one of us will give an account to God for what we did, how we stewarded. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:57.759 Well, we're stewards of a couple of things that I want to hit on this morning. 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:00.160 Letter A is we're stewards of a family. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:04.000 I want you to turn over to Psalms 127. 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:09.440 We're stewards of a family. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:18.480 It says, unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:22.559 Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:30.559 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows, for so he gives his beloved sleep. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:37.200 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:41.359 Three times in this passage right here, the word vain is used. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:55.920 The Hebrew word is shav, and it is in the sense of desolation, meaning, unless the Lord builds the house, then what you're doing is vain, is desolate in the sense of evil. 00:20:56.160 --> 00:21:02.000 Figuratively, the word definition of shav is idolatry. 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:07.279 Unless the Lord builds the house that you're involved in, then the house means your family. 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:10.720 Unless the Lord builds that house, it's vain. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:12.799 It's evil and it's idolatry. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:18.799 Everything else that the world has to offer, unless the Lord is the foundation, is evil and idolatry. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.960 It hits our house. 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:23.440 Well, it doesn't just hit that in that scripture. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:27.279 It says they labor in vain who build it, then it hits our work success. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:30.799 Oh, you can build, but you can build in vain. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:34.240 Evil, idolatry, unless the Lord builds it. 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:37.680 It doesn't just hit our work success, it then hits our protection. 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:41.200 He says the watchman stays awake in vain. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:47.200 Oh, you can try to protect all this you have, all your assets, all your things, all your stuff, even your family. 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:51.920 And unless the Lord is building that life, it's vain. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.880 Shav. 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:55.839 It's idolatry, it's useless. 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:58.319 Even says our rest. 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.839 It's vain feet arise. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.359 Up early, sit up late. 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:09.519 Your rest without God's hand in it, even your time for vacation and restfulness is vain. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:18.079 So, men today, I want to tell you, unless you're using one, two, and five and planning with the gift God has given you, then you're spinning wheels. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:20.079 You're wasting time. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.279 He said, It's vain. 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:22.400 It's a waste of time. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:24.480 It's a waste of resource. 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:28.480 Parents, we are stewards of our children. 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:33.359 And I'm not talking about 18 years until you can boot them out the house. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:35.759 I'm talking about a whole life. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:39.359 We've been given this loan of something precious, life. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:41.359 He said, it is the reward. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:43.680 The fruit of our womb is a reward. 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:47.440 And so we've been given this life to steward, grandparents. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:50.160 You're stewards of grandchildren. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:53.759 And then you're even a steward of what you leave behind. 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:58.240 Verse 3 said, it is the fruit of the womb that is a reward. 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:02.960 Some have one, some two, some five. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.960 But it is all about management. 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.240 How are you managing? 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:11.359 In fact, Proverbs 22, 6 says this. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:14.240 If the kids in here today they won't like it. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:18.480 It says, train up a child in the way he should go. 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:23.119 So as a steward, a manager of a household, I am a trainer. 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:25.519 How many of you have been to the gym? 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:29.440 In the gym that I attend, nobody really likes the trainer. 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.880 Let's be honest with you. 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:34.720 A lot of people go to the trainer, but he doesn't seem like people's friends. 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:38.400 I don't see people coming and shaking his hands like, I'm so happy to see you. 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:50.240 Like they give him some money so he can beat them up, wear them out, and then they walk away with a scowl on their face, sweat coming down, and they leave, and somehow this makes them happy. 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:52.319 He's the trainer, right? 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:56.319 He makes them mad, and then they feel better. 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:58.640 Can I tell you something, parents? 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:01.039 It's not too late to train. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:11.359 Just because it's been done a certain way and they've got to a certain point in life doesn't mean training has to stop, and we have to say, well, I messed up on that. 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:14.319 Training can change. 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:19.200 You see, the Lord will come to check on the gift that He's given you. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:24.400 Psalms 127 there, verse 1b, it's important. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:26.319 I need everybody to hear. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:31.599 He says, unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.920 I got thinking about that. 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:35.839 He even said your protection. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:43.920 Man, there's not a man in here that wouldn't say he'd give all he'd have to give to keep his family safe. 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:50.720 But this verse says, Men, if you're not leading them by loving the Lord, don't protect them. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:58.640 You might as well leave the doors unlocked, might as well hand the keys to the enemy and say, Come on in. 00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:01.599 If I'm not gonna love the Lord, then I might as well not protect. 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.240 You hear me? 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:08.400 If you're not loving Jesus, you're locking the front door for the enemy and saying, Come on in. 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.960 Come sit at my table. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.160 Is that clear? 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:18.720 And I'm so tired of a world that's looking at men all the time and they're saying they're sorry, they're no good. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:25.200 These single families are all a mess because of the men, kids with no good daddies, absentee men. 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:28.079 Can we have some men that would say it's time to stand up? 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:32.079 I mean, I'll fight. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.000 Enemy walks in my house. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:38.079 I told y'all before, I will blow out a knee. 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:40.079 That's why I'm coming straight for a knee. 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:43.039 A hundred and ninety-pound cannonball right at the knee. 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:44.400 I don't care how big they are. 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:46.640 They better be able to withstand that. 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.720 I'll fight. 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:50.480 You're not getting in my house. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:52.960 You're not getting what God's given to me. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:58.079 Moms, you're a manager of your families. 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.960 How are you using your time? 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:08.079 Husbands, you're a manager of your relationship to your wife. 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:15.119 Wives, you're a manager, a steward of your relationship to your husband. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.359 How are you managing? 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.400 Kids, you're not off the hook. 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:22.720 Is your bed made right now? 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.440 You're a manager. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:33.759 Do you set spend time talking to your parents, trying to pick their brain? 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:36.000 You're a manager of a relationship. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:38.079 You have a side too. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.839 We're managers. 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:44.480 He says, Shav, it's in vain unless the Lord builds it. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.920 Are you with me? 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.680 Well, we're stewards of family. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:50.000 We're also stewards of finances. 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:55.359 I have seven just quick practical principles I want to share with you. 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:59.759 Pastor, we're in church, you're going to talk about money. 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.720 Come on, pastor. 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:09.599 Listen, I believe in the whole counsel of God's word, but I've been here almost two years as pastor, and I have not brought up stewardship one time. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:13.200 When the Bible brings the text, we're going to talk about it. 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.000 So here we go. 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:16.079 Seven practical principles. 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:18.559 Number one, the Lord owns it all. 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:20.880 He's the one who gave. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.559 Proverbs 24, 1. 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:26.720 Deuteronomy says that God gives the ability to get wealth. 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.759 It's his. 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:31.039 Matthew says you cannot serve God in money. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:33.039