Learning how to see things through God’s perspective
Sermon by J.K. Townsley
Paraphrased by Sherry Collins
Scripture Text: Matthew 25:14-30
Behind every great coach are great players and goal planning. People come across our life and alter our perspective of how and what we can do.
From Christ’s perspective, on the cross, He was saving the world. From the disciples’ perspective, they were losing their leader. From Mary’s perspective, she was losing her son. Mary Magdalene’s perspective was that she was losing a dear friend.
If we correct our perspective of God, the rest of our life will take on proper perspective by default.
Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”
Matthew 25:14-30
[14]For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
[15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
[16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents.
[17] And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two.
[18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
[19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
[20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
[21] His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
[23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
[25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine.
[26] His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
[27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
[28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.
[29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
[30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“He’s still workin’ on me….” “…bullfrogs and butterflies…we must be born again!” These old, somewhat silly songs remind us that the key to taking on spiritual perspectives is to be born again–to allow God to do the work within is–we must be changed! Our perspectives must be changed!
Elijah sent a man to look for a cloud. When the final report came back, that there was a cloud the size of a man’s hand…Elijah didn’t wait around for a really big cloud…he went running to tell the king that rain was on its way! That was spiritual perspective!
The truth is, if you are looking for nothing, you may find nothing. But if we can change our perspective and look through God’s eyes, we may just see a little cloud appear on the horizon…and what we see as a little cloud, God may be about to break that cloud open and pour out buckets of rain on our lives! He’s just looking for outstretched cups to fill to overflowing.
Which will it be? A cup to overflow or a missed opportunity?
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