YOU ASKED FOR IT SERIES
QUESTION: “HOW COME LIFE IS NOT FAIR?”
SEMON TITLE – “LIFE IS MORE THAN FAIR”
Mike Barnett,
Matthew 20: 1-16 (pg.
697) says:
1"For
the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to
hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them
a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3"About the third hour he went out and saw others
standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told
them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is
right.' 5So they went.
"He
went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others
standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long
doing nothing?'
7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and
work in my vineyard.'
8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to
his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the
last ones hired and going on to the first.'
9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came
and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who
were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also
received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began
to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were
hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to
us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not
being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired
last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to
do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16"So the last will be first, and the first will be
last."
·
The Vineyard
= ______________________________(The
·
The Landowner
= ________(God), the Father.
·
The Foreman =
___________(Jesus), the Son of God.
·
The Laborers
= _______________(Christians).
·
The Denarius = ____________ _________(eternal
life) which all received equally by trusting in Christ.
·
The Workday =
The Believer's _____________(Lifetime) of ____________(Service).
·
The third
hour = __________(
·
The sixth
hour = __________(
·
The ninth
hour = __________(
·
The eleventh
hour = __________(
·
In this
parable, Jesus in not teaching about the difference in heavenly rewards, but
the _____________(equality) of _________________(salvation).
Why
do all Christians get the same treatment in regards to salvation?
·
From God’s
perspective there is not much ___________________(difference) between the most
godly Christian and the most sinful Christian…There is a bigger _________________(separation)
from the most godly Christian and Jesus Christ
"All our righteous
deeds are like a filthy garment" Isaiah 64:4
Romans
3:22-23 says:
"This
righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There
is no difference, for al have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by
Christ Jesus". Romans 3:22-23
·
The Bible
says we all have been ________________(separated) from
God by our pride and it is only by God’s ____________(grace) that we are saved
from our sin.
Ephesians
2:8-9 says:
"For
it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can
boast". Ephesians 2:8-9
NOTE:
In the Matthew 20:1-16 parable, Jesus was dealing with the _____________(selfish), indulgent, _____________(envious), and ambitious
orientation of the disciples.
·
He wanted
them to see, and he wants all his followers to see, that salvation is not in
any way deserved or earned.
·
It is the free gift of God, dispensed sovereignty
and impartially to whomever believes in his son.
·
Although this
parable is addressing the equality of salvation, it addresses daily Christian
living for the “Christ follower”.
·
Some
Christians do not like the fact that they have certain spiritual gifts and are
envious of other Christians who have more esteemed gifts from their
perspective.
·
God says that
all gifts are needed for the body of Christ to built
up.
1
Corinthians 12:14-26 (pg. 813) says:
14Now
the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If
the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,"
it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And
if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the
body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of
hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every
one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they
were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is,
there are many parts, but one body.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need
you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be
weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think
are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are
unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while
our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the
members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that
its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If
one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every
part rejoices with it.
·
There are no
inferior gifts.
·
Actually, the
Bible says that the gifts that are perceived as inferior service positions are
actually the most important.
·
There are
Christians who not like their personality or temperament and they are envious
of other Christians.
·
A Healthy
church needs Melancholies.
·
A Healthy
church needs Cholerics.
·
A Healthy
church needs Phlegmatics.
·
A Healthy
church body needs Sanguines.
·
A
·
Just like one
spiritual gift is not better than another…one temperament is not better than
another.
·
God created
each of us with different temperaments, personalities, spiritual gifts and
abilities for a reason!
·
When we are
envious of others, we question God’s good judgment!
QUESTION:
WHEN YOU ARE SPENDING ALL YOUR TIME TRYING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE, THEN WHO IS
GOING TO SPEND TIME BEING YOU?
GOD
HAS SAID: “Friend, I am not being unfair to you”.
·
GOD IS NOT
BEING UNFAIR TO YOU!
·
He wants you
to be the person he created you to be!
ILLUSTRATION: - PORING POP IN UNEQUAL PROPORTIONS.
1. Instead of _________________(dwelling)
on what I did not get as _______________(compared) to other people I need to
____________(focus) on what I do have in Christ.
2. I need to trust God’s ______________ _______________(perfect timing) – God chooses when and how to bless his
children.
·
The biggest
pay day will be when Jesus comes again and I receive my eternal inheritance.
2
Peter 3:8-15 says:
"But
do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a
thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in
keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of
the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the
elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be
laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people
ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to
the day of God and speed its coming". 2 Peter 3:8-15
3. God’s _______________(blessings)
to His people far exceed their ___________(ability) to earn them. The gift is
always bigger than the person.
Timothy
"If
we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself".
Timothy 2:13
·
Just as sin
is the great equalizer that causes every man to "fall short of the glory
of God", God’s grace is the great equalizer that removes sin and makes
every believer equally acceptable to him in Christ.
