Sermon Tone Analysis

Text: Matthew 20:1-16

Theme: The scandal of God’s grace.

As Baptists, we regularly sing a song entitled, Amazing Grace.

Why do we call grace ‘amazing?’

Because it is absolutely amazing that God would save a wretch like me.

Or a wretch like you.

It’s amazing because God’s wonderful, incredible grace does not depend upon our goodness.

There is a false notion—held by so many in our society—indeed held by many religious people around the world, that a person’s own goodness somehow merits their entry into the kingdom of God.

And yet the Bible teaches us just the opposite.

There is no better story to turn to understand the nature of God and His grace than the Parable of the Vineyard Workers.

In this sermon, I want you to notice three truths: 1.

The unacceptable answer, 2. the unemployed workers, and 3. the unbelievable offer.

I. THE UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER

1. the parable of the vineyard workers really begins back in Matthew 19

a. the circumstances at the end of this chapter lay the foundation for the occasion of the parable of the vineyard workers

2. this portion of the gospel narrative finds Jesus and his disciples on their way to Jerusalem

a. as they make their way south toward the city, Jesus is doing what he always does

b. he is healing those who are brought to him and teaching the crowds about the Kingdom of God

3. at one stop, Jesus sits down by the side of the road for a rest

a. as he sits, a young man who has been part of the throng following Jesus, bursts through the crowd, kneels at the Lord’s feet and asks, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

A. HERE IS A SINNER WHO FORESHADOWS MANY MODERN-DAY SEEKERS OF SPIRITUALITY

1. this seeker has so many things going for him that we count important in our own culture 2,000 years later

a. from this text and the parallel passage is Mark’s gospel we learn that . . .

1) he is young

2) he is a leader in his community

3) he is morally upright—a paragon of virtue

4) he is rich

5) he is religious

b.

I mean, doesn’t this guy sound like good deacon material to you?

2. but the man is also struggling with spiritual discontent

a. his question, “what must I do to inherit eternal life” is an honest and earnest question that reveals that his spiritual life is unsatisfying

3. this man’s life and character represents millions in our own culture and society

a. like the man of our story, many of our neighbors say they are religious, but at the same time they are struggling with deep spiritual discontent

b.

Americans have become deeply interested in spirituality while at the same time they have become dis-enamored by the Christian faith and the church

ILLUS.

It is interesting to me that two out of every three adult Americans – that’s about 65% – describe themselves as religious, but only 47% say that their faith is relevant to the way they live their lives each day and less than 30% believe that the church is relevant to their life or faith.

4. like the man in our story, our neighbors are asking the question: What must I do to inherit eternal life

B. HERE IS A SINNER WHO HOLDS THE POPULAR MISCONCEPTION OF HIS DAY

1. this rich young man was convinced that he could merit heaven and eternal life on his own

a. his question is What must I do to inherit eternal life

1) he assumes there was some act he could perform or some action he could take that would appease God and earn him the privilege of eternal life

b. he wants eternal life, but he wants it on his own terms

ILLUS.

C.S. Lewis once wrote: “There are only two kinds of people, in the end: Those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom God says, in the end ‘Thy will be done.’”

c. this man measured his spiritual life by external obedience to religious rules and regulations

1) he did not see the Old Testament law as a mirror which revealed the sinfulness of his sin and his utter condemnation before God

d. what he’s really look for—I think—is affirmation, a pat on the back from Jesus

1) he is hoping that the Christ will say, “Well, by golly, if you’ve obeyed all the religious rules and regulations passed on to us by our fathers, you’re on the right track.

Just keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll have it made.”

2. but Jesus doesn’t say that does he?

“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.

Then come, follow me.””

(Matthew 19:21, NIV84)

a. this young man had everything he needed – except a living faith

b. he wanted eternal life, but he wanted it on his terms

c. but Jesus countered with eternal life on God’s terms and those terms were unacceptable

C. MODERN MISCONCEPTIONS OF HOW TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE

1. there are those who believe they can inherit eternal life through good works and personal endeavor

a. it is such a common belief—if your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds at the end of life then you will go to heaven, if they don’t you go to hell

1) but I challenge you to find me someone—anyone—who does not believe that their righteousness out-performs their unrighteousness

ILLUS.

In a survey by religious pollster, George Barna, 83% of Americans believe that all people are basically good—including themselves!

b. but there is a problem with salvation by good works

1) what about the infant or small child who dies before they have the chance to do good works?

2) what about the quadriplegic who wants to do good works, but is physically unable?

3) what about the mentally handicapped who may not be able to discern what good works are?

4) what about those in poverty who do not have the financial means to do good works?

c. no, salvation by good works is no good—it is a salvation only for the healthy and the affluent

2. there are those who believe that they can inherit eternal life through exemplary moral conduct

a. this means of salvation also sounds promising—after all, doesn’t God want us to be moral?

b. but whose moral code do you use?

1) do we adhere to the moral code of the Shakers of the 18th century – a religious group that maintained that celibacy was the only really moral way of life – evan among married couples?

2) do we use the Victorian moral codes of the 19th century where a woman sinned by exposing more than two inches of an ankle?

3) do we use the moral code of the late 20th century that says promiscuous sex is fine as long as you love each of your many partners and that sodomy is fine as long as it’s a consenting adult?

c. no, salvation through exemplary moral conduct is no good, because everyone thinks their moral conduct is exemplary—even when it is not

3. there are those who believe that they can inherit eternal life by being religious

a. baptism and church membership ought to do the trick

b. this sound good too, but in reality it is too uncertain

c. what mode of baptism do you use?

1) do you sprinkle them?

2) do you pour water over them?

3) do you completely immerse them?

4) do you hold them under until they really repent?

d. what church do you join?

1) the Methodists?

2) the Baptists?

3) the Lutherans?

4) the Community Apostolic Church of St. Luke in Christ?

e. no, being religious is no good either, because it’s a salvation only for those lucky enough to choose right

4. there are just as many misconceptions today as to what it takes to inherit eternal life

D. JESUS’ ANSWER IS STILL UNACCEPTABLE

1. the thing that the rich young man lacked was unrivaled allegiance to God

2. we live in a culture where four out of five adults believe their own efforts determine their eternal destiny

a. like the rich young ruler, the lost of our culture see the demand of Christ to follow him in total surrender of life and loyalty as extreme and unacceptable

1) men have not changed

2) they still want eternal life, but they want it on their own terms and not Gods’

3. even the disciples were disturbed with the answer Jesus gave

“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”