Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

DefinitionsLandowner - represents ChristVineyard - represents the ChurchLaborers - represents ChristiansEnd of day - represents judgmentReward - Represents eternal salvation

Matthew 20:1-16

The Parable and Its Message

Owner hires workers – wage = pennyearlythird hoursixth hourninth houreleventh hour

All day workers complained !

All paid the same

denarius

The Parable and Its Message

Interpretations:

Workers - Jews ~ Gentiles

Gospel age till return of Christ

Periods of a person’s life

Early - - - - Late

The Parable and Its Message

Interpretations:First workers – apostlesOther workers – called by Christ

What everyone receives will be fair

Those who responded late …“because no one hired us”Accepted as soon as they heard

Lessons from this Parable

The Lord wants workers not idlers not bosses not loafers

Needs workers in His vineyard todayTeaching, visiting, helping othersBetter “well done” than “well said”

Lessons from this Parable

Kind of workers God wantsTwo classes

Contract = penny a dayPromise = whatever is right

Willing Workers…..not hirelings

Many excuses

Lessons from this Parable

Eccl. 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

Col. 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Parable of the Laborers in the VineyardMatthew 20:1-16

Called by the Gospel ~ obey at once

Laborers in the Kingdom ~ work diligently

Do what we can ~ no mercenary spirit

Attitude toward service ~ gratitude

Parable of the Laborers in the VineyardMatthew 20:1-16

Much work to be done Teach the lost Teach the converts Help the needy Visiting the sick

“Blessed are those who do His commandments” Rev. 22:14a

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening December 8, 2013