Ask yourself this question - "Will this matter a year from now? (quote from Richard Carlson")
Sunday Sermon Review - October 21, 2012
( from my home church that I attend regularly)
Topic - Workers in the Vinyard
Text - Matthew 20: 1-16
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
The service began with the singing of several songs including 'Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone" as well as a special number 'Hallelujah He is Here" - the song was sung by two guys who dedicated it to a loved one who had passed away recently. Was very well done.
Pastor Ben was the speaker today and spoke on the parable from Matthew 20: 1-16.
Here is some of what he said:
We tend to look at life through the eyes of a formula which says - Do good and you will receive God's blessings, Do bad and get God's punishment and face the consequences. There is a lot of support in the Bible for this formula.
The parable of the workers in the vineyard is actually a continuation of Jesus answering Peter's question from Matthew 19: 27 where Peter says Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
The owner of the vineyard hires people to work in his vineyard -some are hired early in the morning, some at 9AM, some at 12 noon, some at 3PM and the last ones at 5PM. At the end of the day each one receives his paycheck - a penny as promised to those hired first. A penny was equal a day's wage so about $240 in our money. This seems unfair to those hired first but the owner of the vineyard replies Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Ben Identified Three Problems in Us
1) A Commercial Spirit
We try to negotiate or bargain with God. If I do this - what blessing will I receive?
We ask - Is it worth my effort? and if it seems not , we end up choosing the world.
2) A Competetive Spirit
In the parable, the men hired first would have been happy with their wages if they had not seen what the other guys got.
We too compare ourselves with others and we ask - "God , why did they get that? or Why are You not punishing them? What is the deal here??"
When we do good to get public recognition or think our good behavior will build our good reputation, we are missing out.
3) A Complaining Spirit
We complain about the goodness of God. The Bible says we are do everything without complaining.
We are a richly blessed people and should give thanks.
We Need the Grace of God
God is the owner of everything. God loves to give and bless people.
On the cross, Jesus took our punishment.
Ephesians 2: 8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Why Do Good Then?
To show love
We do good because we have already received God's blessing and grace.
It is a privilege to partner together with God in His kingdom work.
We want to be used of God.
We want to work hand in hand with God to rescue the lost.
The closing song - "I'll Stand".
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