{"id":2475,"date":"2019-11-11T18:26:13","date_gmt":"2019-11-11T23:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=2475"},"modified":"2019-11-11T18:26:13","modified_gmt":"2019-11-11T23:26:13","slug":"the-parable-of-jesus-christ-the-workers-in-the-vineyard-november-10th-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=2475","title":{"rendered":"THE PARABLE OF JESUS CHRIST \u2013 THE WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD, NOVEMBER 10th, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"download<\/a><\/h2>\n

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CENTRAL THOUGHT<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

The promise of eternal life is for all believers of all ages.<\/span><\/h2>\n

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TEXT: <\/strong>Matthew 20:1-16<\/p>\n

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INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

The word parable comes from the Greek \u201cparabole\u201d meaning a placing beside.\u00a0 It is therefore the pacing of one subject by another as an illustration of spiritual things by familiar earthly objects or incidents that brings the stories nearer their audience.<\/p>\n

Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the greatest teacher this world has ever known, often spoke to the people in parables in the Gospel, Matthew 13:10-13.\u00a0 He made use of them to \u201cveil\u201d the truth from those who were not willing to acknowledge the truth, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.\u00a0 Those who really desired to know would not rest till they have found out the meaning, Isaiah 6:9-10.<\/p>\n

The parable of the workers in the vineyard was prompted by Peter\u2019s question on the reward for those of them who had forsaken all and followed Christ.\u00a0 The parable shows us that God in His sovereignty is debtor to no man, and that many who being last, may, with God\u2019s blessings and grace outstrip those who were first called in knowledge, grace and spiritual usefulness.\u00a0 This calls for humanity and reverential fear lest we should ourselves be found hypocrites at last.\u00a0 God will continue to engage laborers till the very close of the age but the gift of eternal life is to all no matter the time one comes into the fold.<\/p>\n

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LESSON OBJECTIVES<\/strong><\/p>\n

The objectives of this study are:<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To know what this parable implies.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. To know that the Lord keeps covenants.<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. To know that God rewards His laborers.<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. To appreciate vital lessons from the parable.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    BIBLE TRUTH<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    1. WHY WAS THIS PARABLE GIVEN BY JESUS? <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Parables are stories involving physical objects or circumstances used by Jesus to teach the hidden truths about God and His ways.\u00a0 This parable of the workers in the vineyard, shows how believers are called and engaged in the Lord\u2019s work of the kingdom.\u00a0 From the parable, it is clear that there is a reward for all workers who endure to the end no matter the time of engagement.\u00a0 People could be opportune to start in the ministry at an early age, others could serve longer while others could be called almost at the end of their life time or age.\u00a0 It is clear that the end result will be eternal life in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

      Christ is not interested in the death of a sinner.\u00a0 This is the basis of engaging laborers even up to the eleventh hour when he found them idle.\u00a0 Christ, the righteous judge will reward every believer in line with His word, \u201cBelieve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house\u201d, Acts 16:31.<\/p>\n

      No one may be given over either because of age for being too deep in sin, for Jesus could still pick him up at the eleventh hour.\u00a0 Any positive responses to the call \u201ccome follow Me\u201d will be rewarded.<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      1. COMMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT THE PARABLE SUGGESTS EQUAL REWARDS FOR ALL CHRISTIANS.\u00a0<\/strong>1 CORINTHIANS 3:8-15, REVELATION 22:12<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        From what is revealed, all laborers did what was expected of them.\u00a0 Here, it is not a matter of quantity or quality.\u00a0 The reward is the same for same quality of work.\u00a0 We should recognize that we are building on the same foundation, hence the terms of eternal life, it is equal reward.\u00a0 Eternal life is actually the gift of God offered to all who believe.\u00a0 We do not work to earn this.<\/p>\n

        In terms of work that each of us, Christians, put into service, the quality matters and it is the yardstick for our rewards and crown.<\/p>\n

        However, the blessings of God are not tied to the time of being born again; rather let us be aware that believers who are yet to be saved, once saved automatically qualify for God\u2019s blessings.\u00a0 God is not slack concerning His promises.\u00a0 The ultimate of God\u2019s blessings is ETERNAL LIFE in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

          \n
        1. HOW JUSTIFIED WERE THE LABORERS WHO STARTED WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING IN PROTESTING AGAINST EQUAL PAYMENT WITH OTHERS? Matthew 20:2 & 13-15 <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          The laborers were not justified.\u00a0 They reasoned that they should receive more.\u00a0 They murmured forgetting that the agreement was to work for the whole day for one penny.\u00a0 An agreement was being executed.\u00a0 It is true others took a ride in on God\u2019s grace especially those that came into the vineyard at about the eleventh hour.\u00a0 The instruction was \u201cGo ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.\u201d\u00a0 Our God is sovereign and no one can challenge that sovereignty; hence all are called to salvation.<\/p>\n

