Sermons on Matthew 20:16:

The Laborers In The Vineyard

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 21, 2021

This parable appears only in the Gospel of Matthew. The Lord Jesus would often take some unusual things and use those things to teach us a spiritual lesson.

In this parable, He used WORK and WAGES to teach us a spiritual lesson. Illus: When it comes to labor and management, I think about the man who applied for a job. It went something like this: • Manager: "I'm sorry I can't hire you, but there isn't enough work to keep you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Servant Mother Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

She is the only mother of the twelve that is referred to in the New Testament, and she is the mother of two of the twelve that Jesus picked for his disciples, and these two were in the inner circle with Peter.

One of the paradoxes of life is the many famous people we don't even know, and many of them are mothers. F.W. Boreham, the great Australian preacher, tells of the English mother Mrs. Trollope who saw her husband and children dying of consumption under her very eyes. She nursed them and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:10-18

That Makes No Sense Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Sep 7, 2021

There will be times that what the Lord tells you will make no sense to you. But His ways are higher than your ways and His thoughts are higher than your thoughts.

That makes no sense Matthew 20:1-16 Introduction- Good Morning Everyone If you would turn to Matthew Chapter 20 we are going to look at the parable of the workers in the vineyard. We are still working our way in the series of “Navigating the Journey.” Everything we go through here on earth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Nazarene

The Good Employer Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 13, 2021

The owner of a vinyard pays all of his workers the same amount. How can this be fair? The motivations of the employer are explored within the cultural context of the first century.

The Good Employer (Matt. 20:1-16) Harvest time. The morning sun burned just below the hillside and backlit the ancient vines rising up from the even more ancient earth. The ground was parched and packed. Only the grapes held the promise of moisture, the pulp near bursting through their skins. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Favoritism In High Places Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 18, 2021

God is at least fair with everyone, but has the prerogative to be especially gracious with those He has chosen.

Favoritism in High Places? (Romans 9:14-21) 1.Penicillin was invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928. What Happened: Halfway through an experiment with bacteria, Alexander Fleming up and went on vacation. Slob that he was, he left a dirty petri dish in the lab sink. Big Discovery: When he got ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-21, Exodus 19:16, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Which King? Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 3, 2021

Bob Dylan famously wrote, "But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody." As disciples of Jesus, we must choose daily who gets to be king in our life. Which king do you follow?

* Squeeze to the last drop: The manager at the local pub had what he considered to be the world’s strongest man working as his bouncer. In fact, the bouncer was so tough, the manager actually used the man to make money on the side with a little bet he had contrived over the years. The manager was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:15-20, Genesis 1:26, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-14, Colossians 3:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

17th Sunday After Pentecost. September 20th, 2026. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 28, 2023

Year A, Proper 20.

Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6, Psalm 105:37-45, Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-11, Psalm 145:1-8, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 A). BREAD OF HEAVEN. Exodus 16:2-15. In this passage, we join the children of Israel just six weeks into their wilderness journey. The ten plagues, the first ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6, Psalm 105:37-45, Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-11, Psalm 145:1-8, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Shall Be Last

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 2, 2023

Frederick Bruner wrote, “Judgment will be a day of surprises.” Today we begin looking at four parables that relate to the day of judgment.

Introduction Frederick Bruner wrote, “Judgment will be a day of surprises.” Today we begin looking at four parables that relate to the day of judgment. Indeed, there are surprises in all of them. This is a simple story, but it also complex. This parable begins and ends with the saying of Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparing For Easter: The Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 10, 2023

Jesus told this parable after the rich young ruler had come--and left. There was a lesson for the disciples and a lesson for us in this parable.

(Full Disclosures: This message is based on a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO, on 3-5-2023. This is not an exact transcription. Further, Sermon Central has a message based on this text called “Go Thy Way-The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard” but this is a completely ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon Called, Commissioned And Compensated By God's Grace

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Mar 14, 2023

This is the scope of the parable showing us that the call, commissioning and compensation are all received by God's Grace. Every worker will receive just compensation.

Sermon Called, Appointed and Compensated by Grace Matthew 20:1-16 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage[a] and sent them out to work. 3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8

Denomination: Methodist

Septuagesima (B C P). Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 12, 2025

Sermons upon the Bible readings of the Book of Common Prayer.

Psalm 9:10-20, Genesis 1:1-5, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Matthew 20:1-16. A). THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD. Psalm 9:10-20. This Psalm opens as a song of praise and rejoicing in the LORD (Psalm 9:1-2). The Psalmist is particularly thankful for the LORD’s support in the face of wicked enemies ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:10-20, Genesis 1:1-5, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Reality Check On Grace

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Feb 15, 2025

This morning we look at Jesus Parable of the workers in the vineyard, a parable discussing the basics of Grace and the Gospel.

A Reality Check on Grace Good Morning. We are looking at the parable in our Gospel Lesson today, with a focus on GRACE, especially from the angle of already being a Christian, and looking back at how we were saved. The context of the parable, the end of Matthew 19, is Peter asking about how great ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Anglican

God’s Grace Is Not Just Fair

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Oct 9, 2025

Have you ever asked yourself these questions, “Why does my neighbor seem to have a better life than I do? Why does life seem so unfair sometimes?” Yes, many things in life are hard to understand; that’s why we need to understand the grace of God.

GOD’S GRACE IS NOT JUST FAIR Pastor Joel Bernardino | October 9, 2025 INTRODUCTION Have you ever asked yourself these questions? • “Why does my neighbor seem to have a better life than I do?” • “I’m smarter and more resourceful, yet life seems easier for them.” • “Life seems so unfair ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

The Kingdom Way – Grace Over Fairness. Matthew 20 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 9, 2025

MATTHEW 20: GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. GOD’s kingdom operates on grace, not human merit. GOD’s grace defies human fairness, greatness is measured by servanthood, and spiritual sight is found in recognizing JESUS.

2025.08.10. Sermon Notes. THE KINGDOM WAY – GRACE OVER FAIRNESS. Matthew 20. GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1 BIG ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Offensive Grace

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 16, 2024

View this parable of Jesus from 3 difference perspectives, 3 different points of view (Preached this first in 1995; not original with me but trying to track it down would be difficult)

HoHum: Veteran’s Day is tomorrow- The fighting in WW1 stopped at 11 am on November 11, 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Originally called Armistice Day it was changed to Veteran’s Day to honor all of those who have served in our armed forces. We honor and appreciate all of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Ephesians 5:16, Matthew 19:27-30, Matthew 9:37-38, Psalm 126:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