Introduction
This sermon is based on Matthew Chapter 20. Interesting the Parable of the Workers in the
Vineyard was only recorded in Gospel of Matthew, the others did not record
it. John ony recorded it
parabolicaly. God used earthly story to
explain what He wanted to say. There are
two aspects of a parable:
a) conceal – cannot be seen
b)
reveal – can be seen
In chapter 20: 1-16 God had conceal and reveal about the
meaning of the parable.
There are 4 parts to chapter 20:1-16:
1)
Speaking to the individual
2)
Speaking to the church
3)
The emphasis on the Cross
4)
Compassion of Jesus
The Upside down
Kingdom
God’s kingdom is different from the worldly Kingdom and
sometimes things in God’s kingdom are upside down as compared to the worldly
kingdom. In God’s kingdom, Christian
leadership rested upon humility and servant hood. The labourers in the vineyard considered God
being not fair to them. The world talks
about fairness, but the Bible spoke of being just. Being just is living by the Law, where as
being fair is about equality. This
Parable deals with justice as well as equality.
vs 4. Worker was paid what was “right”. The payment was the same regardless of how
many hours of work. The workers said it
was unfair to pay the same amount for different hours of work. But how dare one question God? Jesus said He did no wrong for He paid one
denarius as agreed by the workers.
vs.16 “so the last will be first, and the first will be
last” – upside down kingdom that’s opposite to worldly kingdom.
Parables do not lay down laws unlike commandment. They were not taught to obey any commandment. Parables are pictorial illustrations like
paintings. Two aspects of parable: a)
person of God B) work of God.
Character of God :
1)
God is sovereign, He knows what He is doing, He
is in charge no matter what happens in this world.
2)
God is just.
The parable did not go against the justice of God. He is just and He
will always do the right things.
3)
Man looks on the outside, God looks at the
heart.
4)
Man is more concerned with quantity, God is
concerned about quality.
5)
Parable showed the length of time in work was
less important than how one did the work.
6)
Commendations for those who did good.
7)
God is a generous God. Like Luke 6:38 “Give,
and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and
running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it
will be measured to you.” The
generosity of God is not haphazard and not unfair. The parable of the workers in the vineyard is
about God’s grace.
Conclusion
God did not underpay those who work longer in
the fields. He paid as agreed “on the
day’s wage”. He is always just. He gave us a great gift of salvation with
eternal life. God is generous and full
of grace. God is just, He is gracious,
He is truth. Whatever He does is of
love.
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