Kingdom Parables 5 Series

Chico Alliance Church

Pastor David Welch

“Parables of the Kingdom” Part Five

I. The Kingdom is open to all but not accepted by all

A. Parable of the Wedding feast – some refuse to accept the invitation

B. Parable of the Sower – some refuse to assimilate kingdom truth

So open your heart and accept the invitation while you have a chance.

II. Entrance to the Kingdom requires a core change by God

So put your faith in Christ brings the necessary changes.

III. Citizenship in the Kingdom demands kingdom participation

So dedicate your God-given resources for the sake His kingdom.

IV. Kingdom citizenship is worth the sacrificial investment

A. Parable of the Hidden Treasure (sell everything acquire the treasure)

B. Parable of the Priceless Pearl (sell everything to acquire the priceless)

So seek first His kingdom and His righteousness

V. Citizenship in God’s kingdom focuses on forgiveness

So receive and reciprocate forgiveness as often as necessary.

VI. Reward in God’s kingdom is available up to the end

Parable of the land owner

A. Perspective – Does my sacrifice count in the kingdom? Matt 19:24-30

B. Parable of the Landowner and the wage for labor Matt 20:1-16

Oh we have so much to learn about service to God and God’s generosity and grace.

C. The point – God rewards as HE sees fit

Right up to end God will accept faithful service from His citizens and reward them as HE sees fit. This parable does not necessarily teach that those who work all their lives for God will always get the same as those who wait till the end. It teaches that because eternal life is all of grace, none of us deserve reward. All of us should be overjoyed at restored relationship with God apart from reward. It also teaches that God can reward whoever he wants to reward with whatever he wants. God looks at the motive. God looks at the heart.

God may even honor labor for the kingdom right up to the end so it is not too late to get to work. It is not too late to change your lifestyle to a kingdom focus.

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. "Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” Jo 4:34-38

God rewards labor. God rewards labor up until the end. There will be a time when the harvest has been brought in and God pays wages. WE all know that the wages of sin is death and the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. But God does pay wages and rewards faithful service in the kingdom.

… we will all stand before the judgment seat of God…each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12

We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Cor. 5:9-10

the Lord will bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Cor. 4:5

If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Cor. 3:14-15

D. Basis for earned Reward

1. Labor and sacrificial service 1 Cor. 3:8

2. Deeds of kindness and righteousness Prov 11:18 Matt 10:41-42 Mk 9:41

3. Proper motives 1 Cor 4:5

4. Keeping God’s Commands Psa 19:11 2 Tim 2:3-7 Gal 6:7-8

5. Humility and fear of the Lord Prov 22:4

6. Enduring persecution, trials and hardship

Galatians 6:9; Matt 5:11-12; Rev. 2:10; Hebrews 11:24-26; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; James 1:12; 2 Tim. 2:3-7

7. Leading others to the truth Daniel 12:3; 1 Thes 2:19

These come from Matthew 5

8. Quiet deeds of kindness

9. Secret giving

10. Private prayer

11. Unnoticed fasting

12. Excellent fervent service from the heart

1 Cor. 3:14; Col. 3:22-25; Eph 6:5-8; Philip. 3:13-16

13. Sacrificial Giving Matt 19:21; Matt 6:20-21; Luke 6:38; Mal 3:10-12

14. Pure Heart and hands for God Matt 5:8; 2 Sam 22:21; 2 Sam 22:25

15. Desire to see the Lord’s return 2 Tim. 4:7-8

16. Faithful leadership 1 Peter 5:4