Unexpected Equality

7

Intro:

Let’s define the word Paradox

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary

a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true

If I know one thing, it's that I know nothing.

This is the beginning of the end

Here are the rules: Ignore all rules.

Civil War

Bittersweet

Jumbo Shrimp

Same difference

Negative Income

But I’d like to add what Baker’s Encyclopedia of the Bible also says

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Paradox

Form of expression which seems to be either self-contradictory or absurd, but which at another level expresses fundamental truth. It is often employed to get hearers to think at a deeper and more critical level.

And

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Paradox

Much of the use of paradox in Jesus’ ministry has to do with his attempts to show that the perspective, or value system, of the kingdom represents a complete reversal of the values by which people live.

Read Matthew 20:1-16

Before we go any further allow me to explain a few things about the passage.

It is a parable. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

It generally only makes one point.

Not everything in the parable has some hidden spiritual parallel but we do need be able to discern what elements do.

The paradox that I will be focusing on is that final statement, “the last will be first and the first will be last.”

Jesus begins by telling us that this is what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. This gives us context for the parable.

For a little more context we can go back to 19:16 where Jesus explains that wealth has no advantages in the Kingdom of God. Someone says, who then can be saved if the rich can’t? To which Jesus says “orall things are possible with God.”

Peter is a little hung up one this idea and responds with, “Jesus, we gave up everything to follow you! What’s in it for us?” Jesus assures them that anyone who gives up everything to follow him will be rewarded plus eternal life. And he says “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”

In the Kingdom of God the last will be first and the first will be last.

Explain the players:

Landowner—God

Workers—Those who genuinely follow Christ

-They are called—the Landowner sought them out

-Hired—He serves no other only the master who hired him

The gist of the parable is the men hired early in the day are mad cause the guys hired an hour before quitting time got the same pay. The land owner says it is fair. I can do with my money as I see fit.

The spiritual parallel, “Do not be angry with God that someone who was saved on their death bead gets to enjoy the riches of heaven the same as someone who was saved early in their long life.

1. No one has any legal claim when it comes to the Kingdom of God.

We have a tendency to think of salvation in legal terms. (“I can earn it” or “I deserve it”)

James said something about that

James 2:10 NIV

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Remember we are called—the Landowner sought them out

How should we think about the word “Hired”—He serves no other only the master who hired him. (you were brought into the fold).

You can’t stand outside of a business and demand a check from someone you do not work for

There can be no legal claim when you are saved by grace.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Having no legal claim makes certain that all are on equal footing. That’s what grace does.

Look at the picture on the front of your bulletin, can you see first, can you see the last?

Track meets have very specific rules for running a race. You have to start at the same time and the first one across the finish lines get’s the gold metal. That seem fair (legal). The kingdom of God is not like that at all (praise God). You can jump into the race at any point and as long as you get across the line, you get the gold medal.

Which leads me to the second point.

2. All are not called by God nor do they respond to His grace at the same time.

There were 5 different times of the day that the land owner went to the hire workers.

Early in the Morning

Children who may never know anything other than a Christian home

Would some say this leads to a sheltered life?

Called at a young age gives the opportunity to live in the fulness of God’s grace for a maximum amount of time we have on the earth.

Case and Kroy Christ (pic)

2 Timothy 3:14–15 NIV

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon

The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XI Early and Late, or Horæ Gratiæ (No. 664)

Happy, happy, happy souls, whom the Master thus by distinguishing grace brings “early in the morning!”

9:00 AM

This we might look at as teens to early 20’s (1/4 of the work day is done)

No doubt there have been poor choices but there is still plenty of time to serve in the Kingdom of God.

The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XI Early and Late, or Horæ Gratiæ (No. 664)

It is late, but we thank God that it is not too late. Nay, it is not too late even for the grandest of purposes.

12:00 Noon

Half the day is done, (40’s?)

How much time has been wasted? and on what? Is this not the prime of life?

But take for example John Newton’s life. Called in the middle of the day. A slave trader who became a preacher and wrote “Amazing Grace”

The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XI Early and Late, or Horæ Gratiæ (No. 664)

It is late, it is very, very late, this sixth hour, but it is not too late

3:00 PM

The day is almost done, who would hire someone so late in the day.

By the worlds standards such a person is out of touch and ready for retirement.

The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XI Early and Late, or Horæ Gratiæ (No. 664)

It is late, it is very late, but oh! blessed be God! it is not too late

5:00 PM

At this point everyone is counting down the end of the day

At this stage in life can any work for the kingdom be done?

But look again at the parable

Matthew 20:6–7 NIV

About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

In terms of the human experience it appears as a life wasted. A life lived in rebellion against God. They may be viewed as a good person but we’ve already talked about that.

The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XI Early and Late, or Horæ Gratiæ (No. 664)

God however, in his abundant mercy can do as he wills to the praise of the glory of his grace, and at the eleventh hour he can call his chosen. It is very late, it is very very, very late, it is sorrowfully late, it is dolefully late, but it is not too late, and if the Master call thee, come—though an hundred years of sin should make thy feet heavy to thee, so that thy steps are painfully limping. If he call thee it is late but not too late, and therefore come.

And so it is the first and the last you can not tell apart. For God’s grace covers them all. It si his gift to all that have entered into the Kingdom of Heaven.

3. It is the Lord's discretion to measure what  is done.

God does not look at us the way that men might

Nor does God consider us by our own standards

He does not consider the impressions we’ve made nor our success rate (good or bad).

What about after salvation? Does the bible teach levels of reward?

My brain says well if that’s the case than how can the first be last and last be first. (again it’s not a contest and in heaven there will be no jealousy).

So what might God consider?

Love God/Love Others

Thoroughness

Faith/Faithfulness

Sacrifice