Parables of the Kingdom 5 (2)
Parables of the Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted
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Loyalty to the Kingdom
Matthew 20:1-16 and 21:28-32
INTRODUCTION
The Patriot (2000)– Benjamin Martin refuses to take sides in Revolutionary War.
Only after murder of his son by British Army officer does he take action.
Becomes a force that makes the difference in the war
Loyalty to the Kingdom of God.
These 2 Parables show 2 Aspects of Loyalty as it relates to Kingdom of God.
I. The Reward of Loyalty (20:1-16)
I. The Reward of Loyalty (20:1-16)
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’
5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’
8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’
9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.
10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.
11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,
12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’
13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.
15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’
16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
A. The Work of the Loyal (1-7)
1. vs. 1—
a. “for”= Matthew 19:27-30 (Peter’s Question)
27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
(1). The Cost of discipleship
b. “Head of household”= Master of family= head of family affairs
c. “His Vineyard”= the Church or Kingdom
2. vs. 2 Matthew 20:2
2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
a. Denarius= 1 days wage
3. vs. 3 Matthew 20:3
3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
a. 3rd Hour= 9:00
b. Waiting in proper place to find work – not lazy – hungry
(1) ILL- South Texas- still practice this.
4. vs. 4 Matthew 20:4
4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’
a. “Whatever is right”= at judgment of employer (usually less)
5. vs. 5 Matthew 20:5
5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.
a. 6th hour= 12:00 NOON
b. 9th Hour= 3:00 pm
6. vs. 6 Matthew 20:6
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
a. 11th Hour= 5:00- one hour before work day ends.
B. The Payment for Loyalty (8-12) Matthew 20:8-12
8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’
9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.
10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.
11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,
12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’
1. Verse 8- Time for payment- paid daily
2. “Foreman”= faithful servant instructed with money (steward)
C. The Reason for Payment (13-16) Matthew 20:13-16
13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.
15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’
16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
1. God is Just – He gave what he promised
2. God is Gracious – He treats no one unfairly
a. But he does treat everyone differently. (fair?)
(1) Life is not fair- The Cross was not fair.
b. vs. 15 “Are you envious because I am generous?”
(1) Lit. = “Is your eye evil because I am good?”
(2) “Evil eye”= a diabolical look that can cast a spell
(3) Do you give God the “evil eye” because he is good?
3. God Shows Equality – All true disciples are equal in God’s eyes.
a. Applies back to 19:30
D. Applications to the Parable
1. Latecomers= tax collectors and sinners
2. Latecomers= Gentiles
3. Latecomers= Different Ages- deathbed confessions
a. ILL- Mr. Sheffield
4. No Degrees of Reward in Heaven
a. Luke 12:47-48 “47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
- degrees of punishment in hell
b. 1 Cor. 3:10-15 “10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”
One Judgment Day- but not for eternity.
c. We are fools if we appeal to God for justice instead of grace.
(1) Even if it doesn’t seem fair
d. 19:27- equal reward is answer to the question.
II. The Proof of Loyalty (Matthew 21:28-32
II. The Proof of Loyalty (Matthew 21:28-32
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.
30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
A. “Work the vineyard”= Israel called to follow Law and do tasks.
B. The 2 Sons (Reversed in NAS- but not the best manuscripts)
1. First Son= at first refused but then repented.
2. Send Son= agreed and then refused.
C. Application of 2 sons
1. Why do you call me “Lord, Lord” and not do what I say?
2. Fruit- Parable of seed and sower
D. Meaning (31b-32) Matthew 21:31-32 “31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”
1. Tax collectors and prostitutes are 1st son.
2. Israel is 2nd Son
E. Application
1. God wants change not promises.
2. Christians are overcomers—ending not beginning that counts.
CONCLUSION
What characterizes your loyalty to the Kingdom?