Sermons on San Mateo 20:2:

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

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

Envy Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Jan 20, 2021

Proverbs 4:30 says "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones”. What's the condition of our bones?

History tells of a statue that was erected to Theogenes, a celebrated victor in the Greek public games. The erection of this statue so excited the envious hatred of one of his rivals that he went every night and strove to throw the statue over by repeated blows. Ultimately he succeeded, but alas, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-6

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

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

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

When Effort Ends: Accessing Your 11th Hour Favor

Contributed by Rev Emmanuel O. Adejugbe on Dec 15, 2025

The "11th Hour" is the moment of maximum pressure, where the impossible seems completely locked in, and failure feels absolutely inevitable. It’s when our human effort and resources have finally run out

We are talking about 11th-Hour Miracles: those sudden, decisive breakthroughs in your business or career that defy the clock, human logic, and the odds. I.The Heavy Weight of the 11th Hour Friends, let's get real for a moment. Have you ever felt that sinking, anxious feeling? The business ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Acts 12:6-7, Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Who Is Keeping Score? Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 4, 2026

The fact of the matter is “Life is unfair” and we have to learn to accept that it is! We need to quit spending valuable energy trying to change something that will not change in this sin filled world. We must learn to expect it and be willing to push through unfair situations with God’s assistance.

Theme: Time Management Introduction to Theme: Benjamin Franklin said, “Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff that life is made of.” The world we live in knows the importance of Time Management but where they miss the mark is on what they prioritize - which usually is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 19:27, Romans 9:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

He Taught Them Many Parables… (The Laborers In The Vineyard) # 12

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 14, 2022

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 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Welcome To Heaven

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 28, 2022

As we enter many towns we see that they have a sign at the city limits that often tells us the name of the town and gives a BIG welcome to all who enter!

Signs can be very interesting, such as: • In a Non-smoking area a sign said: "If we see you smoking we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action." • On Maternity Room door: "Push, Push, Push." • At an Optometrist's Office: "If you don't see what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Day’s Wages Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 25, 2022

Gathering lost souls for the kingdom is considered labor. When Jesus returns, the payment that laborers (believers) receive is eternal life, and that exact same wage goes to all who have been hired, or rather called, by the Lord.

This evening’s message is entitled “A Day’s Wages,” and it’s taken from what is commonly called “The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.” This parable speaks of the reward or payment for one’s labor in the kingdom. There is a story among Aesop’s Fables that addresses the reward for one’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

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