SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Part 6: Finish the Work

October 19, 2025

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Matthew 25:14–15 (NIV) Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

Psalm 24:1 (NIV) The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

• Faithfulness isn’t , it’s .

Matthew 25:16–17 (NIV) The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.

John 15:8 (NIV) This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

• Faith . Fake faith .

Matthew 25:18, 24-25 (NIV) But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money…Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground.’

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

• The Master rewards , not .

Matthew 25:19–27 (NIV) After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.’

• Faith always produces . Fake always produces .

James 2:17 (NIV) Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Proverbs 14:23 (NIV) All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

• In the Kingdom, is as dangerous as .

Proverbs 18:9 (NLT) A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.

• In the Kingdom, to those who will use it.

Matthew 25:28–29 (NIV) So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.

1. Use what God has .

1 Peter 3:10-11 (NLT) God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.

             2. Be faithful with whatever is .

1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

Luke 16:10 (NIV) Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Matthew 25:29–30 (NIV) For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Romans 14:12 (NIV) So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Revelation 22:12 (NIV) Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

            3. Live ready for the .