SBS Sermon Notes

SBS     Sermon Notes     Note 02/10

Yahweh's Labourers

1. THE ALMIGHTY'S VINEYARD
At a time when the majority of nations have huge unemployment problems, at a time when almost every club, church group and community has many unemployed members, we present this parable on employment.
Matthew 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard ... (read the whole parable)
This parable is about:

2. THE ELEVENTH-HOUR WORKER
Consider for a moment this worker's mentality. Who knows, in real life you may be represented by him.

3. THE WAGES
Matthew 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the 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.
Ponder the scene at that amazing payout.

4. THE COMPLAINT
Matthew 20:12 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.

5. WAS THE MASTER BEING UNFAIR?
verse 11 The Master is called the 'goodman of the house.'
v. 2 He made an agreement which he is keeping.
v. 4 He also made subsequent agreements with later workers to give them 'whatsoever was right.' No doubt he is also keeping that agreement. He is paying out what is right.
Was the Master being unfair? I doubt it. He is in fact dealing out a generous wage: firstly because he is a generous employer and secondly, because this end-time worker is extremely industrious. He had accomplished in one hour what had taken others all day.

6. THE LAST DAY BELIEVER
You and I have been called into the vineyard in the closing hours of earth's history - at the eleventh hour. This is that hour and you could be that 'eleventh-hour worker.' Think about it! The day will soon be spent and Yahweh is still looking for workers in His vineyard. Are you available for work? And if so, what is your attitude towards Yahweh's work? The Saviour told another parable about work. Here it is:
Matthew 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29: He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30: And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31: Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32: For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
How do you measure up to this survey? Which brother are you like? You need to give that question serious thought.

7. PERSONAL VINEYARDS / VINES
You and I are also likened to 'vines' in Yahweh's vineyard: 'sheep' in His flock: 'plants' in his garden. How are you making out? Are you producing good fruit? Or are you lining up to be cut down?

8. QUESTIONS WE MUST ALL ANSWER
Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
2: And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
3: And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
4: And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
5: And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
6: Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
7: But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
8: And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
9: What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

9. CHALLENGING QUESTIONS FOR BRAVE HEARTS

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Elder: David B Loughran
Stewarton Bible School, Stewarton, Scotland
Placed on Internet Dec.1995 ... Updated with KJV references July 1999