Sermons on Matthew 20:16:

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

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

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

The Gardener In The Garden

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Mar 29, 2023

(This drama/sermon involved the speaker dressing up as a gardener and sharing the story of the Risen Lord in an unusual way – looking back at a story from a family that originally served as the gardeners in the cemetery/garden where Jesus was buried.)

Scripture: Matthew 20:11-18 Title: The New Gardener (This drama/sermon involved the speaker dressing up as a gardener and sharing the Risen Story in a dramatic way – looking back at a story from a family that originally served as the gardeners in the cemetery/garden where Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:11-18

Denomination: Nazarene

The First And The Last

Contributed by Jeff Hatos on Jun 6, 2019

Jesus told His disciples the parable of the workers in the vineyard; does this still hold value today?

The First and the Last Matthew 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. “About the third hour he went out and saw others standing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"it's Not Fair!" (Part Four)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 10, 2019

The scenarios we've been looking at over the past few weeks seem unfair on the surface but when we examined them we realized that God was not being unfair. As we close out the series, we'll look at Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" (part four) We looked at Adam and Eve getting kicked out of the garden for one act of disobedience. We looked at the story of Job losing everything despite being upright and blameless. We saw how the prophet suffered death even though he was tricked by a lying ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Jonah 4:1-4, Luke 17:7-10, Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On The Mount - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jun 14, 2019

This is the introduction to a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus to a crowd of people on a Galilean hillside, as he delivered what is more familiarly known as the “Sermon on the Mount.”

Sermon on the Mount The Christian Character Matthew 5:3 - 7:27 (Cf. Luke 6:20-49) Part 1 – Introduction This is the introduction to a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus to a crowd of people on a Galilean hillside, as he delivered what is more ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:11-16, Luke 6:20-49, Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 4:23-25, John 10:30, John 6:63, Matthew 16:25, James 1:2, Exodus 13:1-10, 2 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 1:27, 2 Peter 1:3-4, Matthew 7:28-29, Deuteronomy 11:13-21, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 20:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Amazing Grace

Contributed by Roger Roark on Mar 14, 2016

A sermon on the grace of God

Matthew 20:1-16 give ills. of a grazing mace There was a mechanic who owned a dog named Mace. Mace loved to eat grass, so the mechanic kept him inside so he wouldn't ruin the lawn. One day the mechanic decided to finish his work at home, so he took some tools home with him. When he got home he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

12 Keys To The Kingdom Of God System Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 24, 2024

Examining the parables of Jesus to fit the puzzle pieces together of how the Kingdom of God system practically works.

How does the Kingdom of God system work? The Lord Jesus taught one main message while he walked the Earth: The Kingdom of God. He taught it through parables. So if we look at the parables, and try to fit them together, we can find the basic instructions for how to live in God's world system. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:21-25, Luke 11:5-13, Mark 7:14-23, Matthew 20:1-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

The Upside-Down Kingdom Of Christ

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Aug 29, 2025

This sermon delves into teaching of Jesus Christ: The first will be last, and the last will be first.

Introduction: The Race to Be First Church, have you ever noticed how obsessed the world is with being first? Think of school days: the first honor, the valedictorian, the one with the medal around their neck. Parents clap the loudest when their child is first. Even at children’s parties, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Scandal Of Grace Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 4, 2024

This message is going to challenge you to appreciate the generosity of God’s grace. The grace of God is a radical and scandalous gift that levels the spiritual playing field.

THE SCANDAL OF GRACE November 24, 2024 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Matthew 20:1-16 Today we're going to take a look at a parable that I rarely hear a sermon preached about. It's not one of the most popular parables because it strikes at the heart of our sense of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Brethren