sf223 - Sovereign Grace (Matthew 19 30-20 16)
Matthew 19:30-20-16
Introduction
A common objection to a reformed understanding of salvation is that to do so God would be unfair or unjust.
When men doubt the justice and fairness of God, it is always because of their own perverted views of justice and of Him. God Himself is the standard for righteousness, and it is as impossible for Him to be unjust as to lie. Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
That is the great truth Jesus teaches in Matthew 19:30—20:16.
The setting was most likely grape harvest. The landowner hired day laborers to complete the task.
The Jewish work day began at 6:00 am, a denarius was the amount a Roman solider would receive each day and was much more than the average day laborer would make.
The problem was not injustice on the part of the landowner and foreman but jealousy on the part of the workers. the owner asked the angry spokesman. The charge of unfairness was not grounded in a love for justice but in the selfish assumption that the extra pay they wanted was pay they deserved.
To understand the parable’s spiritual meaning it is necessary to understand who and what are represented in it. Jesus explicitly said the parable is about “the kingdom of heaven” (v. 1). The vineyard is therefore the kingdom itself, the landowner is God the Father, and the foreman is the Son, Jesus Christ. The laborers are believers, and the denarius is eternal life, which all received equally for trusting in Christ. The work day is the believer’s lifetime of service to his Lord and the evening is eternity.
1A. God sovereignly initiates and accomplishes salvation.
John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:39 "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.”
2A. God alone establishes the terms of salvation.
The measure of God’s gift of salvation is not man’s merit or accomplishments but His own grace, which does not vary.
2 Timothy 1:9 (God) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began
1B. God’s standard is the same for all men.
Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
2B. God’s terms are simple and straightforward.
Luke 13:3 "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Acts 16:31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household"
3B. God is compassionate to those who acknowledge their sin and hopelessness.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
3A. God has the divine authority and ability to keep His promises.
John 10:29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
God always gives what He has promised.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
God always gives more than we deserve.
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more
4A. God continues to call men into His kingdom.
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
Isaiah 1:18-20 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Matthew 19:30-20:16
1A. God sovereignly initiates and accomplishes __________________________.
John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:39 "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.”
2A. God alone establishes the _________________ of salvation.
2 Timothy 1:9 (God) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began
1B. God’s standard is the _____________ for all men.
Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
2B. God’s terms are simple and straightforward.
Luke 13:3 "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Acts 16:31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household"
3B. God is compassionate to those who acknowledge their ______________________ and hopelessness.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
3A. God has the divine authority and ability to keep His ____________________________.
John 10:29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
God always gives __________________ He has promised.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
God always gives ___________________ than we deserve.
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more
4A. God continues to call _______________ into His kingdom.
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
Isaiah 1:18-20 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.