Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Group Intro

- What we do

Scripture

Hear God speak, not self help or opinions

Scripture transforms us

It is the foundation for the other two

Prayer

Us speaking back to God

Acknowledging the truth of scripture

Community

The context that scripture and prayer are effective

Not just socializing - ministering the gospel to each other

- Goal

Jesus tells His disciples that Every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old

We are not here for a simple uplifting thought or even a message to deal with your individual problems.

God is calling us to more, to be trained and equipped for the kingdom

So that like a well prepared host, we can bring out the riches of God’s word to those God puts in our life.

Series Intro

We will be focusing on parables that introduce the Kingdom of God

How do you become a part of it

Once you become part of the Kingdom, what does it look like to be a servant

Last study we looked at the parable of the unforgiving servant

How did the men treat their wordly goods differently?

The kingdom is easily missed and can come in different ways

What was the trade off?

Was it worth it?

Jesus has introduced the Kingdom and the way one becomes part of it

How many times are we supposed to forgive?

Allowing the seed to grow - Hearing and doing the word

Wedding Banquet - it is by a free invitation, not based on your worthiness but the worthiness of another

Why should we choose mercy over justice?

Treasure - you are called to count up the cost and give everything up for it

What does true forgiveness look like?

Now Jesus begins exploring what does life in the kingdom mean - In light of the gospel, how do I live?

How does this lay the groundwork for Christian community?

Introductory questions

Have you ever found out what a coworker made?

What emotions did you feel?

What did you say about it?

Have there been people in your life you have “canceled?”

Were you right to do so?

What does the word “Duty” mean to you?

Where do you have duties today?

You may have heard the story of the man who was shot in his apartment when an off duty police officer accidently walked in the wrong apt.

At the sentencing hearing, that man’s brother gave a testimony: “I want the best for you.. and the best would be to give your life to Christ… I love you as a person, and I dont wish anything bad on you.” and then he asks to give her a hug.

What would make a person respond like that?

Read

Context & Story

This is not long after the unforgiving servant parable, so we are continuing along with Jesus on the subject of what our place is in the Kingdom

A rich man had come and asked what he must do to get into heaven

Jesus says he must obey the law, which he claims to have done

In that case he must go sell everything he has and give the money to the poor

He leaves and Jesus states it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom

So trusty ole Peter pipes up again

“Hey look, we have given up everything.

So what will we have?”

Jesus for once doesnt rebuke, but tells them they will judge Israel as the new 12

Also everyone who has left something will receive much more

But many who are first will be last, and the last first

Story

A master is hiring people to work for the day

Goes out early in the morning - 6AM

Agrees with the laborers to work for a denarius (the standard wage for a day of work)

Realizes he needs more workers so goes back out 3 hours later - 9AM

Agrees to pay them whatever is right

Goes back out at noon, 3PM, and 5PM

Settles up payments

Pays those worked the shortest first - They had worked an hour, but got paid a whole denarius

So what would you expect if you had been working for 12 hours?

But they end up getting paid the same - 1 denarius

Grumble and response

They had borne the hardest work and the hottest part of the day.

Why did they get the same amount?

The master does not lash out or ignoring, but addresses them kindly

I did you no wrong - this is what we agreed to

Challenges their presumption - Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?

Challenges their sinful heart - Or do you begrudge my generosity

The last will be first and the first last

Meaning

Not a commentary on fair wages (although scripture has plenty on that), but a theological insight to God and his actions

Characters in the story

There are many workers, but still not quite enough

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

(Mt 9:37).

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

God uses people to build his kingdom, not miracles or angels, but us

We are seeing that life in the kingdom is a life of service (which is hard work!)

Yet the main character is not the laborers, but the master of the house

He is in control of the situation from beginning to end - Kistemaker

God is the one planning the work, recruiting workers, providing for their needs

He got up before dark and is working after dark to make sure the work gets done

We will talk about it a bit more in a second, but God is the one who is getting the kingdom built, the laborers are secondary

The source of the grumbling - two things Jesus addresses

The source of the grumbling

The workers assumed it a problem of rights, but it was actually a heart issue