Fairness or Grace: You Choose
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ILLUST: Kids and working to put away toys
(Tell the story, with the kids, pay each)
Story
Story
Peter had started this in
*Five Groups of People
Called early, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 11th hours (6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 3:00, 5:00)
Not lazy, but looking to work, might go hungry that day if not find any
Specific pay promised to first group called to work (denarius - day’s wage)
All others: “what is right” (assumed for the 4 groups)
By law, workers like this were to be paid daily, to avoid bad boss behavior
*First group paid (last group called to work) - receives full day’s wage (12x what was expected)
Next 4 groups must assume they are getting commensurately more
Last group paid what promised
Fair? They grumble (BUT, paid what promised)
Peter started this, “Hey, what about us? We’ve left everything. This gonna turn out good for us?”
Jesus is saying “Peter, there will be others coming, after you; God’s gonna take care of you, PROMISE
*Really, only 2 groups compared - those hired first and the other groups
Our Application
Our Application
God’s Treatment of Kingdom Dwellers
God’s Treatment of Kingdom Dwellers
And the qualities of God on display)
1) God is Just with all His people
1) God is Just with all His people
Nobody will be shortchanged
Jesus says “Friend” in a soft rebuking way
We are used to the world’s ways - work longest = most pay
In the kingdom, merit, worth, ability are set aside - Grace prevails
Can be hard to accept - “It’s not fair!”
In the parable, the workers trust the integrity of the landowner (to pay ‘what is right’)
Do we trust God’s integrity to care for us for eternity?
2) God’s Grace is (Amazingly) Marvelous!
2) God’s Grace is (Amazingly) Marvelous!
...and we are the recipients - Grace shown in the generosity of Heaven
People who appear less-deserving are treated generously
People who appear less-deserving are treated generously
God deals with people much more leniently than they deserve
“Is your eye envious?” (NASB) evil eye depicting jealously, envy
In the kingdom, merit, worth, ability are set aside - Grace prevails
Can be hard to accept - “It’s not fair!”
But if the Spirit rules your heart...
Under God’s grace
We can still give in to the flesh, and worry or envy
But God gives every believer something to do, for Him
Don’t worry about what He’s given me to do
Take care of following, and doing what He’s given you to do!
(Do your job, not someone else’s - IF we all did what He has for us to do, this community would change, NOW)
But we all worry about being first, and being treated fairly
Life’s not fair, this world’s not fair - SIN is here
Life’s not fair, this world’s not fair - SIN is here
Do you want God to be FAIR? Or do you desire GRACE?
To ask God to be fair = request for damnation!
To ask God to be fair = request for damnation!
3)God’s Ultimate Perspective
3)God’s Ultimate Perspective
All true disciples are equal in His eyes
First shall be last…numerical order not important, irrelevant, meaningless
Grace is from God, in that Jesus paid it all!
Payment is done - Vineyard is done, ready for work
Payment is done - Vineyard is done, ready for work
(Fields are white for harvest.... John 4:35)
each of us given different tasks
all who are truly His will be rewarded
all who are truly His will be with Him eternally
God is GOOD! Forget “FAIR”
Judgment day will be unique for each believer, and God will be GOOD
Putting the Text to Work
Putting the Text to Work
God’s Treatment based on His Qualities
Just treatment, because He is Righteous and Just
God gives grace - He is Sovereign to do so
God’s perspective - He is Good
Kingdom rewards are certain, based on His sovereign grace
The saved are rewarded with eternal happiness, with God
All in the Kingdom will be happy, forever!
Kingdom Application: Kingdom-dwellers are already pleased and work for Him, follow Him, because they know and accept what He’s done.
Let’s not compare our gifts/contributions with those of others
For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Prodigal son - recall (Father loved both sons equally)
Landowner - pays equally (meaning, eternal glory is not based on our merit, our worth, our works)
What has God given you to do? Where does He find you working, right now?
Teacher, spouse, parent, laborer,
He’s not demanding that we all be pastors, missionaries, people doing BIG things! (But I’m not very important - YES YOU ARE!)
Do ALL things to the glory of God!
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
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LOOK UP, NOT AROUND!
STOP WORRYING ABOUT “FAIR” - FOCUS on YOUR relationship with God - YOURS!
WORK FOR HIM - The pay is great, and the retirement package is literally out of this world!