This sermon, on Matthew 25:14-30, is the third of a three-part series on saintly living. In our baptisms, God claims each of our lives and names us as one of God's "saints." God calls each of us to live out our baptisms by reflecting Christ's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

This sermon will be looking at our image of God. In the parable of the talents, two out of three respond in a trustworthy way - they respond in courageous living, which aligns with the overall gospel that Jesus preaches about God's graceful kingdom. One, however, cowers in fear (following instead the judgemental faith of the Pharisees). At the end, this results in inaction and a lack of discipleship. Misery continues for this sad fellow.

The parable raises a question of stewardship. How do care for the gifts that God has entrusted to them? Do we ground our response in the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ?