What is Parables?
- Short story to help people understand who God is and what God's kingdom is like, using everyday things and people
- Unexpected twist challenges the hearers and make them think and search deeper
The Parables of the Workers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16
- Background: Story of the rich young man - Matthew 19:27
- Peter's question in Matthew 19:27
- This parable is not about fairness. It's about God's grace, and how this servant's hearts should be
- The landowner is God
- Workers in the vineyard are all of us
- Matthew 25:40
Three Dangerous Heart:
1. Calculating Heart
- I have worked longer, done more, so I deserve more = 'hired hand'
- Landowner paid what the workers, not what they deserved
- God is no man's debtor - rewards given by His grace, not because He owes us
2. Comparing Heart
- I have too little and you have too much of God's favor
- The workers complained because they wanted more than the others
- When we focus on what others receive, we can't receive what we get with joy (e.g. 1 Samuel 18:1-16 -- King Saul and David)
- Sin of pride - Pharisees and the tax collector
3. Complaining Heart
- I deserve better!
- Workers objected to landowner's generosity, not his fairness
- Matthew 20:16 similar to Matthew 19:30
- "So the last will be the first, and the first will be last"
- "First" in the eyes of the world - those who seek status and importance
- "Last" in the eyes of the world - the weak, poor, humble
- Luke 18:14 - "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Thinking Point: Did Jesus calculate what blessings He'll get when He obeyed His Father to die on the cross? Did Jesus compare? Did He complain? No, He didn't. That's the true heart of one who serves.
David Livingstone: "People talk a lot about the sacrifice involved in devoting my life to Africa. But can this be called a sacrifice at all if we give back to God a 'little of what we owe Him?' ... Can that be called sacrifice which gives us the deepest satisfaction, which develops out best powers, and gives us the greatest hopes and expectations? ... It is anything but a sacrifice. Rather, call it a 'privilege'!"
Question: Why do we serve the Lord? Remember, we are not just hired hands, we are God's children. Delight in His work, trust in His generosity. Hope that you will bless others in your service to God and that you'll enjoy the privilege of serving.
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