LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD

Matt. 20:1-16

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. We have before us another marvelous parable of Jesus, our Lord.
   B. The meaning of this parable has challenged many, and
      explanations and applications have varied greatly.
   C. I believe the true meaning of the parable can be easily        
      ascertained.
      1. Let's look first at its setting.

I. THE SETTING.
   A. Jesus had just completed His discussion with the rich young    
      ruler. Matt. 19:16-22
      1. Jesus had challenged the young man to give all that he had  
         to the poor and come and follow Him.
      2. He went away sorrowful because he was rich and unwilling
         to give up his riches.
   B. Jesus reveals to His disciples how hard it is for the rich to  
      enter heaven. Matt. 19:23-26
      1. This causes the disciples to ask, "Who then could be saved?"
         a. They thought if the rich, with all their afforded
            opportunities, could not be saved, none could.
      2. Jesus' response was that they could do it with the help of
         God.
   C. Peter then raises a question regarding what they will receive.
      Matt. 19:27-29
      1. They had accepted the challenge, had given up all to follow
         Jesus; and, thus, Peter asked, "Therefore what shall we
         have?"
      2. Actually, his question is a good one.
         a. It is good to ask, "What personal profit (or nonprofit)  
            is there for me in becoming a Christian and following the
            Lord?"
         b. In other words, "Why should I follow the Lord?"
      3. Jesus gives a marvelous answer. Matt. 19:28-30
         a. Verse 28 - Luke 22:28-30
            (1) The period of regeneration (of the "new birth") is
                now. 1 Pet. 1:22-23 (born again" or
                "regenerated").
            (2) Christ is sitting on the throne of His glory now. 1
                Pet. 3:22; Heb. 10:11-14
            (3) Thus, the twelve are now judging the twelve tribes
                of Israel by the Word of God which they
                delivered.
         b. Verse 29 - There are great personal advantages in this
            life for following the Lord.
            (1) Many have left earthly families, but have gained a
                great spiritual one.
            (2) Notice that Jesus added, "And in the age to come,
                eternal life." Mark 10:29-30
   D. Jesus added a thought in verse 30, which I think, is the key to
      understanding the parable in Matt. 20:1-16.
      1. In other words, everyone will finish the same.
      2. No matter how long each of the laborers had worked, they
         each received the same reward.
      3. The thief on the cross will enjoy the full blessings along  
         with those who have labored all their lives.
      4. Such is the grace of God.

II. THE DETAILS OF THE PARABLE.
   A. The landowner went out early in the morning to hire laborers   
      for his vineyard.
      1. The landowner represents "God."
      2. The laborers represent those of us who are members of the
         church.
   B. The first laborers agree to a certain wage.
      1. This is equal to the things God has promised us.
   C. Later, at different hours of the day, he finds more who are
      seeking employment, and hires them to work in his vineyard.
      1. He makes a promise that they will be paid whatever is right.
      2. Those being called at different hours of the day, no doubt,
         represent those who are called at various stages in their   
         lives.
   D. At the end of the day, the landowner chooses to pay every      
      worker an equal amount.
      1. This causes those who went to work in the beginning of the
         day to complain.
      2. The landowner responds by showing that he has treated them
         fairly because they had received according to their
         agreement. Matt. 20:13-15
         a. In other words, he is asking, "Are you envious because I
            am gracious?"
         b. There was really no cause for them to so react.

