Sermons on Matthew 20:16:

A Story Of Perplexing Generosity

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Sep 20, 2023

How do we respond to God's generosity? How do we live in comparison with others? What does Grace have to do with it?

9.24.23 Matthew 20:1–16 (EHV) 1 “Indeed the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing to pay the workers a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 He also went out about the third hour and saw ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Lavish Mercy

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Sep 21, 2023

Salvation through Jesus is for all people. God is fair and just in how He works to reach the lost.

GOD IS FAIR AND JUST! THAT IS HARD FOR MANY TO GRASP. WE LIVE WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF PUNATIVE LAW: YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE. YET, THE SYSTEM OF GRACE IS FOREIGN TO US: GOD DEALS WITH US ACCORDING TO WHO HE IS, NOT ACCORDING TO WHO WE ARE. GOD EXPLAINED HIS GRACE AND COMPASSION TO MOSES IN EXODUS ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 145:8, Isaiah 55:8-9, Luke 15:28-29, Luke 23:42-43, Matthew 9:13, 1 Timothy 2:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

Fair?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Sep 24, 2023

What consider fair depends on the person.

Fair? – Matthew 20: 1 - 16 Intro: The story is told of a young Jewish man who applied for a job at the First International Bank of Israel. The bank asked for a letter of recommendation. The young man asked his rabbi to supply the requested letter. The Rabbi wrote, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Beyond The Numbers: Understanding God's Economy

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Oct 17, 2023

Jesus’s parables and Old Testament stories reveal astonishing truths. They show that God’s economy isn’t about math, but the true expression of value.

Beyond the Numbers: Understanding God's Economy Introduction: - We live in a world that is obsessed with numbers. We measure everything by numbers: our income, our expenses, our achievements, our popularity, our success, and our happiness. We think that more is better, and that bigger is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:3-7, Matthew 20:1-16, Mark 12:41-44, 1 Kings 17:8-16, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Isaiah 55:8-9, Colossians 1:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Working In God’s Vineyard: A Parable For Our Time

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Oct 25, 2023

Matthew 20:1-16 teaches God's generosity, faith and obedience, letting go of grudges and envy, and working together in God's kingdom. How can we apply this parable to our lives today?

Introduction: Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today, I would like to share with you a message from the Word of God based on the parable of the workers in the vineyard found in Matthew 20:1-16. This parable is one of the most challenging and controversial stories that Jesus told, and it has a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 7:11, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 4:8, Hebrews 11:6, John 14:15, 1 John 5:3, Ephesians 4:31-32, Colossians 3:12-14, James 3:16-18, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 4:11-16, Philippians 2:1-4, Matthew 20:16  (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

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

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

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

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