          The payment of a whole day\u2019s wage to those who came in at the eleventh hour shows that God distributes His rewards by grace and sovereignty, and not of debt.\u00a0 The laborers quarreled with their master not because they had not enough but that others were equal with them.\u00a0 They boast of their services.\u00a0 There may always be this tendency to think we have received less of the tokens of God\u2019s favor than others.<\/p>\n

          There may also be the temptation to undervalue the input of others, and to overvalue our own.\u00a0 It is hard for those who have suffered more than ordinary for God or have been used to do mighty works for Him, not to be elevated too much with the thought of it.\u00a0 Therefore, let us note that our thinking and our ways are not God\u2019s.\u00a0 God is faithful and righteous.<\/p>\n

          \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          1. WHAT ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE HOUSEHOLDER PORTRAY GOD\u2019S CHARACTER?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            The Householder called laborers into the Vineyard.\u00a0 This is an indication of God\u2019s desire to have us partake of the things of the kingdom.\u00a0 We are His workmanship.\u00a0 He consistently came at regular intervals to call laborers into the Vineyard.\u00a0 This depicts His desire for a rich harvest at the end of the age.<\/p>\n

            The Householder fulfilled His agreement to all who worked for Him to the end of the day.\u00a0 This is a strong confirmation of God\u2019s faithfulness to all who endure to the end, and shows also that He is the God of grace.\u00a0 He is the one who pays the wages for our laborers and his judgment is righteous.\u00a0 All who labor for Him will receive a reward.<\/p>\n

            There is an indication that God values our service and takes good account of whatever labor we put in to bring souls into the kingdom.<\/p>\n

            \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. WHAT ARE THE LESSONS DERIVED FROM THIS PARABLE?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Firstly, God is calling us to Ministry.\u00a0 In our call, we must rely on His grace.\u00a0 Our response to His call brings us under his control.<\/p>\n

              Secondly, we should not put the reward first.\u00a0 We must not be envious of co-laborers in the field.\u00a0 Encouraging ourselves is healthier.<\/p>\n

              Knowing God\u2019s sovereignty, a portion or reward given to us during the course of our work should be received with gladness and contentment.<\/p>\n

              The work of soul harvest demands our attention instead of idling away in the market place.\u00a0 The market place is for business, of noise and hurry where the temper lures men into sin and hires laborers to feed swine.\u00a0 From the market place, Christ hires us as laborers in His Vineyard, the Church, which is His planting, watering and fencing: we as laborers are called to keep and dress it for Him.\u00a0 As laborers, we must not be slothful, nor loiterers, but working, busy for the Lord.\u00a0 He promises us a reward.\u00a0 He will not be unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, Hebrews 6:10.<\/p>\n

              We have been hired for a day \u2013 the time of life.\u00a0 The work is for a day but the reward is for eternity.\u00a0 This should spur us on to work with diligence \u2013 for the time is short.\u00a0 The night comes when no man can work.\u00a0 We must therefore work the works of Him that has hired us while it is day, John 9:4.\u00a0 Heavenly inheritance is not obtained as earthly inheritances commonly are, by seniority of age, and priority of birth, but according to God\u2019s pleasure.\u00a0 Many that are first shall be the last, and the last, first.\u00a0 Believers ought therefore to tread carefully, fearing the LORD.\u00a0 Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls into sin.\u00a0 There is no room for boasting.\u00a0 We are what we are by the grace of God.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

              DAILY LIVING APPLICATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

              Each parable that our Lord gave is intended to convey a picture or message of things of the kingdom of God.\u00a0 This parable illustrates the calling of men of different moral attainments at various times.\u00a0 It also shows that because of the calling at different times no one can lay more claim than the others, for He, God Is the God of all.\u00a0 We should endeavor to be one of the faithful laborers that God is using to fulfill His plan for mankind without expecting a reward of praise from men.\u00a0 We should also put off regret for not coming in earlier.\u00a0 Rather we should work in faith for the kingdom reward.<\/p>\n

              \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

              MEMORY VERSE<\/strong><\/p>\n

              1 Corinthians 15:58<\/p>\n

              \u201cTherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              CENTRAL THOUGHT The promise of eternal life is for all believers of all ages.   TEXT: Matthew 20:1-16   INTRODUCTION The word parable comes from the Greek \u201cparabole\u201d meaning a placing beside.\u00a0 It is therefore the pacing of one subject by another as an illustration of spiritual things by familiar earthly objects or incidents that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2477,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/download-2.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2475"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2478,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2475\/revisions\/2478"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}