NOTE: The following message and the related Scriptures below, can be utilized along with: A Suggested Format for Home Worship
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters….” [Isaiah 55:1-2]
When I was a child, as the Scriptures say, “I thought like a child.” When hearing and / or reading Christ’s Parable of the “Laborers in the Vineyard,” [Matthew 20:1-16] I had the mistaken idea that the prime emphasis of this parable were that souls could repent and come into God’s Kingdom [Heaven] at the last minute of their lives and that it did not make any difference to the Good Lord, whether they had been a believing Christian all their lives. What mattered most was that they were able to “squeak into heaven’s gate” and nevertheless be equally welcomed by Father, God.
As I have grown older, I have come to realize that this parable of Christ is not as it may seem. Its message significance is not about sinners about to crash on a jumbo jet only to have less than 30 seconds to make their peace with God. And, as a child, I thought (as a child) and was convinced that the imminence of certain death would bring sinful [unforgiven] sinners “around” so that within their last breathful moments they would be most apt and motivated to repent and believe the Gospel.
Upon hearing a description of the late Dr. James D. Kennedy about the massive Canary Islands airliner crash, I gave up on that childish belief. The plane’s black box recorder revealed that many passengers, upon impact, wailed in cursing and despair. Far from making their peace with God, most of these passengers entered an eternity afterlife, in the same way they had lived their unbelieving existence.
[Associated Press -- History's worst aviation accident turned on twists of fate – 3/27/02]
…….The collision, described in an Associated Press dispatch from March 30, 1977 as "a hellstorm of fire and death," killed all 248 people on the Dutch plane and 335 on the Pan Am flight, putting the number 583 into the world's almanacs and Guinness compilations under "world's worst." ….. [Associated Press -- History's worst aviation accident turned on twists of fate – 3/27/02]
The Main Character in the Parable is the Owner of the Vineyard:
The Parable of the "Workers in the Vineyard" opens with Christ stating: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard…..”
The Parable ends with the words of the Vineyard Owner:
But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” [Matthew 20:13-16]
I believe that most Biblical scholars would agree that the meaning behind the “Owner” is that of the heavenly Father [God]. God seeks of His own to do His work. And when that work is completed, He rewards His laborers, accordingly. I say, “Accordingly,” – in respect to His gracious and sovereign wishes.
Other characters in the Parable: The workers:
Regarding the workers in the vineyard who had labored all day, [Matthew 20:8-12] when one of them stood in line behind a worker who had labored less, there was the expectation to be paid more [proportionately] since he had spent more time working in the vineyard. However, notice, again, the main character in this parable – [Matthew 20:8-16] The owner instructed his servants to reward those who had been hired last. It was the Owner’s own personal sovereign call. And, it was his choosing to pay those workers who labored less -- to give them the same amount that the other workers agreed to work for, when they started out in the vineyard early in the morning.
The difference of attitude and motive of the workers in the vineyard:
Two types of character [workers] labored in the vineyard. First, those who had made a binding agreement to work for so much money. Secondly, there were those who heard the vineyard owner’s call for more labor, and joined in the work – not expecting anything, but what would be the owner’s good will, to pay. It is assumed by some Biblical scholars that these workers could “represent” those Christians who live and work for the Lord with a pure motive and right spirit – whereas, those laborers who have been “along for the ride” from the “gitgo,” exhibit the "jealous brother syndrome" as personified in Christ’s parable of the “The Prodigal Son.”
What shines through this parable is the difference of attitude and motive of the two types of vineyard workers. One type worked for “hire.” The other type; out of willing spirit, free from personal gain or earthly ambition.
Christ’s Parables were [and, are] meant to be earthly stories that teach a spiritual [and, often, a heavenly] meaning:
One of Christ’s best know parables is "The Pharisee and the Publican." Again, as a child, I would confuse the title, and think of it as the “Pharisee and the Republican.” However, such is not the case by any means as the parable is [in more modern times & with more recent Bible translations] known as the "The Pharisee and the Tax Collector" Due to time constraints, perhaps, I can afford some separate topical sermon space to this popular parable. But suffice to say, those of you who wish to draw near to God and those of you who wish to be counted in heaven’s glory – you must come by way of Creator God, and His Christ. [John 3:14-21 ; Matthew 7:13-29]
You, whose sins vex and bother you – rejoice. That means that your conscience is not seared and is still alive. Your conscience bears witness to your better knowledge that your sins against God and your fellow man are grievous. A conscience full of vitality will not be content to ignore your sinful life and particular lifestyle, but will gravitate to mercy and forgiveness. Only in the Christ of history whose birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection will you find present complete relief and a life hereafter relief from your sins.
If your sins don’t bother you, you are most certainly in the worst of condition. You are like a blind, deaf and dumb man standing on a railroad track as the train approaches. Only the gracious disposition and sovereign will of God can make you aware of your hopeless condition so that you can become like that publican [tax collector] and cry out to the Triune God: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” [Luke 18:9-14]
Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"
This Sunday’s Message, Related Scriptures:
Old Testament:
Exodus 33 – God’s favor resting upon his servant, Moses
1 Kings 3 – The Lord graciously rewards Solomon wisdom and adds to his humble request, earthly material abundance
New Testament:
Matthew 20:1-16 – Christ’s Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
Luke 18:9-14 – Christ’s Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican
Romans 9:15-24 – The loving actions of the gracious and sovereign Triune God
Note for further reference and understanding:
The Christian Faith -- Parts 1-3:
1) What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?”
2) How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3) What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “saved” [is a Christian believer]?
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Complete list: Links to all the "Words in Season" topical messages
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Please note: http://christianhomeworship.blogspot.com/ is not intended to discourage Christian worship at another place and / or, particular [formal] denominational churches of worship. As its author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find it, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
Rev. Nathan Bickel
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