Great Reasons Why We Should Labor For The Lord Series

Great Reasons Why We Should Labor for the Lord

The Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 19:27-30; Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon by Rick Crandall

(Prepared November 11, 2022)

BACKGROUND:

*Please open your Bibles to Matthew 19:27. Most of you know that by this time, Jesus was only about 3 months away from the cross. And by the beginning of chapter 21, Jesus will be on the outskirts of Jerusalem less than a week before He died for our sins.

*Today's Scripture includes one of the Lord's parables. These simple earthly stories help us understand eternal truths, and based on the stories you include, there are 40 to 50 in the New Testament. Today's parable helps us understand that all of us should labor for the Lord Jesus Christ. Please keep this in mind as we read Matthew 19:27 through 20:16.

MESSAGE:

*Have you ever had a bad boss? For several years, author Jim Miller sponsored a hunt for the worst boss in America. One entry was called "Horrible Hilda." She made an employee carry a 20-pound bag of cat litter up some steep stairs. Usually no big deal, but this guy was still getting over heart surgery.

*Hilda was horrible, but she wasn't the worst boss that year. The worst was a man who called the hospital on the day a worker was scheduled for major surgery. This boss told the employee to get his clothes on and come back to the office right away! He was screaming and throwing such a fit over the phone that the nurse hung up on him. (1)

*I hope you've never had a boss like that! I have been blessed to have some tremendous bosses over the years. At McClendon Baptist Church, Bro. Herman Savoie was my mentor and boss for over 10 years. Earlier, when I worked for the Air Force, I was privileged to have Henry Hearn as my boss. Henry was a great boss. For the first time in my life, he taught me about having proper respect for authority. And that was an important lesson for this very rebellious young man. Henry also blessed me in many other ways. And I hope you have had some good bosses. But Jesus Christ is the best boss we will ever have!

*This truth makes sense when we think about the New Testament meaning of the word "Lord." In the Old Testament, the word "LORD" is usually spelled in all caps. And this name comes from the name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush.

*In Exodus 3:13-14 Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?'' And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM.'' And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'''

*"I AM." That is what the name "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" means. And this name for God is also found in the New Testament. In Revelation 19:1, for example, the word "alleluia" means "Praise YAH," or "Praise the Lord." This "I AM" name for God is also found in the name of "Jesus," because Jesus' name means "Jehovah Is Salvation." And Jesus is our salvation!

*But the word "Lord" in the New Testament comes from a different word altogether. This original word is talking about someone who has supreme authority, the owner, the one who is in control. And it is almost always translated as "Lord," but also as "master," "owner," and "sir."

*Jesus Christ is the greatest Lord of all! And today's Scripture shows us some of the great reasons why every one of us should labor for the Lord.

1. FIRST: IT'S BECAUSE JESUS WILL REWARD US RICHLY.

*The Lord Himself tells us this in Matthew 19:27-29. And here's the background: A rich young ruler had come to Jesus in vs. 16 asking, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"

*Jesus wanted that young man to see that he could never do enough to earn his salvation. The Lord also wanted that man to see that he was trusting in his money more than he trusted in God. So in vs. 21 Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

*The tragic thing is, that young man refused to let go of his possessions enough to start trusting in Jesus. Instead, he went away in sorrow. Against that backdrop, in vs. 27, Peter asked Jesus a question:

27. . . "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?"