Sunday Sermons
Because They Don’t Know Yet
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20:1-16
I. Key Idea
Our society?A as we see such as in magazines?A tends to categorize people by age?A gender?A social class?A or status because these are what people care for. Nevertheless?A God never judges us by human perspective. The life of Jesus on earth was that of the Sonship. Our status in the world does nothing for us to become a child of God.
Jesus uses this parable to describe His Kingdom and people. Heaven is constituted with three components: reign?A dominion?A and her citizens. The reason why God considers people important is because people is one of the elements. As Jesus said that our thoughts determine our action?A the attitude of the landowner toward the employees explains the essence of the Kingdom.
The parable unfolds its main point when the employees are given their pay in the end of the day. The landowner gives the same amount to both who worked for long hours and for short hours. What was his intention? Here we can find the secret of God’s Kingdom.
The Kingdom is not a reward of human endeavor. God has the authority of it. Therefore only His grace can draw us into it. The more we rely on carnal common sense?A the farther heaven recedes. You may interchange the word?A common sense to the law. The law alone cannot lead us to salvation. Only by grace which was shown in Jesus Christ we can enjoy the Kingdom. The intimate relationship with Him is the secret of receiving heaven on earth.
II. Small Group Discussions
1. How would you response if you were the worker who came early in the morning?A but received the same amount of pay as late comers’?
2. Please share your daily experience of difference between living by grace and by the laws.
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