LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD
Matthew 20:1-16
1. GOD'S PURSUIT OF HIS LABOURERS
Matthew 20:1 1 ΒΆ 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. See His :-
(a) Duty "an householder" (b) Desire "which went out early in the morning" (c) Diligence "to hire labourers into his vineyard" Note :-
The Harvest is Real, The Harvest is Ripe, The Harvest is Ready. John 4 v 35 "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."
2. GOD'S PURPOSE FOR HIS LABOURERS ie. Because Of :-
(a) God's Grace
(b) Man's Sin a. Isaiah 59:1-2 "Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
b. Isaiah 65:2 "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;"
(c) World's Need (vineyard)
a. Luke 10:2 "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest."
b. 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
c. John 9:4 "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
3. GOD'S PROMOTION OF HIS LABOURERS went out repeatedly
a. Some are Called Early In Life 1 Sam 3 v 4 "That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I."
What can I do the cause of God to aid?, Can powers so weak as mine
Forward the great design?, Not by young hands are mighty efforts made.
Not mighty efforts, but a willing mind, Not strong, but ready hands
The vineyard's Lord demands; For every age fit labor he will find.
Come, then, in childhood, to the vineyard's gate; E'en you can dress the roots,
And train the tender shoots— Then why in sloth and sin contented wait?
To move the hardened soil, to bend and lift, The fallen branch, to tread
The winepress full and red, These need a stronger arm, a nobler gift;
But all can aid the work. The little child, May gather up some weed,
Or drop some fertile seed,
Or strew with flowers the path which else were dark and wild.
—J. H. Clinch
b. All are Called Eagerly There is no encouragement here to wait.
c. All are Called Expectantly v.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?" God expects a positive response
d. Some are Called Ultimately v.6 "And about the eleventh hour he went out" Life almost gone
e. All are Called Urgently John 9:4 "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
4. GOD'S PROVISION FOR HIS LABOURERS
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
The Provision Of His :-Work (Calvary), Word,
Will, 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?"
WHAT WERE THEY DOING TO WHOM HE SPOKE? "Standing idle in the market place."
1. Many are altogether idling in a literal sense. They are mere loafers
2. Many are idle with laborious business–industrious triflers, wearied with toils which accomplish nothing of real worth.
3. Many are idle because of their constant indecision. Unstable as water they do not excel.
4. Many are idle though full of good intentions; but as yet their resolves are not carried out.
Witness (Holy Spirit)
5. GOD'S PAYMENT FOR HIS LABOURERS
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." Note The :-
(a) Period Involved Of Payment "even was come" 2 Cor 5 v 10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Matthew 24:13 "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh"
(b) Persons Involved In Payment "lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward"
(c) Plans Involved In Payment "Call the labourers"
(d) Principles Involved In Payment "and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first."
Paid Fully, Faithfully, Fairly, Faultlessly.
6. GOD'S PROTECTION OF HIS LABOURERS 16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."
PAYMENT IS BASED ON HIS
(a) Grace v.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."
(b) Goodness Acts 10 v 34 "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
What an encouragement to come, What an Incentive, What a Reward
(c) Glory 15 "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?"
Luke 17:10 "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."
Romans 11:33 " O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
1. God has a Plan for your Life
2. God has a Purpose for your Labour
3. God has a Prize for your Loss Mark 10 v 28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first."
