June 28th, 2025
Many are Called but few are Chosen Series
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
June 29, 2025
Part 2: God-given - Matthew 25
Opening Verse:
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 NLT
Introduction:
Welcome to an amazing Sunday here at River of Faith! We are in our second week of a new series that I entitled "Many are Called but Few are Chosen" In this series we will learn about the general calling of God to all humanity to repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We will also learn about our individual calling, and spiritual gifts that God has given us so we can use it for His kingdom!
A "volitional calling" refers to a person's personal choice to pursue a specific task or path that God has called them to do. Unlike the effectual calling of God to all humanity to repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, volitional call is personal and unique to the individual that God is calling to do something specific for Him and His glory.
“The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 1:4-8 NLT
Main Pointers:
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. Matthew 25:14-18 NLT
1. If it is God-given, it is God-driven.
Once again Jesus illustrated this parable to what the kingdom of God is will be like. A man went away and entrusted his money to his servants.
Take note that all three servants received different amounts solely based on what their master decided to give them. What they do next is the most important part.
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 NLT
2. Those that can be trusted with little can be trusted with much.
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! ’ “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” Matthew 25:19-23 NLT
After a long time which means it was they were given enough time. The master came back and the two servants who were given different amounts were greeted by the master with the same praise.
It was never about the amount they were given but their faithfulness to what was given to them. Often times we ask God for great things while we neglect to be faithful on smaller things.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 NLT
3. God cannot bless lazy.
“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
Matthew 25:24-30 NLT
The servant who were entrusted with one talent choose to not do anything about it. Obviously it wasn't an accident that he received less than the other two. Nevertheless, he failed to invest it wisely.
Stewardship is God's test of our ability to be faithful and fruitful. Jesus wants us to be fruitful.
“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:2 NLT
Conclusion:
At the end of our lives the most endearing question to ask is whether or not we were good stewards of what God had given us. Its not about how much or how many but what did we do to it? How did we use it? Did it affect others? Did it give glory to God? What is important is at the end we hear the words "well done my good and faithful servant!"
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
June 29, 2025
Part 2: God-given - Matthew 25
Opening Verse:
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 NLT
Introduction:
Welcome to an amazing Sunday here at River of Faith! We are in our second week of a new series that I entitled "Many are Called but Few are Chosen" In this series we will learn about the general calling of God to all humanity to repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We will also learn about our individual calling, and spiritual gifts that God has given us so we can use it for His kingdom!
A "volitional calling" refers to a person's personal choice to pursue a specific task or path that God has called them to do. Unlike the effectual calling of God to all humanity to repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, volitional call is personal and unique to the individual that God is calling to do something specific for Him and His glory.
“The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 1:4-8 NLT
Main Pointers:
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. Matthew 25:14-18 NLT
1. If it is God-given, it is God-driven.
Once again Jesus illustrated this parable to what the kingdom of God is will be like. A man went away and entrusted his money to his servants.
Take note that all three servants received different amounts solely based on what their master decided to give them. What they do next is the most important part.
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 NLT
2. Those that can be trusted with little can be trusted with much.
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! ’ “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” Matthew 25:19-23 NLT
After a long time which means it was they were given enough time. The master came back and the two servants who were given different amounts were greeted by the master with the same praise.
It was never about the amount they were given but their faithfulness to what was given to them. Often times we ask God for great things while we neglect to be faithful on smaller things.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 NLT
3. God cannot bless lazy.
“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
Matthew 25:24-30 NLT
The servant who were entrusted with one talent choose to not do anything about it. Obviously it wasn't an accident that he received less than the other two. Nevertheless, he failed to invest it wisely.
Stewardship is God's test of our ability to be faithful and fruitful. Jesus wants us to be fruitful.
“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:2 NLT
Conclusion:
At the end of our lives the most endearing question to ask is whether or not we were good stewards of what God had given us. Its not about how much or how many but what did we do to it? How did we use it? Did it affect others? Did it give glory to God? What is important is at the end we hear the words "well done my good and faithful servant!"
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