The Five Colossal Mistakes of a Wicked Man (#2)

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"Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).

Yesterday we began looking into the story Jesus told about a man who was given a gift, and told to use it in a good way that would bring honor to the one who gave him the gift. But the man failed miserably. He made five colossal mistakes. Today we will look at the second mistake he made. My purpose is to help insure that you and I do not follow his example and squander the gifts and the great opportunities the which the Lord has given us.

Colossal Mistake No.2 -- He Buried his Talent

"Master,” he said, “here is your gift, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.” This man did not truly regard Christ as his Master, or else he would have laid himself out to honor the Lord with his gifts. He was a pretender. “Why call Me Lord, Lord,” Jesus said on another occasion, “but do not do the things that I say?”

There are those who feel the need of some sort of religious affiliation in order to pacify their disturbed consciences, yet have no real motivation for actually serving Christ with their lives. They content themselves to talk the language, but not actually live the life. Such men are false in their faith, and shallow in their affections; they profess to know Christ but deny Him by how they live.

The Bible speaks frankly about these kind of so-called Christians. Paul wrote, “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16). Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

He then added these astounding words: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” (Matt.7:22,23).

The Lord gave this man every opportunity, but he chose to bury the talent. Are you doing the same with your life? Are you letting your opportunities slip by unheeded? Are you neglecting the gifts that God has entrusted to you?

Are you making a colossal mistake?
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