January 16, 2011
Morning Service

Matt. 20:1-16

 

Review:

In chapter 19 we saw:

1.                  The teaching on divorce.

2.                  The teaching concerning the Rich Young Ruler.  He couldn’t give up all and follow the Lord.

3.                  Then the Apostle’s reward for giving up all.

The Lord finished with, “many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

 

We begin chapter 20 with the parable of the laborers in the vineyard:

Mat 20:1-16 KJVR  For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 

• This chapter begins by explaining the last sentence in chapter 19.  “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
• The Man is the Lord, and the householder is the church.
• The laborers are Christians, and the vineyard is the world.

(2)  And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 

• The Lord is talking about rewards here.  He is using known monies for the reward, but it won’t be money for the redeemed, and our labors.

 

When we talk about rewards:

• For persecutions: (Mat 5:12 KJVR)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
• For loving your enemies:  (Mat 5:46 KJVR)  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
• For doing good deeds in secret:  (Mat 6:4 KJVR)  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
• For praying in secret:   (Mat 6:6 KJVR)  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
• For when you fast in secret:   (Mat 6:18 KJVR)  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
• For receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet:  (Mat 10:41 KJVR)  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
• For giving a drink of water in the name of a disciple:  (Mat 10:42 KJVR)  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
• For working in the vineyard:  (1Co 3:8 KJVR)  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
• (1Co 3:14 KJVR)  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
• (Col 3:24 KJVR)  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.
• (Heb 10:35 KJVR)  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
• (Heb 11:26 KJVR)  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
• (2Jo 1:8 KJVR)  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
• (Rev 11:18 KJVR)  And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
• (Rev 22:12 KJVR)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

 

It is clearly taught there will be rewards:  Some while we are here, and others in Heaven.  

 

(3)  And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,  (4)  And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 

• Notice;  they needed work, and was willing to work for whatever this man thought was fair.  They no doubt didn’t expect as much as the first group, but was willing to trust the man for fairness.

(5)  Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.  (6)  And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?  (7)  They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 

• So now we see several workers enter the vineyard, and at different hours of the day.  They need the work, and are willing to work for whatever the man says is fair.

(8)  So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 

• Here He explains the saying that those who were first would be last, and the last first.

(9)  And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.  (10)  But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.  (11)  And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,  (12)  Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 

• We should be able to understand where these guys are coming from.  This is modern day thinking, and bargaining.
• ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE.
• Did we not just finish a study concerning offences?  And how to handle them?
• These guys are offended.
• Look at the Lord’s reasoning.

(13)  But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?  (14)  Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.  (15)  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?  (16)  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

• Did you not agree with me for a penny? 
• Notice;  can I not do with my own as I wish? 
• And to the ones who questions this, He adds “Is thine eye evil?”  Those who would rebel, or question what someone does with his own is considered evil.
• And He is saying I am good, for I am being very benevolent, to these others that have as great a need as you.

 

And of course Jesus is teaching us that He will give out the rewards to the saints as it pleases Him.  The rewards will be the same no matter when you come into the Kingdom.  Whether you serve 50 years, or 10 years you will receive a just reward according to the Master.

Remember His disciples have already ask this question of rewards;

 

Mat 19:27-29 KJVR  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  (28)  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  (29)  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

 

We can see the rewards for these, ours could be different.  I for one will think that having the peace, and contentment of knowing we are away from the turmoil of this life will be reward enough.

 

Almighty God, help us to work in Your vineyard without murmuring, or complaining, and expecting nothing more than eternal life, and that living eternally with You someday.  Amen.