4. Christian’s grumble and complain when they do not
understand God’s _________________ ___________(generous
grace) nor ________________(reciprocate) it to others.
Matthew
5:43-48 says:
"Love
your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and good, and sends
rain on the righteous and unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what
reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you
greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even
pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is
perfect". Matthew 5:43-48
5. Christians grumble and complain when they do not
understand their ____________(role) as "Christ ______________(followers)"
nor walk in it - Christians are called to be ________________(givers) and
________________(servants) not takers and Kings.
Luke
17:4-10 says:
"When
you have done everything you were told to do, you should say, ‘We are unworthy
servants; we have only done our duty". Luke 17:4-10
Mark
9:33-35 says:
"He
(Jesus) asked them (the disciples) ‘ What were you arguing about on the road?’
But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the
greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said, "If anyone wants
to be first, he must be very last, and the servant of all". Mark 9:33-35
Galatians
6:9-10 says:
"Let
us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good
to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers".
Galatians 6:9-10
6.
Christians
grumble and complain when they do not change their ___________________(unresourceful)
emotional and mental _____________(states) through regular and ongoing
________________ _______________(paradigm) ___________(shifts) – The Christian
is no longer a _____________(victim), they are a _________________(victor) in
Christ.
Romans
12:1-2 says:
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's
mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this
is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's
will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
·
I have no
right to be ______________(envious) because God has
blessed me too – I just do not see it right now, but I will one day!
·
I have no
right to protect "_______(my) ___________ (turf)"
because it’s really not mine – it’s God’s.
·
As a
Christian, I am called to live like:
A.
I have nothing to ____________(lose)
B.
I have nothing to ____________(prove)
C.
I have nothing to ____________(hide)
WHEN GOD LAVISHLY GIVES
TO OTHERS:
·
I will _________________(celebrate) with others when God _________________(blesses)
them.
Romans
"Rejoice
with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn". Romans 12:14
WHEN
GOD LAVISHLY BLESSES OTHERS:
·
I will ___________(refute) the lie that: God has ________________(passed) me
by – It is not true nor is it possible.
Matthew
7:7-11 says:
"Ask
and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him
who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread,
will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you,
then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask
him!"" Matthew 7:7-11
·
I will
remember that God can, has, and will do the same for me in his way and in his
time!
James
"Every
good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the
heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows". James 1:17
PRACTICAL
APPLICATION:
Philippians 4:4-8 says:
4Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
says:
16Be joyful always; 17pray
continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for
this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
7 "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his
compassion?"
Selah
10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most
High."
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long
ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah
16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
4) I will choose to trust what I cannot __________(see) – (JESUS) more than what I can see.
Mark
8:17-21 says:
"Why
are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are
your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to
hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five
thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"
"Twelve," they replied. "And when I broke the seven loaves for
the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They
answered, "seven". He said to them, "Do you still not
understand?". Mark 8:17-21
5) I will acknowledge that I, (not just the other
person) has been ______________(richly) ________________(blessed)
despite what my finite ________________(perception) may try to tell me.
In
Christ I have:
·
The
forgiveness of my sins.
·
A new life
and opportunity to start over.
·
Spiritual
gifts, talents and gifts uniquely to me.
·
A unique
purpose bigger than life itself.
·
Eternal life.
·
Jesus living
inside of me right now.
·
A whole
person lacking nothing.
Ephesians
1: 11-14
"In
him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who
works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…And you were
also included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with the seal, the promised
Holy Spirit, who is the deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption
of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory". Ephesians
1: 11-14
6) I will realize God’s timing is perfect – I’m not too __________(old) and I’m not too ____________(young) to receive God’s
blessings.
7) I will stop __________________(comparing)
myself to other people.
8) I have decided not be _____________(jealous)
or ________________(envious) when God richly blesses other Christians.
James
3:14-18 says:
"If
you harbor bitter and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or
deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is
earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish
ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that
comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate,
submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers
who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness". James 3:14-18
9) I will transition from a _______________(scarcity) mindset to an __________________(abundance)
mentality - knowing God will provide, protect and take care of his children
including me.
Matthew
6:25-31 says:
25"Therefore
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about
your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the
body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of
the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who
of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies
of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I
tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of
these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the
field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not
much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not
worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we
wear?'
11) I NEED TO ________________(EMBRACE)
THE __________________(TRUTH) THAT GOD IS NOT BEING UNFAIR TO ME EVEN WHEN I
PERCIEVE IT THAT WAY.
Matthew 20:9-15 says:
9"The
workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a
denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first,
they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the
landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only
one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the
burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not
being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired
last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to
do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16"So the last will be first, and the first will be
last."
JESUS SAID: “IF YOU KNOW
THE TRUTH, THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE”!