Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Ever had an opportunity that you considered to be once-in-a-lifetime? In this message, Dr. Merritt puts forth the idea that every day is the opportunity of a life time. Our time on earth is filled with opportunities to seek God's will and do God's work. We are given opportunities to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. In fact, from God's perspective, life is equal-opportunity employment! The Lord Jesus told a parable to illustrate this profound truth. In the story of the talents, Christ illustrates that on earth, you have literally the opportunity of a lifetime to make your life count for God’s glory by using your God given abilities for his service.

"God is not concerned with whether you have great talent or small talent. It is what you do with the talent that you have that matters to God. Your opportunity will never exceed your ability, and your ability will always be equal to your opportunities. But just as each man had been given ability, he had also been given the responsibility to take the opportunity to use that ability for the good of his master, and so do you." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: opportunity, talent, parable, Jesus, gifts, resources, abilities, serving, helping, good works, servant, ambitio, ambition, expectation, responsibility, gift, glory, glorify, honor, faithful, John Wooden, UCLA basketball, reward, Darryl Worley, investment