Now Matter How You Slice It...it's Still Grace

Matthew 20:1 (NLT)

"For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.

Help Wanted

• God is looking for people

– To receive His grace

– To work in His service

– To testify of His greatness

Matthew 20:2 (NLT)

He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.

The Expectation of Service

• God calls us from a life of selfishness to a life of service

– Our service gives testimony to God’s saving power in our lives

• James 2:17

James 2:17 (NLT)

So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.

The Expectation of Service

• God calls us from a life of selfishness to a life of service

– Our service gives testimony to God’s saving power in our lives

• James 2:17

Matthew 20:3-4 (NLT)

"At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. [4] So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.

There Is Always Work

To Be Done

• God is continually reaching out to others

– Some of God’s greatest servants have yet to reached

Matthew 20:5-7 (NLT)

At noon and again around three o’clock he did the same thing. [6] At five o’clock that evening he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ’Why haven’t you been working today?’

[7] "They replied, ’Because no one hired us.’

"The owner of the estate told them, ’Then go on out and join the others in my vineyard.’

Wasted Talents

• God created each of us for service in His Kingdom

– Not serving is not using all that God has given you

– It is never too late to begin serving

• There is much work left to do

– We should seek co-laborers

• Luke 10:2

Luke 10:2 (NLT)

These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields.

Matthew 20:8 (NLT)

"That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.

All Will Be Rewarded For Their Service

• According to what you are called to do

• Ephesians 6:8

Ephesians 6:8 (NLT)

Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Matthew 20:9-10 (NLT)

When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. [10] When those hired earlier came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.

The Ground Is Level At The Foot of the Cross

• God’s grace is the same for all

– Sinner vs. saint

– Infamous vs. renowned

– Lifelong Christian vs. death bed conversion

• Luke 23:39-43

Luke 23:39-43 (NLT)

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!"

[40] But the other criminal protested, "Don’t you fear God even when you are dying? [41] We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong." [42] Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

[43] And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Matthew 20:11-12 (NLT)

When they received their pay, they protested, [12] ’Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’

An “I” Problem

• We are responsible for our actions

– When we get focused on what other people are doing or not doing, pride has an open door

– God has called them to their specific purpose

• Romans 14:4

Romans 14:4 (NLT)

Who are you to condemn God’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord’s power will help them do as they should.

Matthew 20:13-15 (NLT)

"He answered one of them, ’Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? [14] Take it and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. [15] Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be angry because I am kind?’