The Kingdom of God (6)
By Grace Eli
This study was first taught on December 4, 2012
Topic: The Kingdom of God (6): The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week, we studied the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price as being likened to the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:45-46). We noted that the crucial lesson here lies in the truth that the kingdom of God is of inestimable value, it is very precious, and very costly, because its citizens were purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God! We also noted that possessing this pearl of great price accrued to its owner great wealth which we identified to be the blessings which accompany salvation, such as: freedom from past sins (forgiveness of sins) and the dominion of sin in our present state of salvation; reconciliation with God the Father; the gift of eternal salvation; the gift of the outpouring and in-dwelling Holy Spirit; sonship—being made joint heirs with Christ; undefiled and incorruptible blessings reserved in heaven; authority and power over Satan and his demons; and, the hope of glory eternally in heaven with God (we shall rule and reign with Jesus in the Age to come); etc.
We said that the kingdom of God is so important and precious, that it is far greater in value, than the sum total of all the earthly possessions and riches that any man can ever have! Therefore, we said that giving up worldly pleasures, possessions, hopes and ambitions, which are constantly opposing the will of God for our lives; yes, and even our own very lives, in the pursuit of the kingdom of God, is certainly not an unequal exchange! Paul, a foremost Apostle of Jesus Christ, counted all but dung for the Excellency of the knowledge of God per adventure he could understand the reason why God apprehended him. We concluded that, just like the Merchant in this parable ought we as followers of Christ, also to give up (sell) all that we possess in order to inherit (buy) the kingdom of God (Pearl of Great Price)!
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 20:1-16
Today, we will examine yet another parable of the kingdom of God, as we study the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. We pray that the Lord will reveal to us the import of the message in this parable, particularly, as we all, as believers and His disciples, have been called into His work in this our dispensation, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Exodus 33:13, 17-19; 34:6-7; Luke 11:29-32,37-42,52; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 10:1-3; Acts 1:12-15; Luke 11:49-51; Revelation 2:2-3; Malachi 4:4-6; Matthew 11:10,11,13; Luke 13:28-30; Matthew 19:27-30; Matthew 26:6-13; John 20:1-18; Luke 23:39-43; John 4:31-38; 1 Corinthians 15:9-10; Romans 16:12; Philippians 4:3; Acts 1:15-20; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:10; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; Revelation 21:14; Ephesians 2:4-7; Romans 9:14-16; Isaiah 55:8-9; Deuteronomy 32:3-4.
Conclusion
Our study tonight instructs that, over the Age, many labourers have been called, invited, engaged, or employed to work in God’s vineyard, and this process will continue until the end of time; at which point, each labourer will be paid according to his labour, or rewarded with a ‘just wage’, according to the instruction of God, the owner of the work (vineyard/kingdom). God’s reward will be equitable, or, right, and it will have nothing to do with the number of years or hours that the labourer has put to work. Rather, the wages or the reward that will be given to each labourer, will be borne out of the Goodness of God (that is, His heart), and the Grace of God (that is, His favour borne out of His love for His own). That is why the workers that were employed in the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and the 11th hour in this parable, all received exactly the same wages as the labourers who were employed early in the morning of the same day!
The Bible tells us that promotion does not come from east west, or south, but from God Who is the Judge, and Who puts down one and exalts another (Psalm 75:6). God is the One Who shall weigh every man’s work and reward him accordingly. Therefore, our attitude as workers in His Vineyard should be such that our labouring is done out of a sincere heart of love and reverence for God, not murmuring or complaining, not idle or covetous of others, but serving the Master in love and godly fear, trusting Him absolutely to reward us bountifully from the riches of His grace! (Romans 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:4-7).
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