Matthew 20:1-7 “The Gifts of Grace”

"Rewards" are not earned nor are they proportionate to human effort. Are you envious because I am generous or are you evil because I a good. Complaining is a form of idolatry. Not happy with what God has provided. Greatness is not found in accomplishing but in servanthood.

Are you envious because I am generous or are you evil because I a good.

Complaining is a form of idolatry. Not happy with what God has provided.

Greatness is not found in accomplishing but in servanthood,

“The Gifts of Grace”

No one who comes to Christ is glad that he was able to sow his “wild oats” before receiving life in Christ. By contrast, those who have known Jesus Christ and served Him all of their life can take Christ for granted and be jealous of unbelievers.

I. Employed By Our Savior –

A. A parable about laborers

1. Told at Peter’s home in Capernaum –

2. Jesus was surrounded by day-laborers who worked normally half-day – 12 hours

B. Five groups of laborers

1. Those hired at 6 am

2. Those hired at 9 am

3. Those hired at noon

4. Those hired at 3 pm

5. Those hired at 5 pm

C. Those hired at the 11th hour at 5 pm –

1. They were idle all day

2. They were not aggressive to use their time to find some other job

3. They were to be paid that day –

II. Disappointed With God –

A. The “wages” Jesus gives –

1. Is the gift of salvation –

2. The gift is the privilege to be a child of God –

B. The danger of complaining –

1. Do all things without complaining and arguing –

2. Consider the children of Israel who complained about

 their food –

 there was no water –

 regarding the land of promise –

3. Complaining put the Israelites own souls in the greatest danger –

C. Is your eye evil because Jesus freely gives His grace of salvation? –

1. Is God not able to give His grace to whomever He wishes?

2. Some who have had great privilege in the things of God will be placed last. The last will be most greatly blessed – ,

III. The Cost of This Gift –

A. Jesus heads to Jerusalem

1. The Son of Man will be betrayed

2. Condemned to death 3. Delivered to the Gentiles to be mocked, scourged, and crucified

B. The third day He will rise again

1.

2. Go into the presence of God’s sanctuary to understand your blessings in Christ –

“Whom do I have in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (). Make your election sure by adding to faith virtue () Those who are with Jesus are called “chosen” (). God Himself is our reward!! ()