Kingdom Assignment Week 2: The Challenge
Kingdom Assignment
Week 2: The Challenge
Another name for a Pastor is a Sheppard. The church congregation would be compared to as the sheep. Last Sunday August 3rd, 2025, Pastor Mike Sheppard’s his sheep by providing us with some practical information that we can apply to our lives to help guide us along the path God has for us. Sheep hear their Sheppard’s voice and can come close or drift away. However, it is dangerous for a sheep to drift away because when we are alone, we become vulnerable, and the enemy is on the prowl for whom he can devour. When the Sheppard is around, he can protect his sheep.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Today’s culture has us comparing ourselves to one another, leaving us feeling inferior. We must embrace the fact that we are each a unique masterpiece. “Be the best you, you can be because you’re the only one.” God has provided you with what you need to complete his work, such as the time, talent, treasure (resources), and passion. If God has given you a lot, much is expected. Pastor Mike reminds us that responsibility is the state of being accountable. It would behoove us to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey.
Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
There are times that the leaders of the church will propose a task for us. When we choose not to acknowledge the proposition, we aren’t being obedient. Pastor Mike implores us to make a change and serve the Lord. When given the opportunity to be willing and obedient is presented we must seize it. That is a key part of fulfilling Gods purpose. The enemy devours us with things like pride, selfishness, fear, and laziness. Obedience takes faith.
The Challenge
Challenge – Something that requires great mental or physical effort to be done successfully, therefore tests our ability. It takes effort, strength, sacrifice, focus, and willingness.
Parable of The Talents
Matthew 25:14-25
“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 besides 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.’
Talents are Gold:
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
The master loves his servants, there should be no fear. If his master didn’t like him or want to see him succeed, he wouldn’t have given him the opportunity.
Matthew 25:26-30
“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. Therefore 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.’
Some people don’t try because of the fear of failure. You don’t know your full potential until you try. Since the third man did nothing with his talent his master took it and gave it to the man who proved he could be trusted with the responsibility and make the most out it. God expects us to use our gifts for the advancement of his kingdom. He challenges us to take what we are given and prosper that. We must recognize our lives are not our own. Jesus bought us with his blood on the cross when he died for our sins. We run into trouble when we think we are owed something or when we become proud and entitled. Everything we have is Gods because it came from him. When he gives to us it is with the expectation that we are to give and serve to fulfill his purpose. It is not always easy to be obedient, but it is worth it.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
Everything you do, give to the Lord and it will be established.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Our Heavenly Father has given us an assignment, but we don’t have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit within us will guide us if we are willing and obedient. Through His strength there is nothing that can’t be overcome.
Week 2: The Challenge
Another name for a Pastor is a Sheppard. The church congregation would be compared to as the sheep. Last Sunday August 3rd, 2025, Pastor Mike Sheppard’s his sheep by providing us with some practical information that we can apply to our lives to help guide us along the path God has for us. Sheep hear their Sheppard’s voice and can come close or drift away. However, it is dangerous for a sheep to drift away because when we are alone, we become vulnerable, and the enemy is on the prowl for whom he can devour. When the Sheppard is around, he can protect his sheep.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Today’s culture has us comparing ourselves to one another, leaving us feeling inferior. We must embrace the fact that we are each a unique masterpiece. “Be the best you, you can be because you’re the only one.” God has provided you with what you need to complete his work, such as the time, talent, treasure (resources), and passion. If God has given you a lot, much is expected. Pastor Mike reminds us that responsibility is the state of being accountable. It would behoove us to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey.
Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
There are times that the leaders of the church will propose a task for us. When we choose not to acknowledge the proposition, we aren’t being obedient. Pastor Mike implores us to make a change and serve the Lord. When given the opportunity to be willing and obedient is presented we must seize it. That is a key part of fulfilling Gods purpose. The enemy devours us with things like pride, selfishness, fear, and laziness. Obedience takes faith.
The Challenge
Challenge – Something that requires great mental or physical effort to be done successfully, therefore tests our ability. It takes effort, strength, sacrifice, focus, and willingness.
Parable of The Talents
Matthew 25:14-25
“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 besides 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.’
Talents are Gold:
- 1 Talent of Gold – Average of 60lbs of Gold
- Current Value of Gold - $3,349.00 per oz
- 16 oz in 1 lb. of Gold – 1lb of Gold = $53,584.00
- 1 Talent of Gold = $3,215,040.00
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
The master loves his servants, there should be no fear. If his master didn’t like him or want to see him succeed, he wouldn’t have given him the opportunity.
Matthew 25:26-30
“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. Therefore 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.’
Some people don’t try because of the fear of failure. You don’t know your full potential until you try. Since the third man did nothing with his talent his master took it and gave it to the man who proved he could be trusted with the responsibility and make the most out it. God expects us to use our gifts for the advancement of his kingdom. He challenges us to take what we are given and prosper that. We must recognize our lives are not our own. Jesus bought us with his blood on the cross when he died for our sins. We run into trouble when we think we are owed something or when we become proud and entitled. Everything we have is Gods because it came from him. When he gives to us it is with the expectation that we are to give and serve to fulfill his purpose. It is not always easy to be obedient, but it is worth it.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
Everything you do, give to the Lord and it will be established.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Our Heavenly Father has given us an assignment, but we don’t have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit within us will guide us if we are willing and obedient. Through His strength there is nothing that can’t be overcome.
Recent
Archive
Categories
no categories
No Comments