IDEA: A delay can be a great time in which to get work done. TEXT: "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. And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents beside them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth' " (Matthew 25:14-30).

PURPOSE: To have listeners get involved in Christ's service because He has not returned and may not return for a while.

Have you had many delays in your travels? You look up at the flight schedule board in an airport and discover that your flight will be delayed indefinitely.

How do you feel about delays? What do you do with them?

It's the mark of seasoned travelers that they find ways to make delays count for them.

I. That is also true for people in business.

Jesus told a parable about some businessmen who handled an unexpected delay in different ways. We read about this in Matthew 25:14-30.

This is one of three parables that Jesus told about people who had to handle delays that were beyond their control.

Some did it wisely and others did it poorly. In all three cases there is a delay on which the main lesson of the parable turns.

In Matthew 24:45-51 we find that a delay in the owner's return brought out both responsibility and irresponsibility on the part of two men placed in charge of a household.

Both men had plenty of time. Time worked for one and against the other. The Master was delayed, but when he suddenly appeared, the jig was up. The second man had a good example in the first, but didn't follow it. The second man was severely punished for the way he used his time.

In Matthew 25:1-13 we find that a delay revealed wisdom and folly on the part of some young women in a wedding party when the bridegroom was delayed in getting to the wedding.

All ten had time to get all the oil they needed. Five took advantage of the time and five did not.

The bridegroom was delayed but appeared suddenly and unexpectedly.

The five who did not use their time well had a good example in those who did, but they didn't follow it.

The five were shut out of the wedding--a severe punishment.

In Matthew 25:14-30 we find that a delay revealed the faithfulness and diligence of two servants and the indolence of one.

All three had time to make their investment count.

The owner was away for "a long time."

The third servant had a good example in the first two but didn't follow it. He was severely punished for his neglect.

II. What do we learn from the three parables that can help us handle the delay of the Lord's return?

We are to be RESPONSIBLE.

We are to be WISE.

We are to be DILIGENT