III. IMPORTANT LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE.
   A. Everyone should respond when called.
      1. All the workers in the parable immediately went to work
         when the landowner hired them.
      2. The parable lends no support of the old denominational
         doctrine of "death-bed repentance."
         a. Someone might say, "What about those who were called
            at the eleventh hour in the parable, weren't they
            rewarded the same as the others?"
         b. There is no comfort in this for those who trust in death-
            bed repentance, because all in the parable obeyed and
            went to work when called.
         c. Death-bed repentance is equivalent to the first-hour man
            saying, "It's too early; I'll wait to the eleventh hour."
   B. We all are workers.
      1. The landowner went out to hire laborers to work his
         vineyard.
      2. Also, there is a contrast between those standing idle and
         those who are working.
         a. Those in the vineyard are not the ones standing idle, but
            those outside.
         b. Many want to be employed by the Lord and receive the
            rewards, but don't want to work.
      3. There's a story about a fellow who was employed by a duke
         and duchess in Europe. "James," said the duchess to the
         employee, "how long have you been with us?" "About thirty
         years," he replied. "According to my records," said the
         duchess, "you were employed to look after the dog." "Yes,
         Ma'am," James replied. The duchess said, "James, that dog
         died twenty years ago." James said, "Yes, ma'am; what
         would want me to do next?" That about sums it up for some
         workers in the church!
   C. We should not question God in anything He does.
      1.  The landowner said - Verse 14b-15.
         a. Paul addressed this problem in the book of Romans in
            chapters 9-11 where he gives vindication of God's
            choices. Rom. 9:20-24
      2. If God wants to give all workers the same reward, who are
         we to complain?
   D. There should be no envy among the workers.
      1. Remember Peter's question. Matt. 19:27
         a. No doubt, it was easy for Peter, as well as all faithful
            disciples, to think, "We have done more than others;
            therefore, we are better than others."
         b. Or, "We have done more than others; therefore, God
            owes us more than others."
            (1) We must learn to walk humbly before God. Micah
                6:8; Rom. 11:8-22
            (2) Luke 17:10, a familiar yet deep verse, shows the
                attitude each of us should strive to maintain.
         c. All of us are equal laborers, working toward the same
            reward. 
            (1) Let us not be envious or jealous of one another.
   E. We need to faithfully labor and God takes care of the rest.
      1. We should faithfully continue to do our part and, most
         certainly, God will do His. 1 Pet. 4:19
      2. We should never use the fact, "each will receive the same
         reward" as an incentive to be lazy in the Lord's service.
         a. The attitude of "doing the least one can do" is an evil
            attitude that will condemn us. It is no better than      
            "death-bed repentance."
         b. All those workers in the vineyard were busy picking
            grapes. If they had not been, the landowner would not
            have been pleased with them.
      3. Here is a good illustration given by a teacher to his class.
         The teacher pulled out a small bucket and set it on the     
         table in front of him. He then pulled out several fist-sized
         rocks and carefully piled them into the bucket. When the    
         bucket was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit in,
         he asked,"Is this bucket full?" Everyone in the class said, 
         "Yes." The teacher said, "Really?" He reached under the     
         table and pulled out a sack of gravel and dumped some into  
         the bucket, and shaking it, he caused the pieces of gravel  
         to work themselves down into the spaces between the big
         rocks. He smiled and asked his class, "Is the bucket full?" 
         By this time the class was onto him. "Probably not," one of 
         them answered." "Good," he replied. Again, he reached under 
         the table and brought out a sack of sand. He started dumping
         the sand into the bucket and it went into all the spaces    
         left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked,  
         "Is this bucket full?" "No," the class shouted. Again, he   
         said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began
         pouring it into the bucket until it was full to the brim.   
         Then he asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One
         eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no    
         matter how full your schedule is, if you really try hard,   
         you can always fit some more things into it." The teacher   
         replied, "No, that's not the point. The point is: if you    
         don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in  
         at all."
      4. What are the "big rocks" in your life? What are your goals,
         priorities, interests?
         a. Let us remember to always put the Lord's work first.
         b. We are not standing all the day idle, but are workers in
            His vineyard.
         c.  We study His Word, visit, pray, worship, teach. We
            devote time to our families: our spouses, children,
            parents.
         d. We know that if we don't put these "big rocks" in first,
            we will never get them in at all.

Concl.
   A. When anyone is called by the gospel, he should respond
      immediately.
   B. If you are subject to the gospel call, why not let the gracious
      spirit of the landowner lead you in humble obedience to the
      gospel?
   C. And, thereafter, why not live the rest your life in grateful   
      service to Him?

Chart:
Important Lessons From The Parable

Everyone should respond when called.

We all are workers.

We should not question God in anything He does.

There should be no envy among the workers.

We need to faithfully do our duty and God take care of the rest.